Fig Tree Care

Native to southwest Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region, the fig tree is a large deciduous tree grown for its highly nutritious and edible fruit. Botanically it is known as Ficus carica, and belongs to the Moraceae family. The fruits can be eaten fresh, though they can't be stored for too long as they are perishable. To preserve them they are often dried. Of all the trees, one can find many parables relating to the fig tree in the bible. Understanding the basics about fig tree care will ensure that you always have a healthy tree in your garden.

Fig Trees
A fig tree can attain a height anywhere between 10 to 50 feet depending upon the type of cultivator. With over 600 different fig types, one can easily decide which one would suit the landscape. Its trunk is large and thick with nodes on them, with their sap emitting milky latex that can irritate the skin. The tree has a wider spread than its height, with branches spreading out in its early growing years, as anything 15 feet and below, with multiple branching close to its trunk, is regarded more as a shrub than a tree. Their branches can be trained to espaliered, especially when they are being grown indoors or in a container. Read more on container gardening.

Fig tree leaves are single, alternate, deeply lobed and bright green with rough hair on the upper side and a soft, underside. Figs bears its flowers inside the green fruits, hence can't be seen. Pollination takes place depending upon the type of fig tree. Its fruit bearing occurs in two phases, for most common varieties first yield (breba crop) is borne in the spring on last season's growth, and the second which is the main crop, is borne in fall on the new growth. The second yield is superior; quality and quantity wise. As the fruit matures, its peel hardens. Upon ripening, it cracks open exposing the white jelly-like flesh bounding a seed within.

Fig Tree Propagation
Figs are preferably propagated by fig tree cuttings, as they do not come true through seeds. Although you will easily get fig tree saplings from nurseries, try to use root cuttings on your own. Select a young, one year old twig with no diseases, no blackening or browning on them. Cut it with a sharp shear and dip it in a rooting hormone and allow the roots to form undisturbed in a moist place. Once they have sprouted roots, plant it. Do not transplant a young tree while it is starting a new growth, as it will kill them. One can even try various grafting fruit tree methods to propagate the fig.

Fig Tree Planting and Care
Fig tree can be grown indoors, as well as outdoors. Indoor fig tree grown in containers are ideally placed facing a south or south-west wall and trained upon horizontal wires attached to a wall. But they do need sunlight all day to ripen the fruit. If one is growing it outdoors, then give it a large space as they will shade out anything growing beneath. Fig tree roots can spread out quite a bit. So if it's in a container, then while replacing soil every three years, lightly trim the roots and then add more soil to it. Fill the pot again with soil-based compost and plant the fig at the same depth as previously grown. Once you have planted them, water regularly until fully established. Do not use too many fertilizers, as too much nitrogen promotes leaf growth and hampers fruit yield. Figs succulent trunk and branches are very sensitive to sun damage, so give them a coating of whitewash, especially if they are exposed. Read more on tips on growing fig trees: care of fig trees.

Fig Tree Pruning
Fig tree care and pruning go hand in hand. Basic fruit tree pruning instructions can be used as a guideline to prune figs. Pruning is essential only during the initial years. How one goes about pruning actually depends upon how the fruit is going to be used; fresh or dried. As the yield is borne on previous year's growth, avoid winter pruning. It's best to prune after the main crop has been harvested. If the plant needs heavy pruning because of diseases, then whitewash the entire tree. Read more on:

• Pruning Fruit Trees: How to Prune a Fruit Tree
• Fruit Types - List of Fruits by Type

This was all about fig tree care. Fig tree roots are a favorite food of gophers, that can cause extensive damage to the tree. Regular use of insecticides is a part of fig tree care just as watering, fertilizing and pruning is. Well then get ready for your fig harvest, but allow them to ripen fully on the tree before you pick them. Fresh figs can be stored in the refrigerator for only 2 – 3 days, and the dried ones for six to eight months. So go ahead and grow this wonderful tree so that you can have a lifelong supply of its fruit!