Fig Seedlings: Latest Prices and a Detailed Guide to Planting Methods
The fig is the fruit of a deciduous shrub in the mulberry family, genus Ficus, also known as Wenxian fruit, milk berry, Pinxian fruit, etc. It originated along the Mediterranean coast and was introduced into China from Persia as early as the Tang Dynasty. It is now cultivated in both the north and south, especially in southern Xinjiang. Its cultivation value is very high and its benefits are very obvious. Now let us take a look at fig seedling prices and planting methods!
How much does a fig seedling cost?
The price of a fig seedling is about 2-4 yuan each, but it varies depending on the variety, specification, place of origin and purchase quantity of the fig seedlings. There are currently about eight hundred known fig varieties, the vast majority of which are evergreen varieties, and only those growing in temperate regions are deciduous varieties. The fig likes a warm and humid climate, tolerates poor soil, and is drought-resistant but not cold-resistant or waterlogging-resistant. It is best cultivated on sandy loam or clay loam that faces the sun, has deep soil, is loose and fertile, and drains well. It is cultivated in both the north and south of our country, especially in southern Xinjiang.
What varieties of figs are there?
1. Brunswick: A dual-purpose summer and autumn variety, with few summer fruits and mainly autumn fruits. The summer fruit is oval, and the autumn fruit is obovate-conical or obovate, with an average single fruit weight of 50-60 grams. The skin is yellowish brown and the flesh is reddish brown. The tree vigor is moderate, the tree posture is semi-spreading, the tree body is dwarfed, the branching is weak, and the continuous fruiting ability is strong. The yield is not high, and it is cold-resistant and highly salt-tolerant.
2. Qingpi: A dual-purpose summer and autumn variety, mainly autumn fruits. The autumn fruit is obovate-conical, with a single fruit weight of 60-80 grams. When ripe it is light green, the fruit apex does not crack, but there are cracks on the shoulder of the fruit, and the flesh is purplish red. The tree vigor is strong, the tree posture is semi-spreading, the branches are thick, and there are relatively few branches. Cold tolerance is medium, disease resistance is strong, and salt tolerance is relatively strong.
3. Penglai Persimmon: A variety specifically for autumn fruits, with very few summer fruits. The autumn fruit is obovate-conical or oval, with a round and slightly flat apex that cracks easily, a single fruit weight of 60-70 grams, thick purplish red skin, and bright red flesh. It is relatively sweet, but the flesh is coarse and it has no aroma. The tree vigor is extremely strong, the tree posture is upright, and the crown is tall and grows vigorously. The branches are sparse, long and thick, and cold tolerance is good.
Propagation methods for figs
1. Cutting propagation: For fig cuttings, in mid to late March select robust branches and insert them diagonally into the soil for two-thirds of their length, leaving the rest exposed above the soil. Fill and firm the soil, water to keep the soil moist, and roots will form in about 1 month. After 1 year of cultivation they can be transplanted.
2. Division propagation: For figs, carry out division planting in February to March. When planting, dig holes at a row spacing and plant spacing of 3×3 m and plant. Pruning should be done before planting to remove dense branches or dead branches. It is best to plant before the sap begins to flow or before leaf expansion.
3. Layering propagation: Layering propagation of figs is relatively simple, and the operation method is the same as for ordinary flowers and plants. However, because the propagation coefficient is small, it is mostly used when cutting and division propagation are difficult or when larger new plants need to be propagated.
Planting methods for figs
1. Timely planting: Figs can be grown in pots or in barren slopes, fields and courtyards. The planting density should be appropriately increased, and after the tree body grows larger it can be appropriately thinned. Use a mixed fertilizer containing phosphorus and potassium as base fertilizer. Transplant and plant after leaf fall in autumn, and avoid the flowering and fruiting period.
2. Reasonable fertilization: If the base fertilizer is insufficient during the growth period of young fig trees, fertilizer should be applied. Apply about 5 kg of decomposed mixed manure per plant at a distance of 40 cm from the main root. For mature trees, apply 15 kg of decomposed farmyard manure per plant. Topdressing is best done during the peak new shoot growth period and the rapid fruit enlargement period.
3. Drainage and irrigation: Figs are relatively drought-tolerant and not waterlogging-tolerant. The water demand is relatively large during new shoot growth and fruit enlargement, but long-term waterlogging or heavily waterlogged environments can easily cause flower drop, fruit drop and leaf drop, and even death, so attention should also be paid to drainage and water removal.
4. Shaping and pruning: The pruning and shaping requirements for figs are not high. Generally, the multi-main-branch natural open-center shaping method is used, but 3-5 main branches should be retained for the whole plant, with no side branches, and the main branch groups directly grow on the main branches.
5. Timely harvesting: Figs begin to ripen successively from mid-July to November. Picking is generally best done in the morning or evening on sunny days. Pick when a small hole at the top of the ripe fruit has slightly opened and the skin has taken on the color characteristic of the variety.
6. Pest and disease control: Figs suffer relatively few pests and diseases. During the fruit growth period they are easily harmed by mulberry longhorn beetles, and when the fruit ripens they are easily damaged by birds. In addition to manually catching mulberry longhorn beetles and driving away birds, insect eggs can be eliminated manually or with chemicals, and scarecrows can also be used to drive away birds.