Monthly Progress #68

Time waits for no one! It has been six years... and at times, it seems only like yesterday. Memory is a mysterious thing that will never be understood... It lingers... It outlasts... even time...

Monthly Progress #67

This area must have had quite a bit of rain a few days ago. It is quite soaked. In this view, the ficus tree is seen in the direction of the newly planted (over a year ago) Alstonia scholaris, showing that it is still quite inundated. This tree needs adapting to this low lying area prone to flooding before it can grow and catch up with the other two planted in locations with higher elevations in this center. The ficus has now adapted because it was planted almost 6 years ago, and because its location is not as low as that of the Alstonia.

Monthly Progress #66

Here is the ficus tree, at about 10 feet tall as of today. I now think I understand why this tree took so long to get established: that is because of its being in the area prone to intruding salt water from Biscayne bay. I could have chosen a different location at higher ground, but this place is secluded, which I like better. There is another ficus tree ( I am not sure its species name) nearby that is thriving so hopefully this tree will perform as well. 5 years down, many more to count...

Monthly Progress #65

Everyone around here is surprised this ficus took so long to finally decide to move on, five years and five months if you count the months as I do. In this area, there is no limit to how large it can get. Let's wait and see.

Monthly Progress #64

With the rain falling almost every day, the ficus is happy happy happy, and it grows to show. The weeds in this are have finally been dealt with and all the cycads are liberated. But today... mosquitoes, mosquitoes everywhere and I had to run for cover.

Monthly Progress #63

The ficus tree is now growing vigorously. In about a month, the main branch has grown to about 10 feet. Several other branches also are competing for the show. It looks great. I can't say the same for the weeds surrounding this area. Compare to last month to see how much the weeds have taken over... All the poor cycads have been swamped and must be suffocating underneath. This area is begging for some trimming... Hopefully it will be done soon. Return to see how this ficus tree fares from now on.

Monthly Progress #62

I was absent and missed progress report #61 for May 2016. Progress report #62 for June is late, and it is posted today... After about six weeks of irregular but copious rain, the ficus tree responded in kind and it looks vigorous, about 8 feet tall with several new branches from the base. I'd say it is now well established.

Five Years and Counting...

Here is Ficus religiosa exactly five years after it was planted here. After several years of slow growth and a few recent broken branches from animals and strong wind, this tree is displaying many new strong growths starting from its base. It's looking good...

Monthly Progress #59

Here is how the ficus tree looks today, small but is now resuming its quite vigorous growth from the base. Next month will mark the fifth year after this tree was planted at this location. Time flies...

Monthly Progress #58

This ficus had another setback when its top was recently broken... It could have been because of a strong gust of wind... or perhaps of other unknown cause. It will need to grow again from a base that appears to be very strong. It has all the time in the world that it needs... eventually becoming a big tree at this location.

Monthly Progress #57

This is the first time in many years that this ficus tree looks this good in January. This species is supposed to be non-deciduous, meaning it should not shed its leaves during the winter months... but this is the first time that seems so. Hopefully it has emerged to be non-deciduous after all, and continue to grow faster from now on.