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Fig Tree Sultane - Ficus carica

Ficus carica Sultane
Common Fig, Fig Tree

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More information

A biferous variety capable of producing twice a year. This vigorous and highly productive fig tree produces fruits with sweet and fragrant red flesh. The early July flower fig is elongated in shape, dark purple in colour, and weighs up to 60 grams. The autumn fig is rounder, bluish, and slightly smaller. This hardy variety suits many regions.
Flavour
Sugary
Height at maturity
5 m
Spread at maturity
4 m
Exposure
Sun
Self-fertilising
Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time April
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Harvest time July, September to October
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Description

Ficus carica 'Sultane' is an old self-fertile variety of fig tree that is very hardy and adaptable. It can be grown in many regions, except for extremely cold areas. The tree is vigorous and self-fertile. It can produce two harvests per year, first in July and again in September-October, if the first harvest is not destroyed by late frosts. Its purple figs have sweet, juicy, and aromatic flesh. The fruit is resistant to bursting and humidity, making it particularly appreciated in cooking.

 

'Sultane' forms a spreading tree that can easily reach a height of 5m (16ft) with a spread of 4m (13ft). This variety first produces fig flowers that can be harvested in early July, in favourable climates. The fruit is then elongated, dark purple to almost black in colour, and weighs up to 60 grams. The autumn fig, on the other hand, ripens in September-October. It is rounder, more bluish in colour, and weighs only 45 grams. This harvest, however, is more abundant than the first. Figs can be used in sweet dishes (pies, clafoutis, compotes, etc.) or savoury dishes when paired with goat's cheese or dry-cured ham. Figs also make delicious ice creams. Refrigeration is not recommended as it alters the fig's aroma and the skin may suffer from humidity and condensation. The best way to enjoy them is fresh to preserve their honey-like aroma.

Among the varieties of fig trees, there are:

- uniferous varieties, which produce an abundant single harvest each year, at the beginning of autumn

- biferous varieties, which bear fruit twice a year. In early summer, they produce figs called 'flower figs' on the previous year's wood. In autumn, they bear figs on the current year's branches.

The harvest is done in several stages, as the figs ripen. This variety is self-fertile and parthenocarpic, allowing the fruits to develop without pollination. It does not require other fig trees and does not rely on the blastophagus, the only fig-pollinating insect, which is too sensitive to survive in cold climates.

Ficus carica originates from Turkey and Asia Minor. It belongs to the Moraceae family. It is a small, vigorous, deciduous tree with a rounded and erect habit, often with a twisted trunk, reaching 3 to 5m (10 to 16ft) in all directions. The finely velvety leaves are bright green, turning yellow in autumn. They are relatively large (sometimes up to 20cm (8in) long), and have a long petiole. The lamina is deeply divided into three to seven crenate lobes (often five) of variable shape, with a velvety underside and prominent veins. The wood is soft and spongy, the bark is grey and smooth. The root system of this small tree is powerful, spreading in all directions. 

It is often considered one of the most beautiful fruit trees. Its unique foliage gives it an ornamental aspect and offers pleasant shade during the summer heat. Plant it by a wall with a south or southwest exposure that will protect it from the cold during harsh winters. In warmer regions, it can be planted alongside pomegranate, white mulberry, and Japanese medlar. In cooler regions, it can be planted with quince, feijoa, and a chocolate vine, which are also hardy and exotic. You should consider its adult size to determine the distance at which you will plant it. Although the roots do not cause damage to modern constructions, they can damage dry-stone walls or walls made with weak mortars.

 

Fig Tree Sultane - Ficus carica in pictures

Fig Tree Sultane - Ficus carica (Harvest) Harvest

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 m
Spread at maturity 4 m
Growth rate fast

Fruit

Fruit colour violet
Fruit diameter 4 cm
Flavour Sugary
Use Table, Jam, Compote, Patisserie, Cooking
Harvest time July, September to October

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Solitary

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Botanical data

Genus

Ficus

Species

carica

Cultivar

Sultane

Family

Moraceae

Other common names

Common Fig, Fig Tree

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

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Planting and care

It adapts to all types of soil, even poor, rocky, and dry. However, it prefers deep, loose soils with a sufficiently high limestone content. It requires a sunny and warm exposure (south or southwest), sheltered from strong winds to fruit well. In summary, the fig tree likes to have its feet in water and its head in sunshine, especially during fruit ripening in summer. When planting, place a layer of gravel at the bottom of the planting hole and add a mixture of garden soil and mature compost or soil conditioner.

Ensure it does not lack water during the first two years after planting, especially in summer. Although its root system can draw water deeply from the soil, it is not sufficiently developed to do this when young. It is not well-suited to mountainous climates, where its success is a challenge. It can be planted from November to the end of March, outside of freezing periods. In colder regions, it is wise to plant early in spring. It is a hardy tree. The above-ground parts can be damaged by cold temperatures (young branches from -15 to -17°C (5 to1.4°F), and the flower buds from -10 -12°C (14 to 10.4°F)). However, it will regrow from the stump down to -20°C (-4°F).

It is not very susceptible to diseases and pests.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Free-standing, Orchard
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Ordinary, well-prepared.

Care

Pruning instructions Pruning is important. The fig tree naturally has hollow wood that heals slowly, but it is wise not to prune it too severely, especially in winter when it is more fragile. Ideally, prune it in early spring during the sap rise. In April, pinch the young branches, which means cutting off the tip with your nails. For developed fig trees, use pruning shears and cut the shoots of the current year above the 2nd eye. From September to November (December for warm regions), cut the shoots that have fruited to improve the next fruiting and the upcoming harvest. Apply a healing clay-type dressing to the pruning wounds.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April, September to November
Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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