Hi Lou,
If I understand correctly, you got this plant in September of 2006 - this past September - and it hasn't grown since then?
It looks like it is going dormant - a normal occurence at this time of year - nothing to worry about. The leaves start looking ratty and then fall off.
How do you grow your other figs? I got the impression that they keep growing through the winter for you.

Well If you are talking aboutSept 2006,then your tree wants to go DORMANT,and you are doing everything not to allow it.
PUT IT OUTSIDE ON SOUTH SIDE OF HOUSE,close to wall to lose its leafes completelly.If we do not have any freeze colder than 20F,leave it outside for a few days to make sure it goes totally dormant.After that put it in a cool garage that stay in about 40F,all winter long.Water once a month while inside,only a cup at a time.Coming Spring it will start GROWING.
You See Figs have a built in Light Viewer,and they count if the day is growing or diminishing.If days are getting shorter as of now,they will refuse to grow,and if mendled with them they will die.Hope this will HELP.

Sorry Lou:Do Not Put it Outside Because the ROOTS can't Take 20F.They will Freeze if TEMP.Goes under 30F.
Just put it in a garage and you can brake the leafes off,to speed the dormancy.Also do not water only when dry the first two inches of soil,at surface.REGARDS

HI LOU. What kind if insects have you seen on your fig that calls for spray. Down here in Fla. I never see damage from insects on my fig leaves. I dont know what you would have where you are, but defore you spray try to find what is doing the damage, and read those remarks before mine again, they are right. Keep asking questions till you have success with your fig.

Guys,
I must tell you that I have done this for years with small young fig trees. I do not let them go dormant and over the years it has served me well because I get the extra growth during the winter months before placing them outside in the spring. I do provide light and warmth for my young trees and have over the years enjoyed a small amount of fruit in the months of January and February from the small young trees that I let grow through their first winter indoors.

The tree I showed you is receiving enough light so that it should continue to grow. I have others just about the same age that are doing fine growing just next to it. In fact a few of them have small figs on them already.

Like I wrote I have done this over a 10-year period and this is the first one that will not produce for me. I can understand letting the tree go dormant before placing it a sheltered environment to survive the winter months but not to continue to grow while it is kept at 72 degrees and given light for 11 hours a day and other trees are doing well next to really has me stumped.

I appreciate your advice.
Thanks
Lou, NE, PA

Lou, That's really interesting. Maybe it's a variety characteristic. Figs are fascinating in their diversity. Maybe this fig needs more of something (heat, light, ???) or maybe once dormancy has been triggered it is going to rest for a while - no matter what.
I recall Pitangadiego saying some of his figs dropped leaves as if starting dormancy, and then put out a new flush of growth when the weather warmed. Maybe yours just needs more time. This is new territory for me, I really don't know the best course. The only thing that I would caution you about is having the soil remain very wet while the plant is dormant.
What varieties have you grown through the winter? Do you have any idea what this new fig is, or where it may have originated?

Well Lou,some Fig cultivars will grow well under glass trough the winter other will not.
This particular cultivar want it's dormant season.
You have two choises :
1.Eather you let it go dormant and have a healthy tree in the Spring.
2.:You keep forcing it and have a dead tree in the Spring!!!.It is up to you.You are the Master!!!!!

BTW:English Brn Trk,and Madeline of four season are known to grow very well trough the winter under glass.
Hope this will help

I have a fig that the person who sold it to me called a "Strawberry Fig". I planted it three years ago and in that time it has only grown about two or three inches. It produces good tasting fruit, in fact I am amazed a little tree about 20 inches tall could make about a 15 fruit. Its planted in hard clay soil, could that be the problem?

To Californians:No.If you want grow apply manure at base inthe winter,and water in sommer!!!!

Californian,
Fertilize the heck out of it, Some just need to be shocked. Been there, done that.

Lou, is that the Brooklyn fig?

Bass

I had it outdoors for 9 hours the other day. Temps where not very low but the two leaves it had have fallen off. I took it back indoors and placed it under the grow lights
with my other trees. It still is sporting a green bud at the tip of the tiny trunk. So there is life there.
I want to see if it regenerates and starts to put out new
leaves.

Lou NE, PA