Fig, LSU Purple


LSU Purple Fig Trees at S & J Nursery

For Northeast Florida Gardens


 

LSU Purple Fig Tree / Ficus Carica “LSU Purple”

LSU Purple Fig Trees For Northeast Florida Origins:

All varieties of Fig tree are native to Mediterranean climates where the air is hot and dry. The LSU Purple Fig is a new introduction from the University of Louisiana’s Agriculture Department with Nematode resistance and a closed eye for increased pest resistance. The figs on the LSU purple tree start a bright lavender purple and darken as they ripen to a deep purple color with a light amber / pink colored flesh. This is a new selection offered here at S & J Nursery and a recent addition to my home landscape, so I’ll let you know how they taste as soon as I try them. They are said to be a good quality fig for eating fresh and for preserves.

Sun Exposure for the LSU Purple Fig / Ficus Carica:

Plant Common fig tree varieties in a full sun location for best results.

Foliage and Bark of the LSU Purple Fig / Ficus Carica Trees:

LSU Purple fig trees have deeply cut leaves, nice medium green color, large with leaves 6 – 8+ inches long that adds an instant tropical effect to the landscape.

Foliage of the LSU Purple Fig tree is deciduous and will fall off of the tree once temperatures drop for the winter season here in Northeast Florida in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine area.

The bark of the LSU Purple Fig tree is a pretty gray color and smooth to the touch on all but the oldest of trees, where the bark can become a bit more gnarly and textured. Figs have a strong trunk and branch pattern adding to their ornamental value. Very pretty when uplit by landscape lighting from beneath.

Soil Preference for the LSU Purple Fig Tree for Northeast Florida:

Common Figs are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and components providing they are planted into well draining soils. Despite it’s ability to tolerate poor soils, it is best to amend the soil with generous amounts of garden compost when planting into North Florida’s sandy soils to help the tree fight off nematode infestations, hold water from irrigating, and provide a rich source of nutrients to give your new S & J Nursery container grown fig tree the best start possible.

Size of the LSU Purple Fig Tree When Mature:

The mature size on a Ischia fig tree can range from 10 – 20 feet depending on how it has been pruned when young.

Pruning and Growth Habits of LSU Purple Fig Trees for the Northeast Florida Landscape:

Figs are a moderate to fast growing fruit tree. They require no pruning to bear fruit but are often pruned to an open center to increase the amount of air flow and sunlight into the center of the tree. Check out the following link that opens a new window for more information…

Pruning And Growth Habit of the Common Fig In Northeast Florida

S & J Nursery’s guide to pruning and growth habits of the Common Fig in Norhteast Florida landscapes, pruning figs in the Jacksonville/ St. Augustine area edible landcapes

Blooms and Fruit of LSU Purple Fig Tree for Northeast Florida Landscape:

Flowers of the Common Fig trees are green and very small, they are born on the branches at the leaf axils ( where the leaves come off of the branches) they are inconspicuous and not showy at all until the fruits begin to form.

LSU Purple Fig trees are self – pollinating, meaning you can plant one tree and it will produce fruit without the presence of a second tree to serve as the pollinator.

LSU Purple Fig trees are considered ever-bearing because the trees can produce a small crop of fruit called ‘breba’ crop in early spring and ripen in late spring or early summer. Then the main crop of figs will form and ripen in late summer and fall. You can reasonably expect the main crop of fruit on these trees to  be ripening in August, although I have found a fair amount of information indicating that a good quantity of the trees fruit will ripen in September and October as well.

LSU Purple Fig fruit is lavender purple when young, small to medium in size maturing to a deep dark purple color with a pink tinged amber colored flesh. Good quality fruit has a closed eye and good flavor for eating fresh and preserves.

Water and Fertilizer Requirements of the LSU Fig:

Properly watering and fertilizing your newly planted fig trees can help not only keep them healthy but keep them producing those great tasting figs!

How to Water and Fertilize Your Fig Tree to Maximize Health and Fruit Production

S & J Nursery’s How to Water and Fertilize Your Fig Tree for the Common Fig, Help for growing figs in the Northeast Florida, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine area landcape.

Wildlife attracted to LSU Purple Fig Trees:

As we all know fresh figs are a special kind of delicacy, but we are certainly not the only ones to have found that out. They are loved by local birds, squirrels, gophers, racoons, rabbits and even ants! I take my Moms old fashioned organic gardening advice on this problem and plant two so that I have enough to share!

Harvesting your Fresh Figs:

 Figs will slip right off the tree when handled if ripe. Harvest them when the fruit has changed to it’s mature color and begins to droop. Figs don’t continue to ripen once removed from the tree so its best to harvest when ripe for the sweetest flavor possible.