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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > fig caprification in Syria
 
 


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Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I found this lovely article on a forum in Arabic. I will try my best to translate it.
At this time of year which is the middle of June, the people Kefranbel, Syria work on pollinating their fig trees. They do so by picking the male figs and hook it on a string and hang them on the fig trees that require pollination.
The locals buy the male figs from merchants that bring their male figs from a different town, since the local capri fig ripens late.

a Capri fig


The tree is loaded with Capri figs


The capri figs are ready when the eye is a little open which allows the wasps to come out.


After harvesting, the farmers take the extra figs to be sold at the market of another town. Since their Capri figs are usually a week or two late. Usually they are sold by a hundred piece. Prices are around 100 Lira which is about $2.
You can see the wasps inside the bag.


After these figs are purchased, they are taken to the fig orchard. To be worked on.


A metal string is used.


Some use the traditional string which is actually some type of grass.


From there the stringed figs are taken to be hanged on the trees.


Here you see the kid is throwing the stringed figs on the tree. no need for a ladder to climb to hang them which takes a lot of time.



The farmers have to repeat the process up to 4 times, to ensure most of the crop is pollinated.

Three days later the male figs dry up and discarded.


About a month later, the figs are ready to be picked.









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rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
I wish it was me in that picture #5 instead of those little girls.
As a matter of fact, They wouldn't have been near me at all.
Yes, Call me a monster! The Fig Monster!

Bass, If there was a Nobel prize for fig research I would vote for you or Jon!
Another great find indeed.

Rafed
petea

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I agree with Rafed. You continue to outdo yourself.  I am hoping to go back to Syria this summer and gather as much info and cuttings of the native fig trees as i can.
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Ingevald

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Bass - 
   This is outstanding material!  The pictures are fabulous.   Pictures documenting activities in working fig orchards is difficult material to find.  These rare glimpses of life in another land are exceptional.  Thanks for finding it, translating the text and posting it. 

Ingevald
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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Once again Bass, superb.
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Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Glad you enjoyed that article. I'm just passing on the information.
 Pete, I have about 15 unknown Syrian varieties that should be ripening next summer for the first time. We obviously can't grow the type that requires pollination in our area.
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Posted Reply with quote  #7 

I enjoyed this much.  Its nice to see this done again. I also enjoy seeing that in some places still around the world, the kids are actually a part of what goes on in the community and household and actually doing some work!  at least they are off the computer screens and learning something! Thanks Bass. Ciao
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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Very nice Bass thanks for taking the time once again .
 Lots of work for 2 Lira at a 100, and i bet that boy can really throw a baseball !
paully22

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Interesting to know what other people do for a fig harvest. Thanks for all the hard work in translation & posting.
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Maggie,

I have to agree with you 100% about the kids.
Our children can learn from them.
Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
It's amazing how much work someone have to put into getting a crop of the smyrna type figs. I'm sure those figs are worth all the effort, otherwise they will only grow common figs.
Smyrna type figs are what encouraged researches like Ira Condit to breed so many figs to find something comparable to the Calimyrna fig.
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kurab2556

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Can anyone tell me? Do we need any of male figs type pollinate amyrna female? I mwan specific male fig must pollinate the same type of male fig.
Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
You need Ficus Carica Capri fig and the Blastophaga Psenes wasp to pollinate Smyrna type figs. 
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rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Bass,

As crazy as it sounds, I was once told that you can cut open a capri fig and rub a Q-tip or toothpick on the inside and then rub what is picked up on the Smyrna fig to pollinate.

Can you tell me if such practice will work? Have you heard of it? have you tried it?
Otmani007

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Very informative article, Bass. Thanks for sharing.
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