Fig Trees
Fig Trees lend an exotic presence and the flavor of tree-ripened fruits to the home garden. With extra care to provide winter protection you can succeed in growing a fig tree even in northern climates.
Growing Fig Trees
Many people prefer the taste of fresh figs even more than that of the dried fruit. By learning how to grow a fig tree you can enjoy large harvests of this unusual fruit right from your own back yard. You may even be able to coax two crops of delicious figs from your trees each season.
The first step is to select the best location in your yard for planting the fig tree. The ideal position will offer full sun, a southern exposure, and provide protection from prevailing winds and late frosts. Planting alongside of a brick structure or stone wall will give the fig plant a convenient barrier to the weather and allow it to absorb heat radiating from the stones or brick.
Sources and Varieties of Fig Plants
Purchase your fig tree from a local nursery or for better selection order from a mail order supplier specializing in tropical fruits. If you have a neighbor growing fig trees you can easily propagate a fig plant from cuttings, or by air layering.
Popular varieties include: Brown Turkey, Hardy Celeste, Italian Golden Honey Fig, Violette Black, Green Ischia, Black Mission, Desert King, Kadota White, and Osborn’s Prolific. Do your homework before purchasing to ensure the variety selected will grow well in your climate.
Planting Fig Trees
Plant the fig tree in average soil mixed with compost, but do not add manures. Figs are not heavy feeders, and over fertilization results in lush leaf growth at the expense of fig production.
One trick that you may want to employ is to dig a hole about three feet deep and line the bottom with bricks or pot shards. This serves to restrict the roots and prevent the formation of tap roots. Figs seem to respond well to this treatment, but it is not a necessity.
Growing Figs in Containers
The plants take well to growing in containers, which also makes it convenient if you have to move them to a protected area during the winter.
For winter protection, potted figs can be placed in an unheated garage or storage area. Move them after they drop their leaves and go dormant. They will not require light or much water while in dormancy.
Winterizing and Protecting Fig Trees
To winterize an in-ground tree, insulate the base with leaves or straw and wrap the branches with blankets, quilts, canvas, carpet, or carpet padding. Next, wrap with a layer of clear plastic, or cover with a clear plastic bag.
Another trick to provide winter protection is to actually dig the plant up and lay the entire fig tree on the ground. Then cover with a piece of old carpeting, a layer of soil, and a thick covering of leaves or straw. When spring arrives simply uncover the tree and plant it upright.
Even without going through the effort to winterize your northern grown fig tree it may survive if you planted it in a sheltered location. If cold weather does destroy the tree, all is not lost as new shoots will frequently sprout from the roots to reestablish itself.
Other Related Vegetable Gardening Posts:
December 27th, 2006 at 10:55 am
I planted a fig tree in a large clay pot. For 1 year it flourished and had good growth and many figs. Recently all the leaves dropped off and all I see are tiny green tips on the stalks, but no leaves or figs. I fertilzed well with water soluable and also other fertilizer. (citrus etc etc) I tried infrequent watering and frequent watering, but still no growth. I also fed with acidfier once…..what do I need to do to get this tree back to normal.
Thanks.
January 7th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Paul, where do you live and what type of climate are you groing your fig tree in? Fig trees will shed their leaves and go dormant for the winter, which is normal. They don’t require much in the way of fertilization and I wouldn’t use an acidifier on them. I keep my dormant potted fig tree in an unheated garage and water it sparingly a couple of times if that during the winter.
January 13th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Hi Kenny,
Your web site is great to read. You have lots of useful tips! My garden is most of my yard, which isn’t big but I make up for that by growing everything that I can. I grow several varieties of figs. Grocery figs are nothing like home grown. For candy-like sweetness, they must be picked when VERY ripe, otherwise they are insipid. Most of mine were grown from cuttings which is easy. I’m glad that you posted on this plant because people dont know what they are missing. Keep up with the great blogging! Daniel
February 8th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Help-
An acquaintance gave me 5 or 6 fig tree branch starts. I live in the Midwest and it is bitterly cold (our garage is averaging about 20-25 degrees) Should these starts be in dirt ? Should I wait til spring ? Is garage light enough ? Should I wrap them to keep warm ? Thanks for any advice !
February 25th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Thank you for the interesting information. I plan to plant a fig tree this spring. A friend who lives just 5 minutes away has plenty of them in his garden and I will try to propagate with cuttings. The place where I want to plant is sheltered against west and north by the house and open to the south, so I hope the fig tree will do well without any special treatment. I’m looking forward to harvesting some fruits in a few years. Regards, Andreas.
March 6th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Regarding the questions about propagating figs from cuttings, you almost can’t go wrong and have many options. The fig branches can be kept cool or even refrigerated to hold them till spring, or they can be moved to a warm location to encourage the plants to root and grow immediately. The fig cuttings can be inserted into a sterile growing medium (not dirt or soil), or the cuttings can be wrapped in layers of moist newspaper and then be placed in a plastic bag until the roots begin to grow.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:38 am
I am planning on ordering a fig tree from a catalogue and I was wondering how many years old a fig tree must be in order to begin producing figs.
March 9th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Mike, Figs begin bearing fruit relatively quickly. You can anticipate a small harvest of your first figs the second season after the tree is planted. As the fig tree grows larger and matures, the size of your harvests will increase. Depending on the variety of fig that you order and your climate, the tree may even be able to bear two separate crops of fruit each season.
March 25th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
To Mike: I ordered a Dwarf Black Fig “Petite Nigra” from Parks, it came as a 6 or 8 inch tall twig in a 3 inch pot. Once it leafed out I progressively potted it up as it grew. Within 1 year it grew into a beautiful 7×7 foot tree and began bearing delicious dark purple figs exactly 1 year after I bought it. The 2nd year it produced figs all summer and this will be it’s 3rd year. I live in western Iowa so it gets really cold here, it spends the winter in a greenhouse that’s kept barely above or right at 32 degrees…
April 4th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Hi Kenny. Beautiful information you are sharing… thanks. I am also, as much as I can, gardening chemical free. My intent is to eventually make my front and back yards edible lawn. That’s a tall order because I have a pretty big front yard here in Montgomery, AL. I purchased online a gourmet fig cookbook last week which arrived two days before I saw several dirt cheap fig trees at the Air Force Base here. I bought two. How much space should I provide between them? Happy gardening y’all!
April 4th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Hello Karen, thank you for the kind comments. The fig tree’s spacing will vary depending on the variety, your climate, and the manner that you intend to prune and maintain your fig trees. You don’t want them to crowd each other, and you want to have enough room to work around them and to harvest the figs as they ripen.
I would recommend separating the trees by at least twelve feet. With your warm climate fig trees will grow larger and will never suffer from dying back to the ground over winter, so fifteen or twenty feet between your fig trees may be appropriate unless you plan on pruning to limit their size. Good luck and happy gardening to you also!
April 28th, 2007 at 2:58 am
Hi Kenny,
A friend of mine has bought a fig tree for a container on her balcony (in the Netherlands). She was puzzled by the treatment recommended: Acaricide treatment and fungicide treatment twice in winter. She’s doesn’t want to use chemicals (nor would I). What organic treatment would you recommend if she encounters any problems with mites and fungus?
Thanks for any advice,
Nitala
April 28th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Hi Nitala, I would not use chemical funicides and doubt that the containerized figs will need them over the winter. Fig trees will loose their leaves and go dormant during winter and they require very little water or other care during that period. The fig trees should be stored in a cool, unheated area over the winter which should also help to deter insect pest activity. It’s more likely that your friend won’t experience any problems with insects or fungus attacking her fig tree while it is dormant during the winter. I have never used them, but Spray and Grow does carry a line of organic fungicide products.
May 8th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Help,
I have a fig tree in my backyard that grows well but it has not given us had any figs yet. I started this tree from a cliping 3 years ago. Can you recommended something I should do so my fig tree will bear fruit next spring? Does it need to be pollinated? Thank you for your advise in advance.
Coryne
May 9th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Coryne, I’m realy not sure what the problem is with your fig tree that is preventing it from bearing figs. Figs do not require another tree for pollination, it may be that you have a variety that is not suited to your growing region or seasons. I have also had fig trees which were poor producers. You can give it more time to see if it will start to bear fruit and also prune some of the branches back a little. If nothing helps I would just try planting a different fig variety.
May 11th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
I have purchased a fig tree about 1 metre high and am wondering what size container I need for this (Carnica).
Nursery people could not advise me. Can you help please? I would like to get a container that I can put on a wheel base to move it .
May 12th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Hi Margaret, I have a containerized fig tree that’s growing fine in a pot that holds about three gallons of soil. That fig tree is about four years old and I will probably move it into a larger container this year. You can start out with an average sized container and transplant the fig into a larger pot as it grows. Bigger is better, but you will want the fig’s container to be manageable and not too heavy so that you can move it to a sheltered location in the winter, your idea for the wheel base will help with that.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
When I dug up my fig tree this spring,it had a white substance on parts of it. The tree has been up for two weeks now and has not started to bud yet. My friends tree started to bud and grow leaves after one week. What could be wrong with mine and what can I do to help it? Thanks.
May 15th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Joe, your fig tree should be showing signs of growth by now, if it doesn’t come around and start to leaf out the branches may have died back over the winter. If that’s the case the fig tree roots usually still survive and will send up new growth from the ground.
June 29th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Help, I have a beautiful fig tree that has given us nice fruit. This year, many little sticks like things are sprucing up on the trunk, when I touch them, they are sawdust and disintegrate. and there is a tiny hole. I suspect borer worms. How can I treat it and still be able to eat the fruit? Any risk on a nearby smaller fig tree?. There are small figs all over the tree now, I do not want to lose them. thanks for the help.
June 29th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Francine, it does sound like your fig tree is being attacked by borer worms. I have never dealt with them but I have heard of gardeners inserting a piece of wire into the hole to kill the borers. If you could inject BT into the hole that should also kill the worms. Borers typically target weak or diseased trees but the neighboring fig tree would be at risk also so you should keep a close eye on it.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Hi Kenny
Thank you for this wonderful website!
HELP – Please
Is it too late for me? I just got 2 fig cuttings and I would like to know how should I plant -start in the ground or in a pot? – should I try to root first of just plant – I live upstate NY – zone 5
Thanks very much!
July 5th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Hi Donna, no it’s not too late, dormant cuttings are usually used to start fig trees but your cuttings may still root. They will be better off inserted into a pot containing a sterile growing medium such as vermiculite rather than to try to root the detached cuttings directly in the ground. Keep them cool and moist in a shaded location with high humidity levels until roots begin to form. For fig trees that have leafed out and are growing an easy way to propagate is to place a branch in contact with the ground, cover with soil, wait for roots to form, and then sever the new fig plant from the parent.
July 10th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Hi! I need someone’s help!!
I recently purchased a home that has a beautiful, mature fig tree in the backyard. I am not very familiar with fig trees but am excited to take care of this wonderful tree! It has started to bear fruit, but over the last month or so the leaves have begun to turn yellow around the outside edges and some leaves are dying all together. Could this be due to all the excess rain in my area this summer (Lousiana)?
July 10th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Hi Heidi, there’s not much to go on in diagnosing the problem with your fig tree, but it could be a temporary issue related to your weather conditions or the excessive rainfall. It’s not uncommon for fig trees to shed leaves or drop fruit. To be safe you can take a couple of the fig leaves in to your local Agriculture Extension Office and have them evaluate the situation.
July 15th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I have a very healthy fig three which I planted a large pot (about 30 gallon pot). It was thriving up until a week ago. We live in So. California, the tree is by the swimming pool in a good sunny spot. In a week all the leaves have turned yellow (there is new fruit still on the tree) and they are rapidly falling off in large numbers. I presume at this rate within a week or two it will be a bare stick (like it becomes in the winter). We have watered it, put iron chelet in last week and have done all that we can think of to save it. Does anyone know what may be happening to this tree. P.S. in the same pot I planted a sprig of parsley, a sprig of oregano and a sprig of mint which are growing slowly and nicely, but not over-powering the pot. Is this the problem, a shared pot? HELP PLEASE!
July 16th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
I Have a problem with birds eating my figs. Any suggestions? mjjoshua@aol.com
July 16th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Juliana, you could be over or under watering the fig tree. Did you use a light, soil-less potting mixture in the container? Does the container itself offer good drainage? Keep a close eye on the fig tree and adjust your watering to see if that will help. A few herb plants planted in the same pot would not create a problem.
Michael, it will require a little effort, but the only thing that I can suggest to protect your figs from the birds is to build some type of framework around the fig tree and then attach a fine mesh netting to prevent the birds from reaching the ripening fruits.
July 27th, 2007 at 3:41 am
HI! This is such a great article and I thank you for such valuable information. I live on Staten Island, NY and there is a big and gorgeous fig tree in the back yard of my apartment. It gets minimal care but it’s doing very well. This year, I’ve decided to keep a very close eye on it and maybe harvest the fruit (my landlord wouldn’t let me do it before but he’s let up). I’ve never had a fig so I don’t know how to tell if they’re ripe. The tree has TONS of fruit on it. They’re still tiny but some are about half the size of the ones I see at the grocery store. How can I tell when it’s a good time to pick them? Thank you!
July 27th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Some figs will change color as they ripen, but generally when the fruits soften they are fully ripe and ready to eat.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I have a fig tree thats got to be 40+ years old. I keep pruning it but I’m not sure if I am doing it right. Please tell me when and how to prune his tree. I live on Long Island, N.Y. Please e-mail me.
Thanks
Pat
August 9th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
My fig tree finally bore fruit in southern California last year. It was heavily pruned, and I don’t see any fruit yet this summer. should I keep looking or is it already too late? Should I NOT prune it back so much or ?????
August 9th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Looks like a lot of interest all of a sudden in pruning fig trees. Here in cold climate areas the important part of pruning is to make it easier for the gardener to cover and protect the tree during the winter months. In general figs don’t require pruning to the same degree as other fruit trees such as apples.
Margene, I would not prune the fig tree “heavily” but your tree should still bear fruit again this year.
Patrick, here’s a link to some good info on pruning fig trees.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Hi. I am new to fruit trees and to gardening as a whole. I was recently given a small fig tree as a gift and am trying to decide whether it would be better to plant it in the ground or let it grow in a container. I live in zone 9 with mild winters, high humidity, and plenty of rain. Most of my yard is shaded by a mature oak tree, and I can put the fig tree in a sunnier spot if it is in a container. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.
September 11th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
That’s a tough call Mary, in a warm climate such as your I would normally want to plant the fig tree in the ground since you won’t have any issues with moving or protecting the fig during the winter months. But with your limited sun exposure I would probably just try growing the fig tree in a large container. Good luck and let me know how the tree does.
September 15th, 2007 at 5:18 am
Hi, please tell me how to care for my 4 year old fig tree that I have been pruning way too much and not taking care of it in winters, this coming winter. I live in NJ which gets cold in winter, the tree is not so much a tree but rather a tall bush… so I think I prune it to much every fall, I have been cutting it back to about 2 feet tall. So can you help?
September 15th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Hi Reza, there’s no need to prune the fig tree as much as you are doing, your biggest challenge is to find a way to protect the fig plant during your cold winter season. Read the article and comments above for ideas on ways to insulate, wrap, or even bury the fig tree to help protect it during the winter. You will probably have to prune the tree some to make it easier to wrap it up, but there’s no need to cut it back to two feet tall every year. If the fig tree hasn’t been dying back to the ground during the winter there’s even a chance that the fig can survive in your growing region without any pruning and a very limited amount of cold protection.
September 29th, 2007 at 8:32 am
I live in Alabama. My fig tree is 2 years old. It has lots of new growth and looks very healthy. It’s in full sun and is watered weekly. It has 50-60 figs, but they have not ripened. It did the same thing last year, (but only had 20 or so figs.)
What can I do?
October 6th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Hi. I have a problem with figs falling off my 2 fig trees before they ripen. The 2 trees are 4 and 6 years old, they are from cuttings and they grow in my back yard. I live in Baltimore MD. The fig trees are 8 to 10 feet tall and they look very healthy. Every year the figs will grow nice and green to the size of a quarter. Out of the clear blue sky, they will start turning pale/yellow and one by one will gradually fall on the ground! Is there something I can do to make these trees ripen the figs OR I should go to a local nursery and buy already rooted fig trees? Thank you in advance.
October 6th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
Donna and Steve, I really don’t know what the problem is that causes certain fig trees to have issues with ripening or shedding their figs before they are ready to be harvested. My mom has a fig tree growing in MD outside of the D.C. area that easily survives the winters without protection and is always loaded with figs that have no difficulty maturing under a variety of conditions from one season to the next. If your fig problems continue, the only thing that I can suggest is to try cultivating a different variety that may be better suited to your particular climate or growing region.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Hi! Will a fig cutting root in water? Thank you
October 10th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Mari, I’m not sure how well the fig cuttings will root in water but you can give it a try. Some backyard fig growers will wrap the ends of the fig cuttings in moist newspaper, place them in plastic bags to help retain the moisture, and watch closely until the roots start growing.
October 14th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Hi.
I live in northern NJ and just bought a home with a beautiful 6′ – 7′ tall fig tree. It looks like it’s in great shape – green leaves and dozens of small green figs.
The previous owner told me he “wrapped it up” in winter months, and not having a green thumb myself, have searched the internet for info on it. Assuming he meant using burlap, can you offer your advice on the best way to wrap this tall tree? And does that include covering the top of it?
October 14th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Joe, in late fall after the fig tree loses its leaves and goes dormant you should wrap the tree to protect it from the elements during the winter. If necessary cut it back a little to make it easier to wrap and cover. Use old blankets, cardboard, burlap, or other materials that will provide some insulation and protection to the fig tree. Follow that with another layer of plastic, a tarp, or some waterproof covering to keep things dry. The wrap should cover the top of the fig and you can use twine or bungee cords to secure everything. Without winter protection in cold climates fig trees are likely to die back to the ground and be forced to regrow from the roots each spring.
October 19th, 2007 at 7:19 am
I have a fig tree in a container. Our winters are very cold with lots of snow. When I bring it indoors, will it be OK to leave it in the fruit celler (do I cover it?) or should I leave it in an unheated bedroom next to a window. Please advise. Thanks for your help.
October 20th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Theresa, I think that the fig tree would be okay in the fruit cellar during the winter and you would not need to cover it there. I keep my potted fig in an unheated garage to protect it during the winter season. An unheated bedroom would probably still be too warm for the slumbering plant. The dormant trees will do just fine without any light so a window would not be necessary.
October 27th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
I just bought a fig tree about 2 feet high. It has several figs on it now. Would it be better to keep it indoors and grow it through the winter or should I put it in the garage to become dormant. I live in CT where the winters are very cold. If I put the tree in the unheated garage do I need to cover it?
October 29th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Lorraine, you will definitely want to allow the fig tree to go dormant and rest over the winter months so don’t try to keep it growing inside a warm building. If you store the fig plant in an unheated garage it will do just fine without a cover as the structure should offer enough protection from the wind, ice, and cold temperatures, you can wrap and insulate the container with an old blanket if necessary.
October 30th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Hi There. I’m located in upstate NY and I received a cutting from a friend over the weekend. It is in a pot in soil and seems already to have sprouted roots which want to come out the bottom of the pot. My friend advised planting it now. Temps at night by me are in the 20-30s but the days are 50-60s. I have a heated garage which is maintained at approximately 45 degrees and this would be the coolest area I have to keep the fig tree if it remains potted for the winter. Should I plant the fig tree and wrap it for the winter or would it be better to keep it potted? If I leave it potted, should I put it outside until the leaves fall (including overnight?) or should I put it out during the day and in the garage at night? Thank you much for your advice.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Hi,
I just recieved a Italian Honey fig from mail order. It is only about 6 inches, has leaves and roots. Can I grow it indoors for a while til it gets bigger. I live in PA, zone 6.
Thanks,
Richard
November 8th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Hello,
I live in the Boston area and have a brown turkey fig tree in a pot outdoors. It has frozen here a few times, but the tree still has leaves on it and I am afraid to move it into our unheated garage until it looses all of it’s leaves. What should I do to protect this little tree for the winter? Is it time to move it in, or should I wait until it has dropped it’s leaves?
Thanks,
Eden
November 9th, 2007 at 7:46 am
The web site you gave me for “pruning fig trees” can not be displayed. Is there another web site that I can use?
Thank You
Patrick
November 9th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Abby and Richard, I would recommend that you leave the fig plants outside until they go dormant and then move them to a cool area such as an unheated garage for the winter. Eden, I’m surprised your fig hasn’t lost its leaves yet. Give it a little more time to make sure that it has gone dormant, the frost or early freezes will not harm the plant as the soil will still hold some warmth. Moving it into an unheated area should provide enough protection. Patrick, I will check the link that I sent you about pruning figs, it worked for me a short time back.
November 18th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Kenny I live in New Zealand and have planted 2 fig trees in large pots. They are two years old and appear to be route bound. Is it possible to cut away some of the roots refill the pots and leave for another year. My first year I was rewarded with lovely fruit, this year they grew became yellow and fell off. Do you think I need to re pot?? The pots are both in a very sheltered place and the weather here is very mild even in the winter. Hope you can help.
Thanks in anticipation.
November 18th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Janet, sure you can root prune and repot your fig trees, but I would probably wait until spring. The figs may not be as root bound as you think though, and some growers claim that constricting the roots of fig trees can actually improve their performance in the garden. If your fig plants are in large pots they are probably okay, it’s not uncommon for the trees to experience periods when the fruits drop and it likely isn’t due to the containers or the root systems.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Hello! What a great site! I just purchased a kadota fig and I live in Oakland, CA. The plant was shipped in a sterile container and I was wondering when is the best time to plant. The temp at night has reached the low 30s and I don’t want to risk planting it in the ground right away but don’t have a garage or basement to store it. any suggestions?
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:46 pm
My buddy trimmed his fig tree and i have about 25 branches that are about 4 foot long, that i received in the first week of december and have kept them in a garbage pail with some water. I live in central new jersey which is between zone 6 and 7. How should I propagate these fig cuttings now that it is December and freezing weather ? I do have an unheated basement where the temperature is right about 45 degrees. Please advise me. Thanks Joe
February 19th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Why do the ole folks say plant a fig tree near the kitchen, please respond.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I don’t know George, I had never heard that saying about fig trees… but I would guess that it was just to help keep them in mind, have them in sight, and just make it easier to get to those delicious tree-ripened figs as soon as they were ready to eat!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:41 am
We recently purchased a four foot black fig tree. We live in St Augustine, FL, and have been told it is best to plant in a pot with screen in the bottom to keep the roots from protruding through the bottom. Could we also plant the fig outdoors? We do get freezing temps and frost on occasion during Jan and Feb at our location. If we plant next to a shed or garage would we still need to ‘wrap’ it?
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Marion, sure you can plant the fig tree outdoors in your yard. With your mild climate you won’t have worry about covering or protecting the fig during the winter as the dormant tree easily handle the minor amount of cold weather that you experience even if it is planted right out in the open.
March 8th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Hi
I live in the south west of western australia and I have a fig tree planted in half a wine barrel. It has produced a lot of figs, but the figs fall off before they get a chance to grow well and ripen. The figs are falling and they are small and green ie not ripe. Can you please help me to sort this problem? Many thanks.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Hi, I want to go back to my old home and get some clippings from my old fig tree. The fig tree came from my grandfather, to my dad, and when we moved I didn’t take any clippings. Now I can take the clippings and root them. When do I cut the pieces from the tree? The tree is in central NJ, woodbridge area. Please advise. Very anxious to continue the tree here in my new home.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Hi Sandy, I think the best time for taking the fig cuttings would be from when the tree goes dormant but before it begins leafing out in the spring. So now would be a great time to take the cuttings, I have heard of gardeners having some success even with fig cuttings that had leaves but I believe that using dormant fig cuttings is the best route for propagating the fig tree through cuttings. Also take a look at the article on propagating blueberries for some other ideas on multiplying fruit and berry plants.
April 3rd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Hello. I live in southeastern PA (near Delaware) and I just planted a Brown Turkey fig tree on the south side of my house in a corner. The tree was purchased for me as a gift, it is a baby tree, and it was in a pot. There are three branches to the tree at this point (the whole tree looks like what your hand looks like when you hold up three fingers.) Being a baby tree, there is obviously no growth on these branches whatsoever, yet. It’s just three naked branches (about 1/2 inch diameter) sticking out of the ground. So from the ground to the tips of the branches (all three branches are about the same length) is about 4 feet. I want this tree to be as fruit-bearing as possible, and I’d like it to be shaped in more of a low-ground/bush shape than a higher, bulbous traditional tree shape. My question is: should I prune this tree down at this early stage? If so, by how much and when should I do this? Or do I wait until the darn thing starts to actually look like a tree before doing any pruning? Thanks so much for your help.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Mark, I think I would hold off on pruning the fig tree and just wait to see what form the tree will take on its own. Fig trees are pretty easy to prune and here in the north outdoor grown trees will often self prune by dying back to the ground and then re-sprout from the roots to create a new fig plant. So I think they can handle pretty much anything that you can throw at them in the way of pruning.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I have a fig tree that I keep in a pot in the garage in the winter…. when is it safe to take it out in the spring?
April 17th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Hi-
I have a fig in my yard that is having a problem getting started.
I cut back the dead wood before winter and now the shoots/leaves that are appearing have obvious distress…perhaps a fungus. I’ve not found that plant on my fungicide containers. Would you have any suggestions as to which chemical to use to try to save the plant before it gets worse. Thank you.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Susan, it all depends on where you live but I would venture to guess that it is safe to set your fig tree back outside. My fig has been out on the patio for a few weeks now and it can tolerate a bit of cold just fine.
Jim, before you do anything try to get a positive identification of the pest or disease that is affecting your fig tree. Take a sample of the distressed leaves to your local Cooperative Extension Service or Master Gardener Program and see if they can help identify the problem and offer an organic solution. Good luck.
April 20th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Hi Annmarie
– very young plants get figs on them that fall off before they fully mature. When your tree is about 4 years old you should get figs you can eat. However, if you are fertilizing your tree too much it will harm fig production. Fig trees should only be fertilized 3 times a year or you won’t get any fruit you can eat
May 17th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I live in Virginia.I have 2 Celeste fig trees.But some animal eats every single ripe fig, before we ever get to taste one.
What can we do? It is so frustrating.
Thanks
May 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Hi Louise, the only thing that I can suggest to deal with the critters eating your figs is to use fencing, netting, or a combination of the two to make the fruit less accessible to whatever is doing the damage.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am
Hello, I want to propagate from my Mother’s fig tree. It is very large,(25×25). Please advise me as to how to prune/cut for propagation & what is the best time(s) to do so. I reside in Birmingham, Al, zone 7/8. Thanks & Roll Tide!
May 19th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Hi Michael, figs are not difficult to propagate and spring is a good time to begin. Layering or locating shoots would probably be the easiest way to proceed. Take a look at the post about propagating blueberries for some ideas that will also work for propagating your mother’s fig tree, you have lots of options, good luck and Roll Tide!
June 13th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hi,
I live in Southern MD. I have a fantastic, large Italian Honey fig that grows unprotected and make two great crops a year. I would like to get a nice dark fig that would do well in this area. I have tried both Celeste and Brown Turkey but they have not grown large and produce almost no fruit. Any suggestions for a great dark fig that might match my Italian Honey fig’s size and production?
Thanks,
Duke Jones
June 19th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
I live in Southern California. My backyard neighbor has a large fig tree. I was told it was a “fake” fig tree. This is the first year it has produced. There are large figs that are dropping off the tree. I have been throwing them away. Are they eddible? They are totally green on the outside and are white inside. Also, can I prune the tree on my side of the fence? I was told that when it is pruned it is like a lemon tree and once you cut it it is hard to maintain. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you, Valerie Anderson
June 20th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Duke, you can check over at Edible Landscaping, they have a few dark figs listed including: Hardy Chicago, LSU Purple, and Violet de Bordeaus that might fit what you are looking for.
Valerie, I had never heard of a fake fig tree and if it’s producing figs then it’s doing a lot better than some of the real fig trees that I’ve planted in the past. I’m afraid that I can’t advise you as to whether the fruits of your fake fig tree are edible or not. Likewise in regards to the pruning, regular fig trees are not difficult to prune but it sounds like you may be dealing with a totally different beast. Good luck.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I live in Las Vegas, We just moved into a new home where there is a fig tree. The home was my mother-in-laws. I know the tree has never had fruit before this year. But I know nothing about fig trees. HELP!!!, I don’t want to loose the fruit since it has never had it before and the tree is over 5 years old that I know of. THANKS FOR ANY ADVISE. Missie
June 26th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Hi Missie, fig trees are pretty care free and don’t require much in the way of attention. Sometimes there are issues with fig trees dropping their fruits before they mature but other than that it is usually as simple as keeping an eye on the fruits and picking them when they soften and ripen, and before the birds or ants discover them. Good luck and enjoy the fresh figs!
June 29th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Hi
What do you do to stop fruit from falling before they are ripe. This happened to my fig tree and I did not get any of the fruit. Thanks
July 1st, 2008 at 1:27 am
Hi ~ I recently moved my 2 year old fig tree into a larger pot and it’s grown like crazy! (nearly doubling in size) Its seems to be very healthy and I have 2 growing figs on it. However I’ve noticed that there are leaves growing out of the base of the trunk. They are completly different looking then the other “normal” leaves (small and roundish). I’ve been told they may be leaves the plant uses to feed on in emergency situations, is this true? And if not, why does my fig tree have 2 different kinds of leaves?
July 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hey there, your fig may be grafted if you bought it from a nursery. The easiest way to tell is to look at the place where the odd leaves are sprouting. If it looks thicker or gnarled compared to the rest of the stem, it probably is grafted. Some varieties produce better root systems, and some have better fruit. Grafting gives you the best of both worlds on one tree. Figs like to grow more like a bush than a tree with stems and leaves all the way to the bottom. Leave it that way if you can–it makes them sturdier.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Great! Thank you so much!
July 12th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Kenny,
An answer for all of those people whose trees are dropping figs before they are ripe, it may be that they have a variety of fig tree that does need pollinating. I do not know the varieties but just a suggestion for the fruit dropping. The varieties could probably be researched further.
Tabetha
July 13th, 2008 at 3:05 am
My black figs are loking great on the outside, but when I open them, the middle is yellow, hollow and crunchy, as if the seeds inside have sprouted somehow. Its not rotten, it still tastes good, but they are not all red inside. This didn’t happen last year. I wonder does anyone know why or how this happens?
Thanks,
Maria
July 13th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Maria, I have never experienced those problems with any figs that I have grown, but did you notice much difference in the weather or moisture levels that the fig tree received this year compared to last year?
July 17th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Hello Kenny
I talked to a horticulturist friend and she said that this year, it got hot in Los Angeles (where I’m located) really early…as I recall, this is true, we had a heat wave in early May, then a week later, we had a cold, wet thunderstorm for a day, then it was hot a while, very bizarre weather.
I think I didn’t keep up with the watering the way I should have, that the weather required me to be more diligent in watering, this is my intuition. I have been diligent in watering since I’ve noticed the problem, hoping that the next crop of ripe fruit is ok. Do you think this will help?
Maria
July 17th, 2008 at 7:28 am
I think that it will help with your figs, and if your fig tree is growing in the ground rather than in a container there is little risk of over water the plant.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Hi we have a fig tree in Virginia. It is only 3 years old. It’s in the ground. This year it didn’t make any fruit and lately the new growth is wilting, the leaves aren’t yellowing though. It’s on the south side of the house so it gets plenty of sun. It gets plenty of water because it’s next to our air conditioner. What do you think could be the matter with it?
July 29th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Squirrel keep eating my Fig when they get ripe.
How can I keep them away from my Fig?
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:59 am
Hi Kenny,
I have a cutting from a fig tree that my inlaws brought from Italy over 30 years ago. My dad took one cutting then my daughter took one now I have one. Their trees have already produced fruit. Mine seems to be doing quite well. My dad cannot remember how long his took to produce fruit. My daughter did after 3 years. How long before we see fruit. We planted it about 6 months ago in a container. It now looks like it is ready to go in the ground. I want this tradition to go down through the generations as part of our family history. When and where is the best time to plant it. I live in Tampa Florida. Thanks Camille
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Camille, you can expect about three years, two if your lucky before your fig tree will start to produce fruit. In your climate you can probably move the tree from the container and plant it in the ground at any time, just make sure that it gets plenty of water if the weather is hot out. Good luck in carrying on the tradition and history with your family’s fig tree!
August 14th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I have black mission fig with birds trying to eat my fig when they are getting ripe.
I seen scratch from bird and I have been wrapping with paper towel so bird can’t get it them.
Is this OK to do?
Do you have any good solution to avoid from bird?
My fig does not get too big.
Should I get rid of some of the fig?
Pls help me.
Toshiko
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:25 am
Hi, I live in South Africa and we are just going into our (very hot!) summer now. My fig tree is already full of very small figs. Last year every fig was full of tiny white worms. How can i prevent that happening again and is it already too late to treat the tree? If not , with what would I treat it ? I would really appreciate any advice as to buy figs in the stores is terribly expensive!
Regards,Dominique
September 3rd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Hi, I live in Palm Coast Fla and this past May I took a root from my father-in-laws fig tree in NJ. For the 1st few weeks it looked like a dead stick in the ground. Then it grew like crazy to about 4 feet high. All green and happy. Recently it looks sick. The new growth on all 3 shoots are yellow, and the once green leaves are turning yellow and sort of curling under a bit. There is new growth sprouting out at the base of the original stalk. My dad seems to think that maybe I injured the plant when I dug around it to get rid of weeds. Do figs have surface roots? Help! I feel terrible.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Susan, fig trees will send up suckers at times but I have never noticed shallow surface roots that could be easily injured. Your fig plant may just be suffering through the heat. Keep an eye on it and water as necessary and it will probably recover from its roots even if it dies back to some degree. You could also take a sample of the affected leaves into your local ag extension office to have them test for disease. Good luck with your fig tree!
October 14th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I am trying to take cuttings of three fig trees I have in my garden. They are doing very well. I would like to develop new trees from these. I am not sure how. Do I take cuttings from the new wood and dip them in root harmone and wrap them in wet paper and store them in a plastic bag and them keep them in a warm place in the house? Please let me know. Thank you again. Indu
October 14th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Hi Indu, Here are links to a few comments that provide some info on propagating fig trees.
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/fig-trees/#comment-65008
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/fig-trees/#comment-55012
http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/fig-trees/#comment-3998
Good luck with your fig tree cuttings.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I have a brown turkey fig plant in a 26″ container. It is 3 years old and had lots of fruit this year but unfortunately it didn’t get enough sun so the fruit never ripened – next year I’ll move it to a better spot. My question is this, I’m unclear as to whether or not the container and plant should be wrapped/covered if it is to be overwintered in my unheated garage. Is overwintering in the garage protection enough? Also, the unripened fruit is still on the plant, should I pull them off? I live in northwestern CT – very cold winters.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hi Emily, My fig tree survives the winter just fine in an unheated garage here in PA. Your winters are colder in CT but I still think that it would be OK. You can play it safe by providing a little insulation around the container. Definitely remove the unripened figs before storing the tree away for the winter.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:19 am
I have a beautiful LSU purple fig tree that I planted this summer. I live in Maryland and we are experiencing unusually cold weather. It was thriving up until the first frost. Am I correct with the information that I have that the plant will be dormant in the winter? I thought that it would bear fruit in the winter so I left it alone. Should I cover it, or just let it drop it’s leaves? They are withered and droopy now.
Thanks for your help
November 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hi Heather, your fig tree will go dormant and won’t bear any fruit during the winter months. You are likely on the borderline of the growing areas where the tree can withstand the cold without any winter protection. My mom has a fig tree in her MD backyard that survives reliably without protection. If you want to be safe you can cover the tree to ensure that the branches and established woody growth survive the cold temperatures. Without protection you run the risk that the fig tree will die back to the ground. If that happens the tree’s root system would still survive and will send up new growth from the ground next spring.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I have Fig trees in my Orchard they have been loosing their leaves and falling to the ground is it normal for this time of year we have had hot winds and heavy rain has this done this?
January 4th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Marcelle, I wouldn’t worry too much if the fig trees have a small amount of leaf loss, but if it is a significant portion of the tree’s leaves then it could be caused by stress from the weather, insects, or disease. Are the fig leaves discolored, display spots, or have any sticky residue on them?
January 4th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
No there is no sticky residue or insects but there is alot of leave loss would this be due to stress or not enough water?
January 4th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Drought and lack of water create stresses of their own and could cause the fig trees to lose leaves but you indicated that there had been heavy rains in your area. If it has been hot and dry then I would provide the fig trees with deep irrigation on a regular basis and see if the trees recover and start to hold their leaves and send out new leaf growth.
January 11th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
We live in Lake Havasu, Arizona (SW) our one year old fig tree was doing well last week and then some of the leaves yellowed and we pulled them off thinking they might be diseased. Then a few days later after a big wind almost half of the rest of the leaves which looked green and healthy fell off. Are we doing something wrong. It has not reached freezing here, but was in the low thirties. This fig is watered twice a week for about 15 minutes on a system.
January 15th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Laurelea – I think your fig tree is just fine, all figs loose their leaves in the winter and turn yellowish before they drop. It can be alarming though! It will get leaves again in the spring and grow like crazy!
January 24th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Hi,
We have 2 fig trees growing in pots inside. We live in south Jersey. Our house is very warm. The smaller one has developed some wonderful green leaves already (January). I’m not sure if this is a proper time for them to be growing. It is in a sunny window. Should these be trimmed?
January 25th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Julie, I think the figs trees will do better if they are allowed to go dormant and rest during the winter months. I leave mine outdoors in the fall until a few weeks after the leaves fall off, then I move them into an unheated garage or storage building where they remain until spring. They get a little water about once a month during this time but other than that need no care and don’t sprout leaves until late March or April. Since your plant has broken dormancy (if it ever went dormant) I would probably just let it grow indoors until it is warm enough for it to go outside, but next winter keep it in in area where it will remain dormant longer.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Well I left you a comment in march 2008. I did get one clipping out of 10 to root. I put it in a pot and it was outside all summer long, and it had alittle shoot of new growth, with two tiny leaves on it. Well when it got cold I brought it inside, because it looked as if it was dying. The dirt was saturated from being outside, I pulled it out and seen that the roots were gone. I have it in cup again, trying to get it to root. Its in my kitchen by the window. Do I have it in the wrong area of my home? Should it be in a cooler place, I worked so hard to get it to root, and now I feel as though its dead. How do I now if this clipping is still alive or just dormant? No roots are there.
February 7th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
It doesn’t sound good for your fig cutting Sandy. If the plant lost its roots like that after leafing out it is probably dead and won’t recover. How were you rooting your cuttings, you should get much better results than one out of ten successes. I would try again with a new cutting and give the fig plant plenty of time to grow and get established before next winter arrives. Fig trees usually go dormant and are spend the winter outdoors under cover or in an unheated building like a garage.
March 14th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
When is the best time of year to take a cutting from my fig tree? And how long do I keep it in a rooting contain before planting it in the ground? My neighbor, who wants a clipping, says he’ll just stick the branch right into ground like his grandfather did. Lots of grandfather stories when you have a fig tree:) Thanks
April 28th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I dug up my fig tree 2 weeks ago during 80 degree whether in Michigan and then it got cold 30-40 degrees over night for about 2 days, the ends of the fig tree have turned black, does this mean the tree has died and should I prune the ends of the branches. It is now in the 70’s and the tree ends have not changed.
April 28th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Hi Marcella, I’m sure your fig tree is still alive and there probably wasn’t even much damage done by the cold snap. I would just prune the discolored ends off and not worry about it.
May 13th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I have had a Italian Honey Fig tree for about 4 years now it is about 5 ft tall, potted. Healthy, has great looking leaves and all but has not produced any fruit whatsoever… Can anybody tell me what is up with that.
Thanks
Sal
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
This is May, and my fig tree still has no leaves. It is a 7 year old tree, and have always had luck with it. I did not cover it over the winter, yet when I pinch it it still seems green to me..what’s wrong?
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Alba, sounds like your fig tree may have died back to the ground over the winter. Check to see if there are any fig leaves or shoots sprouting out from the base of the plant. If it has died back you should prune away all of the dead wood.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I have a Violetta Fig in a pot that is two years old. It leafs nicely and starts to develop figs but then they fall off (at about two weeks). I do not notice any other problems with the tree and it’s supposed to be a good variety for our northwest climate.
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:41 am
Our men’s club of which I am president recently purchases a fig tree from a local nursery which we planted on our church grounds. During the planting, much water was put into the whole which I dug and where we eventually planted the tree.
I thought too much water was hosed into the whole but was undable to stop it.
After a few days the one fig disappeared and the few leaves the tree possessed turned yellow and dropped off so the tree is basically a stick wiht the trunk and and two main branches.
The location is Virginia Beach, VA.
yesterday I dug up some of the soil which was water saturated and smelled bad (i.e. reducing environment). I shoveled out that saturated dark soil and replaced it with dryer clayey surface soil.
The soil contains grey clay a few inches below the surface where we planted the tree.
Is the tree dead?
From your other questions and responses, it sounds as though the tree may be in shock having gone dormant. The 1/2 inch branches and one inch trunk are green but contain no leaves.
Is there anything I can do to help the situation or is the tree gone?
Sincerely,
Harvey M. Hoffman
Virginia Beach, VA
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I live in North Central Florida, (Lake City area). We have had fig trees in the past, but when we moved where we live now and planted one, it looked like it was doing good, then it developed a little brown spot just above the graft, then the bark started splitting in the middle of the brown spot. The spot and split get bigger and then the tree dies. We have lost three consecutive trees to this same thing. Can you tell me what the problem might be and what we can do to stop it. We love having fresh figs and hate losing the trees. Thanks for you help.
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:39 pm
There are a lot of differnt questions here about your fig trees. Go to figtrees.net and there is a phone number there to call. This guy has been growing fig trees for a long time and sells them also. There is a lot of information on his page. He is an Italian guy named Joe and talks some broken english. I just bought 2 fig trees from him and he shipped them potted and one has figs on it. He also sells the furtilizer for the fig trees so I got some of that too. He probably can answer a lot of these questions on the site as he answered my questions. The fig trees he sent me I have since repotted and they seem to be doing well so far. Time will tell.
Sal
June 16th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Kenny,
While the fig trees were still in there dormate stage I transplanted a fig tree from my mother-in-laws home. the tree has been doing very well and I have been pleased with its progress, but anytime I plant something I have to place blocks on each side of it or bricks around it to keep my husband from cutting it with the lawnmower until big enough. Well my husband didn’t cut the tree with the lawnmower but he hit the block and it cut the bark. It looks like someone took a knife and just run it down the side of the tree and split the bark open about 3 inches. I found this two days after it happened because some of the leaves were turning yellow. I took one of my husbands hankerchiefs and wraped it around the split bark. Covered it good and tied it into place.
Is there hope for my fig tree? Is there more I can do to save it? Thank you for your help.
June 17th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
To Julia:
If you scratch the trunk below the wound and it is green under the bark, the tree is still alive.
Perhaps there is some type of salve or balm you can apply to the wound to protect the tree. Perhaps a local nursery could provide you with information regarding what you could apply to the damaged area of the tree.
My tree, relating to a previous comment I left on this site apparently turned brown and after a few trips to the local nursery, I concluded it was gone, and replanted with a new tree, covered under the one-year warranty.
Apparently, fig trees are very touchy when one is planting a new tree and they are very sensative to watering.
I was advised, a newly-planted tree needs to be closely monitored regarding watering for its initial six weeks.
Also, soil needs to be amended to suit local conditions.
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Harvey M. Hoffman
Virginia Beach, VA
June 17th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Harvey,
Thank you so much for the information. I did call my local nursery and she told me that some people use wax to seal the cut or I could use foam pipe insulation (like they use to protect outside pipes from freezing in the winter),she said to wrap it around the trunk to protect it. She also said she sells what they call pruning sealer but that she was out. You just spray a little on it and then give water it with mircle grow.
Thanks again for the information
Julia
June 18th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Harvey, I apologize for the delay in responding to your question. It does sound like the fig tree may have been experiencing shock I hope the replacement is doing well.
Hi Sandie, I don’t have any experience with grafting fig trees but Bass at Trees of Joy may be able to help you with the problem.
Julia, I wouldn’t worry too much as trees can recover from wounds provided that the bark is not cut all the way around in a girdling manner. I just purchased a Black Mission fig tree over the weekend that has a bent branch with an obvious wound that had mended… it was the character of that branch that caught my eye and led me to purchase that particular fig tree.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hello, my name is shahin i am in los angeles i have a question about my fig tree. Why does the fruit on my 10 year old fig tree never ripen? its in the ground and got very big I get many large fruits but its always dry inside do i have to spray it with some thing because it may be sick can you help please. I have two more fig trees and there perfect.
thank you
me please? I have two more fig trees and there perfect.
June 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Hi I have a fig tree that was cut back it started growing fruit the same year and looks very healthy. The problem is I went to pick a fig that felt soft and bugs ran out of the fig What do you recomend I use to treat my figs, I live in Middle Florida.
June 28th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Hi Sandy, the first step is to do a little bit of research in order to identify the insect pest that is attacking your fig, and then seek out organic alternatives for dealing with them. A magnifying glass and a good bug identification guide, or a visit to your local Agriculture Extension Office or nearest Master Gardener program may help to determine what bug you are dealing with. That will give you important information that can be use to help plan your attack to combat the fig tree’s infestation…
Is it an insect that climbs the fig tree from the ground, if so a band of tangle trap or other sticky organic material wrapped around the lower trunk may do the trick of making it impossible for the pests to reach the fig fruits? Is it an insect that lays eggs on the fig tree’s leaves or branches that can be crushed before they even hatch out? Or is it a flying insect that enters directly into the fruit by way of the opening (eye) that is located on the bottom of the fig? In that case a different fig variety with a smaller eye may be the best alternative for enjoying a crop of bug free figs. Or maybe you can locate some type of physical barrier like the bags used in organic tropical fruit production that covers the individual fruits and prevents pests from making contact.
I would hesitate to spray ANYTHING directly onto a soft fruit with all sorts of nooks and crannies such as a fig, especially since the skin and all are consumed after the fig ripens. Good luck finding a way to prevent the infestation and eliminate the bugs that are ruining your fig harvest!
July 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Kenny-
I have a beautiful fig tree that has a large crop of green figs at the moment. I love figs and am watching the developing figs closely. I have strung pie tins over them in the attempt to scare the birds. Today when I was showing a friend my soon to be bumper crop I noticed alot of Grandaddy Longleg spiders on them. Will they damage the fruit or should I leave them to eat any other insects that show up? The only other insect that I have seen was a strange looking leggy fellow with a reddish orange body. Thanks for your help.
Pamela
July 5th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Hi Pamela, I’ve never known the Daddy Longlegs to do any damage in the garden so I would just shoo them away and keep a close eye on the figs as they ripen because you’re likely to receive competition from other animals more than the bugs.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hello, my name is shahin i am in los angeles i have a question about my fig tree. Why does the fruit on my 10 year old fig tree never ripen? its in the ground and got very big I get many large fruits but its always dry inside do i have to spray it with some thing because it may be sick can you help please. I have two more fig trees and there perfect.
thank you
July 9th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I live in north Georgia.I have some fig trees they seem to die back in winter and comeback from the root in spring, but they don`t grow. The soil here is clay. What do we need to do?
August 5th, 2009 at 7:10 am
I live in west Ft. Lauderdale in a planned community at the edge of the Everglades. I believe I am in Zone 10. I have seen Black Mission Figs and Turkey Fig trees at our local nursery. I only have room for one on my patio. Which one would you recommend? Do they taste differently, and if so which one is sweeter?
August 5th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Hi Lily, I would recommend the Black Mission Fig as a popular variety. I purchased one this spring and like the tree’s form and appearance but can’t say how the flavor compares to the Brown Turkey fig variety. Looks like they are both suitable for growing zones 10 or 11.
August 5th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Thank you. I just purchased a fig tree at Bah’s Nursery at Griffin and I-75. They weren’t sure what kind it was (maybe a Brown Turkey) but it was so healthy and already had some figs on it that I couldn’t pass it up for $12. It will be the “fig surprise”, but my 14 year old is happy as she was the one who wanted the fig tree. It has a new home on our patio.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Kenny–I also grow and sell fig trees in the north central part of Alabama. For people who live in the 7A zone (like the questioner of #133 Rose), she should know that you can grow figs in this region, but they need a protected area, and if she can’t do that, then mulch very heavily after the first frost to protect the lower limbs and root system. That’s really a lot of bother and it might be better to select a fig tree that you know grows well in your area.
Also, some people indulge in too much fertilizer late in the summer. Generally speaking, I do not fertilize fig trees past the middle of August in zone 7A. I also don’t fertilize at all after they’ve been in the ground for a full year. Too much nitrogen produces weak growth that may not harden off before the first frost or freeze. That could be her problem.
If these trees are planted in a lawn area, she may be inadvertently fertilizing them when she does her late summer/fall grass fertilizing, and when the first frost occurs (sometimes in mid-September in zone 7A), it can damage the soft growth and kill the tree down to the roots. As you are probably aware, fig trees are very shallowly rooted and the roots will extend way past the tree canopy very quickly. Hope this information helps.
Arren Graf
August 30th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Arren, thanks for the info about growing fig trees in Alabama. Also, feel free to share your website if you have one set up to market the fig trees that you grow and sell.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:56 am
My wife loves the fruit from fig trees…so, I set out and bought and planted a fig tree, about 1 1/2 ft. tall. Well, I live 30 mins. south of Phoenix and the summers are always brutal here…my question is, this little guy was doing good all through spring and early summer until about a month and half ago. Once it got really hot, the leaves shriveled up and I was only left with a brown twig…I still water it once a week. Is this tree dead or did it go into dormancy and will come back. Also, we have about the worst soil there ever was…I call it gravel dirt. Do you have any suggestions for growing trees in this type of environment esp. for figs.
September 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Could someone please tell me why my figs never ripen? I live in Dallas, have had this tree for 5 years….Brown Turkey Fig…gets plenty of fruit…looks beautiful. Never ripens.
This is disappointing.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Hi Maria, sorry to hear about your fig and I can’t tell you why it isn’t ripening, especially since you aren’t growing is a short season climate. I have heard of some gardeners rubbing a drop of olive oil on the bottom of the figs to held speed up the ripening. Other than that the only thing that I can suggest would be to try planting a different fig variety.
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Kenny-I’m located on Long Island, NY I want to transplant from pot to ground, when is the best time to do this? The tree was a cut branch from last year that is now 6ft tall with no fruit. How should I prep the soil for transplanting? Any help would be great. Thanks
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Mike I would wait and plant that fig tree out next spring if you have a garage or unheated building where you could keep it over the winter. When planting just dig a large hole and add a little compost but nothing too rich. Figs are not very demanding and don’t require much in the way of fertilization after they are established. I feed my figs a couple of times during the growing season since they are planted in containers and they do fine with very little attention.
September 4th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Thanks for the info. Yes I have a garage and thats where I kept them last winter. What do you feed them? Do you trim the tree to keep it on the shorter side? The olive oil trick from post 141 works when temps are high. Would storing them in a greenhouse be ok for winter and would they still strengthen up on their own without having to move them in and outside for a couple of weeks?
September 4th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Mike, I use a liquid organic fertilizer like a fish and seaweed mix to feed my potted fig trees. I don’t do much pruning on the plants and storing the trees in an unheated greenhouse for the winter would be fine. There’s no need to strengthen up or “harden off” the fig trees… just move them outdoors in early spring while they are still dormant, but after temperatures have begun to warm up.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Having taken over two fig trees from my “Tata” aka Nonno/grandfather after his passing, my instincts have been to bury the fig trees as he had done – in Late October/November digging a long trench between the two trees, tying them, wrapping LOOSELY with plastic tarp, digging on the side of the tree opposite where they are going to lay, tipping the tree down, covering with plywood over the trench, a layer of plastic with openings for air at the “head” and “foot” sides of the trench, and dirt on top. Location is suburban Chicagoland. There are two fig trees – one white and one black. They are both about 6 feet tall. Questions: 1.) should I add some straw around the rootball in the hole? to prevent the concern I read about rodents, I can lay screen down over the hole 2.) fertilizers recommended and timing? 3.) backfilling of some dirt around the wrapped tree when in the hole? 4.) pruning – not knowing what my grandfather did, would the safest bet be to lightly trim one-half of each tree in the fall prior to burying and then the other half the following summer after fruiting or fall to avoid not getting fruits at all? 5.) having trimmed some 8″-12″ branches today, which I made the mistake of putting into about an inch of water – should I – leave some in the water, cut off the bottom that had been sitting in water and place sticks in the refrigerator, etc? Any recommendations appreciated.