Anjeer Tree or Anjir or Anjeer ka paudha is a sub-tropical plant known for its health benefits. It is consumed as a dry fruit in many parts of the world. The scientific name of Anjeer is Ficus Carica. The word Carica means “papaya like”.It belongs to the Moraceae family of plants.
Figs are native to the Middle East & Western Asia. These are also grown as ornamental plants in some parts of the world. They are among the oldest ancient fruits in the world.
Anjeer Fruit Tree is considered to have medicinal values & plays an important role in Indian mythology.
Anjeer is known as Fig Fruit or Common Fig in English. It is also known by the names Anjura, Simaiyatti, Nebhaaro, Dimri, Dumuur, Athi Pallu, Atti Pazham, etc. The fig tree is a low-maintenance plant & is perfect for outdoor plantation. Don’t worry. You can grow them in pots & containers too!
Fig tree exhibits a smooth silver-greyish bark. The leaves of the tree are its prominent distinguishing feature. They are about 4 inches long with 3-5 lobes on each leaf. The tree can grow up to a height of 9 meters.
Anjeer or the fruit of the fig tree is pear-shaped or top-shaped with a length of about 1 to 4 inches. Fig fruits have a mild sweet flavor.
In this article, you will learn how to grow a fig tree.
You can buy Anjeer plant online or from a local nursery.
Fig Tree Types / Varieties
There are about 21 cultivated varieties or types of figs in the world. Some popular types of fig trees are:
- Black Mission
- White Adriatic
- Poona (fresh fruit variety)
- Brown Turkey
- Desert King
Fig fruits are classified into 4 groups depending on the method of pollination & fruit gender:
- Edible Figs
- Wild Figs / Capri Figs (non-edible)
- Smyrna Figs
- San Pedro Figs
How to Take Care of A Fig Tree or Anjeer Tree?
Sunlight & Temperature Requirement of Anjir Plant/Anjeer Tree or Fig Tree
They love full sun conditions. They produce flowers & fruits in abundance when exposed to sunlight 6 hours a day.
They grow well in temperatures ranging between 15°C-21°C (59°F-70°F). The fruit quality deteriorates beyond 39°C although fruit can survive temperatures up to 45°C (113°F).
Choose a south-facing location when growing Anjeer in pots indoors.
Fig trees like hot & dry climates to thrive. They grow best in regions with hot & long summer seasons.
Lower temperatures & high humidity can lead to the splitting of the fruit.
Best Soil for growing Anjeer Plant
The fig tree needs well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. However, the soil should be able to retain some water for fruit growth.
The soil pH should be between 6 to 8.
Container/Pot for growing Anjeer at Home
Take a pot about 17-20 inches deep. You can choose any pot type – ceramic or clay. However, I personally prefer clay or terracotta pots & containers to allow for better air & water exchange.
Anjeer Tree Flowers
The flowers of Anjir or Fig Tree are yellowish-green or coppery in color. They usually bloom during the months of February to May.
Harvesting Fig Fruits or Anjeer Fal
Anjeer fal or Fig Fruit is harvested in the months of June to September. Anjeer fal or fig fruit is green in color when young. They turn purple when mature. The flesh inside the fig fruit is always red.
The fruits will appear only after 2 years of planting the tree. It may take up to 3-4 years for the fruits to appear.
In the tropics, the Anjir plant may produce fruits throughout the year.
In colder regions, it produces the crop 2 times a year.
How to eat Anjeer or Fig fruit?
You can eat Anjir directly or you can use it in a multitude of recipes like the topping of a dessert, mixing in sweets, etc.
You can eat Anjeer dry form.
Propagation of Anjeet Plant/Anjir or Fig Plant
Anjeer/Anjir/Fig Tree can be propagated using the following methods:
- From the cuttings of a mature plant.
- Directly from seeds.
- By layering method.
When propagating by cuttings, take a 10 to 12 inches cutting from a healthy plant and burry the lower 4-5 inches into the potting soil. Keep the pot in a sunny window.
The seeds are enclosed by the juicy and fleshy Fig fruit. When propagating Anjir by seeds, soak the seeds in lukewarm water one day prior to sowing the seeds. This increases the chance of seed germination. After one day, sow the seeds in a pot or seed starting tray.
The leaves should start appearing in 2-3 months’ time from the shoots.
How to Prune a Fig Tree?
The fig tree does not require heavy pruning. You can lightly prune the fig plant only to maintain the shape & to induce new growth.
Remove the sucker from the young plants developing from the rootstock.
For mature plants, use pruning to remove the dead parts or broken stems & branches.
Watering Fig Tree or Anjeer Tree
Fig plant requires regular watering however it does not like to be overwatered. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. It also does not like long dry spells hence keep it irrigated.
Water your Anjir plant regularly in summer. Reduce the frequency in winters. Water your plant in winter only when the top soil feels dry by poking a finger into the soil.
Fertilizing Fig Tree
Alternatively, you can use 5-5-5 NPK fertilizer.
Anjeer Farming or Fig Tree Farm
In India, Anjeer/Anjir is a minor crop & farming of Anjeer is done in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka.
Anjeer Farming is done in a square arrangement with about 150 plants per acre of land.
Fig tree plantation is done in the months of June to September.
You can read more about fig farming on this website.
Diseases & Pests
Remove the dead or damaged parts of the plant to avoid the spread of infection in the plant.
Anjeer fruit trees can be attacked by spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, leaf defoliators, stem borers & fig flies.
Demecron can be used to treat fig flies.
Apply Phorate with Kerosene to treat stem borers.
If attacked by insects or pests, you can use neem oil or eucalyptus oil spray on the plant weekly once. Mix 5-6 ml of oil in about 1 liter of water. Add 2-3 drops of liquid soap to the mixture. Mix thoroughly & apply this mixture to the plants using a spray bottle.
Alternately, spray a jet of water to remove the pests.
Benefits of Anjeer
- It is a good source of calcium.
- Anjeer is good for Diabetes.
- The milky sap from the Fig tree is used to treat certain skin tumors.
- Fig improves digestion.
- Anjeer ka fal is rich in antioxidants.
- It helps in iron-deficiency.
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