anyone growing the Lord Howe ficus macrophylla

[Josh-O]

is anyone growing the Lord Howe ficus macrophylla ?

This form is stunning compared to the mainland form.

if so please post pic's  

[caixeta]

From seeds Josh76 sent me , approximately 10 months.

[Darold Petty]

Josh, I am not sure one would want this in a residential garden !  That is an adult Howea forsteriana being strangled.

[DiegoGM]

I saw the common form in Murcia, in the south of Spain. Nowaday i am growing the form columnaris from seed! But they are very small yet. Only 5 cm more ore less. In a few years i will try to grow it outdoors in my garden. I cant wait!

[Josh-O]

3 hours ago, Darold Petty said:

Josh, I am not sure one would want this in a residential garden !  That is an adult Howea forsteriana being strangled.

cool picture Darold. Did you take this when you where there last with Troy?

They don't even come close to that size with strangler roots here in California like they do in habitat.

LHI is a much better form that the mainland variety IMO. They are prolific with sending down aireal roots even here in ca if you keep the trunk moist/humid with misters or mulching real heavy around the tree.

I have 3 acres and was considering one if these towards the entrance of the entrance to the property as a statement piece. I saw a killer specimen the other day at mission bay and it got me thinking.

[Josh-O]

8 hours ago, caixeta said:

From seeds Josh76 sent me , approximately 10 months.

that is going to be a monster in your climate. I wish they got a big and perfect as the one in Darolds wonderful picture. send updated pic's when she starts to really grow for you. it will be interesting to see the growth rate. I'm picking up one that size this week (LHI form)

[Josh-O]

40 minutes ago, DiegoGM said:

I saw the common form in Murcia, in the south of Spain. Nowaday i am growing the form columnaris from seed! But they are very small yet. Only 5 cm more ore less. In a few years i will try to grow it outdoors in my garden. I cant wait!

post pictures when it starts to grow. they are so beautifull

[Josh76]

Thanks again to @Bennz for supplying the seeds 

[Bennz]

Here's one of mine a few years ago. Probably my favourite tree, I've got about 200 young plants in the ground and about 1500 going to be planted this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[caixeta]

WONDERFUL !

[Josh-O]

On 2/24/2016, 1:44:14, Bennz said:

Here's one of mine a few years ago. Probably my favourite tree, I've got about 200 young plants in the ground and about 1500 going to be planted this winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

outstanding!! I cant wait till mine get bigger

 

I just picked up (2) Lord Howe ficus macrophylla from a friend yesterday and from what I know the seed came from new zeland.

 

[Bennz]

1 hour ago, Josh-O said:

 

 

I just picked up (2) Lord Howe ficus macrophylla from a friend yesterday and from what I know the seed came from new zeland.

 

 

If the seed came from NZ then they are almost certainly from me originally, as I have sent out a lot of seed and don't know of anyone else doing so. Seedlings from Tim? Probably seedlings of the tree in the picture. I have also send seed from my other big fruiting tree, but not so many.

The tree in the picture was about 16 years old at the time (about 19 yo now), so in your warmer climate the seedlings should be this size significantly sooner.

[Josh-O]

On 2/26/2016, 10:45:33, Bennz said:

 

If the seed came from NZ then they are almost certainly from me originally, as I have sent out a lot of seed and don't know of anyone else doing so. Seedlings from Tim? Probably seedlings of the tree in the picture. I have also send seed from my other big fruiting tree, but not so many.

The tree in the picture was about 16 years old at the time (about 19 yo now), so in your warmer climate the seedlings should be this size significantly sooner.

yes, from Tim  

[Dypsisdean]

Does anyone know how hard/easy these are to start from a cutting? I have a small (2 meter) tree with no aerial roots on any stems yet. What are my chances if I cut one of the stems and try to root without air layering first?

[Bennz]

16 minutes ago, Dypsisdean said:

Does anyone know how hard/easy these are to start from a cutting? I have a small (2 meter) tree with no aerial roots on any stems yet. What are my chances if I cut one of the stems and try to root without air layering first?

Dean, when I got my first tree (the one in the picture) I carefully took small cuttings and gave them maximum care. Tried heat, humidity, lights, everything I could think of. Got about 10% strike on my best effort. Then one day I visited a good keen Ficus man who was using a much more rustic technique. I took his advice and tried it; whack a piece off roughly with a machete and shove it in the ground. Success rate went up from 10% to 100%. This tree is not to be pampered, tough love only! Cuttings should be hardwood, I've had success with pieces from one foot up to about 8 feet long (4-5 inch diameter). If this works in NZ then your much more ideal climate should be be a breeze.

[Josh-O]

19 hours ago, Bennz said:

Dean, when I got my first tree (the one in the picture) I carefully took small cuttings and gave them maximum care. Tried heat, humidity, lights, everything I could think of. Got about 10% strike on my best effort. Then one day I visited a good keen Ficus man who was using a much more rustic technique. I took his advice and tried it; whack a piece off roughly with a machete and shove it in the ground. Success rate went up from 10% to 100%. This tree is not to be pampered, tough love only! Cuttings should be hardwood, I've had success with pieces from one foot up to about 8 feet long (4-5 inch diameter). If this works in NZ then your much more ideal climate should be be a breeze.

That's good to know Ben. Thanks for the advice!!!

[Dypsisdean]

Thanks Ben - the rustic treatment it is - much easier as well.

I can add that this small tree of mine was planted about 20 ft. on the neighbor's side of my property line, in a clearing in their forest, since it is destined to be such a massive tree. Nobody lives there, and in 15 years, I have never seen anyone ever visit. (So I put a couple of avocados and a mango down there as well ) But because of the location, it has not been getting any favorable treatment - in the last year, no supplemental water, no weeding, mulching, fertilizer, etc.

Because of this topic I went to take a look at it the other day. I was worried because it hasn't hardly rained where I am in 2 months, and the plants that haven't received supplemental water are starting to suffer - even the natives. I hadn't taken a look at it in over a year. But this tree is lush and green and healthy. I was very pleasantly surprised. I did drag the hose down there and gave all those trees a good soaking.  It is obvious this ficus wants to live long and prosper. As you said, it is loving the neglect.

And that is why I decided I needed another.

[Briank]

On February 23, 2016 at 11:45:49 AM, Josh-O said:

cool picture Darold. Did you take this when you where there last with Troy?

They don't even come close to that size with strangler roots here in California like they do in habitat.

LHI is a much better form that the mainland variety IMO. They are prolific with sending down aireal roots even here in ca if you keep the trunk moist/humid with misters or mulching real heavy around the tree.

I have 3 acres and was considering one if these towards the entrance of the entrance to the property as a statement piece. I saw a killer specimen the other day at mission bay and it got me thinking.

Were by the bay did you see it ? I am 10 min from the bay.  Next time your down there give me a buzz. 

[DiegoGM]

This are my little babies of ficus macrophylla columnaris

[Josh-O]

23 hours ago, Dypsisdean said:

Thanks Ben - the rustic treatment it is - much easier as well.

I can add that this small tree of mine was planted about 20 ft. on the neighbor's side of my property line, in a clearing in their forest, since it is destined to be such a massive tree. Nobody lives there, and in 15 years, I have never seen anyone ever visit. (So I put a couple of avocados and a mango down there as well ) But because of the location, it has not been getting any favorable treatment - in the last year, no supplemental water, no weeding, mulching, fertilizer, etc.

Because of this topic I went to take a look at it the other day. I was worried because it hasn't hardly rained where I am in 2 months, and the plants that haven't received supplemental water are starting to suffer - even the natives. I hadn't taken a look at it in over a year. But this tree is lush and green and healthy. I was very pleasantly surprised. I did drag the hose down there and gave all those trees a good soaking.  It is obvious this ficus wants to live long and prosper. As you said, it is loving the neglect.

And that is why I decided I needed another.

I had no Idea you guys in Hawaii are in another mini drought?

do you have any water retention ponds or tanks to supplement for watering? 

[Josh-O]

21 hours ago, Briank said:

Were by the bay did you see it ? I am 10 min from the bay.  Next time your down there give me a buzz. 

for sure Brian. 

do you have room for this ultimate tropical canopy tree?

if not make some  

[Josh-O]

8 hours ago, DiegoGM said:

This are my little babies of ficus macrophylla columnaris

they are looking very nice and healthy 

[Tracy]

From the looks of it, this thing could envelop a house, turning your home into a tree house.  Definitely a fantastic tree which would make a statement. Josh, your 3 acres should be plenty of space for it!

On 2/29/2016, 9:16:47, Josh-O said:

for sure Brian. 

do you have room for this ultimate tropical canopy tree?

if not make some  

 

[Bennz]

2 hours ago, Tracy said:

Josh, your 3 acres should be plenty of space for it!

 

 

The largest specimen on LHI (before it got wiped out by a cyclone 20? years ago) covered 5 acres with 1000 trunks... just saying....

[Josh-O]

On 3/2/2016, 9:21:58, Tracy said:

From the looks of it, this thing could envelop a house, turning your home into a tree house.  Definitely a fantastic tree which would make a statement. Josh, your 3 acres should be plenty of space for it!

 

I hope so  

[Josh-O]

On 3/2/2016, 11:39:11, Bennz said:

 

The largest specimen on LHI (before it got wiped out by a cyclone 20? years ago) covered 5 acres with 1000 trunks... just saying....

Not in my climate or lifetime. I saw some 40-50 yr old specimens growing in San Diego that were no where near that size.

not enough water and humidity to make them look like yours here  

[Josh-O]

On 3/2/2016, 11:39:11, Bennz said:

 

The largest specimen on LHI (before it got wiped out by a cyclone 20? years ago) covered 5 acres with 1000 trunks... just saying....

Tim knows the trees I'm talking about  

[Walt]

Below is a LHI macrophylla a forum member sent me in July of 2015. After receiving it in the mail I potted it up in a mixture of heavy potting soil, light potting soil, and cow manure. Within days I noticed it was becoming very happy in its new environment (my summer climate and potting mixture). It's been growing in my 50% shade house, although now I've been acclimating it to more sun. After about two months or so I potted my LHI ficus up again into its current container that it spent the winter in. While it slowed down in growth over the winter it never stopped growing. So far it hasn't made any wholesale leaf changes.

Now I'm debating as to whether I should just plant it out or step it up again in pot size and plant in about three months from now, say early June. That would give it at least six good months of rooting in.

What really surprised me is how big the leaves started getting immediately after I first potted the ficus up. I haven't measured the length of the leaves but they are at least 10" long. Needless to say I'm very pleased with this ficus. I look forward to planting it out and watching it grow larger.

 

Above photo shows my LHI ficus minutes after receiving it by priority mail on July 10, 2015

Above photo shows my LHI ficus today after I hosed off oak and pine pollen that had settled on its leaves

Above photo shows my LHI ficus newest leave with part of my hand for scale

[Bennz]

Walt, that is a very interesting series of pictures. Is there any chance of misidentification? An interesting characteristic of the LHI form is a rounder leaf shape. That elongated leaf shape that is so obvious in your last picture seems to be more characteristic of the mainland form. This tendency has been noticed in NZ and in California on cultivated specimens, but it might be just an environmental thing. Perhaps in your hot wet climate they look different?

[Monòver]

3 hours ago, Walt said:

Below is a LHI macrophylla a forum member sent me in July of 2015. After receiving it in the mail I potted it up in a mixture of heavy potting soil, light potting soil, and cow manure. Within days I noticed it was becoming very happy in its new environment (my summer climate and potting mixture). It's been growing in my 50% shade house, although now I've been acclimating it to more sun. After about two months or so I potted my LHI ficus up again into its current container that it spent the winter in. While it slowed down in growth over the winter it never stopped growing. So far it hasn't made any wholesale leaf changes.

Now I'm debating as to whether I should just plant it out or step it up again in pot size and plant in about three months from now, say early June. That would give it at least six good months of rooting in.

What really surprised me is how big the leaves started getting immediately after I first potted the ficus up. I haven't measured the length of the leaves but they are at least 10" long. Needless to say I'm very pleased with this ficus. I look forward to planting it out and watching it grow larger.

 

Above photo shows my LHI ficus minutes after receiving it by priority mail on July 10, 2015

Above photo shows my LHI ficus today after I hosed off oak and pine pollen that had settled on its leaves

Above photo shows my LHI ficus newest leave with part of my hand for scale

Nice Ficus! Looks healthy and green. 

Good job!

[Walt]

8 hours ago, Bennz said:

Walt, that is a very interesting series of pictures. Is there any chance of misidentification? An interesting characteristic of the LHI form is a rounder leaf shape. That elongated leaf shape that is so obvious in your last picture seems to be more characteristic of the mainland form. This tendency has been noticed in NZ and in California on cultivated specimens, but it might be just an environmental thing. Perhaps in your hot wet climate they look different?

Bennz: I can only state what the person that gave me the ficus told me. I have no knowledge, and frankly, never delved into the leaf characteristic information about the LHI macrophylla.  But as far as the pointed leaf shape, it definitely became more pronounced once I potted the ficus up and subjected it to growing in my shadehouse. My shadehouse fabric is 50% rated, plus with lichen, pine tree sap, and other debris, light transmission is probably closer to 40% through the fabric. Perhaps that may account for some leaf elongation and pointedness, I don't know (probably not, though).

Perhaps there was a mix up in the ficus that was sent to me. I'm glad I posted the original photo and the updated one. I did it purposely to show how nicely the ficus had grown in less than eight months time, several of those months during the winter when growth was much slower. As the heat builds here now I expect my ficus to really start pumping out some growth. By the shiny new leaf you can see it's already responding to rising temperatures.

Lastly, whether my ficus is a true LHI macrophylla (or even a F. macrophylla) or not is fine by me as it's a very pretty leafed ficus. I will be happy to plant it out on my property so as to add one more species of ficus to my collection.

[Bennz]

4 hours ago, Walt said:

 

Lastly, whether my ficus is a true LHI macrophylla (or even a F. macrophylla) or not is fine by me as it's a very pretty leafed ficus. I will be happy to plant it out on my property so as to add one more species of ficus to my collection.

Hi Walt,

 

Sorry I should have expressed myself more clearly. That is a beautiful looking fig, and 100% certainly a macrophylla species. A couple of us have begun to speculate that the rounder leaf shape may be the single defining feature of the LHI form as a seedling, so I immediately got interested in your tree which appears to show mainland characteristics, IF the theory is right. If your tree is true LHI form then our working theory is wrong, hence the question. It would be nice to know for sure. If I get time I will post pictures of some leaves showing the variation.

BTW, macrophylla is a very hardy tree, I have no doubt that you could plant it out in your climate at any size and have no worries about cold damage. As we discussed a while back regarding rubiginosa, your climate and my climate are similar to the extremes of the natural distribution climate. Your tree should be a monster in a fairly short time! I've seen young seedlings in Australia mildly damaged at short duration -8C, so you should have nothing to worry about. 

[Walt]

3 hours ago, Bennz said:

Hi Walt,

 

Sorry I should have expressed myself more clearly. That is a beautiful looking fig, and 100% certainly a macrophylla species. A couple of us have begun to speculate that the rounder leaf shape may be the single defining feature of the LHI form as a seedling, so I immediately got interested in your tree which appears to show mainland characteristics, IF the theory is right. If your tree is true LHI form then our working theory is wrong, hence the question. It would be nice to know for sure. If I get time I will post pictures of some leaves showing the variation.

BTW, macrophylla is a very hardy tree, I have no doubt that you could plant it out in your climate at any size and have no worries about cold damage. As we discussed a while back regarding rubiginosa, your climate and my climate are similar to the extremes of the natural distribution climate. Your tree should be a monster in a fairly short time! I've seen young seedlings in Australia mildly damaged at short duration -8C, so you should have nothing to worry about. 

Hi Beenz: Yes, post some photos. If F. macrophylla is more cold hardy than Ficus altissima, then I know I will have no problem, as I have two relatively big ones, at least in my area (although not near as big as some of the old F. bengalensis). I have four beautiful F. rubinginosa I grew from seed that Josh76 sent me years ago. I've very delighted with them. Because they were mostly shade grown, one of them (when I first planted it out in mostly full sun last year) got leaf sunburn, but that's all history now. I have a complete canopy of fresh, unblemished leaves on it now. They other three I planted in more broken sun areas.

If you've seen the two YouTube videos of mine showing my two largerst (I have many more smaller ones) F. altissima variegate trees, then don't bother watching them. I'm only posting the video to show I agree with you, that my LHI macrophylla should definitely survive in my climate.

The first video below is of my largest F. altissima variegate that I took last summer or late spring (2015). In the second video, starting at the 3:40 mark is my second largest Ficus altissima variegate. I don't understand this species. My largest one dropped all its leaves over the last couple of months, and new ones are growing like crazy. Yet, my smaller ficus has just dropped only incidental leaves, at least retaining 95% of its leaves.

 

[Josh-O]

7 hours ago, Walt said:

Hi Beenz: Yes, post some photos. If F. macrophylla is more cold hardy than Ficus altissima, then I know I will have no problem, as I have two relatively big ones, at least in my area (although not near as big as some of the old F. bengalensis). I have four beautiful F. rubinginosa I grew from seed that Josh76 sent me years ago. I've very delighted with them. Because they were mostly shade grown, one of them (when I first planted it out in mostly full sun last year) got leaf sunburn, but that's all history now. I have a complete canopy of fresh, unblemished leaves on it now. They other three I planted in more broken sun areas.

If you've seen the two YouTube videos of mine showing my two largerst (I have many more smaller ones) F. altissima variegate trees, then don't bother watching them. I'm only posting the video to show I agree with you, that my LHI macrophylla should definitely survive in my climate.

The first video below is of my largest F. altissima variegate that I took last summer or late spring (2015). In the second video, starting at the 3:40 mark is my second largest Ficus altissima variegate. I don't understand this species. My largest one dropped all its leaves over the last couple of months, and new ones are growing like crazy. Yet, my smaller ficus has just dropped only incidental leaves, at least retaining 95% of its leaves.

 

Great video's Walt. Just watched both of them

[Josh-O]

I'll post a picture of my LHI form I bought from Tim this coming week.

I believe Tim got the seeds from you Bennz?

[Walt]

At the 3:28 mark in the below video (I took this September 9th of 2015, not in August as I said at the start of the video) is another view of my second largest Ficus alttisima variegata. I bought this one a year later than my largest one. I mistakenly said I planted it in 1999. In fact, I planted it in the spring of 2001.

 

[MattyB]

On 3/6/2016, 10:29:24, Bennz said:

Hi Walt,

 

Sorry I should have expressed myself more clearly. That is a beautiful looking fig, and 100% certainly a macrophylla species. A couple of us have begun to speculate that the rounder leaf shape may be the single defining feature of the LHI form as a seedling, so I immediately got interested in your tree which appears to show mainland characteristics, IF the theory is right. If your tree is true LHI form then our working theory is wrong, hence the question. It would be nice to know for sure. If I get time I will post pictures of some leaves showing the variation.

BTW, macrophylla is a very hardy tree, I have no doubt that you could plant it out in your climate at any size and have no worries about cold damage. As we discussed a while back regarding rubiginosa, your climate and my climate are similar to the extremes of the natural distribution climate. Your tree should be a monster in a fairly short time! I've seen young seedlings in Australia mildly damaged at short duration -8C, so you should have nothing to worry about. 

My LHI form is the same size as Walt's and has the pointy leaves too.  Looks just like Walt's.  Mine came from Tim.

[Josh-O]

here is a picture of my LHI I just got from Tim 

I cant wait for this baby to get bigger

 

 

[Josh-O]

Tim said the seeds came from a LHI tree with killer genetics in New Zealand 

[floridarainforest]

Anyone know where I can get seeds or actual seedling of ficus columnaris, lord howe island fig?