Ficus microcarpa
Chinese Banyan
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Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) - Description
Chinese Banyans are suitable as an indoor plant that can even be grown as a bonsai tree. These trees are native to South China, Malaysia, Northern Australia and New Caledonia. Although they are labeled to grow to only a few feet tall as a typical indoor potted plant, in nature Chinese Banyans can reach 80' tall and 100' wide! In this native habitat aerial roots will grow throughout the tree canopy, which gives it a very tropical look (think Tarzan swinging from "vines"). Some of these aerial roots will reach the soil and develop into auxiliary trunks. This gives the Chinese Banyans extra support for the extremely wide canopy.
Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) - Growth
Most species are shrubs to large trees. F. pumila (creeping fig) is a garden plant which has a climbing habit and small evergreen leaves. Some species are stranglers or grow curtains of aerial roots.
Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) - Planting
Sow seeds in spring and be sure to keep the temperature between 60 and 70°F (21°C). The seeds can be sown indoors in pots to be transplanted later. Make rooted cuttings in spring or summer. Provide bottom heat to promote root development.
Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) - Interesting facts
There are a couple of members of the Ficus genus called banyan trees. These plants grow as epiphytes (a plant that grows on top of another). The seeds are usually deposited by birds and will settle in the cracks and crevices of the host tree, where they will germinate. As the banyan tree begins to grow, it sends a complex web of roots down the trunk of the host tree. These roots will eventually envelope the entire trunk and choke out the host tree, which results in the host tree's death. This is of course unless the host tree is a palm tree. A palm tree has a different anatomy as compared with a tree like an oak tree. The host palm tree may not die as a result, but it will be competing with the epiphytic Ficus.
Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) - Soil and irrigation
Most members of the Ficus genus perform best in moist, yet well-drained loamy soil. Feel the soil one inch deep to determine if it is time to water, yellow leaf color is misleading in this regard.
