Port Jackson fig care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Port Jackson fig

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 5 days

Once the topsoil is dry, water until it runs from the drainage holes, as a guide; in midsummer the soil dries faster.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 7 days

Stretch the interval as it cools, waiting about two days after the soil dries.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every 10 days

Water roughly three to five days after the soil dries; kept a little dry, it copes with the cold better.

Light and placement for Port Jackson fig

Adaptable, from a bright window to a spot a little way inside; generally morning sun is about right, midsummer sun is best avoided, and a dim spot makes it shed leaves.

Overwintering Port Jackson fig

Overwintering guide: 5°C (41°F) or above

Tougher than most rubber figs, but as a guide keep it indoors in a bright spot above about 5°C, away from cold windowpanes, and water sparingly so the soil stays on the dry side.

Fertilizing and repotting Port Jackson fig

Fertilizer

Slow-release fertilizer about every two months from May to September is generally enough; indoors it grows slowly, and overfeeding stretches the stems, so give none from October on.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Port Jackson fig

• Overwatering rots the roots; leaves turn yellow and drop.
• A sudden move to a darker spot makes it drop leaves.
• Cold air at a winter window damages the leaf tips.

Tips for growing Port Jackson fig

• It grows slowly, so check that the soil has dried before each watering.
• Pruning encourages side shoots, and the trunk can be trained into curved shapes.
• Scale insects are common, so check the undersides of leaves and the stems now and then.

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