Figs are a unique fruit resembling a teardrop. The flesh of the fruit is pink and has a mild sweet taste. In Mediterranean region the fig is so widely used and is called as “the poor man’s food”. They are high in natural sugar, minerals and soluble fiber. They are rich in minerals including calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper and good source of antioxidant vitamin A and K. They are used as a laxative to relieve constipation. Fig leaf is used for diabetics, high cholesterol, skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo.
Figs are delicious treat that thrive in warm climate but can also be grown in more temperature regions with a bit of extra care. If you have to access a few fresh, ripe figs ,you can easily harvest their seeds and germinate them to grow your own fig tree at home. Here is how to grow a fig tree from seeds in your garden. Firstly soak two or three fresh and ripe fig in to a bowl if clean water for one to two days. Use your finger to break open the fig, exposing the seeds and pulp. Return the fig to the water fir an additional one to two days. Scoop out any pulpy material that float to the top and viable fig seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl. Pour the water in the bowl through a stainer and spread the seeds on a paper towel to allow them to dry slightly.
Combine equal parts peat moss, perlite and ground volcanic rock to create a coarse, well draining growing medium in which to germinate your seeds. Pour the growing medium into a 4 to 6 inch deep tray with drainage holes in the bottom. Mix the fig seeds with half cup of wood ash or horticulture sand. Distribute the mixture evenly over the surface of the growing medium in the tray.
Water the seeds to settle them into the growing medium and encourage them to germinate. Place the tray in a location that receives four to six hours of bright sunlight per day. Water as needed and the seeds germinate and sprout in approximately seven to ten days. Watch the following videos for the detailed information.
When the seedlings have reached a few inches in height, they can be removed from seedlings tray and planted into 2-3 inch pots. It can also be planted into regular plotting soil and should be watered well for the first two weeks after transplanting. After this period, they should be watered only when the surface of soil feels dry.
