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Bonsai Tree Care Part 3: Bonsai Training

TRAINING

Maintaining and developing your tree can be carried out in two ways:

Leaf-pruning

Using bonsai pruning scissors or leaf cutters, prune new growth regularly in the growing season to maintain the desired shape. Allow shoots to develop 4-6 new leaves then cut back to 2. New growth on conifers should be pinched out using a twisting movement with the thumb and forefinger.

Wiring

Using specialist bonsai training wire, the style of your bonsai can be developed by shaping the branches into the desired position. Coil an appropriate thickness wire around the branch, bend the two together and the wire will hold the branch in position. After a suitable period the wire can be removed using wire cutters and the branch will remain in place. Always remember to remove the wire before it starts to cut into the bark.

Tomorrow : Bonsai Accessories

Bonsai Tree Care Part 2: Bonsai Care Basics

In the first of our week long series of bonsai care we covered an introduction to Bonsai. Today we go over Bonsai Care basics.

BONSAI CARE

Bonsai require care, attention and artistry, but nevertheless they can be extremely rewarding and always beautiful.

Humidity

When a bonsai is kept indoors the atmosphere is often too dry. To create ideal conditions, mist the foliage daily and keep the tree standing on a humidity tray. The tray should be filled with gravel which is kept moist, though the bonsai pot should not be standing in water. As water evaporates it creates a humid microclimate around the bonsai tree.

Do not keep your bonsai on a TV or near a gas fire – this is too hot and dry.

Watering

Check your bonsai daily. It should be watered when the soil is becoming dry.

Immersing your bonsai

This technique is the most effective way to water your indoor tree. Stand the bonsai in a tray of tepid water up to the rim of the pot so that water may be drawn through the drainage holes underneath the pot. Leave until the compost is completely soaked.

This may take up to 20 minutes. Drain off excess water.

The soil should be allowed to become a little drier before being immersed again, but not to the point where the leaves begin to wilt. If the soil is dry and dusty to the touch, now is the time to water again. However, if the soil underneath the surface is still damp then do not water yet. Remember that if the compost is always soggy the roots will rot.

Feeding

Feed every 7-10 days during the growing period, usually April to October. Do not feed a tree in flower.

If you have re-potted your bonsai, leave 4-5 weeks before feeding again.??

 

Tomorrow: Bonsai Training

 

Interesting Information On Vitis Vinifera (Grape Tree)

Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) is more popularly referred to as grapevine. It is classified under the order Vitales. This order comprises only one family referred to as Vitaceae. The grapevine is native to central Europe, some parts of Asia and the Mediterranean region. Evidence shows that grapevines existed in these areas more than 65 million years ago.

Due to globalization, the tree has spread to almost every part of the world. It has, for a long time, been an important economic fruit crop for many countries. It is grown principally for wine production but may also be used for raisin and table berries. Production of wine from the grapevine has been around for a long time with some historians claiming that the activity may be as old as 7000 years.

On average, the tree grows to a height of about 35 meters. It produces berries known as grapes. The appearance of the fruit depends on whether the tree is a wild or a cultivated species. Wild grapes are about 6 mm in diameter while those from cultivated grapevines are about 3cm. Ripe fruits range in color from green, purple and red. The vines do well in humid conditions that are accompanied by an adequate water supply.

For many years the vines were greatly valued for their medicinal and nutritional values. Sap was extracted and used in treatment of a number of eye and skin conditions. The leaves were important in arresting bleeding and reducing pain associated with inflammation. Early farmers and foragers relied mainly on the wild types but with time, they learnt that they would get much more by domesticating the plants. Accounts from ancient Egypt show that wine had a special place in the society. It was reserved for the Pharaoh, priests and visitors at state functions.

Grapes may either be grown from their own roots or grafted onto old rootstocks. The latter option is not, however, associated with any benefits. On the contrary the old roots may have been destroyed by low winter temperatures and so new roots should be used as much as possible. Cuttings are collected after pruning has been done and induced to grow.

A good cutting should be just about as wide as a pencil (0.8 cm). Cuttings are divided into 3-bud to 6-bud sections and bundled up in groups of about 10. They are then placed in damp soils that should be well drained. This is done in late winter or early spring. When the weather warms up (in April and May) they are dug up and checked. Those that have callused well are picked and can be planted. An alternative is to use commercially available rooted vines.

Cuttings are planted with shoots facing upwards at a distance of about 7 feet. The buds usually require protection for the first few days. There is no need for fertilization at the start. Its use during growth is limited and is determined by presence of symptoms in the foliage. In the growing season, pruning is not done to allow for bearing of fruit. It is done in the next dormant season.

The Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) grows perennially. The timing of harvests largely depend on the purpose of the berries. If they are being grown for jelly, then they are harvested early. This is done to avoid formation of sugar crystals which usually cloud the product. Table berries are harvested when their flavor and color reaches the peak. Juice berries too have to be harvested when fully mature.

Important Facts On Vitis Vinifera (Grape Tree)

Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) or more popularly, grapevine, is member of the order Vitales. There is only one family in this order known as Vitaceae. The tree is native to Europe and some parts of Central and South Western Asia and the Mediterranean region where it has existed for what is estimated to be more than 65 million years.

Today, the grapevine is grown all over the world and has become one of the most economically important fruit crops in the world. It is mainly planted for production of wine, table berries and raisin. Wine production is believed to have been taking place as far back as 7000 years ago.

The tree grows to be 35 meters tall. The fruit, a berry, is referred to as a grape. Grapes from wild species measure about 6mm in diameter. When ripe, they are darkish purple and have a pale wax bloom. The fruits are much larger in cultivated plants. They measure up to 3 cm in length and may be purple, red or green. Grapevines thrive in humid conditions where there is good water supply.

Historically, grapes were used for both medicinal and nutritional value. For example, the sap was used to cure a number of skin and eye conditions while the leaves were important in management of bleeding and inflammatory disorders. At first, they were harvested from the wild by foragers and the early farmers but over time, they became domesticated. There is evidence that wine was very popular among ancient Greeks. In Egypt, it was reserved for the Pharaohs, priests and guests at state functionaries.

Grapes are usually grown from their own roots. There are no benefits gained from grafting on a preexisting rootstock. It is also wise to grow the new root as an old may have suffered the effects of extremely low winter temperatures. Suckers emerging from the root can also be replanted elsewhere as new plants. Most people simply gather a number of cuttings and induce them to grow. This is usually done during either late winter or in spring when vineyards are being pruned.

An ideal cutting is about 0.8 cm in diameter (approximately the thickness of a pencil). The cuttings are cut into 3 to 6-bud sections and tied in bunches of about 10. They are then put in damp, well-drained soil. They are retrieved in the months of April or May when the weather has warmed up. Well callused cuttings from the bunch are selected. Rooted grapevines are available for individuals who do not wish to prepare their own.

Cuttings are planted 6-8 feet apart. Buds need to be protected from sunlight for a few days. Fertilizer is not necessary during planting but thereafter, it may be done depending on the nutritional needs which can be worked out using foliage symptoms. The grape plant is not pruned and is allowed to bear fruit during the following growing season. The next pruning is done late in the second dormant season.

The Vitis vinifera (Grape tree) is grown perennially. Timing of the harvest depends on the intended use for the fruit. Fruits grown for jelly are harvested early. This is done to prevent formation of sugar crystals that would otherwise cloud the product. For those that are to be used as table berries, one has to wait until the color and the flavor are at their peak (just before the fruit drops from the bunch). Juice berries are harvested when fully mature.

The Versatile Trachelospermum Jasminoides Has A Range Of Uses

Trachelospermum Jasminoides is a very complex name for the simple but beautiful star jasmine. Despite the name, it is not a member of the Jasminum genus. The popular evergreen climber is related to the dogbanes such as Catharanthus, frangipani, mandevilla and carissa. While it may be classed as a climber, it is a very versatile plant which is suited to most soils and positions.

It will grow in the United States garden zones of 8 to 10. These encompass the Confederate States and have led to the star jasmine often being cited as the Confederate jasmine. There is a story is Uzbekistan that the plant shows the way forward to traders but only to those of good character. In those parts, it is known as the Trader’s Compass.

The plant is native to Asian countries such as India, China, Korea and Japan. However it is a firm favorite with gardeners around the world and is to be found in private and public parks and gardens. The foliage is dark green and glossy; the abundant flowers are star-shaped and pure white while the fragrance is heady and strong. Flowering is from summer through to autumn.

The flowers are about two centimeters in diameter and consist of five petals. Once it is established it will spread and climb to a height of about nine meters. If it tends to spread too far, it can be pruned back after the flowers have finished. It can also be tidied up whenever it becomes too straggly. Whether in shaded areas or full sun, it is generally covered in flowers.

If you have a stark wall, unsightly tree trunks or sheds, the star jasmine will turn an eyesore into a thing of beauty. It will perform a range of functions from being a groundcover to acting as a spill-over plant. It is useful as a hedge and can be trimmed even more to form a garden border. It is a good topiary plant when grown over a wire frames and clipped to shape. Its strong fragrance enhances veranda and pergola areas.

It can be grown in containers and indoors. If the weather is too cold for it to survive outside, it will thrive in a greenhouse. With some exposure to sun during winter months, it will bear plenty of scented flowers from summer through to autumn.

Well-drained soils are preferred. They need some organic material but otherwise can be grown in all types of soil from sand to loam and even clay. They are somewhat susceptible to frost. Although they need some water for their first season or two, they are then reasonably drought tolerant. There are several cultivars. These seem to be rather slow-growing and not as vigorous as the parent plant. Tricolor is popular with gardeners and has pink hues on new growth. Variegatum is another cultivar which has white margins on the leaves. There is also a variety with a creamy-white leaf.

Apart from its beauty and scent as a garden plant, the flowers of Trachelospermum Jasminoides are tapped for oil which is used in high-quality perfumes. Incense is another by-product of the star jasmine. Homeopathic practitioners use the plant to treat disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Bast fiber is made from the stems and used to produce rope, textiles, paper, burlap, sacking and carpet.

Facts About The Versatile Olea Europaea (Olive Tree)

The Olea Europaea (Olive Tree) has always been an important part of life in the Mediterranean region. There are many references to it in ancient scripts. Its Latin name means ‘oil from Europe’. Olive oil was once considered sacred and was burnt in the lamps of temples. Victors of significant contests were adorned with a crown of leaves. It is seen as a symbol of peace, glory, power and purity.

The fruit is made into oil but the leaves and wood are also valuable products. The oil is a major cash crop for the farmers of its native area. The leaves are used in medicinal teas and combined with olive oil in soaps and skin preparations. The wood is close-grained and yellow or light brown with a darker tint. It is highly regarded by woodworkers.

It is an evergreen shrub, which rarely grows more than 48 feet in height. Most are kept even shorter by frequent pruning. It is short and squat and the leaves a silvery green. The trunks, especially of old trees, grow twisted and gnarled. The fruit is a drupe, meaning it has fleshy outer part surrounding a hard stone. Wild olives typically have smaller fruit with less flesh than cultivated varieties. The fruit is harvested when green to purple in color. Although there are olives which are naturally black, canned olives are sometimes treated with chemicals to obtain the black color.

Olives have always been grown extensively in the Mediterranean area. It is now one of the most extensively grown trees in the world. In terms of acreage only coconuts and oil palms cover more land. There are six subspecies but many hundreds of cultivars, developed for specific purposes. The Kalamata for instance is grown specifically as a table olive.

The trees thrive on limestone slopes and grow best on light soil. They will even grow on clay if it is well-drained. When grown in rich soils they sometimes contract diseases. They cope well with drought and have a sturdy, well-spread root system. Some trees have been verified as over 2,000 years old. Most of these old trees are still bearing top-quality olives.

While they will grow from suckers or seeds, the yield from these trees is usually poor. A more common method of propagation is by grafting the cultivar onto an existing tree. Another method is to cut out and plant embryonic buds. Heavy crops occur only every few years and rarely two years in succession. Regular pruning keeps the trees low enough for easy picking of the fruit.

It is common to harvest the olives either in autumn and/or winter. There are several methods employed to harvest olives. The boughs or tree may be shaken vigorously and the fruit picked up from the ground; the olives may be ‘milked’ into a bag attached to the waist or a net may be wrapped round the trunk. The fruit is caught in the net and collected by pickers. There is also an electric machine which has tongs that spin, removing the fruit.

The fruit has a bitter taste in its natural state and there are very few varieties that can be enjoyed fresh. Olives are normally fermented or cured before being consumed. The Olea Europaea (Olive Tree) is part of the culture of many countries.

Ways You Could Plant Juniperus Virginiana Successfully

The slim, slow growing and dark blue hued Juniperus Virginiana tree is known as the Blue Arrow. It belongs to the larger conifer genera. There are more than 64 different species of this tree. In most places, the tree is easy to cultivate because of its tolerance to drought compared to the rest of the conifers. It can be distinguished by its unusual fleshy fruits, unlike the normal hard, leathery conifer fruits.

The blue fruits mostly attract birds since they have a berrylike appearance. The leaves also have a unique aroma. Younger leaves are scaly compared to mature ones. Both the young and mature leaves can exist on the same branch.

When the plant is exposed to too much water, it is likely to have the roots rotting. This is because the cells can no longer be exposed to air. With poor aeration, the roots may end up dying off or rotting due to additional stress. If you plant in poorly drained or heavy clay, you might end up with a problem with the trees. When planting in such soil, it is vital to ensure there is reliable drainage for any excessive water.

It is not necessary that the trees undergo generic pruning. A good variety of conifers do not require pruning at all. Damaged or dead branches should be cut off. Be watchful since they tend to grow back. If this happens, the plant could end up changing shape. Midsummer is the advisable time to trim it. Make sure only the growth experienced within the current season.

New plants ought to undergo regular watering, especially because of the shallow roots. This is vital within the first year or more. If the drought is prolonged, make sure you check how the plant is growing. It is likely that the wind can cause irreparable damage so juvenile trees since the root are yet to go deep enough. Windbreakers are important to use. Mulch the plant to keep off weeds and maintain moisture.

During the first winter season, the tree could be exposed extreme conditions. To reduce additional loss of moisture through the foliage, a sacking windshield could be the best bet. You can notice when the tree is under great pressure when the leaves are darker than usual. The best thing with a coniferous tree is its resistance to diseases and freedom from pests.

In its wild habitat, the tree does well even in soils with poor nutrients. If you are certain the color and growth indicate that the plant is healthy, you do not have to feed it. As long as you give it water regularly on the first season, you could be assured that it will do well. This is because it will be in a position to deepen and extend its roots.

When searching for good Juniperus Virginiana seedlings, make sure you find a reliable stockist. This will also be a splendid chance to collect additional information and get assistance in raising it. When you begin on the right footing, you will find that care and general maintenance are stress-free especially because the plants are not complex.

Specifics To Plant Juniperus Virginiana Fruitfully

The slim and slow growing Juniperus Virginiana tree has dark blue colored leaves. It is also known as the Blue Arrow. This is a member of the large conifer genera. Its species number more than 64. Mostly, the tree is easy to cultivate and has a better tolerance to drought than other conifers. A distinguishable feature is its fleshy fruit with scales. They do not resemble the usual leathery and hard conifer fruits.

The blue fruits are attractive to birds because of their berrylike appearance. The leaves are also aromatic. It is common to find younger leaves appearing scale-like unlike the mature ones. Young leaves and mature ones can be found on the same branch.

If the plant is exposed to extreme wet conditions, the roots have a tendency to rot. The live cells also need to be exposed to air. If this is not possible, the roots end up rotting or dying off because of stress. This means that if the soil has poor drainage or you are planting it on heavy clay, there could be a problem. When you are planting in such a soil type, be sure to have good drainage.

The trees do not require generic pruning. A variety of conifers do not need pruning at all. It could be necessary to remove dead or damaged branches. Pay particular attention to the removed branches since they have a tendency to grow again. This could alter the general shape of the plant. Ensure that the trimming is done midsummer. What you should cut is only the growth experienced in the current season.

Make sure new plants are watered on a regular basis because the roots are shallow. This is important for the first year or so. If there is a long drought, check how the plant is growing. It is also likely that wind could cause damage to smaller trees because the roots are not deep enough yet. Using windbreakers is an important undertaking. Mulch them to prevent weeds and keep moisture in the soil.

In the first winter, the tree may be exposed to extreme conditions. To avoid too much loss of moisture through the leaves, use a sacking windshield. If the tree is under undue pressure, you will notice darkened leaves. The advantages of trees from the conifer family are that they are pest-free and mostly resistant to diseases.

Conifers in their wild habitats do well in soils that have fewer nutrients. If you are satisfied with the color and growth, it is not important that you feed it. As long as you follow a regular watering pattern during the first season, the tree could end up doing well. This is because the tree will eventually be able to grow deep and extensive roots.

During the search for the Juniperus Virginiana seedlings, it is important to find a stockist you can rely on. This is also a great chance for you to collect additional information as well as assistance with growing it. When you start on the right footing, maintenance and general care will be simplified. One good thing about these plants is that they are not complex to deal with.

Details To Plant Juniperus Virginiana Successfully

The Juniperus Virginiana is a slim slow growing tree with a dark blue hue. It is also called the Blue Arrow. The tree is a large genus of conifers. It has more than 64 different species. Most of these are easy to cultivate and are more tolerant to drought than most conifers. One feature that can distinguish this is the fleshy fruit. This means that the cone scales are fleshier than the other hard and leathery conifers.

The blue fleshy fruits attract birds since they have an appearance just like berries. The plant has aromatic leaves as well. Commonly, younger leaves have a different appearance from the mature ones. Their young ones are spiky and become more scale like as they mature. It can be possible for both adult and juvenile foliage to exist on one branch.

Extremely wet conditions make the roots to rot. This is because the roots contain living cells that require air. If they are submerged, they are likely to die or rot due to the stress caused. This means, if the soil you intend to plant them in is heavy clay or poorly drained, you will have a problem with the plants. If you are planting in such soils, ensure adequate drainage.

You require no generic pruning with the trees. Specimen conifers are better off not pruned. It could however be necessary to get rid of damaged or dead branches. You need to pay attention to the removed branches since they may regrow and change how the tree looks. Trimming should be done midsummer. Only the cut the growth experienced in the current year.

It is vital to regularly water new plants since these are shallow-rooted trees. For the first year or so, this is a vital undertaking. Make sure you check the tree during a long drought period. It is also possible for wind to cause damage to small trees since the roots are still shallow. You can use a windbreak if you think it is vital to. Mulching is vital to help in keeping weeds off and retain moisture in the soil.

During the maiden winter, it remains important to protect the trees from the conditions. To prevent loss of moisture from the leaves, it is vital to use a sacking windshield. You can notice if your tree is under pressure from its leaves, which are often darkened. The best thing with the conifer family of trees is that they are generally pest free and disease resistant.

When it comes to feeding, wild habitat conifers do well in soils that are deprived of nutrients. If the plant has a generally satisfactory color and growth, then you do not have to feed it. Some important information is to follow a regular watering pattern on the first season. This works to help the plant become deep as well as extensively rooted.

When searching for the Juniperus Virginiana, the moment you find reliable stockists, ensure that you ask for further assistance and information. This is the best way to ensure that the trees begin growing on the right footing. This way, maintenance and care will be simpler. The best thing about the trees is that, they are not complex plantations.

Try The Ficus Carica Edible Fig Tree

Home gardeners – whether preferring landscaping and flowers or vegetables and fruit – should be aware of the many attractions of Ficus carica edible fig tree. Easy to grow, very decorative, suited to many different kinds of soil, and hardy to most temperate zones, figs are winners that you should not ignore when planning your garden.

Many people do not want to fool with fruit trees in their yard, because they don’t want to prune or to deal with too much fruit that attracts critters and insects when it falls and rots on the ground. Figs do not grow very tall, so there is no need to worry about having to prune them to reach the fruit – at least for many years. They also bear only a little fruit – two crops a year – and figs are so delicious that there is little chance of them being left to fall to the ground.

They do not cast a dense shade unless they are truly venerable trees growing in ideal conditions. There is little fear of them overwhelming neighboring plants, and they mature at about nineteen feet in height. Both the leaves and the bark are very decorative, and the plants are distinctive and graceful.

Figs grow best in full sun, but will thrive in partial or light shade – although fruit may not be abundant unless the tree gets enough sun. They like deep, rich soil and moist areas but grow also in dry, sandy areas and in poor, rocky soils. They are hardy in many zones, especially if planted where walls can shelter them from harsh winter winds.

One of the best features of fig trees is that deer do not eat them, even when the plants are young and tender. Figs growing along deer trails or in meadows where deer roam every evening never seem to be nibbled on. This feature alone should make them world-famous. Add in delicious (and extremely perishable) fresh figs and you have an outstanding plant for the home garden.

Propagation is easy, too, so you can start with one fig and end up with several. Cuttings root well in sand and transplant with remarkable success, as long as they are kept moist for the first two or three years. You can also root lower branches by securing them to the soil or burying a section of a branch. When roots are well established, separate the branch and move it to its new location.

Several varieties of common figs do not need to be pollinated, so you can start with one plant and see how long it takes you to want to have a lot more. Brown Turkey is one such variety, and it is also among the hardier and most productive trees. This variety is easy to find at garden centers, nurseries, and in catalogs.

The Ficus carica edible fig tree is a very rewarding plant as well as a beautiful one. One or more should really be in every garden both for delicious fruit and distinctive beauty.

Try Ficus Carica Edible Fig Tree

If you are looking for a small, decorative tree for your garden, you might consider the Ficus carica edible fig tree. It has an exotic appearance, a graceful shape, bears delicious fruit, and will not overwhelm its space or its neighbors. It is mentioned in the Bible and other ancient texts and thrives in many different zones and soils.

Figs do not grow very tall, with about nineteen feet being the average. They take a few decades to reach this sort of height, and young trees bear long before they get very large or cast a dense shade. Their branches and deeply-lobed leaves are very decorative and distinctive, so they are attractive even during the first year you plant them. Large fig trees are beautiful because of the pale, smooth bark of their branches, so pruning is seldom either necessary or desirable. The natural shape of the tree is extremely graceful.

The trees will grow in light or partial shade, but full sun is best if you want abundant fruit. The figs, green or brownish purple, are delicious and come twice during the summer season. Actually what is called the fruit is really part of the stem, but whatever it is, it is memorable. Since fresh figs do not last very long after being picked, the best way to get this delicacy is to grow it in your own garden.

People who live in temperate zones can grow figs successfully outdoors. These trees – some say shrubs – like deep, rich soil but grow and bear happily in dry, sandy soils and in rocky, poor soils. They send roots deep into the ground and can find water underground, which makes them remarkably drought tolerant. From the mountains of Virginia to the sand hills of North Carolina and on south, figs have become favorite additions to family orchards and gardens.

Another fabulous thing about figs is that deer, those voracious marauders that eat almost anything (especially what you most want them to leave alone) do not like figs. People say that in times of severe drought deer will eat anything, but you can be sure that your figs will be among the last plants to go. This feature alone makes them truly valuable.

Propagation is easy if you want to turn one tree into many. Cuttings thrive when started in sand and kept moist over the first two years of life. Low-hanging branches can be pegged to the soil and rooted. Just separate the rooted branch off the parent plant, replant it and keep it well-watered, and you’ll have a new, fairly mature plant almost instantly.

Many varieties of the common fig do not even need to be pollinated – only one kind of wasp does this task – and many are hardy to areas with occasional drastic dips in temperature. The Brown Turkey variety has both of these traits and produces an abundance of delicious fruit as well.

Look for Ficus carica in nurseries, garden centers, and catalogs. They are not even very expensive. Fun to grow, very attractive, and very hardy, this immigrant from the Near East is worth having in your yard.

Ficus Carica Edible Fig Tree

Ficus carica edible fig tree could be the next ‘most valuable’ addition to your yard. These trees are easy to grow, very decorative, have a rich history (mentioned numerous times in the Bible), and provide one of the most prized delicacies – fresh figs. If you have never thought about planting figs in your garden, read on for all the good reasons you should do so.

Figs are a little different from most fruit trees. First of all, they don’t grow very tall, although venerable ones might have many branches and provide dense shade. However, most figs are little trees (some say shrubs) that don’t shade out their neighbors, will grow in partial shade (but bear less fruit), and can tolerate a variety of soils. Pruning is rarely necessary.

The fruit itself is not even actually a fruit but part of the stem. (Try telling that to those who consider a ripe fig a true treasure, though.) What most people consider the fruit has a very short shelf life, so figs are seldom sold in produce departments of grocery stores. That is why it is so wonderful to have them growing right outside your door.

If you have deep, rich soil, lots of sun, and live in a temperate zone (neither exceptionally hot or cold), you have the ideal place for figs. If your region has hot summers and sandy soil – as in the sand hills of North Carolina, for instance – figs will love it there. If you have poor, rocky soil and warm summers, you can probably find a variety of common fig that will thrive.

Figs love stream beds but do OK on dry slopes and are notoriously drought resistant. Figs are deep-rooted, which enables them to find water underground in areas of little rainfall. They love sun and need it to produce abundant fruit, but will grow in shadier areas. They are known for distinctive, deeply-lobed leaves and graceful branches. They are easy to propagate; cuttings set in moist sand seem to want to grow. You can also bury a low-hanging branch in soil and separate it from the parent tree after it has rooted.

One thing that makes figs perhaps unique among fruiting trees is that deer will not eat them. Maybe in the most severe drought conditions when deer are desperate, you might find that your fig leaves are nibbled, but most gardeners have never experienced damage to their figs. This makes them truly valuable for those who are desperate for deer-resistant landscaping.

There are some varieties of common figs, Brown Turkey for one, which do not need pollination. Since the plant has an unusual structure with an internal flower, this is a plus. This variety is hardy in many areas as far north as Washington, DC in the US. Figs should be given as much shelter as possible; near a house or garden wall that faces south is a good location.

Ficus carica edible fig tree is fun to grow, seldom disappoints, and makes a beautiful addition to any yard or garden. Look for it in catalogs, garden centers, and nurseries.