Doesn't the fig tree bloom?
Among the garden fruit trees, figs always carry a mysterious color. People often mistakenly believe that it only bears fruit but does not bloom, and even derives the saying that "fig" means no flowers. This cognitive misunderstanding that has been passed down for thousands of years actually hides the unique reproductive wisdom in botany. Let us enter the wonderful world of hidden head inflorescences and reveal the true life code of figs. The root cause of the double misunderstanding of the survival wisdom of hidden flowers is not that figs have no flowers, but their special inflorescence structure is invisible to the naked eye. The cryptocephalus wraps hundreds of male and female florets in an expanded receptacle, forming a unique shape of "flowers in the fruit." This evolutionary strategy can not only protect fragile stamens, but also improve pollination efficiency. The key turning point in the life cycle is the spring germination stage, when flower buds have begun to develop inside the newborn figs. When the green young fruit is cut open, filiform female flowers can be seen arranged around the hollow flower chamber. This phenomenon of "simultaneous flowering and fruit" is a distinctive feature that distinguishes figs from other fruit trees. The three major principles of scientific maintenance The balance of water management adopts the "see dry and wet" irrigation method. The soil moisture is maintained at 40-60% in spring and autumn, and foliar spraying is coordinated when high temperatures are used in summer. Potted plants need to pay special attention to drainage to avoid root rot caused by accumulated water. The golden ratio of light and ventilation ensures 6 hours of direct light per day, coupled with an air circulation environment. In the northern region, it is necessary to move indoors to sunny places in winter, and in the southern plum season, a rainproof canopy should be erected to avoid excessive humidity. Precise control of nutrient supply applies nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balanced fertilizers from March to May, and increases calcium and magnesium fertilizers during the fruit expansion period in June. Organic fertilizer is buried deeply in early spring every year and combined with microbial inoculants to improve the soil structure.
When we understand the special reproductive mechanism of figs, we can better adapt to its growth laws. This ancient and intelligent plant is showing humans the exquisite design of nature through unique survival strategies. After solving the mystery of flowering, perhaps we should rethink the deep meaning of "worthy of the name".