The beauty and diversity of the banyan tree

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PRETTY SIGHT: The banyan’s berries contrast beautifully with its leaves.

I WAS pleasantly surprised recently to find banyan trees with gorgeous red fruits in a small condominium park. They were such a delight to look at and contrasted greatly with the ghost stories of the past associated with large established banyan trees.

There are over 800 species of the genus Ficus, which is the Latin name for figs. A number of them – but not the edible Ficus carica – make excellent indoor plants. They are easy to take care of and prized for their green foliage.

Banyan are quick growing and arching plants ideal for bonsai as they can be pruned or cut at will to get a flush of new foliage. This characteristic makes bonsai design fairly easy, especially when bending and stretching are required.

The Ficus buxifolia has figs that look like berries. The name means box-like and is appropriate as the leaves are about two centimetres across and roughly triangular in shape, similar to plants of the genus Buxus (boxwood).

The most familiar form is the Ficus elastica, which is preferred for indoor use with improved forms. The variety has large shiny leathery leaves with prominent midribs and straight stems. Side branching can be induced by cutting off the growing point. This would cause copious bleeding of latex that can be stopped by putting some powdered charcoal to induce new branches.

Popular variegated banyan are distinguished by their leaf forms. Ficus elastica has pink and cream coloured patches on a green leaf base. Doescheri has grey and cream markings on a green leaf base with a bright pink central midrib. Variegata has leaves that are narrower and more drooping than other varieties. This plant has a yellow border and yellow patches on the leaves.

A favourite among landscapers now is Ficus benjamina or weeping fig. It is a smaller graceful tree that is used for mixed planting. It grows up to four metres tall and all the leaves droop down as if bent by a heavy load of snow. The leaves are mainly a pale white with some patches of light green. However I have seen one plant change to completely green when planted in the open. If you have experienced this, do let me know.

Propagation and cultivation

Being an epiphyte that grows on minimum water and food, this plant is one of the easiest to grow and propagate. Get cuttings and wait for the latex to dry or use charcoal powder to seal the leak. Just insert in a sand or soil medium and then water. As the days go by, you will notice new leaves slowly emerge and gradually more roots will form. Very soon a new plant will be ready for potting.

When trimming, may sure you do not leave the cuttings on the ground or these may strike roots and give you unwanted plants.

Controlling its spread is necessary as the aerial roots from branches and stems can entangle another host plant and strangle it, preventing further growth.

Ensure the plant gets enough light as it will not tolerate total shade. Exposure to sunlight will ensure the colour of the foliage remains green or in variegated colour patterns.

Ficus pumila cannot tolerate any dry spells as its paper-thin leaves would simply shrivel and drop off. Other varieties can be more tolerant to stress.

Feed with normal NPK or liquid fertiliser to boost growth. Chicken dung is also a good option.
Send me an email for more details or comments. Happy gardening.