Hi, Geoff

Figs supposedly require abt 100 hrs between freezing and 45 deg F. That amounts to abt 5 days at those temps. However, in the tropics, they still produce without those temps. I would just send it. Good luck!

Thanks, Fish. That was my general though (just to send it). Other opinions?

I would send it too. A fig tree requires anywhere from 100 to 300 chill hours. It's shouldn't hurt it even if it were 10 hrs short or so. It would be just like having a short winter. I think we would all like a short winter so our figs can get growing!

Geoff,

Just don't have it on plain view when you cross into Florida. Those agricutural enforcement guys won't think too knidly of you bringing in plants from other states. Wrap it, hide it do what you have to do.

Rafed

where in Florida are you planning to take the fig tree?
Anywhere south of Orlando and it will be a struggle to get anything more than sparse growth and a couple of figs.
Better yet what variety is it? Closed eye? breba crop? does it split after heavy rains?

Thanks for comments so far.

Ben, this plant's final destination us W Palm Beach. So, hot humid and rainy will be its habitat. I'm pretty sure that it's a Celeste...closed eye. It did split after heavy rains that culminated in the hurricane this summer, but this was not a problem in past years. It's a cutting that I started this year. It has had good tip and root growth and is about 1.5 feet tall.

I wonder what it would need to survive in ground...or maybe this is a futile attempt. Drainage, soil amenities, fertilizers?

Thanks...Geoff

Geoff, survival is not a problem. It's the general health and productivity of the tree that will be the issue.
South Florida is really nowhere near an ideal place to grow fig tree. The problem is several fold...

Rust fungus is one of the major problems.... despite several treatments available ie:copper spray, bordeaux mix etc, rust is a loosing cause. These are topical chemicals and rain will wash them all off. Rust fungus will cause the leaves to turn blotchy brown, curl up and fall off. The high humidity is the culprit.

Chilling (hours of temps below 45 degrees) hours (lack there of) is the second problem. The plant just doesn't go dormant and stays in a dazed state, until spring kicks in.

Soil quality is a fixable problem, a sunny spot with good air movement is a major requirement.

If you like a challenge, give it a shot. There are plenty of northerners who have tried and have resigned themselves to maybe eating a precious and few figs yearly.

Growing in a large pot may alleviate some of the problems and if you have a screened in pool deck that you can keep the pot in, it will keep the birds and other wildlife from taking whatever figs your plant may actually bring to bear.

My recommendation is to choose a variety that has a heavy breba crop like a dessert king that also has a closed eye to keep the bugs out. The winter/spring is very dry (most times)and will allow the fig to grow normal until the rains come (June). The main crop that comes later will most likely be a waste as a tree without leaves will not ripen fruit...

My final recommendation is to pick a mango tree variety that you really like and plant it, then trade mangoes for figs from friends - relatives from points north of Orlando....