I’ve made several posts over the years about Japanese fig growing methods including espellier (step over), hydroponic, greenhouse, etc. I did some more research last fall but got derailed due to elder care related issues. Things are looking better at the moment...
Below, I have a collection of interesting videos, documents and photos that may be of interest.
Videos:
1)
- very neatly trained figs growing outdoors in a field, harvesting, processing, off to market
2)
- Greenhouse fig growing operation, harvesting process, large figs.
3)
- interview with a greenhouse fig grower (in Japanese)
4)
- Start at 2 min 38 sec for the beginning of the fig part. A bit goofy but interesting.
5)
- An interview with a fig farmer with his orchard.
Some documents:
1)
http://www.pref.aichi.jp/nososi/seika/singijutu/singijiyutu104.pdf This is a document about grafting scion on “blight” resistant rootstock. I think this is nematode resistant rootstock. Training of the plant, etc., is discussed. There are some good directions if time is taken to work out the translation.
Some photos -
3)
http://www.kannonyama.net/ichijiku/IMG_0327.JPG - another amazing photo of their meticulous arrangement.
4)
http://blog-imgs-36-origin.fc2.com/m/a/n/manchounouen/PICT0118.jpg This photo came from this blog http://manchounouen.blog83.fc2.com/category12-1.html This is an interesting photo showing figs growing in containers using a hydroponic soilless system.
6)
http://www.waa-bc.com/agri/shimane/いちじく.JPG - One last photo showing figs growing in containers using a hydroponic soilless system. It is just astounding to see them grown this way.
I think that some of this will be interesting, especially for those of you that have thought about the "step over" fig growing methods (espalier), and those that have had interests in greenhouse culture. I also find the images very satisfying to look at.
Enjoy -
Byron (Ingevald)