How many times a year does the "fruit without blossom" fig bear fruit, and how should it be planted for high yields?
The fig, also known as the milk fig, is a fairly common economic fruit tree in China, and it is quite popular with people because of its high edible and ornamental value. So how many times a year does the fig bear fruit? How should it be planted for high yields?
How many times a year does the fig bear fruit?
A fig generally bears fruit twice a year, namely the summer crop and the autumn crop. Although the fig is a deciduous fruit tree, it likes warmth and has weak cold tolerance. In areas where winter temperatures are low and areas hit by late frost in early spring, it is prone to frost damage, and the whole plant may even die. Therefore, the local winter temperature and summer rainy weather conditions must be taken into account. Only by taking corresponding defensive measures against meteorological disasters can the fig be ensured good quality and high yield. As for whether there is fruit or not, it should be related to tree age, whether nutrient supply is sufficient, the growing environment, and so on.
Planting methods:
1. Variety selection
There are many varieties of fig trees, with more than 800 varieties. About ten varieties are mainly cultivated in China. Divided by use, there are processing, landscaping, fresh-eating and dual-purpose varieties; divided by fruit ripening, there are summer-crop special varieties, autumn-crop special varieties, summer-autumn-crop special varieties, and so on. When planting, varieties with bright color, large and well-formed fruit, a long fruit growth period and excellent quality can be selected, such as Brunswick, Qingpi and Zitaofen.
2. Orchard site
The fig is a subtropical deciduous small tree that likes warmth and light. In choosing the planting site, besides the factors of sunlight and temperature, choosing the right soil is especially important for raising fig tree yields. A sandy loam or humus loam with deep, fertile soil and good drainage is preferable. It can be planted concentrated in a specially designated spot, or grown in a courtyard.
3. Planting out
One-year-old truncated seedlings (retaining 10—30cm) are the seedlings commonly used for planting fig trees. Planting can be done in either spring or autumn, with spring planting being the main one. Fig rooting requires a relatively high temperature (9-10℃) and grows fast, so it is suitable for planting around Qingming. Planting density varies with variety and training method. Generally speaking, for "X"-shaped pruning, a plant spacing of 1-2m and a row spacing of 2-3m are suitable; for "Y"-shaped pruning, a row spacing of 2m is suitable.
4. Fertilization
Fig trees have a small fertilizer requirement during the seedling stage. After entering the grown-seedling to fruiting stage, the leaves are large, the branches are thick and strong, the growth vigor is vigorous, and the fruit load is large, so nutrient supply needs to be strengthened. Besides a large supplement of nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus, potassium and calcium fertilizers also need to be supplemented in time to improve fruit quality. The first topdressing of figs can be done when the new shoots grow vigorously, mainly applying nitrogen fertilizer at 210—300kg/h㎡. During the fig fruit ripening period in August—October, 2—3 more topdressings are needed, mainly applying compound fertilizer, with 240—300kg/h㎡ each time.
5. Watering
Drainage: Fig tree roots are well developed and easily obtain nutrients from the soil, and the tree itself is drought-resistant and afraid of waterlogging, so it does not need frequent watering. In dry summer and autumn environments, frequent watering is needed; during the new shoot growth period and before overwintering of fig trees, frequent watering is also needed. Spring planting of figs is mostly around Qingming, when there is more rain, so drainage must be watched at all times. If drainage is poor, at best leaves fall, and at worst the whole plant dies. Every year in July and August, rainfall is concentrated, which happens to be the fig fruit ripening period. Too much accumulated water will dilute the sugar content of the fruit, thereby affecting quality.
6. Training and pruning
The tree forms commonly used in fig tree cultivation mainly include the clump form, open-center form, leader form and cup form. The clump form has no trunk and grows in a clustered state, with a relatively low canopy. When planting seedlings, plants 10—15cm high need to be retained in pruning, which helps branches emerge from the base; then 3—5 of the emerged branches are selected as clump main branches for training. The open-center form has no central leader, a lower trunk and a larger canopy, and generally has 2—3 main branches and side branches.
Fig tree pruning is mainly concentrated in two stages, growing-season pruning and winter pruning. The branching ability is weak, the branches are sparse and prone to whorled growth, so growing-season pruning focuses on pinching, with pinching leaving a length of 30—40cm to promote canopy and fruit growth. Winter pruning is usually carried out after leaf fall and before the soil freezes, mainly using heading back; in addition, frozen and dead branches should be cut off.
7. Pest and disease control
Pest and disease control is a relatively easy part of fig tree cultivation and management, because there are fewer pests and diseases. The main pest is the mulberry longhorn beetle. The mulberry longhorn beetle, commonly known as the buffalo, has larvae that gnaw the xylem of branches and trunks, affecting tree growth. Adults appear in early June. Control measures can be manual capture or chemical killing. Manual capture can be carried out during the peak emergence period of adults; spraying 50% acephate 800~1000 times dilution can quickly and effectively kill adults. Fig trees have strong adaptability, and cultivation and management are relatively easy. As long as you put in more effort, you can get a harvest.