Site and Soil Requirements For Figs
Plentiful sunlight is a key to maximizing fruit
production. Choose an area that is in the sun most or all of
the day. Otherwise, expect reduced performance from the
trees. Early morning sun is particularly important to dry
dew from the plants; thereby, reducing the incidence of
diseases.
Good drainage is a more important consideration than soil
fertility. Avoid soils and sites where water stands for more
than 24 hours after a rain. In areas of poor drainage, roots
receive insufficient oxygen and will die, resulting in
stunted growth and eventual death of the tree.
Fig Types
Capri fig
The Capri fig produces a small non-edible fruit; however,
the flowers inside the Capri fig fruit produce pollen. This
pollen is essential for fertilizing fruit of the Smyrna and
San Pedro types. The pollen is transported from the Capri
fig to the pollen-sterile types by a Blastophaga wasp.
Commercial growers hang baskets of Blastophaga-infested
Caprifigs so that the wasps can effectively fertilize the
fruit.
Smyrna
The Soya fig varieties produce large edible fruit with true
seeds. The Blastophaga wasp and Caprifigs are required for
normal fruit development. If this fertilization process does
not occur, fruit will not develop properly and will fall
from the tree. Smyrna-type figs are commonly sold as dried
figs.
San Pedro
These figs can bear two crops of fruit in one season--one
crop on last season's growth and a second crop on current
growth. The first crop, called the Breba crop, is
parthenocarpic and does not require pollination.
Fruit of the second crop is the Smyrna type and requires
pollination from the Caprifig. Breba produces early in the
spring on last season's wood. However, the second crop of
the Smyrna type may fail to set because of lack of
pollination from Blastophaga and Caprifig. This second crop
fruit drop discourages homeowners.
Common Fig
These figs develop parthenocarpically without pollination
and are by far the most prevalent fig grown in Texas. The
fruit does not have true seeds and is primarily produced on
current season wood. Varieties recommended for Texas are of
common fig type.
Some useful information about dried fig
