Seeds Fig (Ficus carica)

With its distinctive bark, attractive silhouette and fresh green foliage, the fig tree is an intriguing choice for creating a bonsai with a natural and authentic appearance. Bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to any collection, it offers wonderful potential for shaping and development. With proper care and regular pruning, it can become a beautiful miniature tree with its own unique character.

50 seeds

Interesting facts: Very beautiful bonsai specimens can be created from the fig tree. However, the main challenge is its relatively large, serrated leaves. Through regular pruning, defoliation and growing the tree in a shallow bonsai pot, the leaf size can gradually be reduced in proportion to the overall size of the bonsai.

Origin: The fig tree (Ficus carica), which belongs to the mulberry family (Moraceae), originates from Western Asia and the Mediterranean region. It has been cultivated in these areas for more than 1,000 years.

Growing from seed: Plants grown from seeds develop rather slowly, although the lignification of cuttings is also a slow process. Do not use seeds taken from fresh fruit, as the fruit pulp adhering to them often causes them to rot, resulting in a rather disappointing germination rate.

Unfortunately, you should not expect any fruit, at least initially.

The seeds originate from eastern Andalusia and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada National Park in Spain.

Scatter the fine seeds directly onto moist seed compost and cover them with only a very thin layer. Keep the compost consistently slightly moist, but never waterlogged, until germination. The warmer the location (for example, on top of a radiator), the faster the seeds will germinate.

Position: The plants prefer bright to sunny locations and can be placed outdoors from May onwards.

Care: Fig trees have high water requirements during the summer. If the soil becomes too dry, their normally firm leaves will droop and become limp.

At the end of October, or as soon as the fig tree starts shedding its leaves and enters its dormant period, you can move it to a cool, dark location for winter. The darker the location, the cooler the temperature can be.

As the plant matures, it becomes increasingly frost-resistant. Temperatures as low as -8°C should not cause any damage.

The branches of a fig bonsai can be pruned throughout the year. Once 5–8 leaves have developed on the new shoots, you can cut them back, leaving just 2–3 leaves.

Any excessively large leaves can be removed at any time.

Repotting Ficus carica is generally necessary every 2–4 years. Root pruning can also be carried out at the same time.