Ficus-lover (History of phytophilia)

SUBCATEGORY of BIOPHILIA, because Phytophilia focuses on plants, which are only one of the aspects of living Nature.

"PHYTO", from the Greek phytòn (ϕυτόν), means plant; "PHILIA", from the Greek philìa (ϕιλία), means love or passion, so it is our LOVE FOR PLANTS. (from VERDE)

---

 

My late mother liked plants, especially succulents. I had a photo of a boy watering those plants with a toy syringe.

However, I don’t have any interest in plants. I had a short passion for having pets. Those desires died down when some pets went the same fate. When I grew older and managed to survive, there was no room for another life to sustain.

 

Mid-thirty, more than 10 years without an intimate relationship, living alone increases the thirst for companionship.  

It started with a $2 small succulent. One by one, the number of plants increased. However, the moment when it started in earnest of plant was an illustration of a room with the Bengal tree(Ficus Altissima) somewhere. It instantly led me to serenity and peace that I can not describe and want to live in, escaping from harsh reality.  I cannot find that same illustration anymore, but a similar one. I also have a desire to have my place, not rent or a temporary dwelling. So, growing plants also means being emotionally stable. 
 

Immigration, marriage, study, son, and job-seeking detract from plants. However, by God's perfect grace, I got a house in 2nd year of my new life with a lifetime mortgage. The place to plant was ready, but my heart was not until I got a job to support the family.
 
With the full support of my wife, I started a plant hobby. I gather plants. However, many plants died out, especially flower plants. Some plants survived under the care of a novice planter. Some plants survived well and looked good. These are ficus species.

 

which I have,

It started with

Ficus Benjamina / Starlight / Small leaf / Danielle

 

Ficus Elastica Burgundy/ Ficus Elastica Tineke / Ficus Ginseng(retusa)

 

Ficus Lyrata / Ficus Audrey / Ficus Altissima

 

Ficus Moclame / Ficus Triangularis variegated

 

Ficus Benjamina, Ficus Benjamina starlight, Ficus Benjamina small leaf, Ficus Benjamina Danielle, Ficus Elastica burgundy. Ficus Elastica Tineke, Ficus Lyrata, Ficus Ginseng (Retusa), Ficus Audry, and Ficus Altissima and recently, I fell in love with Ficus Moclame, which I saw in the showroom of a car-seller. 

Sep 2024, Ficus Trianguaris Varigata adopted.

Feb 2025, Ficus Benjamina Danielle included. 

May 11, 2025 Ficus Elastica Ruby adopted. 

I have a total of 13 different Ficus species.

I am excited to meet many more Moraceae families in future.

 

 

 

 

https://www.jennijuniper.com/ficus-varieties-and-care/

The Ficus | 27 Remarkable Varieties to Enliven Your Space

 

https://myplantin.com/plant-identifier?search=ficus

Plant Identifier

https://balconygardenweb.com/ficus-benjamina-varieties/

37 Best Ficus Benjamina Varieties You Can Grow