housplants

A leaf of my figtree, February 2016 Photo: ©nini.tjader.2016

The story of my figtree is the following: I bought it last year, late spring. It lived outside on the patio the entire summer of 2015 until it got too cold for it to be outside. It then moved indoors and lived in my livingroom window over winter, with the help of artificial light for plants, but normal temperatures for indoors (approximately +23°C). The window is turned to the west and has afternoon sun.

The figtree got four (4) figs while indoors. Three you could eat, one was no good, the others were… so,so. It didn’t loose a single leaf over winter though I was prepared that it might.

My figtree, indoors, March 19th, 2016 Photo: ©nini.tjader.2016

By the beginning of May it was time to move the figtree outside again as the outside temperatures became comfortable for both plants and humans. The figtree is supposed to manage even if temperature drops slightly below zero centigrades.

Figtree outside on May 6th, 2016 Photo: ©nini.tjader.2016

It again got figs. Two this time. Lost a few leaves, but not many.

Figtreeleaf on May 10th 2016. Photo. ©nini.tjader.2016

What it didn’t like though was the strong sun. Some leaves got sunburnt and later fell off. I should have known to protect it better from the sun…

Figtree on July 19th 2016. Photo. ©nini.tjader.2016

By the middle of July I thought it looked poorly and partly naked. Remaining leaves were a bit discolored and it didn’t want to grow at all. Some of its roots were crawling on top of the earth in the pot.

Figtree on July 26th, 2016. Photo. ©nini.tjader.2016

So the figtree got a larger pot and new soil and some nourishing watering. That made it come alive and finally start to grow again. It also probably helped that the weather was fine and extraordinarily sunny and warm.

New figtree leaves July 26th 2016. Photo. ©nini.tjader.2016

New leaves finally started to appear and grow fast.

Figtree on July 27th 2016. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2016

There were signs of life at other places on the tree as well.

On August 6th it looked like this. (Click on an image to see a larger version).

To my relief the positive development just continued. By August 14th it looked like this. (Click on an image to see a larger version).

The progress and growth is fast now. It also seems to like the recent rains. Below is how my figtree looked this morning. I am happy that it is now growing.

Question is: where do I put it when it has to move inside again? It is too big by now to be put in a window…

My figtree on August 19th 2016. Photo: ©nini.tjader.2016