cfox-

At this point, I would allow the tree to grow rampantly. Throughout the growing season concentrate on growing as much vegetation as possible. This will force a good root system to develop. It should take a few years before harvesting figs from so young a tree. You will have plenty of time to decide on just what style tree that you will be growing, i.e. bush form, or, tree form with a single stem.

You mention nothing about your climate or container size. Both will determine how you will train your plant. Also, how you store your tree over the winter will also be a deciding factor. Climate will also determine whether or not you should allow two crops of figs to ripen, (unless you are growing a breba-only variety). Cold climate growers should not allow breba crops to ripen, as this will delay the onset of main crop figs, which may not have a chance to ripen if short seasons put a halt on fig development.

Use the first years of growth to establish the basic framework of the tree. Grow stems, and branches. Figs are dynamic growers, once established. You can prune back any unwanted growth when the time comes. Figs will grow primarily on new, green, wood, and pruning will stimulate back-budding.

There are many threads showing just how to prune a fig tree as well as You-Tube videos that show the process. Follow the basic pruning and thinning rules, and you will have no problems. Make sure you prune away all dead/damage wood, and prune for final shape. you will be able to control the size of your fig tree by simply pinching back new growth that's not wanted. Control the tree....don't let it control you.

A fig tree growing in a 15-18 gallon container can produce plenty of fruit if you allow plenty of fruit-bearing twigs and branches to develop. It's not as hard to do as it sounds once the basic shape of the tree is established.

Look around the major fig forums, and do a search for "pruning" techniques. You come up with plenty of reading material, and photos.

Good luck. BTW...."Black Mission" figs are one of the best figs you can ever expect eat. This fig variety even beats some of the rarer, more exotic, more expensive, figs varieties. Learn how to grow "BM" well, and you will not be disappointed.

Frank

Bronx/NYC Zone-7