枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)樹(shu)屬亞熱帶樹(shu)種,原產中(zhong)(zhong)國福建、四川、陜西(xi)、湖(hu)南、湖(hu)北(bei)、浙江等省(sheng)(sheng),長江以南各(ge)省(sheng)(sheng)多作(zuo)果樹(shu)栽培。枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)適應性強,可(ke)以人工種植,也可(ke)以大棚種植。枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)喜(xi)光,稍耐(nai)陰,喜(xi)溫暖氣候和肥(fei)水(shui)(shui)濕(shi)(shi)潤、排水(shui)(shui)良好的土(tu)壤,稍耐(nai)寒(han),不(bu)(bu)耐(nai)嚴寒(han),生長緩慢(man)。太湖(hu)邊(bian)及湖(hu)中(zhong)(zhong)島(dao)上的枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)獨佳,由于冬日(ri)水(shui)(shui)汽(qi)霧(wu)氣,保(bao)護(hu)了冬日(ri)花朵不(bu)(bu)受寒(han)害,故年(nian)(nian)年(nian)(nian)碩果累(lei)累(lei),江蘇(su)蘇(su)州吳中(zhong)(zhong)區(qu)(吳縣)洞庭(ting)山(shan)(shan)為中(zhong)(zhong)國五大枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)產地(di)之一(yi)。金庭(ting)(西(xi)山(shan)(shan)島(dao))氣候溫暖濕(shi)(shi)潤,雨量(liang)充沛,日(ri)照充足(zu),土(tu)質(zhi)疏松,尤其適合(he)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)的生長。島(dao)內還專門開辟了青種枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)種植基地(di)。
枇(pi)杷(pa),因狀(zhuang)如民族樂器中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)琵琶而得名(ming)。其果(guo)(guo)實柔(rou)軟、多汁(zhi),甘酸適度,為初(chu)夏水果(guo)(guo)中(zhong)的(de)(de)(de)珍品。我(wo)國(guo)栽培枇(pi)杷(pa)歷(li)史(shi)悠久,早在西(xi)(xi)漢初(chu)期已經種植(zhi)。枇(pi)杷(pa)在我(wo)國(guo)有五大(da)產(chan)區,東山和西(xi)(xi)山為主要(yao)產(chan)區之一。它與浙(zhe)江塘棲的(de)(de)(de)“軟條”、福建莆口的(de)(de)(de)“大(da)鐘(zhong)”齊名(ming)。西(xi)(xi)山栽種枇(pi)杷(pa)的(de)(de)(de)歷(li)史(shi)始于唐代(dai),至宋(song)代(dai)有了明(ming)確的(de)(de)(de)文字記載。明(ming)代(dai)時,洞(dong)庭(ting)山的(de)(de)(de)枇(pi)杷(pa)產(chan)量已經聞名(ming)天下(xia)。有王世懋的(de)(de)(de)《學(xue)圃雜疏(shu)》為證:洞(dong)庭(ting)枇(pi)杷(pa)天下(xia)最。
西(xi)山(shan)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)按肉質(zhi)和皮色,一般分(fen)為(wei)(wei)三(san)類:白(bai)(bai)沙、紅沙和青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。如果(guo)(guo)(guo)按皮色和形態分(fen)則(ze)更(geng)多(duo),有照(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、白(bai)(bai)沙、灰種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、和尚頭、雞(ji)蛋白(bai)(bai)、大(da)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、細種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、銅(tong)皮等(deng)。西(xi)山(shan)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)主(zhu)要有兩(liang)個(ge)(ge)品(pin)(pin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)深受人(ren)們(men)青(qing)(qing)(qing)睞。荸(bi)(bi)薺(qi)(qi)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。因形如荸(bi)(bi)薺(qi)(qi)而(er)(er)得名(ming)。荸(bi)(bi)薺(qi)(qi)比青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)成(cheng)(cheng)熟(shu)期晚一個(ge)(ge)星期左右。其(qi)優(you)點是甜性(xing)特足(zu)(zu),相對(dui)其(qi)他(ta)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)而(er)(er)言,經(jing)得起雨(yu)淋。不足(zu)(zu)之(zhi)處是果(guo)(guo)(guo)形小,皮不易剝離。此品(pin)(pin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)在清光緒(xu)十三(san)年(nian)(1887),西(xi)山(shan)葛(ge)家(jia)塢(wu)農民葛(ge)文(wen)麟(lin)從(cong)一枝(zhi)十年(nian)生枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)上(shang)采得果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)去鎮夏出(chu)售,被(bei)有經(jing)驗的(de)果(guo)(guo)(guo)農王萬山(shan)發(fa)現而(er)(er)加以鼓勵,葛(ge)氏從(cong)而(er)(er)培(pei)(pei)育,經(jing)過嫁接逐步推行而(er)(er)發(fa)展。民國時(shi)期,荸(bi)(bi)薺(qi)(qi)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)裝上(shang)小竹籃,遠銷無(wu)錫(xi)常州(zhou)一帶,頗有聲(sheng)譽(yu)。青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)因果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)成(cheng)(cheng)熟(shu)時(shi)蒂部仍呈青(qing)(qing)(qing)色而(er)(er)得名(ming)。青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)由野(ye)生枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)變異而(er)(er)來(lai)。清代末(mo)年(nian),秉(bing)常村(cun)村(cun)民謝方(fang)友發(fa)現此品(pin)(pin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)果(guo)(guo)(guo)形大(da)、汁水多(duo)、甜性(xing)足(zu)(zu)、易剝離、故(gu)加以培(pei)(pei)植,從(cong)而(er)(er)得到發(fa)展。目前,青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)已成(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)(wei)西(xi)山(shan)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)中的(de)主(zhu)流品(pin)(pin)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),深受食客們(men)的(de)青(qing)(qing)(qing)睞。青(qing)(qing)(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)雖好,但它經(jing)不起日曬(shai)、雨(yu)淋。尤(you)其(qi)是果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)近成(cheng)(cheng)熟(shu)時(shi),一旦碰上(shang)大(da)雨(yu),枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)皮容易爆裂。這樣,枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)就賣不出(chu)價格了。因此,果(guo)(guo)(guo)農們(men)最怕的(de)就是果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)成(cheng)(cheng)熟(shu)時(shi)的(de)大(da)風狂語。枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)植以沙粒黃泥地(di)為(wei)(wei)優(you)質(zhi)土(tu)壤。西(xi)山(shan)秉(bing)常村(cun)羅(luo)漢塢(wu)和葛(ge)家(jia)塢(wu)內都具(ju)備(bei)這樣的(de)自然條件,因此,果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)比一般地(di)段出(chu)產的(de)果(guo)(guo)(guo)品(pin)(pin)優(you)質(zhi)。枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)隔冬(dong)開花,能耐霜寒雪凍,次年(nian),夏熟(shu),得雨(yu)露之(zhi)潤(run)。故(gu)有“秋(qiu)萌,凍花,春實(shi),夏熟(shu),備(bei)四(si)時(shi)之(zhi)精氣”的(de)說法(fa),被(bei)人(ren)們(men)譽(yu)為(wei)(wei)“果(guo)(guo)(guo)之(zhi)冠(guan)”。
西(xi)山習慣上(shang)把枇(pi)杷(pa)分為(wei)白沙、紅沙兩(liang)類,白沙 用來概括白肉和黃(huang)肉系統的(de)枇(pi)杷(pa)品(pin)種,紅沙則指橙肉系統的(de)枇(pi)杷(pa)。西(xi)山枇(pi)杷(pa)品(pin)種眾多(duo),栽培最(zui)多(duo)的(de)是(shi)青種、照(zhao)種和荸(bi)薺(qi)種。
青種枇(pi)(pi)杷:原由(you)野生枇(pi)(pi)杷變(bian)異而來(lai),果(guo)(guo)實成熟時蒂(di)部仍呈青綠色(se),是該種最易辨認(ren)的特征,青種之名(ming)亦由(you)此而來(lai);有長柄青種和短柄青種兩個品系(xi),前者果(guo)(guo)柄較細,果(guo)(guo)形略小,后者果(guo)(guo)柄粗(cu)短,果(guo)(guo)大小均勻,栽培以短柄青種為多。
照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)枇杷(pa)可分為短(duan)柄(bing)(bing)照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)、長柄(bing)(bing)照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)和鷹(ying)爪照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)三個品系。短(duan)柄(bing)(bing)照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)果(guo)柄(bing)(bing)較(jiao)短(duan),樹冠枝(zhi)條較(jiao)疏(shu);長柄(bing)(bing)照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)果(guo)柄(bing)(bing)長,枝(zhi)條稍密,果(guo)肉較(jiao)厚;鷹(ying)爪照(zhao)(zhao)種(zhong)(zhong)以果(guo)柄(bing)(bing)下(xia)垂略似鷹(ying)爪而得名。
荸(bi)薺種因果扁(bian)圓(yuan)略似荸(bi)薺而(er)得名。
“太(tai)湖綠”是(shi)由蘇州(zhou)(zhou)西(xi)山國家(jia)(jia)現(xian)代(dai)農(nong)業(ye)示(shi)(shi)范(fan)園(yuan)區(qu)有限(xian)責任(ren)公司(si)(si)(si)于2001年6月經國家(jia)(jia)商(shang)(shang)標(biao)局注冊批準(zhun)的(de)(de)商(shang)(shang)標(biao),并于2003年、2006年連續兩次(ci)被工商(shang)(shang)局評為(wei)(wei)江蘇省(sheng)著名(ming)商(shang)(shang)標(biao)。蘇州(zhou)(zhou)西(xi)山國家(jia)(jia)現(xian)代(dai)農(nong)業(ye)示(shi)(shi)范(fan)園(yuan)區(qu)有限(xian)責任(ren)公司(si)(si)(si)(下稱“園(yuan)區(qu)”)是(shi)經國家(jia)(jia)農(nong)業(ye)綜(zong)合(he)開(kai)發辦批準(zhun)的(de)(de)農(nong)業(ye)示(shi)(shi)范(fan)園(yuan)區(qu),其(qi)有限(xian)公司(si)(si)(si)是(shi)他的(de)(de)管理、開(kai)發主體(ti),致力(li)于現(xian)代(dai)農(nong)業(ye),綠色農(nong)業(ye)的(de)(de)發展。對(dui)西(xi)山的(de)(de)傳統農(nong)業(ye)資源進行開(kai)發,整合(he)枇杷、楊梅(mei)、板(ban)栗、銀杏等(deng)果(guo)品(pin)。為(wei)(wei)發展農(nong)業(ye),在(zai)市場(chang)經濟中(zhong)走出(chu)一(yi)條新(xin)(xin)的(de)(de)道路,帶領農(nong)民(min)致富,為(wei)(wei)此(ci)創立了“太(tai)湖綠”------一(yi)個嶄新(xin)(xin)的(de)(de)農(nong)業(ye)品(pin)牌。“太(tai)湖綠”商(shang)(shang)標(biao)主要在(zai)本單位生(sheng)產(chan)的(de)(de)新(xin)(xin)鮮蔬(shu)菜(黃(huang)瓜、番茄、彩色甜椒等(deng))、水果(guo)(枇杷、楊梅(mei)、板(ban)栗、銀杏、草莓、石榴等(deng))上使用。生(sheng)產(chan)的(de)(de)太(tai)湖綠枇杷、楊梅(mei)、板(ban)栗、銀杏等(deng)通過國家(jia)(jia)級無(wu)公害農(nong)產(chan)品(pin)認(ren)證,市場(chang)供(gong)不(bu)應求(qiu),已(yi)有一(yi)定的(de)(de)知名(ming)度,其(qi)產(chan)品(pin)先(xian)后被評為(wei)(wei)蘇州(zhou)(zhou)名(ming)牌產(chan)品(pin),獲得第(di)三(san)屆(jie)江蘇省(sheng)特優農(nong)產(chan)品(pin)博覽會最佳(jia)產(chan)品(pin)獎。