Ficus rubiginosa (Rusty fig, "Furansugomunoki")

Japanese name: フランスゴムノキ
Scientific name: Ficus rubiginosa

[Overview]
An evergreen tree grown as a foliage plant.
White milky sap comes out when the leaves or stems are damaged.
The bark is yellowish brown, and branches spread out, growing readily even from the lower part of the trunk.
The leaves are simple and alternate, elliptic, 4–20 cm long and 1–13 cm wide, with a glossy upper surface.
The undersides of the leaves have reddish brown soft hairs.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or layering.
It is not cold-hardy, so grow it as a potted plant.
It likes sun, but avoid direct midsummer sunlight, which causes leaf scorch.
It tolerates heat and overwinters if the temperature stays at 10°C or above, so keep it in a bright place such as near a window.
Exposure to cold may cause it to drop its leaves.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter keep it on the dry side.
Also mist the leaves with water.
From spring to autumn, apply liquid fertilizer once every 2 weeks, or place slow-release solid fertilizer on the soil once every 2 months.
Pests and diseases include spider mites, scale insects and aphids.

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