枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)樹屬(shu)亞熱帶樹種,原產(chan)中國(guo)(guo)福建、四川、陜(shan)西(xi)、湖(hu)南、湖(hu)北、浙江(jiang)(jiang)等(deng)省(sheng),長(chang)(chang)江(jiang)(jiang)以南各(ge)省(sheng)多作果(guo)樹栽培。枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)適(shi)應性強,可(ke)以人工種植,也可(ke)以大棚(peng)種植。枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)喜(xi)光,稍耐陰,喜(xi)溫暖氣候(hou)和肥水濕潤、排水良好的(de)土(tu)壤,稍耐寒(han),不耐嚴寒(han),生長(chang)(chang)緩(huan)慢(man)。太湖(hu)邊及湖(hu)中島(dao)上的(de)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)獨佳(jia),由(you)于冬日(ri)水汽(qi)霧(wu)氣,保(bao)護了冬日(ri)花朵不受寒(han)害,故年(nian)年(nian)碩果(guo)累累,江(jiang)(jiang)蘇(su)蘇(su)州吳中區(吳縣)洞(dong)庭(ting)山為中國(guo)(guo)五(wu)大枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)產(chan)地之(zhi)一。金庭(ting)(西(xi)山島(dao))氣候(hou)溫暖濕潤,雨量充(chong)沛(pei),日(ri)照(zhao)充(chong)足,土(tu)質疏松(song),尤(you)其適(shi)合(he)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)的(de)生長(chang)(chang)。島(dao)內還專門開辟了青(qing)種枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)種植基地。
枇(pi)杷(pa),因狀如民(min)族樂器(qi)中的(de)琵琶而得名。其果實柔軟(ruan)、多(duo)汁,甘(gan)酸適度,為初夏水果中的(de)珍品(pin)。我國(guo)栽(zai)培枇(pi)杷(pa)歷史悠久,早在西(xi)漢初期(qi)已經種植(zhi)。枇(pi)杷(pa)在我國(guo)有(you)(you)五大產區,東山(shan)和(he)西(xi)山(shan)為主要產區之一。它與浙江塘(tang)棲的(de)“軟(ruan)條”、福建莆口的(de)“大鐘”齊名。西(xi)山(shan)栽(zai)種枇(pi)杷(pa)的(de)歷史始(shi)于唐(tang)代(dai),至宋代(dai)有(you)(you)了明確的(de)文字記載。明代(dai)時,洞(dong)庭山(shan)的(de)枇(pi)杷(pa)產量已經聞名天下(xia)(xia)。有(you)(you)王世懋的(de)《學圃雜疏》為證:洞(dong)庭枇(pi)杷(pa)天下(xia)(xia)最。
西(xi)(xi)山(shan)(shan)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)按(an)肉質和(he)(he)皮色,一(yi)般(ban)分為(wei)三類:白沙(sha)(sha)、紅沙(sha)(sha)和(he)(he)青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。如果(guo)(guo)(guo)按(an)皮色和(he)(he)形(xing)(xing)態分則更多(duo),有照種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、白沙(sha)(sha)、灰種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、和(he)(he)尚頭、雞(ji)蛋(dan)白、大種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、細種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)、銅(tong)皮等。西(xi)(xi)山(shan)(shan)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)主(zhu)要有兩個品種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)深(shen)受人們(men)青(qing)睞。荸(bi)薺(qi)(qi)(qi)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。因形(xing)(xing)如荸(bi)薺(qi)(qi)(qi)而(er)(er)得(de)名(ming)(ming)。荸(bi)薺(qi)(qi)(qi)比青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)成熟(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)期(qi)(qi)晚一(yi)個星期(qi)(qi)左右(you)。其優點是甜性特(te)足(zu),相對其他枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)而(er)(er)言,經得(de)起(qi)雨(yu)(yu)淋。不足(zu)之處是果(guo)(guo)(guo)形(xing)(xing)小,皮不易剝(bo)離(li)。此(ci)品種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)在清光緒十(shi)三年(nian)(nian)(1887),西(xi)(xi)山(shan)(shan)葛(ge)家塢(wu)農(nong)民(min)葛(ge)文麟從一(yi)枝十(shi)年(nian)(nian)生(sheng)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)上采得(de)果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)(shi)去(qu)鎮夏(xia)出(chu)售,被(bei)有經驗的(de)(de)(de)果(guo)(guo)(guo)農(nong)王萬山(shan)(shan)發現而(er)(er)加以鼓勵,葛(ge)氏從而(er)(er)培育,經過嫁接(jie)逐步推行而(er)(er)發展。民(min)國(guo)時(shi)(shi)期(qi)(qi),荸(bi)薺(qi)(qi)(qi)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)裝上小竹籃,遠銷(xiao)無錫(xi)常(chang)州一(yi)帶,頗有聲譽。青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)。青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)因果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)(shi)成熟(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)時(shi)(shi)蒂部仍(reng)呈青(qing)色而(er)(er)得(de)名(ming)(ming)。青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)由野(ye)生(sheng)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)變異而(er)(er)來。清代末年(nian)(nian),秉常(chang)村村民(min)謝方友發現此(ci)品種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)果(guo)(guo)(guo)形(xing)(xing)大、汁水多(duo)、甜性足(zu)、易剝(bo)離(li)、故(gu)(gu)加以培植,從而(er)(er)得(de)到發展。目前,青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)已成為(wei)西(xi)(xi)山(shan)(shan)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)中的(de)(de)(de)主(zhu)流品種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong),深(shen)受食客們(men)的(de)(de)(de)青(qing)睞。青(qing)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)雖好,但它(ta)經不起(qi)日曬(shai)、雨(yu)(yu)淋。尤其是果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)(shi)近(jin)成熟(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)時(shi)(shi),一(yi)旦(dan)碰上大雨(yu)(yu),枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)皮容易爆裂。這(zhe)樣,枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)就賣不出(chu)價(jia)格了。因此(ci),果(guo)(guo)(guo)農(nong)們(men)最怕的(de)(de)(de)就是果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)(shi)成熟(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu)時(shi)(shi)的(de)(de)(de)大風狂語。枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)的(de)(de)(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)植以沙(sha)(sha)粒黃泥地為(wei)優質土壤(rang)。西(xi)(xi)山(shan)(shan)秉常(chang)村羅漢塢(wu)和(he)(he)葛(ge)家塢(wu)內(nei)都具備這(zhe)樣的(de)(de)(de)自然(ran)條件,因此(ci),果(guo)(guo)(guo)實(shi)(shi)比一(yi)般(ban)地段(duan)出(chu)產(chan)的(de)(de)(de)果(guo)(guo)(guo)品優質。枇(pi)(pi)杷(pa)(pa)(pa)隔冬開花(hua),能耐霜寒(han)雪凍,次年(nian)(nian),夏(xia)熟(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu),得(de)雨(yu)(yu)露之潤。故(gu)(gu)有“秋萌,凍花(hua),春實(shi)(shi),夏(xia)熟(shu)(shu)(shu)(shu),備四時(shi)(shi)之精氣(qi)”的(de)(de)(de)說法,被(bei)人們(men)譽為(wei)“果(guo)(guo)(guo)之冠”。
西山習慣上把枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)分(fen)為白沙(sha)(sha)、紅沙(sha)(sha)兩類,白沙(sha)(sha) 用來概括白肉和黃肉系統的(de)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)品(pin)種,紅沙(sha)(sha)則指橙(cheng)肉系統的(de)枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)。西山枇(pi)杷(pa)(pa)品(pin)種眾多(duo),栽培最(zui)多(duo)的(de)是(shi)青種、照(zhao)種和荸薺種。
青(qing)種枇杷(pa):原由野(ye)生(sheng)枇杷(pa)變異而(er)來,果(guo)實成熟時蒂(di)部仍(reng)呈青(qing)綠色,是(shi)該(gai)種最易(yi)辨認的(de)特(te)征,青(qing)種之名亦由此(ci)而(er)來;有(you)長(chang)柄(bing)青(qing)種和短(duan)柄(bing)青(qing)種兩個(ge)品系,前(qian)者果(guo)柄(bing)較(jiao)細,果(guo)形略小,后者果(guo)柄(bing)粗短(duan),果(guo)大(da)小均勻,栽培以短(duan)柄(bing)青(qing)種為多。
照種(zhong)枇(pi)杷可(ke)分為短(duan)(duan)柄(bing)(bing)照種(zhong)、長柄(bing)(bing)照種(zhong)和鷹爪照種(zhong)三(san)個品系。短(duan)(duan)柄(bing)(bing)照種(zhong)果(guo)(guo)柄(bing)(bing)較短(duan)(duan),樹冠枝(zhi)條較疏;長柄(bing)(bing)照種(zhong)果(guo)(guo)柄(bing)(bing)長,枝(zhi)條稍密,果(guo)(guo)肉較厚;鷹爪照種(zhong)以(yi)果(guo)(guo)柄(bing)(bing)下垂略(lve)似鷹爪而得名。
荸薺(qi)種因果扁圓略似荸薺(qi)而得(de)名。
“太(tai)湖綠(lv)”是由(you)蘇(su)州(zhou)西山國家(jia)現代(dai)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)示范園區(qu)有限(xian)責任公司于2001年6月經(jing)國家(jia)商(shang)(shang)標(biao)局注冊(ce)批準(zhun)的(de)(de)商(shang)(shang)標(biao),并(bing)于2003年、2006年連續兩次(ci)被工商(shang)(shang)局評(ping)為江蘇(su)省著名(ming)商(shang)(shang)標(biao)。蘇(su)州(zhou)西山國家(jia)現代(dai)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)示范園區(qu)有限(xian)責任公司(下稱(cheng)“園區(qu)”)是經(jing)國家(jia)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)綜合開發辦(ban)批準(zhun)的(de)(de)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)示范園區(qu),其有限(xian)公司是他(ta)的(de)(de)管理、開發主體,致(zhi)力于現代(dai)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye),綠(lv)色農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)的(de)(de)發展。對(dui)西山的(de)(de)傳統農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)資源(yuan)進行開發,整合枇(pi)杷、楊(yang)梅、板(ban)栗、銀杏等(deng)果品(pin)(pin)(pin)。為發展農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye),在市(shi)場(chang)經(jing)濟中走出一(yi)條(tiao)新的(de)(de)道路,帶領(ling)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)民致(zhi)富,為此創立了“太(tai)湖綠(lv)”------一(yi)個嶄新的(de)(de)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)業(ye)品(pin)(pin)(pin)牌。“太(tai)湖綠(lv)”商(shang)(shang)標(biao)主要在本單位(wei)生(sheng)產(chan)(chan)(chan)的(de)(de)新鮮蔬菜(黃瓜(gua)、番(fan)茄、彩色甜椒等(deng))、水果(枇(pi)杷、楊(yang)梅、板(ban)栗、銀杏、草(cao)莓、石榴等(deng))上(shang)使(shi)用(yong)。生(sheng)產(chan)(chan)(chan)的(de)(de)太(tai)湖綠(lv)枇(pi)杷、楊(yang)梅、板(ban)栗、銀杏等(deng)通過國家(jia)級無公害農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)產(chan)(chan)(chan)品(pin)(pin)(pin)認證,市(shi)場(chang)供(gong)不(bu)應求(qiu),已(yi)有一(yi)定的(de)(de)知名(ming)度,其產(chan)(chan)(chan)品(pin)(pin)(pin)先后被評(ping)為蘇(su)州(zhou)名(ming)牌產(chan)(chan)(chan)品(pin)(pin)(pin),獲得第三屆江蘇(su)省特優(you)農(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)(nong)產(chan)(chan)(chan)品(pin)(pin)(pin)博覽會最佳產(chan)(chan)(chan)品(pin)(pin)(pin)獎。