In search of the mysterious 'Ficus 52406' from North Queensland, Australia

[Epiphyte]

unfortunately i don't think that there's a definitive answer regarding when is the optimal stage to pollinate a fig.  i've read that when the fig is the size of a cherry is a good time, but this depends on how big the fig gets.  perhaps the best time is when a fig is 2/3 its ripe size?  or maybe it's when the ostiole opens large enough for a tiny wasp?  i've seen videos where the opening is so tight that the wasps lose their wings trying to squeeze into the hole.  i'm guessing that the window of receptivity must be at least a few weeks if not longer. 

thanks for the info about coronata and opposita.  coronata isn't native to your area, but its fruit is good to eat?  so the fruit must be getting pollinated?  i'm guessing by the opposita wasp?  since you probably don't have any male coronatas, then the pollen is probably from male oppositas?  if you sowed the coronata seeds, and some of the seedlings had opposite leaves, then voila! hybrid! 

[David H]

Is it possible that some  F. coronata  set parthenocarpically ?   As far as I know, F. coronata is monoecious . We have fruit on now, so when some ripen, I'll plant some seeds ,if there are seeds  . Thanks for the information.

[Epiphyte]

i've only heard of ficus carica having varieties that can ripen figs without pollination.  i suppose it's entirely possible for other species of ficus.  if you put the coronata seeds in water and none of them sink then perhaps they weren't pollinated.  if they do sink, and you sow them and they germinate, then they were definitely pollinated. 

according to this cladogram, the species in blue are dioecious, which includes ficus opposita and its closest relatives (sycidium subgenus).  ficus coronata wasn't listed but it's also in the subgenus sycidium.   

"Ficus opposita is unusual in another way as well. All figs in Section Sycidium are dioecious i.e. separate male and female trees." - source

pretty sure that this paper says that the species in the subgenus sycidium are dioecious. 

the plot thickens because, according to this site, ficus coronata "plants can be dioecious (separate male and female trees) or monoecious (male and female flowers on the same tree), so to be sure of getting fruits, it is best to plant several of them."

hmmmm.  that's too interesting.  well, the proof is in the pudding.  there's nothing more exciting than staring at ficus seedlings everyday trying to figure out whether or not they are hybrids. 

[Epiphyte]

ooops

[Galatians522]

Ficus sycomorus can also set fruit without pollination. However, the trees must be slashed to hold the fruit to maturity.