How to plant fig tree seedlings
Summary: This article introduces the planting of fig tree seedlings and the cultivation and management of green plants and flowers. Next, the editor of this site will introduce to everyone.
Figs belong to the Mulberry family and Morus genus, with sweet and delicious fruit meat, suitable for both the young and the old. It is a deciduous fruit tree that bears fruit for a long time, with summer and autumn fruits. Figs are adaptable, not strict with soil requirements, and can grow normally in environments where the temperature does not drop below -12°C. In the cold seasons of northern China, they can also be planted with measures for cold protection. They are drought-resistant, shade-tolerant, and alkali-tolerant, with characteristics of fast growth, early fruiting, and high yield.
I. Staking
Ficus trees are commonly planted with one-year-old seedlings, 40-60 cm tall, which is the height for staking. After the fig seedlings are established, cut the top 40-50 cm from the ground. If the seedlings are too low, after they survive, summer topping can replace the spring staking.
II. Shaping
Reasonable tree shaping is the foundation for the high yield, stable production, and good quality of fig trees. Figs prefer sunlight, so the tree shape should be a central leader open center or flat shape, but should retain a certain amount of branches and leaves to prevent the main branches and large branches from being exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise, sunburn can occur, and in severe cases, cracks can form at the branching points. There are mainly three types of tree shapes:
1. Open Center Shape
The crown is larger, with a low main stem, no central leader, and 2-3 main and lateral branches. This shape has a strong立体 result capacity, easy control of tree vigor, and easy pruning. The crown has good ventilation and sunlight, high fruit yield, good quality, and is suitable for varieties that bear both summer and autumn fruits. It is not suitable for windy areas. The large crown can make harvesting inconvenient.
Shaping Key Points: In the first year of planting, the remaining plant height after pruning is 10-15 cm to promote the germination of axillary buds. Choose 3-4 branches with ideal orientation and growth vigor as main branches, and in subsequent years, train fruiting branch groups on the main and lateral branches.
2. Bush Shape
The crown is relatively small, without a main stem, in a bushy state. Young trees can produce fruiting branches directly from the base, and adult trees produce fruiting branches from the transformed main branches, which then become new fruiting mother branches with a low emergence position.
This shape is easy to shape and prune, suitable for windy areas and areas that require winter protection, but has poor lighting conditions, low fruiting positions, and affects fruit quality. It is suitable for varieties that have strong branching, large branch growth, and weak drought resistance.
Shaping Key Points: In the first year of planting, the plant is pruned to 10-15 cm high to promote basal branching and fruiting in the same year. Then, select 3-5 branches from the emerging branches as丛生 main branches and train lateral and fruiting branch groups in sequence.
3. "Wen" Shape
The "Wen" shape is commonly used in Japan, especially suitable for protected cultivation, similar to the grape trellis form. The main feature of its tree structure is a short trunk. Two main branches extend horizontally forward: on the horizontal main branches, fruiting is evenly distributed, making the fruiting position on a vertical plane, with fruits maturing from bottom to top. This shape has a high density of fruiting branches, high yield, and convenient harvesting management. It is suitable for varieties with strong tree vigor, vigorous branch growth, and easy fruiting.
Shaping Key Points: The general spacing for planting is 2-2.5 meters by 3-5 meters. The stake height in the spring of the first year of planting is 40 cm. When the young shoots grow to 15-20 cm, select 2 shoots that extend generally along the row direction and have an angle of about 20° with the row direction as main branches. The extension direction and opening angle can be fixed with bamboo stakes. Keep the two main branches balanced, and during the winter pruning of the same year, retain about 2/3 of the branch length for shortening, leaving a full bud at the cut. Before the second spring, set up iron wire (8-10 gauge) along the row direction for guiding the main branches, 40-50 cm high, remove the original stakes, and tie the main branches to the wire. After the main branches germinate, select fruiting branches on both sides at 40 cm intervals, keeping a spacing of 20 cm, and remove other branches and buds.
III. Pruning
Ficus trees have a strong tendency to sprout from the base and should be handled during winter and summer pruning. Pruning should be done in combination with the fruiting characteristics of figs, retaining and removing branches appropriately, with the length of retained branches generally controlled at 55-60 cm. At 7-10 years old, the main branch length should be kept within 90 cm. Since figs mostly fruit on 1-2-year-old branches, only these branches should be severely pruned or controlled after fruiting. The buds on both sides of the cut should be retained, not the front or back ones. The ratio of fruiting branches (or branch groups) to main branches should be 1:3-4, with each branch group carrying 1:2-3 fruiting branches.