Figs

Figs are hardy plants that grows easily either in pots / Containers or in the ground. There are so many varieties of Figs. Figs are healthy fruits packed with healthy nutrients.

Planting Environment

Figs can be planted in pots/Containers or in the ground

Planting Materials

Figs should be planted as Cuttings or Air layered seedlings propagated from mature plants, this is to ensure that you get seedlings that will bear fruit within 1 to 2 years and also seedlings that will have the same characteristics as the parent tree.

Soil Types

Figs require soils that drains well and also rich in organic matter, loamy soil is a very good example. Figs that will be planted in pots or containers need soils that drains very well. Planting Figs in pots or containers using a soil that drains poorly will cause the plant to be stunted or cause the plants to die. Excess water retention in soil inside containers or pots with plants is totally undesirable to plants.

Sunlight Requirement

Figs requires sunlight hours of at least 6 hours a day.

Fertilizer and Nutrient Requirements

Figs requires fertilizers that have Macro and micro nutrients. The best fertilizers for Figs are either organic fertilizers like Chicken Manure or in organic fertilizers that has all the Macro and Micronutrients. If your Fig is planted in a pot only apply organic fertilizers to the soil and in-organic fertilizers as a foliar spray on the leaves. Apply chicken manure (ensure its well composted) every 4 weeks and also apply a foliar fertilizer with Macro and micro nutrients every 4 weeks too. For Figs planted in containers, ensure you water them daily (Depends on the weather), Figs planted in containers requires more water than Figs planted in the soil.

Pest & Disease  Management

Figs are regularly infected by insects as well as fungal diseases. Common pests that attack Figs are Thrips, Aphids, While flies, Mealybugs.

Organic Pesticides like neem oil and insecticidal soaps can be used however this will not kill the pests rather it simply chases them away for a brief period. In-organic pesticides are the only solution towards killing the insects, their eggs and larvae. Pesticides should be applied once a month to prevent infestation.

Figs are also regularly infected by fungi most especially during the raining season where the splashing of water and the damp atmosphere makes it easy for fungal spores to be spread. Common Fungal diseases of Figs are Alternaria Leaf spots, Fruit rot, Anthracnose, Bacterial blight, Phomopsis.

Organic fungicide like neem oil helps to prevent Anthracnose, however In-organic fungicides are the best choice since they have both preventive and curative capabilities.  Fungicides should be applied every 2 weeks to 3 weeks During the rainy season applying fungicides every 2 weeks will prevent infection from Fungi.

Time to Fruiting

Figs grown by seed takes into fruits about 3 to 5 years before they start bearing fruits. Also, commercial harvest from seed grown Figs occurs in the 5^th year.

Figs grown by cuttings, air layering, and grafting takes about 1 to 2 years before they start bearing fruits. Commercial harvest from trees grown from  cuttings, air layering and grafting occurs in the 2^nd year.

Fig trees are self-pollinating which means you do not need another tree for pollination.

Harvesting of Fruits

It usually takes about 2 months from flowering to harvesting for Figs.  Fig fruits generally have a very short shelf life of few days. The fruit size of Figs depends on the variety, some varieties are small while some varieties are large.

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