bibbus,

I would not root prune. I would thin out the shoots to 6, nicely spaced out, strongest looking shoots. Growing your fig tree as a multi trunk tree is recommended in case you loose a trunk or two some winters. You will have backups, and not have to start from square one if a single trunk tree's only trunk dies to the ground.

The fig tree pruned its own roots for itself, so to say, when it discovered nothing above ground survived the winter. Many plants self prune their roots when cutback or dieback occurs.

Moses

Thank you so much! I needed a little direction. I’d never heard of self pruning roots so to speak. I noticed yesterday a lot more growth since I took that picture. Here’s what it looks like two weeks later. Thanks again

Bibbus,

All plants must maintain equilibrium between top growth and root growth. When top growth increases roots follow suit. When top growth is reduced the roots will actually disengage their feeder roots.

Your fig tree is a beauty.

Moses

Thank you. That is such interesting information. Do you think there’s a chance I could get figs this year? They are always very late and I don’t ever get an early, brebra? Crop. Usually I have dozens of figs that never ripen and die on the branches when the weather cools off. It’s sad because the figs I do get are usually delicious. This fig bush is at least five and maybe seven years old. We had a very cold winter the third year of growth and it died back to the ground. But even with recent really cold winters it has always since survived pretty much intact. It just doesn’t fruit as early as I think it should for some reason.

I don't think your tree is a brown turkey, looks more like a mount etna type. Pinching would help in getting figs earlier.

Really! Interesting. I bought it from Home Depot with a brown turkey fig tag on it. Here’s a picture of

I agree, figs do look like brown turkey.

I have never pinched or pruned back young growth before. To clarify, most of the stems already have 10 to 12 leaves. Should I cut them off at the 5/6 level, or pinch off the top, the small leaves? Thanks for your help

Just did it!

Martin, when in spring do you remove that thirty gallon off of Hardy Chicago ?

Each season is different as some days can be pretty warm for time of year for a few days then back to cold temps, i may set container off to side to air it out then back on.

When i know nights will not go below 30 or so it will stay off unless another cold spell comes around it is easily put back.

This is an elder plant even though it died back to ground level that spring following that polar vortex where temps here hit 21 below zero it came back but no figs if i recall correctly as it started sprouting way to late.

Martin

Thank You Martin,

I planted Italian Honey in ground about a month ago it's not doing to well.

I am thinking to air layer Hardy Chicago and plant the mama fig that 3 inches diameter in ground.

The tall one in square cement container.

Behind is ugly neighbors hunted house the, wohaaa

Thank you so much. I cannot believe I have figs growing. So excited. You’ve helped me so much!!

That's great. I hope you get a bunch more

Bluemoonlight, do you paint your fig trunks white or do they naturally turn white? I believe my fig tree goes from green to brown as the trunk/branches mature.

TheyCallMeDave

Hi, no I don't paint fig tree trucks.

I just now made a few pictures of Negronne

Branch

These Negronne is very generous these season.

My fig bush is growing well after the above suggestions were followed. But now all but two branches are flopping in a horizontal position instead of vertical. Why does this happen? And is it OK for me to prop them up?

Yes you can prop each brunch.

Nice to see you having fun growing fig trees.

Cheers.

bibbus - I see that on my trees re-growing from die back as well. I think it may be a kind of self-preservation response of the plant. If the regrowing shoots spread out and some flop down onto the ground, they have a chance to get rooted on the ground, thereby giving a better chance of survival.

I did want to mention that I had someone cut back all the tiny shoots that keep coming back. Two or three days later she developed a terrible rash of blisters on her hands arms legs and face. It is still not healed completely. She did not have any reaction at the time. When I come in contact with the white sap it stings. I knew one could be allergic to the sap, but I had no idea it could be a delayed response but I found other instances of it on the web. I’m hoping she will not be permanently scarred. Very scary. Apparently the sap of the young roots are much more potent than mature ones. I’m not sure what to do with the ones that are coming back now. Definitely gloves and long sleeve shirt. Does anyone have any advice on protecting oneself?

While it can give a rash to some gloves are advised to prevent the white sap from contacting the skin. Also after snipping off a tip what i like to do is grab pinch of surrounding dirt or potting mix and put on the portion of cut to slow its drip to a minimum as sometimes it can drip down onto developing figs below which in turn can cause small black blemish on them as they grow.

Martin

I’ll try that. Is it normal for the branches to fall downward as they grow larger. This is a brown turkey.

I use scissors... I never have to put on any protection because I never touch the tree.

It is actually a chemical burn caused by phytophoto chemicals called furocoumarins. The same chemicals are also in carrot sap, as well as related plants like giant hogweed. Sunlight and heat accelerates the reaction. I have gotten blisters on my arms and they left dark discolorations behind that persisted for a few months or more. You don't actually have to cut the tree to get sap on yourself either, the leaves are easy to damage and also leak sap.

So did the discoloration eventually go away Completely?

That is tough to say since I get some new spots each year and don't really pay them much mind.