Figs - care and cultivation in the open field, pruning
Content:
In addition to ordinary fruit trees, many gardeners are turning their attention to exotic species and varieties. For example, today many are trying to grow figs in their garden. This process is quite complicated, it is important to choose the right varieties and familiarize yourself with all the features of care. So, the topic of today's article is figs, care and cultivation in the open field, pruning, planting technology and a few small tricks from those who have already successfully grown this wine berry.
Figs in Central Russia
There are several hundred varieties of figs in the world. Of these, you can choose those that will grow in Central Russia. Only the low probability of fruiting is upsetting. This is explained by the fact that walnut wasps are needed for pollination of fig flowers. And they live exclusively in a certain area. But there is a way out - it is necessary to plant and grow self-pollinating varieties.
Growing figs outdoors
Which variety to choose
To solve the problem of fruiting figs in those regions of Russia in which the walnut wasp does not live, breeders have bred varieties of figs that are self-fertile.
Today there are a lot of them:
- Dalmatian;
- Nikitsky;
- Abkhazian purple;
- Crimean black;
- Shuisky;
- Early gray;
- Brown Turkey and others.
Gardeners of central Russia prefer Dalmatian figs, the cultivation of which does not bring any particular problems. Its fruits are very tasty, besides, it perfectly tolerates temperature changes. Feels great even with a decrease in indicators to minus 15 ° C.
The largest yield is formed on shoots of 3-4 years of age. On average, the fruits weigh from 150 to 200 g, have an asymmetric shape and a greenish-yellow color.
Fig Dalmatsky
Brown Turkey has the best winter hardiness. It can withstand short-term cold snaps up to minus 20 ° С. Bears abundantly. The fruits are pear-shaped, weighing up to 100 g. The color is red-brown.
Suitable for the middle strip and Crimean figs. Fruits with fruits of an oval shape of a purple hue and weighing up to 100 g. Planting gives the best results in the Crimea, Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, but in the Middle Lane and the Moscow Region it can also be planted in order to obtain tasty fruits. But breeding in Siberia is most often doomed to failure - it is better to choose a different variety.
Features of planting figs
Before planting figs in the garden, you need to familiarize yourself with all the nuances. You need to try to create conditions for the seedling that are close to the usual. It is quite difficult, especially during the winter. Professional advice on planting and caring for figs will help preserve the seedling and, over time, get a good harvest.
Planting dates for figs
Planting dates play a huge role in the correct development of the shrub. You must try to comply with them exactly.
It is recommended to plant figs in late April and early May. As soon as the weather is warm and the threat of night frosts has passed.
Preparation of soil mixture for planting figs in the open field
Before planting bush figs in open ground, you need to prepare a soil mixture. The plant is not picky about the state of the soil, but it will develop better if it is slightly enriched with nutrients.
During the preparation of the deepening for planting, soil is selected and mixed with organic matter - manure, compost or humus. Then the mixture is sent back to the pit, forming a ball of soil mixture of about 20 cm. The rest is poured after planting.
Preliminary preparation of the soil mixture before planting figs
Planting figs in pits
A place for planting figs is chosen closed from drafts. Before planting figs in the country, a pit is prepared in advance. This is necessary for the pre-introduction of nutrients.
When planting one plant, recesses are prepared with dimensions of 1.5 × 1 m, and 0.6 - 0.8 m deep.
Pour at the bottom:
- superphosphate - 200 g;
- potash fertilizer or wood ash - 200 g.
A prepared fertile mixture with a thickness of 20 cm is poured on top, forming a mound in the middle. Then the stalk is placed in such a way that its roots are evenly located on the mound and begin to fall asleep with soil. The mixture around the seedling is well compacted and watered abundantly.
Requirements for growing conditions
After planting, a young plant requires systematic care. First of all, regular and abundant watering is ensured.
How to properly water figs immediately after planting? It is necessary to pour from 5 to 8 liters of water under each bush once a week. Older specimens are watered a little less often, but the one-time rate is increased to 10 liters.
After each watering procedure, when the soil dries up a little, it is imperative to loosen the garden bed. Watering is significantly reduced during fruit ripening. The last time the soil is abundantly irrigated after harvest. This procedure increases the plant's resistance to frost in winter.
How to fertilize figs
In addition to regular watering, figs love feeding with nutrients.
There are several periods during which fertilization is recommended:
- Nitrogen fertilizers are what you can feed figs in the spring, in the first decade of the growing season. They allow you to increase the build-up of green mass.
- In July, it is time for phosphates, which are responsible for the formation of fruit ovaries.
- In the last decade of the growing season, nitrogen substances are excluded, and attention is focused on potash fertilizers, which help the development of wood.
- Regularly, once every 2 months, fertilize the leaf with a complex solution.
Fig care before fruiting (first 2 years)
The initial care of fig bushes is no different from growing young seedlings of other fruit plants.
Consists of the main points:
- Water in a timely manner and correctly.
- Feed regularly.
- Thin the crown and prune in the spring.
- Prepare for wintering, shelter from frost.
At first, timely pinching of the young is important. The plant should not be overloaded while the root system is developing. It is enough to leave 4 young branches up to half a meter long.
Caring for a young fig seedling
A full pruning is performed one month after the foliage has been shed. During the procedure, make sure that no hemp remains. The branches are removed to the very base.
Crown formation and pruning
An important point during the first 2 years is the crown formation process. There are two ways:
- Stamp. Suitable for shrubs planted in mild climates.
- Fan. Suitable for plants growing in the northern regions.
When forming a standard in the first 2 years, the crown of the bush is not touched. Only damaged and dry branches are removed. After 2 years, all branches striving upward are cut off. Leave only shoots growing down. They are bred to the sides and tied to a trunk.
Formation is usually carried out in early spring, before sap flow begins. Summer is not suitable for pruning at all. In autumn, only sanitary thinning can be done - remove affected and dry branches.
How to properly cover for the winter
Despite the fact that varieties of figs have been bred that can withstand frost, it is impossible to ignore the procedure for sheltering shrubs for the winter. It is started in late autumn, when a stable temperature is established, not exceeding + 2 ° C.
- They start with the fact that all the shoots from the north side of the plant are collected in a bunch, tied together and bent to the ground.
- A plank shelter is built directly on the surface of the soil using plywood or fragments of boards.
- Polyethylene is placed on top of the boardwalk and covered with a layer of soil.
This design of the shelter will allow you to perfectly endure all the winter troubles.
Possible problems in growing figs
Problems with figs begin when the plant is not properly cared for. Like any plant planted in open ground, the shrub can be susceptible to disease.
Why figs do not bear fruit in the garden
In addition to the appearance of diseases and pests, there is often such a problem as the lack of fruiting.
This is primarily due to the wrong choice of variety. For planting in the garden, it is necessary to select self-pollinating specimens. Wasps of a certain subspecies, which do not live in all regions, can cope with pollination of common types of figs.
Why does figs fall off
Another problem that gardeners face when growing figs is shedding of fruits. This phenomenon is due to improper care of the bush. The lack of regular watering has a detrimental effect on the condition of the fruit.
The second reason may be the poor soil on which the bush grows. You can correct the situation with regular feeding.
Following the advice of professionals will ensure a chic crown and abundant fruiting of figs.
Although figs are considered unpretentious plants in terms of rooting and growth, the care of young seedlings must be correct. It is necessary to heed the recommendations of experts, then the shrub will thank not only with thick and beautiful greenery, but also with a rich harvest of exquisite fruits.
