Fig trees can tolerate moderate soil salinity, making them suitable for coastal regions. However, excessive salt levels can reduce growth and fruit quality.

A female fig that has a persistent breba crop and a caducous main crop.

The San Pedro fig is a unique variety of Ficus carica known for producing two crops each season: a breba crop on old wood that matures without pollination and a main crop on new wood that requires pollination by fig wasps.

Collectors value San Pedro figs for their dual cropping and the challenge of growing the main crop in regions without fig wasps, adding to their appeal for enthusiasts and gardeners.

Varieties that do not require pollination to produce fruit. These are ideal for growers in areas without fig wasps.

A lightweight fabric used to provide partial shade and reduce heat stress on fig trees, particularly during extreme summer conditions. This practice helps prevent fruit sunburn.

Sub-Irrigated Planter (SIP), also known as a Self-Watering Planter (SWP), is an innovative gardening container or raised bed system designed to provide plants with consistent moisture while conserving water. The design features a water reservoir at the bottom, separated from the soil by a barrier or wicking system. Water is drawn up into the soil as needed through capillary action, ensuring that the roots receive steady hydration.

SIPs are ideal for gardeners in drought-prone areas, as they minimize water loss through evaporation and allow plants to access moisture even during dry periods. They also reduce the frequency of watering, making them a convenient and eco-friendly choice for growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs. These planters promote healthy root growth, prevent overwatering, and are especially beneficial for urban or container gardening where water efficiency is a priority.

A phenomenon where fig skin splits due to rapid growth, overwatering, or rain. Choosing varieties with tighter skin can reduce cracking.

Smyrna figs are a type of Ficus carica that require pollination by fig wasps to develop mature, edible fruit. The fig wasps transfer pollen from caprifigs to Smyrna flowers, enabling the fruit to ripen.

Smyrna figs are known for their large size, rich sweetness, and chewy texture. They are primarily grown in regions where fig wasps are present, like parts of the Mediterranean and California. Collectors prize Smyrna figs for their historical significance and the complexity involved in their cultivation.

The presence of beneficial microbes in the soil, which break down organic matter and release nutrients for fig trees. Encouraging microbial activity enhances soil fertility.

Figs thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Testing and amending soil ensures the best conditions for growth.

Sphagnum Peat Moss is a versatile and natural gardening material harvested from live sphagnum moss, then dried and processed into long fibers. Known for its remarkable water retention and lightweight, fluffy texture, sphagnum peat moss is widely used in gardening and horticulture.

This moss can absorb and retain up to 20 times its weight in water, making it an excellent choice for tasks requiring moisture control, such as pre-rooting, transplanting, and soil mixes. It promotes excellent root aeration and is commonly used for rooting cuttings, growing bulbs, reducing soil erosion, and soilless gardening setups. In addition, it serves as a perfect filler for hanging baskets and potted plants, providing both structure and hydration. Bagged and ready for use, sphagnum peat moss is a go-to solution for various gardening projects, offering both efficiency and adaptability.

Long fibered sphagnum moss

The stagnant stage in fig cultivation refers to a period during the growing cycle when the fig tree's growth or fruit development slows down or temporarily halts. This stage often occurs in late winter or early spring before the tree fully resumes growth for the new season.

During the stagnant stage, the fig tree is not actively producing new shoots or ripening fruit. It’s a natural phase of dormancy or rest, allowing the tree to conserve energy and prepare for the more active growing and fruiting periods later in the season. For collectors and growers, understanding the stagnant stage is important for proper pruning, care, and timing of harvest.

Tiny pores on the surface of fig leaves that regulate gas exchange and water loss. Healthy stomatal function ensures efficient photosynthesis and hydration.

Pruning unwanted shoots that grow from the fig tree’s base. Removing suckers focuses the tree’s energy on fruit production and maintains its shape.

Unwanted shoots that emerge from the base or roots of a fig tree, often competing with the main trunk for nutrients.

Damage to fig bark or fruit caused by excessive sun exposure. Providing shade during peak heat hours can prevent sunscald.

Sunscald occurs when figs or branches are exposed to intense sunlight, causing damage to the skin or bark. Protective measures, such as shade cloths, whitewashing trunks, or strategic pruning, help mitigate this issue in hot climates.

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a small but highly destructive fruit fly (Drosophila suzukii) that poses a significant challenge for gardeners and farmers alike. Unlike other fruit flies that target overripe or damaged fruit, SWD females use their serrated ovipositors to lay eggs inside healthy, ripening fruit. This can cause rapid spoilage and make fruit unsuitable for consumption or sale.

SWD primarily targets soft-skinned fruits like figs, berries, cherries, and peaches, making it a notorious pest in orchards and gardens. Its ability to infest crops quickly and prolifically earns it a reputation as a royal PITA (pain in the anatomy) for growers.

Effective management includes timely harvesting, removing infested or fallen fruit, and employing traps or insect nets. In severe cases, targeted insecticides may be necessary to control populations. Staying vigilant and taking early action can help mitigate the damage caused by this persistent pest.

Self-Watering Planter (SWP), is an innovative gardening container or raised bed system designed to provide plants with consistent moisture while conserving water. The design features a water reservoir at the bottom, separated from the soil by a barrier or wicking system. Water is drawn up into the soil as needed through capillary action, ensuring that the roots receive steady hydration.

SIPs are ideal for gardeners in drought-prone areas, as they minimize water loss through evaporation and allow plants to access moisture even during dry periods. They also reduce the frequency of watering, making them a convenient and eco-friendly choice for growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs. These planters promote healthy root growth, prevent overwatering, and are especially beneficial for urban or container gardening where water efficiency is a priority.

The unique process by which fig fruits (technically inverted flowers) mature. Each stage of syconium growth is vital for producing high-quality figs.

The unique process where fig flowers are pollinated inside the syconium (fruit structure) by specialized wasps. This closed pollination system is unlike any other fruit.