Ficus: the survival specialists in flowering plants world

Ficus: the survival specialists in flowering
plants world
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Evergreen species:‘Ficus' genus has over 750 species, distributed all over the
tropical regions of the world.
The mention of ‘Ficus' will bring to everybody's mind, the Banyan Tree in all its
magnificence displayed through its spread, crown, foliage and ever burgeoning prop
roots. Also many more know the ‘Peepal Tree' which is considered very pious in Hindu
religion as well as in Buddhism.
Ficus is hardy perennial evergreen species with variable form of leaves, branches and
trunks and adapted to wide range of growing conditions. The ‘Ficus' genus has over 750
species, distributed in all over the tropical regions of the world, and it is one of the largest
genus among the flowering plants. In the forests of Andhra Pradesh, about 25 species of
Ficus can be found. There are many large banyan trees extending to more than one acre
in our state, for example, Timmamma marri manu in Anantapur district, and Pillalamarri
in Mahabubnagar district.
As garden plants
Many species / varieties of Ficus are available as ornamental shrubs, trees, climbers and
ground covers. With their showy forms, leaf texture, shapes, shades, versatile growth,
evergreen nature, pollution resistance, hardy growth, and capacity to withstand heavy
pruning, Ficus species are much sought-after as garden plants. Most of the garden
varieties are suitable for growing in containers both outdoors as well as in shaded
locations. Majority of the Ficus species are evergreen with large leaves, and so release
good amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere and hence are suitable for urban plantations.
Ficus species are adaptable to various light, moisture and soil conditions, which makes
them survival specialists in the flowering plants world!
Many Ficuses are popular Bonsai choices due to the pliability of trunks and branches and
due to their positive response to pruning. Their ability to live long is an icing on the cake!
Two or more Ficus plant stems can also be braided to have decorative appearance. Ficus
is the most favourable species for making topiaries (trimming the plants into various
shapes), multi-stemmed foliage balls, etc. Also a row of stems can be netted to have a
long mat of live plants!
Propagation
Most Ficus species root easily from cuttings. Commercially Ficus seedlings are produced
from air-layers that are taken from stock plants. Tissue culture is also a main mode of
propagation for many of the ornamental Ficus species. The tree Ficuses can be raised
easily from the tiny seeds inside the figs.
Maintenance
Watering and feeding the Ficus plants, especially the potted ones, is probably the area
which needs attention. Watering should be given depending on the location, season and
size of the plant. Soil should be kept moist but not soggy. The soil should not totally dry
out between two waterings. Moisture stress and very low light contribute significantly to
leaf drop.
Most common insects affecting the Ficus plants are mealy bugs, aphids and scales.
Cleaning the leaves regularly will help not only in appearance but also in removing the
pests. Ficus can also get fungus attack. The dead branches shall be removed to avoid
further distribution of the disease. In acute conditions of disease, application of
fungicides and insecticide may solve the problem. Otherwise with optimum light,
nutrition and moisture conditions, generally the Ficus species are not easily susceptible to
diseases.
Will Ficus damage buildings? There is a wrong notion that Ficus plants cannot be planted
near buildings, gutters, walls etc., due to the apprehension that the aggressive roots of the
Ficus species would uproot the foundation of the buildings and walls. Though it is true
that any tree with buttressed trunk (bulged in the lower portions of the trunk) can lift the
small stones and concrete blocks surrounding the base of it for its growth, no tree can
damage civil structures. It is most commonly seen that large tree species like Ficus
benghalensis , Ficus religiosa , Ficus microcarpa etc. grow on the old buildings, temples
and forts for over a century without damaging the structures.
N. CHANDRA MOHAN REDDY
(The author is a forest officer and can be contacted at ‘nchandramohanreddy
@gmail.com').
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-propertyplus/article3457572.ece