Howdy,

Maybe a month or so ago I was trying to buy a Ficus dammaropsis and was barely only able to find a couple available (that I really couldn't afford).  During my search for this tree I ended up sending an e-mail to a journalist in Papua New Guinea and he said he'd write an article about how expensive and hard to find this tree is in Southern California.  I had forgotten about it until today when I checked my e-mail and found around a dozen e-mails from people in PNG offering to export this ficus.

One guy is offering to export "1000s" of trees to the "US every 3 months time".  Not sure if he means every 3 months or in 3 months time.  In any case that's a lot of F. dammaropsis trees.

So, is there anybody that has the necessary permits that would be interested in importing this tree and making it more widely available?  You provide the permits and I'll provide the capital... or we can split the costs 50-50.  The risk is that I have no idea how many of these exporters are legit.... or how well the treelings would survive the journey.  

Let me know if you're interested in supplying this very cool tree... see attached photo.

Hehe, just kidding about the photo.  Here's the correct photo....

What about trying to bring in the seeds instead-seems like it would be easier.

sounds a bit fishy, but if it ends up going through im looking for a bunch (as many as 50 if the price is low enough). let me know how it goes

~Scott

They are a bit sensitive I find... for ficus that is. Mine can't dry out... doesn't like the wind, etc, etc. Now that the wet season is here... is covered with new growth. But for a few months there... looked very sad with 3 leaves left. So, importing plants across that distance might not be a good idea... IMO. Seeds is definitely the go.

Regards, Ari

Yes, seeds are definitely a good idea.  But, I think that many orchids are imported from Taiwan and they are probably more sensitive than F. dammaropsis.  So I'll probably give a shipment a try and see how they fair.  In any case, both would still require permits that I don't have.

Epiphyte:

The boys and girls in Queensland should also opine here, but it is my understanding the PNG is completely closed for this type of plant export, so you may be corresponding with persons who have no idea what the legal and phytosanitary hurdles are for them. There are several Oz nurseries that carry them and have exported them to the 'States. Since you will be presumably entering through LAX you should make ABSOLUTELY certain that any exporter is aware just how exigent USDA/PPQ is at that designated point of entry.

Given my druthers, I'd take a Cairns-based tropical plant exporter over one in Moresby any day. I would urge you to really inform yourself prior to embarking on this adventure.

Jay

Epiphyte, I'd take Stone Jaguars words seriously and do your research.  As far as permits go, they are easy to get.  Just go online to the USDA/PPQ and you can apply and you'll have permits within a week or two.

Might want to check with El Blanco on this board.  He imported some seedling F. dammaropsis from OZ a couple of years ago.  I got my one-foot seedling from him and now it's closing in on six feet.

See if your PNG contacts can get Lamiodendron seed too.  That's my holy grail tree.

-Ron-

stone jaguar: I thought I heard something also about PNG being closed for exporting.  Theoretically, some of the people who contacted should know whether it's possible to export.  I was contacted by a supervisor of shipping, an economist in the treasury dept, the curator of the natl. gardens and a Ph. D of botany from the main (or only) university.... as well as several others.  Heh, maybe if I put them all in touch with each other they'd have a sure thing plant exporting business.

I'll need to research the port requirements but have some time because an Infantry Captain who contacted me assured me that there are currently no nurseries that cultivate this type of plant because there is no commercial value for the locals.  He was really surprised that such an "ordinary" tree would be so expensive over here.  I would only be interested in nursery grown seedlings so it will be at least a few months before anybody has a decent sized supply to ship.  In the meantime I'll research the port of entry requirements.

MattyB: Turns out I need to go to a USDA center to receive my Level 2 something or other.  I'll be down visiting the Quail Gardens tomorrow with my GF so will hit up the office in Escondido.

Fouquieria: The locals aren't too good with just names.  PM me for my e-mail address and you can e-mail the plant with attached photos.  

Anybody else have any plants they want from PNG?  This is a shot in the dark effort but you never know.

We have these available every year. They are not cheap! Why? Because they are damm hard to propogate. They must be air layered. More or less easy. The trick is, once you cut them off the tree. I lose 80 percent. I have been doing this for 10 years. Our plants are well rooted and growing when go out the door. I have 3 available right now!They don't have to get on a plane! They are available in San Clemente. Thanks, Ron

I know the source of the large batch of seedlings grown in Australia . Geoff lived and worked for many years in New Guinea and tried for ages to get seed of this Fig .

He had thousands of them , and sold many trays wholesale to other nurseries . Some of these got exported to USA. He was going to try and get another batch of seeds .. just asked him , none from his most recent trip . But he saw pods galore , full of seed , squashed and covering the streets in Goraka a few years ago . So seed should be easy to get. Small seedlings travel well if the rots are wrapped well in sphagnum moss . I sent many to Taiwan , that travelled very well .

Here is one that is available now on e-bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ficus-D....iewItem

Ken

These trees are so fragile! I don't think they would ship well. Buyer beware! Good luck.

Ken,

That plant on e-Bay is not F dammaropsis.  There is a nursery in Texas (Caldwell Nursery) that was/is selling a plant as dammaropsis that is something else.  I can tell from the photo that the e-bay plant is the same plant Caldwell was selling.  They are a good people (Caldwell), and the ficus they are selling is very cool, and priced right...it's just not dammaropsis.  The only problem with that particular Ficus is that it seems to be much more cold sensitive than dammaropsis.  I had four, which were distributed around the county in fall of 06.  They're all dead now.

Matt

15gal. Tree

I LOVE THIS TREE......... but hate it when it comes to propagating.  IT is very easy to get it to root via air layering but once you cut off the branch and pot up it is hard to get it to live.  If you find one that suckers try potting those up.  I think Peter has had success with that.

I have imported this tree from Queensland 3 separate times.  First time was a very small order and no problems.  The 2nd and 3rd were not so smooth.  Ag in LAX is EXTREMELY tough on imports. A few insect were found on those orders and the trees had to be destroyed.  

I have seen Ron's at his greenhouse and it is very nice. My tree that is in the ground was that size when I planted it out and it is now over 20 feet.

As far as importing from PNG.  You can always try a small batch at first.  I would love to see this tree everywhere!

Jeff

I think Tropiflora has some.  If I recall they were available at a sale in Vero Beach a couple of weeks ago.  You might try their website - tropiflora.com

I imported 12 of these from Australia into San Diego for a total cost of $250.  They were one foot seedlings.  Half survived and made it the other half died.  I also got a free one from someone doing research on the relationship between the fertilizing wasp and the tree.  I also know of a nursery in the USA that was selling a one gallon for $20.  They no longer are listing the plant.

Patrick

I have had some good luck this summer with propagating these. They can be tricky though. I will have some very nice 3 gallon plants about 2-3' tall available at our next sale the first weekend of October coming up. Mine in the yard(3') is doing real well since it was planted 2 months ago.

Jeff

Ficus dammaropsis is a beautiful tree to grown here in San Diego. However, it is very difficult to find for sale here in

Southern California...and when you find one it cost you an arm and a leg (literally). I know of a beautiful small specimen (13 ft)

located about a mile and half from my house. It looks fuller than some of the others I have seen in Southern California.

I'll post a pic.

Very nice... Mine is starting to take off now. It only takes 12 months . I can't wait to see what it would do in the wet season!!

Regards, Ari

Ficus dammaropsis is a beautiful tree to grown here in San Diego. However, it is very difficult to find for sale here in

Southern California...and when you find one it cost you an arm and a leg (literally). I know of a beautiful small specimen (13 ft)

located about a mile and half from my house. It looks fuller than some of the others I have seen in Southern California.

I'll post a pic.

Thats a nice looking tree. I can't wait until mine gets that big. I'm really starting to love this tree. Thanks for the pic.

Jeff

Imagine my surprise when I discovered 3 Ficus dammaropsis growing in the Melbourne botanic gardens during a walk.

As we all know, Melbourne has a long cool damp winter and very hot summers.

Its a surprise, but the best one is the biggest F. dammaropsis I have ever seen, and is in excellent condition, even

after 3 days of 47 degrees last summer.

For those seeking a simliar climate in the USA, I think it may be similar to that found abiut half way between LA and SF.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered 3 Ficus dammaropsis growing in the Melbourne botanic gardens during a walk.

As we all know, Melbourne has a long cool damp winter and very hot summers.

Its a surprise, but the best one is the biggest F. dammaropsis I have ever seen, and is in excellent condition, even

after 3 days of 47 degrees last summer.

For those seeking a simliar climate in the USA, I think it may be similar to that found abiut half way between LA and SF.

Here is an image of it, around the base : Alcantarea imperials and Iresine herbstii, for color contrast.

Loooong time no post!

Here is my FD after about 9 years (approx):

This came off of Karel Havliczek's tree in Dana Point. One of just a few that made it from air layer to actual tree. I have about 20 rooted brancehs I am cutting off this one. I hope to get about 5 out of it!

Good to post again!

Jeff White

One of the tallest I've seen!

Good to see a post from you again Jeff, your acanthophoenix is now about 8-9' tall!!

Bill

This F. D. is at San Diego botanical garden. Ed in the pic is 6'2" for scale. It was taken summer of 2010.

I would like to get one with the red fruit and leaf sheaths like I saw at Mary Darians neighbor has! I didn't take a pic:rage: !

Randy

Thanks Bill! How about a pic of that tree? I wish I would have kept one of the two I had........... I had no more room in my yard for it so glad it is in good hands.

Looking good Jeff-I've got to get by one of these days. How's your decipiens doing-any pics?

Here you go Jeff- A night/dusk shot. the 24" box is buried about a third of the way. Eventually I'll have the dirt up near the top of the box..