Tigerbark Ficus

by Latha Rao

 Tigerbark ficus is a cultivar of Microcarpa. There are many cultivars and varieties like Chinese Banyan and Indian Laurel.

It was discovered in 1970 by a grower in southern part of Taiwan and was named after the grower’s nickname “Kim M’ng” which means blonde or golden hair in taiwanese dialect for his blonde hair.

When the communists took over mainland China the nationkists retreated to a nationalist controlled group of islands called Kinmen in Taiwan strait.Kinmen means Golden Gate in local taiwanese hence the plant came to be known as Golden Gate or Golden Hair Ficus.

Since the newly discovered cultivsr has conspicuous white blotches and stripes in the bark of young trees which look like tiger stripes the name Tiger Bark ficus became a  popular alternate name in Taiwanese. The whitish stripes would fade ad the tree grew older.

Note:- Cultivars are plant types that have been grown by humans for a particular trait such as taste, colour, bark, smell, shape etc.,.

PROPOGATION

    a) CUTTINGS – Can be grown from cuttings. Can be planted at any time of the year.

Highest success during spring.

    b) SEEDS – Works easily in most cases.

    c) PURCHASE A GROWING PLANT –

Can purchase pre-bonsai material, pre-styled. Such plants will be well tended and of good quality.

FERTILIZING

These species can be fed fertilizers on a weekly basis or once in 15 days.

Liquid fertilizers or organic fertilizer pellets can be applied.

PRUNING

---Pruning should be done by pruning back to two leaves after six to eight leaves have grown.

WIRING

Wiring of thin to medium -strong branches is easy as they are flexible. But, they must be checked regularly as they cut into bark very quickly.

Strong branches should be shaped using guy-wires because they can be left on the tree for a much longer period.

--They react well to grafting of branches, roots and to other grafting techniques.

--Under suitable conditions even aerial roots can be taken from one part of the tree and grafted in a different position.

--For faster closing of large wounds, young plants, shoots or aerial roots can be grafted across the wound.

-- Formation of aerial roots requires 100% humidity which can also be created artificially using glass covers or transparent sheets.

WATERING

Water normally.

Give water generously whenever the soil gets slightly dry. It can take occasional over/under watering.

        ◦ Soft water with room temperature

        ◦ Daily misting to maintain humidity. Do not overdo.

REPOTTING

Repotting can be done during Spring, every other year ., once in two to three years.

It tolerates root pruning very well.

POSITION

It can be grown ad indoor bonsai. It cannot endure frost. It can be kept outside in summer if temperatures are above 15 degree C.

Should be kept in full sunlight whether inside or outside house. Shade is unfavourable.

These plants can endure low humidity due to thick waxy leaves bit they prefer high humidity and very high humidity to develop aerial roots.

PESTS

Scale os the only common pest problem and this can be handled with dormant oil sprays:

Neem oil sprays

Insecticide.

Spray soak the plant. Smother the scaled part including the soil.After it dries scrape off the dead scales. Treat for 2-3 times depending on the severity.