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)

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My late mother likes 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 means also emotionally stable. 
 

Immigration, marriage, study, child, 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 mortgage. The place to plant was ready but my heart was not yet 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 in under the care of novice planter. Somewhat survive well and look good plants are ficus species.

 

which I have,

It started with

Ficus Benjamina / Variegated / Small leaf

Ficus Elastica Burgundy/ Ficus Elastica Tinke / Ficus Retusa

Ficus Lyrata / Ficus Audrey / Ficus Altissima

Ficus Moclame / Ficus Triangularis variegated

 

Ficus Benjamina(variegated, small leaf), Ficus Elastica burgundy(Tinke), Ficus Lyrata, Ficus 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. The total is 11 different Ficus species I have.

 

 

 

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