Figs have low soil requirements and can be planted in both sandy soil and loam soil

AbstractFigs can be planted in sandy soil, loam soil, and various heavy clay soils. They have low soil requirements and strong salt tolerance, and can even be planted on coastal tidal flats or inland saline-alkali land. If the soil layer is loose and fertile with good drainage and the soil is neutral or slightly alkaline sandy loam calcareous, it is very suitable for planting figs.

Figs like to grow in a warm and humid climate. They can also grow on poor and arid land and have a certain degree of waterlogging resistance, but their cold resistance is relatively low. It is best to choose a sunny, loose, deep and fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam for planting figs, but figs can also grow in slightly acidic or alkaline soil.

The root system of figs has the characteristic of clinging to the soil surface. If figs are planted in a place with sufficient light, adding a certain amount of household waste within a 4 sq m range of the planting soil and thoroughly loosening it will help figs grow better.

Requirements of figs for environmental conditions

1. Temperature requirements

Figs are deciduous fruit trees and like to live in a warm environment. They have strong resistance to high temperatures, and generally high temperatures will not damage fig plants. The cold resistance of different fig varieties differs. Varieties such as Brunswick, Purple Fig, and Ziguang have strong cold resistance, and adult fig plants can withstand a low temperature of minus 16°C. In areas south of the Yellow River in China, if suitable areas are selected for planting, figs can successfully overwinter. However, varieties such as Masui Dauphine and Lukang No. 1 have relatively poor cold resistance and will suffer freeze damage at minus 8°C.

2. Water requirements

The root system of figs is relatively developed and has strong drought resistance. Even when planted on mountain slopes, they can still achieve relatively high yields. Figs have a certain degree of waterlogging resistance, but if waterlogging is too severe or air humidity is too high, it will still cause fig fruits to crack or rot. Long-term insufficient water will make the fruits smaller or even cause fruit drop. Therefore, during cultivation, ensure timely watering during drought and timely drainage during waterlogging to improve fruit yield and quality.

3. Soil requirements

Figs can be planted in sandy soil, loam soil, and even various heavy clay soils, but deep neutral or slightly alkaline sandy loam calcareous soil is most suitable for planting figs. They have strong salt tolerance and can be planted on coastal tidal flats and inland saline-alkali land, but they have a high demand for calcium. If figs are planted in acidic and calcium-deficient land, lime can be applied to adjust the soil to increase fig yield.