Can't put it in ground, without pot? Burying plants in pots is not a good idea, not enough air circulation plus they tend to take root through drain holes after the pot becomes too small (something that happens to quickly for most people, root systems tending to be far more extensive than they realize).

I agree with Ron. They're best planted out. Dispite the name,'Desert King' is a good performer here in the PNW.

Cheers, Barrie.

In Wallingford (might have been on 37th), I saw a giant fig tree that must have been 20' tall and 30' across with a 1' thick trunk. One for RVP?

I have an Oregon Prolific Fig that has been in the ground for about 3-4 years. It is situated in the sun on the south side of a board fence, and the neighbors have a small metal shed on the other side of the fence. Both the shed and the fence block the east (very cold) wind in the winter. It has been fairly prolific for as young as it is, and very vigorous. I've had no trouble with suckers. Is that why you'd put it in a pot?

If I were to do it all over again, I'd choose a variety that the fruit turned color when ripe. The Oregon Prolific is a green fig that stays green when ripe with a sortof light colored fruit center. I like the darker skinned ones with pinkish fruit centers better. The fruit is very tasty though, just not the visual appeal I was looking for.

When I bought mine, Portland Nursery had about 6 different kinds of figs hardy to the PNW. Do you have a good fruit nursery near you? You could also check One Green World to see what they have. You'll have to order a catalog, they don't have their website ordering up yet. It's a fun catalog to look through.

Here is a link that might be useful: One Green World

One at Mt Baker Blvd & 33rd Ave S was 31' x 5'11" x 40' in 1987. See 'Champion Trees of Washington State', p. 51.

There are some biggies and oldies here as well. Each year I harvest approx. 30lbs. of figs from a large old Latterula . That tree is nearing 30'ft in height and it at least 20'ft wide. The figs are very sweet. Joe

A number of sources say that restricting the roots of the tree encourages fruit production--hence the pot. But it sounds like you all have success without taking that step, so I'll give it a try. Thanks!!

You'll have plenty of fruit without any encouragement. They are quick growers too. Let us know how you make out with your fig tree.

Cheers, Barrie.

See out-of-print (libraries have it) 'Trees of Seattle' by A.L. Jacobson for (1988) locations of other prominent examples, listing of suitable cultivars and related discussion. You will also see fig trees walking or driving around most older Seattle neighborhoods, where they are common.

I just bought our first fig -- Peter's Honey -- supposedly possibly a synonym for Italian Honey and others but some sources say no -- anyway, in my research I read that figs in pots produce earlier in their life than figs in the ground but over the long haul they should all produce good crops. And I donÂt think it takes long for figs in the ground to start producing. If youÂre interested check out the fig forum or figs4fun.com for more information. Portland Nursery had at least 11 different varieties earlier this week; great fun learning about all the different ones and hard to pick just one! :) Have fun!

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I loved the figs4fun website....

I have the Desert King, Violet De Bordeau, Brunswick, Italian Honey---my favorite, and Conadria. Also one from Gurney's of all places called the Gurney's Dwarf. I am sure it is neither. That tree has almost black figs and is pretty good, but don't know what it really is.
Does anyone try to grow them from seed?
I'm still looking for a Green Ischia tree.
There used to be a few trees here in my small town east of Tacoma, but most have been cut down as people remodel the houses.

I have Desert King and am very satisfied with it. Fresh in a bowl of cream....yummmm..

deb,

I have an extremely well-adapted and fruitful fig someone gave me a sucker of from their yard, but I have no idea what the variety is. When ripe it yellows very slightly, but unfortunately is rather insipid- not very sweet or flavorful. Negronne is tastier but has such a long growing season it can't ripen it's fruit, though if the winter is very mild like last year, a lot of the smaller figs can make it through the winter and go on to ripen the next year. I should have a decent crop from it this year. Desert King is a very tasty sweet fig, but I haven't seen much fruit from it yet. I moved it to a sunnier location last year, so hopefully that will improve.

I have 2 Peter's Honey Figs that I bought 3 or 4 years ago when they were about 1 foot tall and in very poor condition. This year they are 4 feet high and one of them has 2 figs on it. The first year one produced a fig but I was told that was because it had been so stressed. Anyway, the fig was delicious. I can hardly wait for this year's crop to ripen!

gordonf,

Great to hear those figs have pulled through. They'll only get better in time.
P.S. How did the peppermint geranium do for you?

Cheers, Barrie.

Ron,

You didn't really mean that those fig trees are ambulatory, did you? rofl

Suze

I have inherited a young four year old,yet fruity,fig tree. As of yet I have relished only one,brown, well ripened fig. It is late fall and all of my 25 young figs are green. I was informed by one fig tree grower to just pick the green figs and cover them in dark and warm place between newspaper. And if anyone out there has any advice, I welcome. This special fruit deserves the tasty respect it inspires.

Are figs self pollinating or do I need two? I just bought an Oregon Prolific and was told I would need two? Can they be different varieties?

Most figs purchased at nurseries are self pollinating. You don't need two, but it's fun to have a few varieties.

The variety I purchased was an Oregon Prolific. Is there a way to tell if this is self pollinating?

Oregon Prolific is self pollinating. So is Desert King. So is Negronne or Violette De Bordeaux, all good choices for your climate.