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Ficus Auriculata

Found a beautiful tree at the Huntington Gardens. The figs are not ripe yet, will have to visit in a month or two to check on them.

The leaves are huge and glossy.

A few interesting facts found online:

The fruits are edible and are used to make jams, juices and curries in India.
Ficus Auriculata is one of the more delicious figs. The small round green figs are red inside. The flowers are pink and appear in mid-Spring.
The tree is not particular in what type of soil it is potted as long as it is a well draining mix. It performs best in full sun in a wind protected area. Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings.

So, if a Ficus Carica is grafted onto a Ficus Auriculata, will it be more high-moisture tolerant? How about a FMV?

Enjoy!

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Used  as cattle fodder in Nepal!

I'm not sure about grafting results but I would surely like to try. Thanks Igor for posting this. Would it be fesable to add to a wish list? I do have cows if that helps.

A simple grafted tree consists of a root stock and scion. 
When they are compatible; the better the root stock performs the more nutrients and other benefits for the scion.  

Nutrient caused FMV symptoms could be affected.

If the root stock doesn't mind growing in high-moisture content that could be useful if you have wet soil.  Grapes grown on wet soils are usually grafted onto water tolerant rootstock.

But if you are referring to the scion becoming less prone to splitting.  I don't think so since the grafted fig scion is a clone of the mother plant with the same traits.

Interesting how the fruit appear thickly on such old growth!

I remember this tree from past discussions here.  It seems pretty tropical.  Always fun to experiment with grafting (for those experts out there), but I think the results might disappoint.  Interesting tree though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hershell
I'm not sure about grafting results but I would surely like to try. Thanks Igor for posting this. Would it be fesable to add to a wish list? I do have cows if that helps.


The next time I am there, i will try to a cutting or two.
I will let you know.

About the grafting, I am more attracted by the rootstock ability to be more high moisture friendly. The scion ability to split and its quality will need to be tested. This could be a curious case

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mat9
Used  as cattle fodder in Nepal!


How do they taste (figs)?

Quote:
Originally Posted by greenfig
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mat9
Used  as cattle fodder in Nepal!
How do they taste (figs)?

In my previous life when I was a cow it tasted pretty good.

:-) - Sorry, could not resist....
I guess if it was any good it won't be used as fodder.

@ Philagardener:
I have seen thicker trunks practically covered in fruit in India.

The figs are not used as fodder, but the leaves are. The fruits are not very sweet like carica. We used to cook the green figs with lentils,tomatoes, onions and curry. Yummm........One of my favourites still.

Wasps needed for pollination and ripening?????


Frank

Thanks, Mohan!
Could you tell looking at my photos when the figs are going to be ripe and edible approximately?
Is it a matter of weeks or months?

I would check on then in another 3 to 4 weeks. They usually took 10 to 12 weeks to ripen in tropical conditions where I grew up.  Yes, they need wasps for pollination, but I am not sure if they need to be pollinated for the fruit to ripen. Sorry I can't give a stern answer on that one.

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