Pinching after pruning?

16 years ago

As suggested to me last year my container plants were severely pruned back this winter and repotted, they were also root pruned.

They are coming back but it's doubtful I will see any fruits as none have appeared as of July 4.

I have thought about pinching back to try and get some fruits but what I am seeing is the new stem growth. The side shoots are turning woody and growing upwards. Right now some have 8-9 leaves on them and are still growing upwards. I want the tree to get back to a good size but will I be hindering that by pinching off the leaf buds at the tips?

Also, I am getting some side shoots coming up from under the soil and down low on the main trunk. Should they be left or removed?

thanks,

Rob

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Comments (7)

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
16 years ago
I vote to leave the side shoots on the roots. That is more root to bring more glory to the tree.

I vote to pinch at 4 or 5 leaves. This will make the branch create new wood with figs!

Suzi
ch3rri
16 years ago
Pinching the tips is a great idea for fig and branches. I pinch off all branches over 6 leaves. Now more branches and I got a few figs too.
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giants_2007
16 years ago
If nothing else pinching will give you good branching for fruit set next season and might even yield a bumper breba crop.
recoil_rob
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the encouragement folks. But I still am unclear as what to pinch.

I.e., there are some new growth branches with 7-8 leaves already. One is about 12in. long. If I pinch it now it will never get any higher. Do I let some go and pinch others?
wildforager
16 years ago
Ok Rob,
Heres what I'd do.... The side shoots that you mention are also called suckers. I would pinch the tips of those first. In the winter when they're dormant you can dig those out and pot them up with out damage to either the parent or the baby. Next, how do you want to shape your tree? I try to train my trees to be just that, trees. One single trunk and more tree like. Some people like their figs more bushy with little or no trunk and just multiple smaller trunks. If you want a tree pinch the lower branch tips and start shaping your trees to what ever shape you want. It does sound like your chances of getting figs on this year are minimal. Good luck and I hope this was helpful.

-Little John
ashita
16 years ago
Desertdance, I went to that link you told me about, and pinched right away! Maybe less than a week ago! And I am seeing action of some sort! Don't know if it's figs coming or new leaves, but anyway, it's exciting! Thank you so much.

Ashita
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
16 years ago
Ashita! Cool! It starts with new leaves, and the figs grow right next to a new leaf! You will see a little bump here and there, and waaalaah!! After I pinch, I see new branches form too! Not just leaves! In a month from now, you will be amazed!

When you pinch, Rob, you just take the teeniest newest leaf emerging from a branch with at least 4 or 5 leaves on it, and pinch it off. Simple!
Suzi