Figs - the oldest tropical plant with a mass of unique, useful properties that are unfairly underestimated. The Latin name for the culture belonging to the genus Ficus (Ficus carica). A plant in different regions is called a fig tree, fig or fig tree. It has gained wide popularity since ancient times. According to some interpretations of the Old Testament, it was figs that Adam and Eve tasted as a forbidden fruit.
The name of the fruit is familiar to many, but few people know about the beneficial properties and other features of the ancient horticultural culture, including where figs grow. The photo and a brief description below it will not reveal all the interesting and important information.
Beneficial features
Figs, due to the beneficial properties contained in it, is considered one of the most nutritious fruits. It does not harm health, but there are some contraindications to its use, for example, people with gout and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract cannot eat this fruit. Sun-dried berries are not recommended to be abused during pregnancy, diabetes. The daily norm of a healthy person is 3-4 berries.
The fruits of figs are useful in fresh and dried form for the prevention of many diseases and the overall strengthening of the body. In medicine, the fruits of a fig tree are used as a means:
- antibacterial;
- wound healing;
- antiparasitic;
- Wellness;
- anti-oncological.
Figs for weight loss and home cooking
Dried figs, among other things, are effective in losing weight, as it leaves you feeling full for a long time and has a slight laxative effect. In addition to valuable substances, berries have high palatability. But, despite its sweetness, the calorie content of the fruit is relatively low (49 kcal per 100 g). Fruits are consumed fresh, dried and canned. It makes amazing jam, pastille, compote and wine, so the fig has acquired another name “wine berry”.
Leaves of fig tree in India are used as feed for livestock, and in France as raw materials for new fragrances in perfumery. Fig latex contains: malic acid, rubber, renin, resins and many other valuable elements. If latex juice gets on the skin, if it is not removed immediately, you can get irritation.
How is it growing?
This is a large shrub (8-10 m) with thick smooth branches and a wide crown. The diameter of the trunk reaches 18 cm, the root system is 15 m wide, and roots go down to 6 m in depth. Large leaves of figs are hard with uneven denticles along the edges, from dark green to grayish-green. The sheet reaches 15 cm in length and 12 cm in width.
It is interesting to know: all ficus trees are divided into female and male individuals, and the black wasp blastophages pollinate them. These wasps do a good job of their task, which is proved by large yields.
In the inflorescences of the tree there are small holes in the apex through which pollination takes place. Moreover, on which tree the figs grow, it depends whether or not the edible fruits are such, only female individuals whose flowers do not need pollination.
Pear-shaped figs grow up to 10 cm in length, sweet and juicy yellowish-green or dark purple. This is a hollow meaty vessel with small partially closed scales. The size and color of the fruit depends on the variety. The most common are dark blue, yellow and yellow-green.
Unripe berries should not be consumed, as they contain inedible latex. Depending on the variety, ripe figs may contain from 30 large to 1, 600 small seeds. Growing in favorable conditions, a fig tree can bear fruit for 200 years. A tree can bloom several times during the year, but the fruits are tied by the end of the warm period, from summer to autumn.
Where is it growing?
According to many historians, the fig tree became the first plant cultivated by man, which began to be cultivated 5 thousand years ago. The historical homeland of ficus is Saudi Arabia, where the plant has been widely used in the food and medical industries. Over time, the area where figs grow has spread to Europe and the Canary Islands.
Back in 1530, for the first time, the fruits of ficus were tasted in England, from where the seeds were imported into South Africa, Australia, Japan, China and India. The history of American figs begins in 1560, when imported seeds began to be grown in Mexico.
In the Caucasus region (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan) and on the black coast of Russia (Abkhazia, the southern coast of Crimea) ficus has been growing since ancient times. Where figs grow in Russia in the wild, the climate is warm and dry. Large areas of plantations are located in neighboring Turkey, Greece, as well as in Italy and Portugal.
In Venezuela, this fruit is one of the most popular today. In 1960, a state program was created, thanks to which the serious development of the industrial production of this culture began. In Colombia, figs have long been considered luxury. Today, the attitude to fruit has changed, because figs are growing here in every garden. The conditions were too favorable, but the love of the berry did not become weaker.
Climate and soil
In the tropics and subtropics, figs grow on a hilly area at 800-1800 m above sea level. The plant is unpretentious and frost-resistant, withstands temperatures up to -20 ° C. Dry climate - ideal conditions for growing fresh fruits. With high humidity, the fruits begin to crack and quickly deteriorate. However, too dry climate adversely affects the quality of fruiting, fruits begin to fall, not having time to ripen.
Almost any soil is suitable for cultivation, provided that there is a well-designed irrigation system, suitable:
- rich loam;
- heavy clay;
- light sand;
- limestone;
- acidic soils.
Figs grow well next to other crops, on flat terrain, slopes, rocks and talus. Trees are practically not affected by diseases and various parasites.
Where does exotic fruit grow in Russia?
It seems impossible, but subtropical culture can be successfully cultivated in our northern climate and despite the severe winter frosts it will bring a good harvest. This requires only the right agricultural technology.
Where figs grow in the wild, at an average daily temperature of +10 ° C over the entire growing season, the sum of temperatures reaches +4000 ° C. With such indicators, the crop will be plentiful and stable. Therefore, when cultivating a crop on its own, it is important to provide the same conditions using the trench method.
Under certain conditions, with a mandatory shelter for the winter, you can plant a fig tree in central Russia. Although in the Caucasus and Crimea it is found in the wild. In the Krasnodar Territory, in October-November, fig trees require special greenhouse conditions to survive the winter. In regions with a sharply continental climate, culture is bred in conservatories and greenhouses. Figs blooms for 2-3 years after planting. High yields from 7-9 years. The culture is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering.
How does fig grow at home?
For planting at home, low-growing varieties are selected. Seedlings usually sit in tubs or drawers so that they can be easily taken out onto the street or balcony. The plant should receive its share of sunlight, and this is several months of the year. This is done when the weather has already settled in the warm weather, and there will probably be no frost at night. The capacity for planting is chosen to be strong to withstand well-drained soil and the weight of the plant itself.
Soil is mixed in proportions 2: 1: 2 with sand and compost. To form a single tree, when reaching a trunk height of 0.5 m, the top is pinched. Each year, the capacity needs to be changed, as well as the soil, because figs are growing rapidly and its root system needs a place. In a box, a tree can bear fruit up to 3 times a year: in spring, late summer and late autumn. It is important to provide additional heat and light for the last fruiting, so that the fruits do not crumble ahead of time.
Growing Features
Many gardeners worry about stopping plant growth and dropping leaves at a certain period, even if proper care is provided. You should not worry because figs grow in the subtropics and are considered a deciduous tree, which has its own resting period. At this time, the tree is placed in a cool place, you should also begin to feed and water it more passively.
Grown figs at home, often able to bear fruit and give tasty, juicy and healthy fruits, which in their nutritional properties are in no way inferior to analogues from the winter garden. The tree takes root well on the site, especially in warm parts. It is important to know how figs grow and take into account that through the roots that are located near the fig tree almost on the surface of the earth, it receives all the nutrients, including such valuable oxygen.
Therefore, experienced gardeners carefully and regularly loosen the ground near the trunk. In an area where the climate is not very arid, an easier and more effective way will be to grow grass on a small circle and mow it. Many plant ficus as an ornamental plant, because its leaves are very beautiful - rugged and large.
Is figs growing in Crimea?
In Crimea, figs bear fruit twice, and this fruit is called here just like a fig or a fig. The first ripening season is mid-summer, the second from August to September. Including imported varieties, in Crimea there are approximately 280 plant species. The experience of planting this culture here is huge, although industrial production has not yet reached the point. Figs grow in the Crimea and in abandoned areas, from this he only runs wild, but does not disappear.
Academician P.S. However, in the XVIII century, the development of gardening fell into decay.
Nikitsky Botanical Garden
From the beginning of the next century, scientists from the Nikitsky Botanical Garden were seriously engaged in figs, who began not only to study the plant, but also to develop different varieties, which were already 110 in 1904. Today, including imported selection, the garden collection contains more than 200 species of figs. In the botanical garden you can buy seedlings of different varieties, including adapted to different regions of Russia.
Most often, trees are found on the South Bank, where in the markets you can see purple and white berries, dried, dried and canned. Where figs grow in the Crimea, there is the opportunity to buy fresh fruits, and imported varieties on the shelves are extremely rare. In fresh form, they simply do not reach us, since they do not tolerate long transportation. If you still managed to meet such fruits, then you need to choose them carefully. They should be intact, tight, but with a slight pressure pressed through.
How to eat figs?
Figs - a unique fruit, useful in any form and combined with any products. Fresh fruit is plucked directly from the tree and eaten like an apple, it is juicy and very sweet. For a change, you can season it with cream, sour cream, ham, liquor or nuts. Dry berries are added to salads or pastries, a combination with other dried fruits or candied fruits is also delicious. Fresh figs quickly deteriorate, so it is not recommended to store it better, as quickly as possible to eat. The maximum you can count on is 3 days in the refrigerator.
Much has been said about the beneficial properties and how figs grow. Photos can be found not the most successful of this fruit, many, by the way, do not like the way it looks, but this taste and its most valuable properties have not diminished.
