Ficus carica Celest
From The Plant Encyclopedia
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| Ficus carica Celest | |
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Ficus carica Celest | |
| Category | Tree, Shrub, Vegetable, Indoor Plants |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Angiospermae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Ficus |
| Species | Ficus carica |
Aden Earth Zone
5 - 20
Cultivation
- Cultivation: Easy-To-Grow
- Light: Sun
- Soil: Rich, Mid-Fertility, Poor, Loam, Clay, Sand, Rock
- pH: 7
- Moisture: Medium, Dry, Well-Drained
Characteristics
- Form: Tree, Shrub
- Habit:
- Flower: Small
- Fruit/Seed: Medium, Green, Blue, Black
- Foliage: Leaves, Green
- Uses: Edible, Industrial
About
Ficus carica variety Celest is a pear-shaped, ribbed, sometimes with a short neck and slender stalk to 3/4 in (2 cm) long; the eye (opening at apex) is closed; the fruit is small to medium; the skin purplish-brown or bronze tinged with purple and covered with bloom; the pulp whitish or pinkish amber, of rich flavor and good quality; almost seedless. Main crop is heavy but of short duration.
Common fig is a small deciduous tree native to the Mediterranean and western Asia and long cultivated for its edible fruit. Celeste is a very popular fig for coastal and warm climates. It rarely produces a spring crop; the summer crop is usually large. The medium to small figs have purple/bronze/brown skin with white to amber-colored flesh and are almost seedless. Most common figs prefer dry summers and mild winters; hard freezes can kill them to the ground, but if the roots are protected, they will re-grow. The large, rich green, deeply lobed leaves and smooth gray bark are highly ornamental.
Common figs prefer full sun to partial shade in the hottest climates and well-drained, acid to alkaline soil. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers which favor leafy growth over fruit production and mulch well to protect the roots from cold and suppress nematodes. Heavy pruning of ‘Celeste’ may reduce fruit production. Common fig works well as a specimen, culinary plant or in large containers. Plant it where its falling fruits won't be a nuisance. This easy-to-grow shrub offers a tropical look to temperate regions and makes a perfect edible addition to large garden spaces.
