Fig planting and cultivation techniques

The fig tree is a flowering plant belonging to the genus Ficus in the Moraceae family. It is mainly distributed in tropical and temperate regions and is a subtropical deciduous small tree. Fig trees are easy to propagate, convenient to manage, bear fruit early and are less susceptible to diseases and pests. It will start to bear fruit 2 to 3 years after planting, and enter its peak production period 7 to 10 years later, and has high economic value. Let’s learn about the planting and cultivation techniques of figs.

1. Planting time

To avoid winter dryness and early spring low temperature damage, spring planting is more suitable. The best time to plant is early to mid-March. It can also be planted in autumn, but it needs to be transplanted immediately after the leaves fall, and attention should be paid to soil cultivation and insulation in winter.

2. Planting density and method

The planting density needs to be determined according to the pruning method and facility cultivation conditions. The general row spacing is 3 meters x 2 meters, and 111 plants are planted per acre. When planting seedlings, you need to loosen the soil layer of 50 cm square at the planting site and dig a hole 10 cm deep. First, trim the damaged roots and excessively long lateral roots and disinfect them. Then distribute the roots evenly in the hole, fill and compact the soil, and build up the soil to the grafting point to form an 80 cm square tree tray. The tree tray should be slightly higher than the ground by 15 to 20 cm. Water the bottom of the hole sufficiently and finally cover the tree tray with plastic film.

3. Fertilization and water management

Base fertilizer: Generally applied from mid-November to early December, preferably manure. 4,000 to 6,000 kilograms of manure is required per acre of mature trees. When applying fertilizer, dig a fertilizer ditch 30 cm wide and 30 to 50 cm deep between rows or plants and apply base fertilizer.

Top dressing: The first top dressing of figs is in May when the new shoots are growing vigorously, mainly nitrogen fertilizer, with an application rate of 14 to 20 kilograms per mu. During the fruit ripening period from August to October, top dressing is required 2 to 3 times, mainly with compound fertilizer , with a dosage of 16 to 20 kilograms per mu each time. The fertilization method is the same as base fertilizer.

Irrigation and drainage: Figs have a well-developed root system and generally do not require watering. But in particularly dry weather, the orchard should be watered in time to replenish moisture. If there is too much rainfall, you need to drain the accumulated water to maintain the sugar content of the fruit and prevent fruit cracking.

4. Pruning tips

The branches in the fig tree crown are sparsely distributed, which is suitable for cultivating a layerless tree shape with a central trunk or a natural open heart shape with multiple main branches. It can also branch out from the ground to form a bushy shrub- like crown. When shaping, the seedlings are fixed at a height of 40 to 50 cm, retaining 4 to 6 main branches, and the central trunk is optional. Keep a certain distance between the main branches, cut back 40 to 60 cm each year, and place 2 to 3 secondary main branches on them to expand the fruiting area.

After the tree shape is completed, you only need to thin out useless overgrown branches, dense branches, drooping branches and dry branches every year, and try to keep strong branches for fruiting. The fruiting part of autumn fruit varieties is mostly in the middle and lower part of the new shoots grown in the current year, and the branches can be appropriately pruned. The flower buds of summer fruit varieties are mostly at the top of the branches. It is not advisable to shorten the strong branches in winter to avoid affecting the yield. For fig trees with few branches or whose fruiting parts move outward year by year, they can be moderately pruned back in winter to promote the growth of new branches. Some branches can be cut to leave 2 to 3 leaf buds at the base.

The tissue of fig branches is loose and the cuts heal slowly. After winter pruning, the branches below the cut may dry up, affecting the growth of buds at the cut. Therefore, large cut and sawing ends need to be coated with grafting wax or other protective agents, and for small branches, the shortened part can be appropriately raised.

The above is an introduction to the cultivation technology of figs. When planting figs, you must first consider whether the environment is suitable. Figs cannot be grown in all areas, and you should not invest blindly.