For your Fig...

I would NOT fiddle around with the roots of your fig tree since they do not react well to that in growth stage, only while dormancy....You can up pot into a bigger plastic pot using a mix that stays moist a bit longer while not disturbing the roots, like the 5.1.1 with a bit more peat..Like a 5.2.1 so it almost matches the mix those roots are already in.....It will dry out faster than most mixes and like Dave said, they are water hogs all summer, but require almost none during the winter..So use a mix that you can water frequently during the summer and that will not stay wet too long during the colder dark days since you will be forcing your fig tree to go dormant for best growth...

As for your Citrus tree..

I would use what Laura says or something alike, that is if you are willing to water more often than a bagged mix? It's vital to use a very porous mix for citrus but one that holds moisture long enough to be beneficial so therefor the reason why so many use the 5.1.1 types.

Yes, I would soak your rept-bark as long as you can and throw your lime into the most bark once you do...

I agree that your tree and fig are not getting the right moisture they should be, especially the top regions and it's vital that all your roots stay moist from top to bottom evenly...

For my trees, it's too late to add Osmocote because they will be relishing in much shorter days within a month, so I would use a water soluble until the middle of September to end of September every week weakly...

Looks great!

What kind of mix is that Fig in? Is it a bagged mix or one you made on your own? Is it mostly bark or peat? I am trying to help you make a mix as close a possible to the one it's already growing in so that the roots take to it well until spring time)

It looks like a bagged mix, different from what your citrus is in.

By the way, I just realized you live in M.a..That's great...All the more power to you from Vladimir and other that live locally. I live just north of you.

Esmeralda, the fig you can over winter in your cellar after it drops its leaves. I have mine in Miracle Grow Garden Soil (not potting soil). Everyone has their own soil.

I have not decided what to do about light for my citrus. My choices are: build a greenhouse, put in skylights in one of our rooms or buy growlights. The first two choices are expensive, the third choice might mean getting rid of some of my trees due to lack of room.

If your Fig Tree is in Miracle Grow, then extra peat in your 5.1.1 mix would be very good. It's use to growing in a peaty mix, just make sure to water appropriately... The fig tree would do well in a dark cellar and it would also do good in a very cold room that stays below the 40's and not down to freezing..I keep mine in an unheated room that drops cold enough to keep my trees asleep but not cold enough to freeze..With Figs, the soil is not such an issue as in most plants, as long as it drains well...

My trees, for light? i don't do much..The colder I store my citrus in, the less light I can give them without branch, leaf, and twig death. The only ones I keep in a warm room are those that can get as much sunlight as possible.

Vladimir, my vote is for the greenhouse ;-). The grow lights I have are pretty simple...we've discussed this...and inexpensive. I do worry I am going to need more lamps. Once I start to get them inside I'll have a better idea. I plan to bring in the limes and lemons first, then gradually the others as it gets colder. I hope to still have two months of growing them outside though...

I also plan to keep my sunroom pretty cold...I am not going to allow anyone to turn the heat on in there...I'm a mean mama...my kids will just have to wear sweatshirts...lol!

Laura, the argument for skylights is that they will add to the value of the house.

Looks good, but do gently pat it down to make sure all the roots have mix around them. If I were you, I would raise that plant to bring it closer to the top of the pot. Just gently grab the stem, and raise it, then as the mix falls around it, just add more. I know it seems weird to have this mix, but it really works wonders for your plants!

I would just plant that fig as is....

I second Laura , lift it up the idea is to maximize the pot space while keeping enough space so it doesnt overflow from top when u r watering . The 5:1:1 mix is intended to be porous so it would feel light that said gently press the mix and water it a lot , i usually put the hose on soaker setting and let the water run off then put it in a larger bucket with transplanter/water mix and let it soak for an hour or so .

The fig you didnt have to bareroot but now that its done you can just plant as is , keep everything in shade , mist them N gardening should be relieving stress not adding stress :)

No need of filter , after watering a few time the mix would settle down

Esmeralda, it may be too late, but I would have gently pulled those encircling roots apart and removed the soil as much as possible. The rots that would not come apart, I would have cut off. Remember to pu it in the shade for a week.

I was wondering if you even saw all my suggestions about re potting a FIG tree?

I suggested it was better just to up pot and not disturb the roots since this is the worst time of the year to do that..If it dies you will know how to do it next time. If not, then I will be happy for you

Esmeralda, your little plants and mix look great! You had so many forum members helping you and they gave you some great advice! Kudos to them and you! Your mix should settle a bit over time. Are your plants draining faster now? If you still notice that they still do not drain well, you might need to lift up your pots and have someone help you drill some slightly bigger holes on the bottom of your pots. Or on the lower bottom sides of the pot..

Any Resin/Plastic pots I buy I make plenty of additional holes , citrus absolutely doesnt like standing water which becomes more of a problem indoors in winter

Esmeralda, I hope your fig does well...Please let me know what happens to it. maybe they can take a re pot without any issues..That would be a good thingy.

The mix looks great by the way.

That Dyno-grow is pretty good stuff too, as long as the Ca is in it...

Mike

Calcium :) , typically ferts are marked with the N-P-K ratio only but there are more macro nutrients ( Ca , Mg) and trace elements ( Zinc , Iron ) thats required for complete fertilization N Dynagrow Grow has Ca , so u r good .

Esmerald..I thought that was a bottle of Dyno-grow you had and took a pic of!! I'm clueless too. lol Is it too late for you to order Foliage Pro from the same company?

The Foliage Pro or Dyno Grow?

Ok. It will do...)

When you run out look for the Foliage Pro..Even better! How's the pH of your water?

Vladimir could recommend the kind you need if he sees this..

too, you could call your water supplier and ask them what the pH of your tap water is. That is what I had to do for my area..They will tell you)

Once you find out please let us know.It is just as important as using the best fertilizer you can find, trust me. I am going to assume it way above 7.0 which would give you nutritional issues with your trees eventually.

Esmeralda, you can buy a cheap aquarium testing kit from Amazon or at a local pet store.

The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5.

This looks like it's OK: https://www.amazon.com/API-Pondcare-Wide-Range-Test/dp/B000255NCS/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1472095766&sr=8-9&keywords=aquarium+ph+test

This is the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/Sera-pH-Aquarium-Test-Kit/dp/B004HFVDWI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472095934&sr=8-3&keywords=sera+ph+test but that is because I have an aquarium and use it a lot.

Perfect!

Lol..Tell me about it..Once you first invest, it should be much cheaper in the long run, as long as you don't run lights...

By the way, how much Neem did you use? Did you spray off the leaves after and hour our so?

They will be fine. I don't rinse mine. You can still rinse them now.

No the oil will stay stay on, but it is a good habit I like to get in to that takes away the heavier build up and dead smother bugs..It also helps as my case with preventing flower death and deformation...Plenty of oil residue will be left behind..)