Ficus carica

The most extensive Ficus genus includes numerous ornamental plants. It includes the fig tree, fig tree, fig tree, fig tree (Ficus carica), which has been known for over 4,000 years, and has been cultivated since ancient times. Deciduous trees up to 10-12 m high; in culture, as a rule, dioecious. The trunk, often twisted, is covered with smooth thin ash-gray bark, at the base there is a lot of growth formed from the roots. Separate-lobed bright green leaves are large, consisting of 3-5 lobes, rough on the upper side, lighter and pubescent on the lower side (pubescence can cause skin irritation). The tiny single - sex flowers (male - staminate and female-pistillate) are collected on the inner surface of a pear-shaped inflorescence, the scientific name of which is syconium. From pollinated syconia with long-stemmed flowers, large juicy fruits (copulants) develop, called figs, or figs (like the female tree itself). Syconia with male flowers are smaller and always remain hard-called caprifigas (like a male tree). Mature fruits are a valuable food product, they are consumed fresh and dry. Dried fruits contain up to 70% of sugars, citric, malic, acetic, boric acids and other nutrients. In dried form, the fruit is called wine berries. They also have medicinal value.

The most extensive Ficus genus includes numerous ornamental plants. It includes the fig tree, fig tree, fig tree, fig tree (Ficus carica), which has been known for over 4,000 years, and has been cultivated since ancient times. Deciduous trees up to 10-12 m high; in culture, as a rule, dioecious. The trunk, often twisted, is covered with smooth thin ash-gray bark, at the base there is a lot of growth formed from the roots. Separate-lobed bright green leaves are large, consisting of 3-5 lobes, rough on the upper side, lighter and pubescent on the lower side (pubescence can cause skin irritation).

The tiny single - sex flowers (male - staminate and female-pistillate) are collected on the inner surface of a pear-shaped inflorescence, the scientific name of which is syconium. From pollinated syconia with long-stemmed flowers, large juicy fruits (copulants) develop, called figs, or figs (like the female tree itself). Syconia with male flowers are smaller and always remain hard-called caprifigas (like a male tree).

Mature fruits are a valuable food product, they are consumed fresh and dry. Dried fruits contain up to 70% of sugars, citric, malic, acetic, boric acids and other nutrients. In dried form, the fruit is called wine berries. They also have medicinal value.

Cultivation

Figs are usually grown in the open ground as a fruit plant, sometimes used as an ornamental. For this purpose, very numerous cultivars were created, differing in the shape and color of "fruits". Dwarf varieties and varieties intended for growing in a pot were also bred for sale, but they are always planted in the open ground after 2-3 years. Plants are placed permanently in the fall or early spring. It is not demanding on the soil - poor, stony, dry soils are suitable for them, as long as there is good drainage. Potted land - a mixture of sand and peat (1:1) with the addition of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers - to avoid excessive overgrowth of the aboveground part: at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket of soil.

Figs are usually grown in the open ground as a fruit plant, sometimes used as an ornamental. For this purpose, very numerous cultivars were created, differing in the shape and color of "fruits". Dwarf varieties and varieties intended for growing in a pot were also bred for sale, but they are always planted in the open ground after 2-3 years.

Plants are placed permanently in the fall or early spring. It is not demanding on the soil - poor, stony, dry soils are suitable for them, as long as there is good drainage. Potted land - a mixture of sand and peat (1:1) with the addition of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers - to avoid excessive overgrowth of the aboveground part: at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket of soil.

Location

They are suitable for both a place in the open sun and in partial shade.

Temperature

Figs are grown in areas with a mild climate, it can tolerate low temperatures, but not prolonged frosts. In areas with a cold climate, it is recommended to grow them in a place protected from cold and winds.

Watering

Fig tree does not tolerate excess moisture in the soil, but during the period of fruit formation it needs abundant watering, so it is watered regularly and abundantly, avoiding stagnation of water. Good mulching of the soil helps to maintain an appropriate level of humidity.

Transplant

Fig trees (when grown at home) are transplanted in the spring to a new pot.

Care

Remove offspring and dry or damaged branches, unless they are going to" renew " the plant (for example, in case of frost damage), leaving the strongest growth at the base.

Reproduction

The most commonly used method is cuttings. In summer, they take completely lignified shoots about 40 cm long, cutting them from below under the node, and plant them in the ground for air, you can immediately put them in a permanent place, keeping the soil in a slightly moist state. Another method is to separate in the fall the rooted offspring that form next to each other. They are treated the same as cuttings. Propagate by grafting (eye, shield, etc.), which is carried out in spring and summer.

Diseases

A beetle (of the genus Carpophilus) can damage the fruit of a fig tree. In this case, the crop should be harvested earlier. Nematodes successfully reproduce in relatively loose soil and affect the root system. There are rootstocks that are resistant to these pests. Rust (Cerotelium fici) affects the leaves. They get rid of it by treating it with copper-based fungicides, such as Bordeaux liquid. Anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata) causes dark spots on the fruit, but chemical treatment is rarely required.

Acquisition

Figs are easily found in specialized gardening centers and nurseries. Plants in containers and with a lump take root better, and they can be stored before planting for longer than plants with bare roots.