Common FigFicus carica

Common Fig

Figs

1. Ficus communis Lam.
2. Ficus hyrcana Bunnge

1. Edible fig
2. Garden fig

1. Fig

1. NameFeigenkaktus

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Opuntia ficus-indica

   Clarification

   Prickly pear belongs to the Cactaceae family, unlike the common fig.

1. Fig
2. Common Fig
3. Ficus carica

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiosperms
3. Eudicots
4. Rosids

Mulberry family

1. Ficus sycomorus
2. Morus nigra

1. Syconium (Fruit)

The common fig is a symbol of Mediterranean garden culture. In Central Europe, it usually grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, delighting gardeners with its striking lobed leaves and sweet, honey-like fruits. Thanks to hardy cultivars, cultivation is now successfully possible in sheltered locations north of the Alps.

1. Taskpruning

   Label

   Maintenance pruning

   Prioritylow

   Months

   1. 2
   2. 3

   Conditionfrost_free

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Thin out and remove dead wood; heavy pruning reduces harvest.

Full sun, warm and sheltered; ideal in front of a south-facing wall.

Permeable, nutrient-rich, tolerates lime well.

Water thoroughly in summer, strictly avoid waterlogging.

Stop fertilizing from August onwards to avoid compromising the winter hardiness of the wood.

Permanent crop; choose shallow-rooted herbs if underplanting.

As a perennial woody crop, no traditional crop rotation is required.

1. Slugstickstoffmangel

   Name

   Nitrogen deficiency

   Symptoms

   Stunted growth, pale green to yellowish leaves.

2. Slugkaliummangel

   Name

   Potassium deficiency

   Symptoms

   Brown leaf margins, reduced winter hardiness of the wood.

1. Slugfruchtfall

   Name

   Premature fruit drop

   Causes

   Drought stress or sudden cold snaps.

2. Slugfruchtplatzen

   Name

   Fruit splitting

   Causes

   Heavy rain after dry spells during ripening.

1. Sucking insects (scale, mealybugs)
2. Spider mites (especially under glass)

1. Viral diseases
2. Fungal diseases (rust, gray mold)

1. Optimal site selection (sunny, sheltered).
2. Consistent water supply.
3. Avoid over-fertilization with nitrogen.

For leaf changes, check water balance and nutrients first before assuming pests.

1. Slugcerotelium-fici

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Warm late summer

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Thinning pruning for better air circulation
   2. Avoid overhead watering

   Organic control

   1. Remove infected leaves and dispose of in household waste
   2. Horsetail extract for strengthening

1. Symptom

   Yellow spots/mosaic pattern on leaves

   Possible causes

   1. feigenmosaikvirus

   First checks

   1. Check for vectors (fig mite)
   2. Rule out nutrient deficiency

1. Dormancy (leaf drop)
2. Bud break (spring)
3. Fruit set (spring/summer)
4. Fruit ripening (late summer/autumn)

In Central Europe, figs often produce two crops of fruit, though usually only the first (breba) crop ripens fully.

May to June

Syconium (inflorescence inside the false fruit)

August to November

2–20 kg per mature tree

Regularly every 2-3 days during the ripening period.

1. Fruit yields slightly to finger pressure
2. Fruit stalk bends downwards
3. Color change (variety dependent)
4. Small cracks in the skin or 'honey' droplets at the ostiole

Pick carefully to avoid bruising. Milky sap at the stem can cause skin irritation.

Short-term storage (fresh consumption)

Fresh fruits keep for only 1-2 days in the refrigerator.

1. Drying
2. Preserving (jam)
3. Pickling in alcohol
4. Freezing

Fresh consumption or drying

Sweet, honey-like, soft texture with edible seeds.

1. Goat cheese
2. Prosciutto
3. Walnuts
4. Honey
5. Rosemary

1. Syconium (fruit, including skin)

1. Milky sap in leaves and unripe shoots

The milky sap contains furocoumarins, which can cause phototoxic skin reactions upon contact combined with sunlight.

Excellent for raw consumption; skin is edible on ripe fruits.

Uncommon in Central Europe, as seeds are usually infertile (due to lack of pollination).

Viable seeds only develop in the presence of the fig wasp.

1. multi-stemmed shrub
2. standard tree
3. fan-trained espalier

Figs are mostly grown on their own roots from cuttings. Training as a multi-stemmed shrub is advantageous in frosty areas, as the plant regenerates more easily if individual shoots freeze.

Ecologically somewhat isolated in Central Europe as the specific pollinating wasp is absent. However, fruits serve as a valuable food source for birds and wasps.

1. Avoid waterlogging, especially in containers.
2. Wear gloves when pruning due to the milky sap.