First, greetings from Austin,Texas. Just officially joined the forum.

Second, I just did a 3 week cruise from the Middle East to the Mediterranean. I always took notice and photos of local figs while ashore in ports.

This photo shows a fig tree growing out of an ancient wall in the walled city of Dubrovnik.  Not only should you notice the fig coming out of the wall, but look at the rain gutters-- they are made of carved limestone.

 

There are islands just off of Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian coastline where the wasp is reported as being present. As such, the birds must be carrying lots of caprified seeds in their systems and distributing them around the area in their droppings. There are a number of forum members that live in that area that can opine and provide additional color but since the distance across the Adriatic between Croatia and Italy is not great, the genetic diversity of cultivars available to the wasps for caprification is significant....

It always amazes me to see figs growing like this. Have seen several examples. And here we sit wondering what the best rooting method or soil mix is. Apparently all you need is a stone wall.

Jeff - in our short lifespan - we cannot compete with the nature's trial-n-error process.  There must been thousands and thousands seeds passed through birds digestive systems and just 1 pulled it though to germinate and hang on to the wall.  Considering the vast majority of seeds donot live to become a tree - here, we are only limited to few precious cuttings to root and in due time to prosper and fruit.  Natures process is (in terms of our longevity) eternal.  Thus - it can go on trying best possible way to success but for us - if we fail once - time is lost.  

 

It is actually pretty common for all Ficus varieties to grow on walls, crevices and cracks. First time I am seeing a Ficus Carica growing on a wall and it isn't surprising.

When I lived in India, we used to see different ficus varieties growing on walls and also on cavities inside other trees! They eventually destroy the host and take over. Very aggressive trees in their native habitat!

That same photo shows numerous other trees growing on that wall including other figs!

@helike13  I did not know that, When I researched Blastophaga wasp distribution in Croatia, the data I located indicated that the wasp was really only established on a few of the islands off the Dalmatian coast, especially in the area around Dubrovnik. There is no wasp in the northern part of the Croatian coastline, around Rijecka, the Island of Krk where I was born, Rab or the islands in the immediate vicinity thereof. Dubrovnik being about 400 miles of so south of the northern most coastal border with Italy, moderates in temperature sufficiently to support them. If they are more widely distributed then I am very pleased to learn that.... Thanks for sharing your information...

Welcome and thanks for sharing.  

really cool!!