Ficus Identification

[Fallen_Reality]

Hello again! I was wondering if you all would help me identify a Ficus I just bought from Walmart today. I know, it's an ugly Walsai, but I plan on using it as a mother plant and taking cuttings, so it can be forgiven. Here are a few pictures:



It doesn't seem to have any aerial roots, which is strange, and I'm certain it's not Ficus microcarpa 'Ginseng', but it very well may be a type of Ficus microcarpa. Any clues?

Thank you for your patience and any assistance you provide!

 

[edprocoat]

it looks liek either a Tiger bark Ficus or a Taiwan Ficus. They both have that lovely trunk pattern of white spots. If I had to guess I would say a Tiger bark which is the Ficus Retusa as the spots do not seem to bulge out from the trunk as much as the Taiwan Ficus spots do. They bothe have lovely trunks, root great from cutting or air layers. If it wre mine I would immediately air later it right above where the stake is tied to the trunk in the first picture, and as for that, why the hell do they have a stake tied to the tree anyway? Nice tree either way, I love tropicals.

ed

 

[Fallen_Reality]

it looks like either a Tiger bark Ficus or a Taiwan Ficus. They both have that lovely trunk pattern of white spots. If I had to guess I would say a Tiger bark which is the Ficus Retusa as the spots do not seem to bulge out from the trunk as much as the Taiwan Ficus spots do. They both have lovely trunks, root great from cutting or air layers. If it were mine I would immediately air later it right above where the stake is tied to the trunk in the first picture, and as for that, why the hell do they have a stake tied to the tree anyway? Nice tree either way, I love tropicals.

Oh, I failed to mention I repotted it before I took the pictures. It was not very stable after being potted, so I tied it to a bamboo stick.

Are there any differences between Taiwan and Tiger Bark in terms of growth pattern, aerial root development, etc.?

Also, I have seen Ficus microcarpa and Ficus retusa used back and forth for the same plants, and was wondering if there was a reason for that.

Thanks for the help so far!

 

[edprocoat]

I am no horticulturist but I am pretty sure that Microcarpa is a broad term referring to a genus while retusa is actually more like the cultivar, but do not quote me on it as I have been wrong once before, or was I mistaken???
As far as the growth pattern goes pretty much all Ficus grow about the same, notable differences I have observed
are mostly Ficus Benjamina which is very touchy about moving and changes in watering patterns and teh Willow Leaf Ficus which can be very slow growing. They all will develop good aerial roots, especially so when roots are congested in the pot in my experience, you can hasten the aerial roots by regular misting or keeping the plant covered like in a clear platic bag or a clear box which retains moisture and allows light in to stimulate growth and they like the heat too.

ed

 

[Fallen_Reality]

Does misting actually do anything for ficus? I've read that it actually does too little to be useful. When I mist my ficuses, the water is gone in less than 30 minutes, so is it doing anything useful?

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I believe that retusa is just another name for microcarpa. Nothing different about them. As to growth differences between Tiger Bark and regular microcarpa, there really isn't any difference. I don't believe yours is a Tiger Bark, however. Tiger Bark is a lighter color, as seen in my attached picture.

As to misting, I'd say it really depends on where the tree is. If it's indoors just on a windowsill, then sure, misting a couple of times a day may help. If it's outdoors, that would all depend on how humid it is. Here in VA we're usually around 80% humidity, so I don't need to mist my Ficus. Then again, most of mine are indoors