Desert King
Desert King , also called White King or just King , is a fig variety of the Ficus carica species , which in Germany only produces the first generation of figs in July and August, as the second generation of figs requires fertilization by the fig gall wasp , which does not occur in Germany would. This type of fig is called San Pedro . The variety is well hardy and has an excellent taste. The variety has been known since the 1930s and is mostly grown in California .
tree
Desert King grows in the first few years with strong central shoots and with little branching, especially in height and in Central Europe usually reaches a height of around 4 m. The tree grows strong and upright overall. The leaf is usually three to five lobed, moderately deeply incised and has an almost smooth edge. Despite the name Desert King ("desert king"), the tree is by no means particularly suitable for the desert, it needs just as much water as other fig varieties.
fruit
In Germany, the variety only bears flowering figs , as the fig gall wasp required for the second generation of figs is missing in Germany. The flowering figs ripen in July and August and usually weigh between 40 and 50 grams. They are pear-shaped, with few kernels, mostly light green, less often yellowish and with red flesh. The taste is excellent and is described as mulberry-like .
Winter hardiness
Desert King is a sufficiently hardy variety in Germany, but so far it has only rarely been grown in Germany.
See also
literature
- Christoph Seiler: Figs from your own garden , Verlag Eugen Ulmer , Stuttgart 2016.
- Pierre Baud: Figues , Vaison la Romaine 2005.