Periodicity in Carob Tree (Year of Existence, Year of None)
One of the common situations encountered by carob growers is that the tree yields abundant crops one year and significantly less the next year. This situation, popularly known as the "year of existence – year of none", is called periodicity (alternative or irregular yielding) in horticulture. Sources define carob as a species that shows significant periodicity, especially when growing conditions are poor.
Read MoreHow Does Carob Flowering and Pollination Happen?
Carob is known as the only tree among Mediterranean trees whose main flowering period coincides with autumn. During this period from September to November, small, fragrant flowers bloom on the trunk and old branches; It is pollinated by insects such as bees, flies, hornets and night-flying moths, and partly by wind.
Read MoreMale, Female and Hermaphrodite Carob Trees
Some carob trees do not bear any fruit, while others fill them with pods every year. The main reason for this is that carob is largely a dioecious species: male, female and hermaphrodite flowers are mostly found on separate trees. The male tree does not produce pods, but it provides pollen for female trees to bear fruit.
Read MoreCarob Sapling Selection and Sapling Certificate
Carob is a long-lived tree; The choice of saplings made when establishing a garden determines the yield, fruit quality and operating cost of the garden for decades. It takes both time and effort to correct the mistake of the garden established with a sapling of the wrong sex, unknown variety or weak root structure.
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