Drake's ficus natalensis

[SFDrake]

Got this guy at Wigert's recently. Lugging this guy around in the heat was a blast (things about 60 or 70 pounds). It fits in great with my collection and should thrive in my climate. Very happy with this purchase, already falling in love with this tree.....who else has one?

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Quite nice. I do not have natalensis. I have an un-named species, similar to willow leaf Ficus.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Very nice. Trunk looks awesome. Time to work the branches, and drop a few aerial roots. In my limited experience ficus aerial roots take longer than schefflera but you're in FL so this should work out great.

 

[jason biggs]

this is proper natalensis - my favourite fig in the world ... you will now have an endless supply as they root almost 100% from cuttings just stuck in the ground... they fuse fantastically and operate splendidly as strangler figs...

 

[Youngling]

 

[SFDrake]

this is proper natalensis - my favourite fig in the world ... you will now have an endless supply as they root almost 100% from cuttings just stuck in the ground... they fuse fantastically and operate splendidly as strangler figs...

Thanks for the tip!

 

[SFDrake]

View attachment 613550

Nice!

 

[Youngling]

Nice!

Thanks. The branching is not quite there yet so I'm working on that.
The roots can become very aggressive and thicken very fast. Note the thick root circling the pot.
They have fairly large leaves but do reduce pretty well.
Great fun to work with. Lots of possibilities and very flexible.

 

[pweifan]

Quite nice. I do not have natalensis. I have an un-named species, similar to willow leaf Ficus.

Any pics?

 

[SFDrake]

Losing some interior leaves over the last few days. Still looks like plenty of new growth. Not sure if this is normal for them after a slight transition of florida coasts, or maybe change in sunlight. They had it under a shade cloth, and I have it under a banyon tree. It does get a few hours of direct sunlight every day. It's been raining every afternoon here so that is the watering schedule right now . No sign of insects. Everything look normal to you guys? Am I worrying over nothing here?

 

[pweifan]

Ficus shed leaves when they experience changes in environment (such as moving its location). If it continues to look as happy as it does in these pics, I wouldn't be worried unless the outer leaves start to look "off".

 

[SFDrake]

Ficus shed leaves when they experience changes in environment (such as moving its location). If it continues to look as happy as it does in these pics, I wouldn't be worried unless the outer leaves start to look "off".

Thanks, this is what I was hoping for!

 

[Youngling]

Ficus shed leaves when they experience changes in environment (such as moving its location). If it continues to look as happy as it does in these pics, I wouldn't be worried unless the outer leaves start to look "off".

True they can throw off leaves when moved.
Also have different habits depending on the micro climate they're placed.
This one is still green with last years leaves. Pretty soon they will yellow and shed them almost all at once, and start pushing new buds.
The one I posted a pic of first has already started budding. Early into spring over here.