Sycamore Fig, Egyptian Sycamore, Mulberry Fig

I acquired two trees from a bonsai artist. They were unwired and potted IN bonsai mix (excellent drainage) in larger pots and are being g...Read Morerown out from 12-15" high to approximately 48". They are very susceptible to SCALE and that is no fun to fight. Leaves have been shed three times now and they are on the rebound from scale attack number two. Very resiliant, thought they were dead twice but they came right back. They do enjoy summer (night temps above 50f) outside and grow well with half strength plant food every two weeks, daily or every other day watering. The locations found are southern Florida, Los Angeles and San Diego. They seem to be a zone 10b because of the night temperatures they prefer. Consider them a frost tender plant, have to be a house plant, and will have to be cared for as a bonsai to keep them small enough to be managed. These are the 'biblical fig', need a specialized pollinator insect, and are difficult to start from seed. They are also hard to find and arboretums will not sell to the public, just to other arboretums and conservatories. Very attractive and a nice bright green leaf. Specimens tend to start developing the bark pattern at close to three years old. Kept as a houseplant, should not have complete leaf drop unless they get too dry and they go from looking fine to dropping leaves overnight. Semi-difficult houseplant in that they require more care and more light than the average houseplant. Also can get mealy bugs, but seem to be scale-magnets. Regular inspection and cleaning of any scale tends to keep the issue under control.

At least one growing in Riverside, CA. Looking for information on care and propagation.

Although this species of fig requires the presence of the symbiotic wasp Ceratosolen arabicus to reproduce sexually, and this insect is e...Read Morextinct in Egypt, Zohay and Hopf have no doubt that Egypt was "the principal area of sycamore fig development."
"The Tree of the Virgin" at Matariya where the Holy Family visited and stayed under its shadow, still survives as one of the most important historical places in Cairo.
The Tree of the Holy Virgin at Matariya, where the Holy Family found shade under a sycamore tree. At that spot Jesus created a well, blessed it, and drank from it. Mary also bathed Jesus from the water of it and in the place where she poured out the water grew a balsam tree. The tree is now used for the preparation of the chrism or holy Myron.
Milos Korac

We live on the northern coast of Cyprus to the west of Kyrenia and the farmer down our road has grown one - called 'cümbez' (pronounced:...Read More joombez) in Turkish Cypriot - in his garden and tells me it is a hardwood cutting from the 600 year old tree in Famagusta. The fruit are shaped liked ordinary figs - but are more yellow-orange in colour and have to be cut or 'knicked' with a knife to allow pollination in order for them to develop and mature. They are juicy but not flavoursome - just a slight blandness that indicates a rather delicate sweetness. He does not water it ever! As he arrived here in 1974 I imagine that it is over 30 year's old. We are eating them now - June/July.