This post is more about learning of the fig tree. Here is a brief overview of the different aspects of the fig tree.
General Information
(Information taken from Ficus | Description, Pollination, & Major Species | Britannica, unless otherwise noted.)
The fig tree is under the plant genus Ficus, a genus that includes approximately 900 tree, shrub, and vine species. The list Ficus species is extensive, listed in: List of Ficus species — Wikipedia.
The Ficus genus has a specific and unique pollination, completed (and housed) by a species-specific wasp (fig wasp, ). These pollen-bearing wasps leave and the fruit ripens quickly. As a result, it provides food for a many mammals and birds. Some trees receive and release wasps during the year, which qualifies the Ficus fruits during food shortages. To reduce Ficus plants or terminate the wasps would bring a noticeable reduction in animal life of that region.
Fig trees can be grown indoors, although it takes greater care and produces a much smaller yield than their outdoor counterparts (Can You Grow a Fig Tree Indoors? (Complete Guide) — Fig Freak).
Health Benefits
(This section is quoted directly from https://lazydogfarm.com/blogs/growing-figs/health-benefits-of-figs?_pos=1&_sid=b89a711fa&_ss=r.)
1. Vitamins and Nutrients: Figs contain many essential nutrients including potassium, calcium, and magnesium. They also include dietary fiber, Vitamin A, and Vitamin K.
2. Digestive Health: The high fiber content in figs aids in digestion and prevents constipation. Figs contain a digestive enzyme called “ficin,” which helps with digestion as well.
3. Weight Loss: Because they have a high fiber content, figs leave you feeling full. This reduces hunger cravings and helps with weight management.
4. Antioxidants: Figs are rich in antioxidants, which reduce harmful free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. Phenols and flavonoids are a couple found in figs. These reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
5. Heart Health: The soluble fiber found in figs helps to lower cholesterol, and the high potassium content helps promote health blood pressure levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
6. Blood Sugar Management: Although they can be very sweet, figs have a moderate glycemic index. This means they release sugar into the body slowly, which helps regulate blood sugar and reduces the likelihood of blood sugar spikes. Figs are a great fruit option for those with diabetes.
7. Bone Health: The calcium and Vitamin K found in figs help to maintain healthy bones and reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis.
8. Skin Health: Antioxidants and vitamins aid promote healthy skin and reduce the risk of skin problems. Figs have been traditionally used to treat psoriasis and eczema.
9. Anemia Prevention: Figs contain iron, a mineral crucial for red blood cell production. Regular consumption may help prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
Cultivation
Fig trees prefer mild temperate climates. They grow as evergreens in the tropical regions. They are not cold hardy and new growth can be easily damaged by early spring cold (freezing).
Soil best for these trees is a combination of deep sandy clay loam, where the pH is 6–8, although they can be grown in many types of soil. The exception is very light soils, which need organic matter added to it. Fig trees love full sun, therefore, planting them in the east or south is ideal.
Propagation is best done through cuttings from trees that have weathered the previous winter, when the tree was dormant. Cuttings are best at the nodes and need time to develop a good root system for the next winter. When it comes to transplanting, the young cuttings are planted either in winter or early spring. Provide a hole that accommodates the existing root system well. Position the tree and gently crumble the soil around the roots, tamping it softly as you fill the hole. Water well and prune it back approximately 1/3 to help with the shock of transplanting.
Maintenance
Fig trees love the Mediterranean rain-fed climates, but do well when they have access to constant moisture. Too much water is a problem, but mulching helps retain moisture and nutrients. Fertilization is helpful.
Fig trees are single trunk in sub-tropical regions, but when planted in more temperate climates, they are known to be multi-trunk. This can be encouraged with pruning 3–4 primary trunk branches. Pruning is extensive in the first few years, and then limited to removing the branches that grown upright, touching the ground or interfering with other branches. (Information taken from https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/fig/infos.)
Pests
Pesky pests for the fig tree are mold, the fig mosaic virus, mites, and the June beetle.
Molds and Fungi
Surface mold affects the fruit, caused by a fungi. The water-soaked fruits are most affected. Figs taste exceptional after a good rain, but too much water isn’t a good thing for it either. The fungi usually hide in plant debris over the winter and becomes problematic on ripe fruit, though it is more common on green fruit. The surface mold will affect the fruit internally. When mold attacks the fruit, it goes deep quickly and isn’t easily cut out. When you slice a fruit open, it is discolored inside, sometimes entirely, black and covered with the powdery black spore. (Always dispose of the fruit separately from your compost pile and sanitize thoroughly all surfaces and harvesting equipment to avoid spreading the infection.)
Some molds produce cankers above and below, causing shoots to die or become blighted. Infection can be passed from leaves to shoots, which turn them light green or brown. Molds and fungi flourish in the wet and cool weather conditions of spring. To manage this, infected trees will need to be pruned out, starting below the canker.
Other molds and fungus can be spread by thrips, flies, and beetles, though fig varieties that have smaller pores on the fruit are less susceptible.
Foliage Problems
“Rust” on figs first appears with the symptom of small and yellowish spots on the surface of the fig tree’s foliage. Eventually it enlarges and turns reddish brown, spreading. There may be a blister-like appearance that is raised slightly. The leaves that turn yellow or brown — and prematurely fall — are severely infected. The “rust” is a pathogen that spread by simply splashing water.
The best way to control is to burn the infected plant debris (in a safe location), as well as the fallen leaves. Avoid watering the tree from the top down, instead at its base. Proper mulching, fertilization and air circulation are good habits to keep, though severe situations require fungicides that are suitable to use.
The fig mosaic is a virus that affects the leaves. Signs of the virus are yellow spots and mottling. These spots blend gradually back into the green of the leaf and may be distributed uniformly or as irregular patches. If the lesions are mature, they develop a brown-red band around their margin. Transmission comes through fig mites or by grafting from infected tree. Infected trees need to be excluded from propagation. It is best to control the fig mite infestation to help reduce infection.
Mites
Mites expose themselves with blisters on the surface of the foliage. Twigs appear stunted and the leaves may fall from the trees. Blister mites infect fig trees with the mosaic virus and reproduce several generations in a year.
To manage mites, the use of horticultural oils (sulfur sprays) is effective and necessary if mites have been a problem. Application is always to be done before the fig tree blooms.
The Fig Beetle
The beetle (also known as the “fig eater”) will create holes in the figs and stain them with its waste matter. The fig beetle grows up to 1.2 inches long and is identifiable with a horn on the head. The larvae grub have brown heads and cream colored bodies.
Holes in fruit; staining of fruit surface from insect excrement; adult insect is a moderate sized green beetle reaching approx. 3 cm (1.2 in in length) which has a distinct horn on its head; larvae are cream colored grubs with a brown head.
Thankfully, this pest has one generation per year and the larvae develop in the soil. To curb the fig beetle, remove crop debris (including dead leaves). This will allow the surrounding ground to dry out and harden, making it hard for adults to emerge in the spring. Also, saturate the surround soil with water for two days to kill of eggs and larvae. (Pest information taken from https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/fig/infos.)
Conclusion
Fig trees can also be grown indoors, though cultivation may differ slightly since the wasps are not an indoor occurrence.
Overall, the fig tree is rather easy to maintain, providing that its needs are cared for. Water, though an essential part of the tree’s success can also become a problem when applied incorrectly. Like most plants, the best place to water is right at ground level to avoid creating too much moisture for the tree.
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