Ficus Carica, commonly known as the fig tree, is a popular choice for homeowners who want to add a touch of nature to their living space. The tree boasts tiny purple flowers and an abundance of fruit, making it aesthetically pleasing and symbolic of prosperity in feng shui. Figs and their leaves are also used in traditional medicine, adding to their appeal.
To ensure your potted fig tree thrives and bears plentiful fruit, here are some essential care tips:
Watering: Fig trees thrive in moist conditions, so regular watering is crucial, especially for potted plants. Water your tree once every two days after planting, gradually reducing the frequency after three months. For newly potted trees, pay extra attention to moisture levels and water regularly.
Pruning is essential for the fig tree’s health and fruit production.
Pruning: Pruning your fig tree encourages growth and helps shape the plant. It’s important to remove old, diseased branches to promote the tree’s overall health. The ideal time to prune is before flowering and after harvesting the fruit. As the tree’s bark is sensitive to sunlight, create a canopy by pruning to protect the trunk from direct sun exposure. For a well-aerated canopy, remove overcrowded, weak, diseased, or old branches as the tree matures.
Fertilizing: Traditional wisdom suggests that for sweeter fruit, organic matter such as animal carcasses should be applied to the roots. However, when the tree is bearing fruit, avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers and opt for potassium-rich alternatives like wood ash and lime powder to enhance fruit quality.
Pest Control: Fig trees are susceptible to attacks by moth larvae (Lepidoptera) and fruit flies. These pests cause flower drop and fruit rot. To counter this, spray Trebon 0.2% when the fruits are small, as spraying on larger fruits may lead to toxicity. Annually, during the dry season, apply a limewash to the tree’s base to protect it from borers and other pests that bore into the bark and trunk.
The Ficus Carica is not just a beautiful plant but also bears edible fruit.
Ensuring a Bountiful Harvest: During the fruit-bearing stage, maintain moisture by watering twice a day, in the early morning and late afternoon. Insufficient water will cause fruit drop.
Remove the growing tips of branches when they reach about 20 cm in length. Doing so will encourage the growth of new shoots from the leaf axils, leading to the development of tiny flower clusters and subsequent fruiting. Continue to fertilize and water the tree to nourish the developing fruit.
For taller trees, only break the lower, thicker branches, leaving the thinner, higher branches for the next cycle. Pinch the growing tips and withhold water for 2-3 days. Then, apply a highly diluted solution of urea. In about 50 days, the tree should bloom and bear large fruit.
To encourage abundant fruiting, apply organic matter to the roots at least twice a year and bird droppings every two months. Additionally, water the tree with rice water once a week for optimal results.
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