Strangler Fig, genus ficus and my hobby: Bonsai

G'day everyone hope you're all having a wonderful time no matter where you are across the globe. Such an amazing community.

Today I want to share with you my favourite tree. It's such an amazing plant due to it's ability to eat another tree. When we think about trees or plants in general we don't see them as aggressive but rather strong independent and safe.

But there are many plants that are actually quite different and today I present to you a beautiful strangler fig that is located in the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland that I went to see a few years ago.

Strangler figs are a species of ficus that originate in warmer climates across the globe and develop enormous aerial roots that take in moisture from the humidity.

This species of ficus commences it's life cycle as a seed dropped from a bird, bat or lodged at the top of a tree through high winds. It's germination is quite simple and does not require soil. It sends its roots along the host trees branches and eventually to the ground. At times they will also send them straight down.

Eventually the constricton of the developed roots will prevent the host tree from growing and battling for water the ficus will kill off the host tree..

After many years what is left is a Hollow appearing tree which provides shelter for many native animals and a beautiful structure.

Below is my bonsai not a strangler fig but is a port Jackson fig. They don't require a host but develop beautiful aerial roots and make great bonsai.

This is a seedling of a strangler fig that I tried to attach to some driftwood for it to use as a host. Unfortunately it didn't work out and it perished. I'm not sure if it was because the drift wood was dead or if Melbourne's weather is too cold.

I will try again in the future when I can build a hot house to enclose the trees and maintain warmth.