Figs - Page 2

Father'sDaughter · August 6, 2016

I was reading the information posted on the website of a local fig tree seller (figtrees.net). It advises slowly working your way up in pot size every year. And then once you reach your largest size, it says the tree should be root pruned every 3-5 years.

While it's dormant, he advises pulling the tree out of its pot, trimming back the roots, then placing it back in the same pot and filling in with new soil. I read this same information on another fig growing site as well, and it advised pruning off 1/4 of the root ball.

Shrinkrap · August 6, 2016

Here are my Black Jacks

nhardy · August 15, 2016

I prune the roots every 2 years. At the least, you should prune every 3 years. Any of you on Figs4fun?

Shrinkrap · August 16, 2016

I am not currently on Figs4fun, but it sounds familiar.

Here are some Figsnotforfun.

GrowingCoastal · August 16, 2016

At least it kept them away from the tomatoes! That rat is gone now, RIP.

luigiwu · August 20, 2016

I have a very dumb question... why after only 1 day after harvest, my figs shrink to half their size? Does it matter that I have them sitting on my counter?

peebee · August 20, 2016

I don't notice any shrinkage on mine, even after overnight on the counter. Could it be your variety?

greenthumbomaha · June 20, 2017

Here are 3 Chicago Hardy figs that I overwintered from last year (bought at Lowes on sale) I picked up another fig variety very early in the season and it is finally leafing out after living outdoors in the garden center thru our cold spring.

Since we went from cold to late summer weather, I didn't know when to jump in and acclimate them to outdoors. Do you think it is worth taking them outside this late in the season. They seem to be happy and producing in a south high-e glass window.

Father'sDaughter · June 21, 2017

I've read that it's best to get the plants outside once any danger of frost is past and before they break dormancy. If yours never went dormant, then I'm not sure if they would need acclimating or not. Maybe someone else with more experience will chime in.

As to whether or not you take them out at all, I think it depends on whether or not you want them to go dormant in the winter or if you want to try to keep them going year round. Although I've read many articles that have said they will not produce a good crop if kept indoors.

Once mine dropped all its leaves last fall, it spent the winter wrapped up in a cocoon of row cover fabric topped with a couple of old shirts out in our unheated shed. I think I pulled it out at the start of May and it broke dormancy about the middle of the month. It's been growing like crazy since then. As it's a little lopsided, I pinched the tips out on the taller branches yesterday to let the branches on the shorter side catch up.

And last weekend my dad gifted me rooted cuttings from both his fig tree varieties, so now I have three. These two are descendants from cuttings brought over from Italy over 50 years ago and he has no idea what varieties they are, but one produces black figs and the other green ones.

ako1974 · June 27, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

I've read that it's best to get the plants outside once any danger of frost is past and before they break dormancy. If yours never went dormant, then I'm not sure if they would need acclimating or not. Maybe someone else with more experience will chime in.

As to whether or not you take them out at all, I think it depends on whether or not you want them to go dormant in the winter or if you want to try to keep them going year round. Although I've read many articles that have said they will not produce a good crop if kept indoors.

Once mine dropped all its leaves last fall, it spent the winter wrapped up in a cocoon of row cover fabric topped with a couple of old shirts out in our unheated shed. I think I pulled it out at the start of May and it broke dormancy about the middle of the month. It's been growing like crazy since then. As it's a little lopsided, I pinched the tips out on the taller branches yesterday to let the branches on the shorter side catch up.

And last weekend my dad gifted me rooted cuttings from both his fig tree varieties, so now I have three. These two are descendants from cuttings brought over from Italy over 50 years ago and he has no idea what varieties they are, but one produces black figs and the other green ones.

Cool - figs with family history!

ako1974 · June 27, 2017

I would put them out now. Start off with a week in full shade, a week in partial shade, then on to sun. Potted figs produce best with a period of dormancy, especially in the NE.

I pinched all my figs about 3 weeks ago and they're pushing a lot of figs right now. I have about 50 potted figs that are about 2-3 years old, so hopefully they keep it up - good weather, no pests/birds, whatever.

greenthumbomaha · July 12, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by ako1974

I would put them out now. Start off with a week in full shade, a week in partial shade, then on to sun. Potted figs produce best with a period of dormancy, especially in the NE.

I pinched all my figs about 3 weeks ago and they're pushing a lot of figs right now. I have about 50 potted figs that are about 2-3 years old, so hopefully they keep it up - good weather, no pests/birds, whatever.

I'm afraid to take the plants out, even in the shade. It's been in the 90's with no break in sight. That is about 10 degrees over the average. They are fairly loaded with figs (at keast the 3 older Chicago's are), and I'd hate for them to get heat stressed and drop the load. Maybe write this summer off indoors, let them go dormant in winter, and get them outside next year..

- Lisa

PS I called Whole Foods here in Omaha and they said they will never get figs because it is too cold to grow them here. My explanation to the produce manager about overwintering in a garage was not very convincing. Gesh!

Father'sDaughter · June 27, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by ako1974

Cool - figs with family history!

I know! Both excited and nervous as dad does not readily gift things he's passionate about. He has several potted and a couple of in-ground trees and I guess he's decided someone needs to be trained to eventually take over their care as he is now in his mid-80's.

The Hardy Chicago tree is my practice run and so far I guess I'm doing okay as it's showing signs of fruiting. The two cuttings are also growing like weeds.

ako1974 · June 28, 2017

Just down the road from me is our go-to pizza place. It was reopened a few years ago by a Sicilian guy, really nice guy. I just noticed a huge fig growing against the wall. Next time I stop in I'm going to ask him if he has a story, too.

Hardy Chicago is an excellent fig. They produce really well and the fruit is really good.

HoustonHeat · June 30, 2017

I purchased 2 Celeste which are supposed to be good for my area. I have learned if I do not keep them well watered (daily) the figs drop. If the plant becomes stressed for any reason it drops its fruit. I am hoping to have figs.. oh and I am glad to learn that Celeste is a closed eye parthenocarpic variety, which means it will not have fig wasps.

August 20, 2016	#6
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I have a very dumb question... why after only 1 day after harvest, my figs shrink to half their size? Does it matter that I have them sitting on my counter? __________________ Subirrigated Container gardening (RGGS) in NY, Zone 7!

June 27, 2017	#11
ako1974 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New Jersey Posts: 109	I would put them out now. Start off with a week in full shade, a week in partial shade, then on to sun. Potted figs produce best with a period of dormancy, especially in the NE. I pinched all my figs about 3 weeks ago and they're pushing a lot of figs right now. I have about 50 potted figs that are about 2-3 years old, so hopefully they keep it up - good weather, no pests/birds, whatever. __________________ Arne Zone 6A, Northern NJ

June 28, 2017	#14
ako1974 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New Jersey Posts: 109	Just down the road from me is our go-to pizza place. It was reopened a few years ago by a Sicilian guy, really nice guy. I just noticed a huge fig growing against the wall. Next time I stop in I'm going to ask him if he has a story, too. Hardy Chicago is an excellent fig. They produce really well and the fruit is really good. __________________ Arne Zone 6A, Northern NJ

August 6, 2016	#1
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,917	I was reading the information posted on the website of a local fig tree seller (figtrees.net). It advises slowly working your way up in pot size every year. And then once you reach your largest size, it says the tree should be root pruned every 3-5 years. While it's dormant, he advises pulling the tree out of its pot, trimming back the roots, then placing it back in the same pot and filling in with new soil. I read this same information on another fig growing site as well, and it advised pruning off 1/4 of the root ball.

August 15, 2016	#3
nhardy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: St. Louis Posts: 82	I prune the roots every 2 years. At the least, you should prune every 3 years. Any of you on Figs4fun?

August 16, 2016	#5
GrowingCoastal Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Vancouver Island Canada BC Posts: 1,253	At least it kept them away from the tomatoes! That rat is gone now, RIP.

August 20, 2016	#7
peebee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,714	I don't notice any shrinkage on mine, even after overnight on the counter. Could it be your variety?

June 21, 2017	#9
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,917	I've read that it's best to get the plants outside once any danger of frost is past and before they break dormancy. If yours never went dormant, then I'm not sure if they would need acclimating or not. Maybe someone else with more experience will chime in. As to whether or not you take them out at all, I think it depends on whether or not you want them to go dormant in the winter or if you want to try to keep them going year round. Although I've read many articles that have said they will not produce a good crop if kept indoors. Once mine dropped all its leaves last fall, it spent the winter wrapped up in a cocoon of row cover fabric topped with a couple of old shirts out in our unheated shed. I think I pulled it out at the start of May and it broke dormancy about the middle of the month. It's been growing like crazy since then. As it's a little lopsided, I pinched the tips out on the taller branches yesterday to let the branches on the shorter side catch up. And last weekend my dad gifted me rooted cuttings from both his fig tree varieties, so now I have three. These two are descendants from cuttings brought over from Italy over 50 years ago and he has no idea what varieties they are, but one produces black figs and the other green ones.

June 30, 2017	#15
HoustonHeat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Houston Zone 9A Posts: 132	I purchased 2 Celeste which are supposed to be good for my area. I have learned if I do not keep them well watered (daily) the figs drop. If the plant becomes stressed for any reason it drops its fruit. I am hoping to have figs.. oh and I am glad to learn that Celeste is a closed eye parthenocarpic variety, which means it will not have fig wasps.