![]() ![]() The “Smyrna fig” is found mostly in California in commercial production for dried figs. The "common-type" (self-pollinated) fig is more commonly grown in the backyard and is the one you will find in your local nursery. There are two types of figs, the "common fig" that produces fruit without pollination, and the "Smyrna fig" that requires pollination by a fig wasp ( Blastophaga spp.), that lives in the "caprifig" (male fig), to set fruit. The male wasps then burrow a tunnel out of the caprifig, and the females fly out, full of fertilized eggs and carrying pollen, starting the cycle anew. There are just two species native to the United States: the Florida strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and the shortleaf fig also called giant bearded fig or wild banyan tree (Ficus citrifolia). Fig trees are tropical plants with numerous species around the world. It was only natural that I plant a fig tree when I moved to the south. All fig trees are pollinated by very small wasps of the family Agaonidae. There was even a fig tree in the Garden of Eden, and in fact, the fig is the most talked about fruit in the Bible. Kadota figs are also the figs used in Fig Newton bars, another favorite. That’s why most images of the Roman Gods were often crowned with fig leaves. ![]() The Romans regarded Bacchus as the god who introduced the fig to mankind making the tree sacred. It is estimated that they have been around for at least 6,000 years. ![]() The fig is one of the earliest fruits known to man. Growing figs successfully in the north just takes a few more precautions than are needed in the south. Don’t tell the thousands of folks living as far north as Lansing Michigan or Boston Massachusets, that they can’t grow figs, because there are productive fig trees that far north that have been producing for generations. Technically, figs are hardy only to zone 7, which would mean areas south of Pennsylvania west to Nebraska. Figs grow best in full sun, but can produce nice fruit in part shade in the deep south. If you have well draining soil that is reasonably fertile and full sun the books will tell you that you can easily grow a fig, assuming you live in the South. The only way to enjoy a fresh fig is to grow your own fig tree. So most of us have only enjoyed figs that have been dried, especially during the Christmas holidays, and of course in the filling of the ever popular fig newton cookie. Consequently they cannot be harvested, shipped, and sold commercially in a store before rotting. Very few folks have enjoyed the sweet flavor of a juicy fresh fig because figs are very perishable. ![]()
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