6 and Pinch Method of Producing Early Fruiting

9 years ago

During past winters my figs have been killed down to the ground and regrew. This caused them to fruit late. I have the following varieties in Northern VA - Brown Turkey, Celeste, Black Mission, Nero and one unknown. I seldom get fruit before the first frost. This year although the winter was mild and most of my figs were not killed down to the ground, I am trying the following: 1) For my unknown variety, I planted it in a large pot and kept it in an unheated shed through the winter, I leafed out before the figs planted in the ground. 2) I am going to pinch off the end of each branch one the branch has 6 leaves. I am told that this procedure induces early fruiting, allowing fruit to mature before the first freeze.

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Comments (4)

dieseler
9 years ago
Yes true , been doing that for years here near Chicago.

Also once tips are pinched often at that area new growth appears and one should remove any new growth there as well.

Martin
Bluemoonlight
9 years ago
I am planning to do that Martin and when or at what point do I let it branch out. I am sorry but I can't picture it. So I have a branch and 6 new leaves I pinch it and figs start growing faster. Then new branches usually right ? So if I cut thouse of then how will I get new branches? Sorry about my English I hope you understand what I want to know.
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Jason (Zone 10b, San Diego)
9 years ago
If you want more branching, for example your fig is growing just a single whip, pinch like Charlie mentioned, but do not pinch out the new branches. I planted a Black Mission fig last winter and it was a single stick. It didn't do much except continue to grow the single leader, so I pinched it. I now have several branches that developed all along the single leader. No figs yet....

Pinching helps stress the tree, causing it to try and propagate. For this reason some people suggest restricting watering during the May/June timeframe to encourage fig production. I'm a little leery about that that due to the high heat that I will sometimes get during the summer.
dieseler
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Anna Dugo

I
am planning to do that Martin and when or at what point do I let it
branch out. I am sorry but I can't picture it. So I have a branch and 6
new leaves I pinch it and figs start growing faster. Then new branches
usually right ? So if I cut thouse of then how will I get new branches?
Sorry about my English I hope you understand what I want to know.

Reply,

in dormant season you trim branches back but leave a few nodes for next seasons fruiting branches.

Martin