Figs are among the oldest cultivated plants that have been bred since ancient times and cultivated in large plantations in the Mediterranean region. The fig can also be bred successfully in our latitudes. You can propagate the tree yourself either by seeds or cuttings.
How can you grow a fig tree yourself?
To grow a fig tree yourself, you can either take seeds from ripe figs and sow them in moist potting soil or cut cuttings from an existing tree and let them root in a glass of water or directly in soil.
Propagation by shoots
Perhaps friends or relatives have a frost-hardy fig tree in their garden that bears numerous fruits and thrives. Since breeding figs using cuttings is easy and completely uncomplicated, you can grow many offspring from this fig tree:
- Both saplings from mature and young wood are suitable for propagation.
- The length of the sprouts should be about 25 centimeters.
- Breeding with head cuttings is also possible.
- It can be grown both in a glass of water and directly in soil.
- Always close the cultivation container with a transparent plastic bag (greenhouse climate).
- Place the container in a bright but not full sunny place.
If a head cutting initially loses leaves, this is completely normal and does not indicate a failed breeding attempt. Unfortunately, propagation has only failed if the stem of the sapling feels slippery inside and the bark looks wrinkled.
Breeding by seeds
Ripe figs contain a variety of small stone fruits that germinate well. For breeding, choose tasty and self-pollinating varieties. Some species of figs cultivated in southern countries require the help of a species of wasp for fertilization. Since the fig wasp does not survive in the regions north of the Alps, these figs do not bear fruit in Germany.
Getting seeds from fig fruits
Take the seeds out with a knife and let them dry on a kitchen towel for a day. The grains are now ready for spreading and can easily be sown in slightly moist potting soil. If you cover the growing container with a plastic bag, the seeds will germinate more quickly. Provide daily ventilation to prevent mold from forming. Depending on the temperature, the seeds will sprout after one to four weeks.
Separation of the figs
Keep the soil moist at all times; However, when watering, be careful not to wash away the small seeds. It is recommended to carefully moisten the potting soil with a sprayer (€27.00 on Amazon). Once the small figs have reached a size of around five centimeters, you can separate them into pots.
