Monthly Progress #56

Today is the 5th anniversary. The clock keeps ticking, adding more days to the calendar that grows older, heavier and greyer with age. Finally, finally, this Ficus religiosa decides to resume life by seemingly growing normally now and this is a photo taken today. According to its genes, it should grow into a sizable evergreen tree here, but only time can tell...

Monthly Progress #55

Here is a photo of the ficus tree taken today. It does look nice and seems to keep a well sustained growth. A couple weeks ago, a good growing lateral branch was broken, supposedly by a night prowler trying to climb the tree. The broken branch was trimmed away without any adverse effect. Let's hope that it stay in this growing mode from now on.

Monthly Progress #54

This tree finally seems to take "roots" and the new growths have actually kept on growing. Let's hope it has turned "a new leaf" and continues this trend from now on.

Monthly Progress #53

Look, new growths! Usually, at this time, this ficus goes into its dormant stage.. but right now, it has several new strong growths. Granted, there were lots of rain recently, more than the previous years and may be that is what it wanted. Let's hope that is the trigger required for a steady growth from now on.

Monthly Progress #52

Spring came and gone, Summer turning into Fall... and the Ficus is still refusing to grow. Here it is, 52 months after planting. We have decided to leave it here a while longer to see what will happen. Who knows if it will decide to take off in a year or two...

Monthly Progress #51

Here is a photo of the Ficus religiosa taken today, July 17th, 2015. It looks fine with many new leaves, but there are concerns about the slow growth of this tree. It is feared that the roots may be too close to the salt water intrusion due to its location's proximity to the estuaries. If that is the case, we may want to consider moving it further to the West. During this new planting season (to last throughout August,) many trees found their new homes around this area. Among those are two Alstonia scholaris that I planted from seeds. They are about 3 years old. One of the Alstonia can be seen at the far distance, to the left of the ficus. The other one is to the right, but not seen in this photo. These two Alstonia are planted to be companion of the ficus.

Monthly Progress #50

Here is the Ficus religiosa as of today, June 17th, 2015. Weeds grow wild now that the heat is intense and they are being dealt with today in this area. Tick tock...

Monthly Progress #49

After a few rainy days... although still very few and far in between, the ficus is putting out many new growths and looks very handsome today. This is the new planting time, and several new trees will occupy new sites that have been drilled and marked at a stone throw from this location. Among new trees being planned, two Alstonia scholaris will be the new comers. They came from seeds that I sowed two years ago and I can't wait to watch them grow as well. Come back next month to see how we are doing.

Fourth Anniversary After Planting

Here it is, the Ficus religiosa exactly 4 years after being planted here. Year after year, it loses all of its leaves during the "cold" months, then generates new growths as seen today. One thing for sure, it is taking its sweet time to grow bigger and/or taller. Experts here are somtimes concerned and one theory is it is quite close to the estuaries and the tree must deal with the salt intrusion. As long as it does this every year, I think it's doing fine. Let's wait a few more years.

Monthly Progress # 47

It will be one more month until the fourth anniversary of the planting of this ficus here. This tree is very slow growing and definitely deciduous because it is bare right now... but the wait was worthwhile as new growths are budding as it can be seen in this shot taken this morning. I would like to learn how this tree will grow to be very large as it should. I think I have the time to wait...

Monthly Progress #46

This year has very few cold days, and a weak cold front came and left us a few days ago. It is sunny today. The ficus tree still looks bare... patiently awaiting Spring to put out new growths. Let's wait...

Monthly Progress #45

This is now 2015. Another year has dawned upon us. The ficus is bare on top but there is a small branch with green leaves at the lower trunk due to the warmer than usual "winter" in this sub-tropical Florida. It is sunny and nice today in the upper 60's. Nice weather.