Thanks Bob, good info. I grow all of my figs in SIP's or I would probably use this method

Wow, where do you get your containers at?

The container in the picture was ordered by my local Hydroponic store. It is a new product, it's called a 15 gl squat container.

The container with the figtree is a 20 gl squat container bought from A-M Leonard, it's cheaper but flimsier, it's tuff good for figs, easy to pull tree for root pruning. You have to buy 10 at a time, $ 66.00.

Good information, thanks for posting, Bob!

Bob, your fig tree is BEAUTIFUL and the information your provided is fantastic. I did have a pot that grew roots out of a square hole and you are right the water was able to drain thru that hole in the corners. That is clever of you to recognize that and share.

For some reason I cannot grow figs well. I have had one fig for 3 years now and it is still only 2 foot tall. I finally changed the soil back from 511 to regular potting soil prior to moving it into my greenhouse so we shall see how it does this spring.

The picture of that figtree in the pot could come spring be prune all the way down to about 18" or so. The only problem with that is, that tree happens to be a Smith fig, highly wanted by a ton fig aficionado's, so if i do that i have to add the cuttings to the burnpile, don't feel like doing that. Below a picture of a figtree just sitting on the dirt, no mulch. Tree lost all its leaves already. This guy is in for some major rebuilding.Don't need to know anything else to grow figs. You already know about mixes, just go the cheapest way possible.

Bob, wow, thank you a bunch. I could use all this info and next year I will be off to a fresh new way of growing mine. I seem to stink at growing them and have never got mine to be as big as yours. In fact, I got so frustrated with mine not fruiting I threw half of them away last fall. I just let them freeze to death. Seems they were always drying out on me, growing to fast into the container and getting root bound before summer was over, or not enough sunlight time to ripen mines. Now I am stuck with early breba and ripening ones and even those no fruit. I have Negri and a couple of others.

the one I planted in ground, well it came back and it's doing great, but not enough sun now to mature the fruit.

Bob, don't announce when your cutting that fig back on the forums..lolol

When they are in the garage, do the pots freeze solid or do they just keep cold and dormant?

Thanks

Mike

They don't freeze, temp in the garage stays above freezing, except right at the door. I leave mine outside as long as possible, around 25* degrees, than bring them in.

Figs are no brainer stuff.

A different way of doing figs is the " the rock way". If you want to keep your tree outside for the winter, there is an easy way doing, just bend a branch down to the ground and put a rock on top to hold the sucker down. If the branch is too big, you have to do it in stages. Throw dirt or whatever on top, dirt is preferred because sometimes bugs will girdle the bark, no plastic. A branch that has been girdle and is exposed to air will kill that branch through dryingout in the winter. Here is a sample of a tree that could be bend all the way to the ground.

Long branches coming of the base.

That’s all I know about figs,got to go back to citrus, keep the folks happy, got to stay in line. Mike this all I can do.

I love figs too Bob. My trees are all in the ground...they took a hit last winter, but have come back nicely this year. Nice job with yours!

Bob, you have done more than enough for me to do an even better job. Thank you. Come spring, I will give your advice a try and keep you posted along the way. Thank you very much. Just about everything you say and teach I 'like' and it's a reflection of the kind person you are. Very kind and very thoughtful. Thank you

How many varieties do you have, i know you live in a colder climate, do you get a lot of snow?

I grow figs too and just treat them like my citrus trees except I don't fertilize as often.

Denise, you live in zone 8 right? Yes you can grow figs in ground for sure and yes no fertilizer. My inground same way.

Bob, were you asking me or Laura about what kind of figs ? If the question was for me I will have to go home and take a look at the trees , I hope they are still labeled. I will take a few pics too so you can see what condition they are in and see where I can improve. Thank you))

Actually you Mike but Laura can chime in any time. I got about 12 varieties, about a little over 20.

Hi all, I wanted to chime in on my experience over the last year with figs, I grow about 20 varieties now and have around 30 trees total growing in SIP's in my cold frame here in WV. The winners this year for me were LSU Purple and Takoma Violet for vigor and fig productivity, followed by a local strain of Mt Etna fig and Improved Celeste (not to be confused with O'rourke or Celeste)

The Takoma Violet (pictured) and the LSU purple were from cuttings that were about 5" long, rooted in jan-feb this year, and to my surprise they grew and ended up fruiting loads only ~8 months later

Katie, what I would do for a tree to fill with fruit like that!! Nice job

I am thinking I will do so much better next year with Bob's kind leadership. I need something for it seems I am not doing something right.

Bob, once I get the names I will be back with them. I really appreciate this more than you know. Thank you . Which variety for you gives you a very early breba crop and ripens by summer? Do you have a favorite for taste? I know taste can vary from one person to another since it's a matter of personal opinion, but do you like them very sweet? What's your sweetest?

That's a good looking fig tree Katie. Looks like the one closest to the bottom is almost ripe. I just picked these 3 today. By far was today's harvest the sweetest! I was shocked.

Here's another photo of the 3... I'm not sure why the eye is that open!! All the others before today had an open eye but barely. These have giant eyes lol.

I have another 3 that should be ready by next weekend.... We're getting very warm weather again Sunday 20C+ and 28C and sunshine on Tuesday.

Figs are not a stand-out with me. On a scale from 1 through 10 it might get a 7, there are just too many fruits that are much better. There comes a time in anybodies hobby that reach a saturation . Started with apples, than stone fruits, pears end so on. I know all about dangerous chemical not available to the general public, these chemicals have L.D. markings L.D stands for lethal dose. Some are so potent a drop in your coffee, bye, bye.

Got in on I.P.M program, that stands for integrated pest management. Did that for a while, now i shun most strong chemicals.Whatever i grow does not need strong chemicals.

Back to figs. There are so many different varieties, probably over 600. Been with figs since the 80 's had a bunch of varieties, not any more, so what do i like to grow.

Started with Chicago Hardy in my yard still have that one growing, so it is over 25 years old, next Smith, a definite keeper, have 6. These two are my favorites. There might be better ones but not by much.

Persimmon, astringent ones are the best, native ones grow all over the place here. I can't produce enough for my neighbors and friends, even our doctor get a box around November Of persimmon, mandarins and lemons.

Used to grow a large variety , not anymore, only pick the better ones, got a lot of tree's but only a handful varieties.

Why grow a huge variety of citrus if a bunch taste pretty much the same. You have such a wealth of varieties, why not grow just a dozen or so of the ultimate ones and be happy.

Got to say something, just remember been there.

Bob I think that’s what’s starting to happen to me. If I don’t count my very first three figs I bought that died last winter, I’ve begun a fig collection a couple months ago with two named varieties and 6 unknowns, mostly locals. I wanted to only grow about 5 different figs but it’s already too late. But once they fruit and turn out tasting no different from each other, I’ll probably end up hopping to the next fruit obsession and go down the line. Mulberries and persimmons have been on my radar for awhile now :) I’ve also got my first blueberry plants this summer too! 6 varieties! Thankfully I’ve stopped thinking and looking at all things blueberry

I usually look forward to reading what you post because you’re one of the few people in the citrus group who advocates for smaller citrus collections. Everytime you give us a look at your trees I’m reminded how fun it looks to grow even a few different varieties of a fruit. Which is a nice change in perspective because everyone else are conniving enablers lol

Bob, I didn’t quite understand what you wrote about pruning your containerized Smith. If pruned the cuttings will end up in the burn pile because it’s highly desired? How come?

Easy, there is no traffic in fig in a citrus forum, most people have a huge amount of figs even in the fig forums. I can get any kind of figs from friends, it is like citrus, don’t any more. If I have cuttings available who wants them not many.

For me it is ashame to have to do that. To give a sample, yesterday I prune a Atemoya heavy it’s on the burn pile, cannot get send to anybody.

My posting s on forums are merely options for members to consider .

Ohh I thought alot of people would ask for the cuttings since it’s highly wanted. Maybe it’s just me though since I’ve just started. If you want to prune your Smith but don’t want the wood to go to waste, I’ll offer to take your cuttings :) I was originally going to ask if you’d like to make an exchange anyway, let me know you’d be interested! My only figs are babies right now though but they are a RdB and a rooting Lsu Tiger cutting. I’ll put my list of plants on my profile if you might be interested in something else. I finally have enough plants to make a list!

Vetch, i don't want nothing in exchange but i will send you sions from Smith and others if you so desire.

Thank you so much Bob! I’ll rephrase my words, I can send you an RdB or tiger in the future if you’re interested in trialing them for your small fig collection :) They might not be on par with Smith but they may replace one of your other favorites in time!

I will send you a list what I have than you let me know what you want.

Thanks Bob :)! I’ve put up the plants I own on my profile’s trade list. You can check mine out on that page, I hope it shows up though

It is a small list so here it is. Violette de Solis. Sal C, Chicago Hardy, Desert King, Negronne, Stella, Smith, B T ,a few others not worth growing.

If you do go to persimmons, I can you my top of line varieties, but you have to know your rootstock for your area. The native rootstock that I use is no good say in zone 9 or higher and visa versa. I might be able to send you native seeds. Have fun!!.

I also have a huge L.S.U .Gold, big figs, mild flavor.

Bob hello. I finally got to a couple of Pics. Think you can help me to get them to fill out next spring? It would be great.

Here are the pics. Look how skinny. Crazy

Two are Altreano fig and two Negri And the other the label says it. Notice I get a little growth on top not enough to give plenty of fruit.

Mike, if we don't have an exchange among members than you have to destroy your pruning like i do. If you you like some of them then you can save some cuttings and so on.

Your question on your plant, very easy solution.

Start out go to 10 gl squat containers first, mix, just MG garden soil or Kellog(Home Depot).

A couple cups of lime per container, if you have tripple phosphate a little of that, this is your first application, a month later start with Osmocote for the rest of the season.

When you uppot, hill your soil up towards the center after you fill your pot up 3/4, clean the root especial towards the center, stick the little tree in pot and fill gradually and water as you go.

Prune the tree to about 12 to 15", you are good to go. The container no: HC105, 10pcs for $ 42.99 If this is your first time with them they will give a discount and free shipping in the fall.

Containers showing at A.M. Leonard. Container brand: Haviland.

Bob thank you for listing your figs! I already have some figs with the same flavors as your others except maybe the Violette de solis. I’ll double check with that one. I think I’ve read that it’s just a trademarked rename of another commonly available fig. I’ll let you know when I find out though. I didn’t know persimmons are grafted on rootstocks either! I’ll have to do more research on persimmon culture before I get back to you on the persimmons. I’ll have alot of time on my hands to read once we get closed in by the cold

Mike, is that your citrus I see swamping the fig against the wall? Like citrus, their original climate is mediterranean so they’ll put on lots of growth if they get direct full sun. They’re supposed to be pretty drought tolerant too but fig growers say they’ll grow to be monsters if watered and fertilized regularly. I bet your figs grew like that because your citrus are actually competing for the same prime spots as the figs lol

Mike, figs will produce mostly green growth when they start, unless they are stressed. My VdB was planted in-ground about 2+ years ago and this year was my first good harvest (and the figs were excellent!) My Mission was planted at the same time but doesn't show any signs of producing figs yet. I started a Deanna this winter from a cutting, put the stick in a 5 gal pot, and it is already producing figs. A VdB airlayer I did this summer tried to put out some figs, but I pruned them away - it's in a 1 gal pot. So I believe that they will grow their roots and green growth until constrained. Tough to say from your photos, but it looks like your figs are in the ground and are shaded. They really like full sun and will do better in a sunny spot.

Best of luck!

Jason, hello and thank you. They are actually in pots and in full sun. I just placed them there to take the pictures. I have a feeling I need to use bigger pots so they can handle full hot sun without drying out so fast. Who knows? They are all in small pots.

From what it sounds like, maybe mine are also too young? I don't have a clue. I have a feeling many things are working against me. I like Bob's idea in the start. I need to do something different. Now, I know it's too late(

Kvetch, no, they got the most sun all summer. I just placed them like that to take pictures. Trust me when I say they get plenty. I have a feeling between pruning right, the proper mix like Bob said, fertilizing and bigger pots, I might get more next year? I am so clueless.

Bob, thank you buddy. I am going to do exactly what you said to before they come out of dormancy next season. Everything. I love your ideas and you always have lots of fruit on yours. Really appreciated. It give me time to get the right mind set and get all the stuff I need to give them a fresh start. My trees should have an early breba and a crop that ripens too. I don't want to give up just yet.

Mike, i like Kellog just garden soil or kellog raised bed soil is good enough for figs, nothing fancy for your main mix.Home Depot Mike, not Lowe,s.

I like to use kellog raised bed soil with some extra mini pine bark nuggets, perlite, and osmocote plus added (I also use the same mix for citrus, just more of the perlite and pine bark are added). It's been working out great for me too and it is not an expensive mix at all! I'm glad to see others are using it with success

Bob, I will be on the look out for that. I assume I might be able to pick that up at Lowe's or something. I'll check tomorrow. Have a great night and rest up for tomorrow)

Katie. I'm glad you are having success. Thank you for your thoughts

Mike

Ah I see Mike and I don’t think you’d lie about it getting full sun lol! But now that you’ve told us that it does but dries out too fast, it’s likely your mix that’s holding back the plants. I definitely remember fig growers saying that figs can grow to be monsters as long as you give them plenty of water during the season. Following Bob’s advice should surely get your figs started next year though!

Bob as always, gorgeous trees! Love the branching on the photo of your smith. I've heard yellow figs are harder to grow reliably to have a strong flavor but Lsu Gold is supposed to be decent. I've seen reports that Lsu Champagne and Hollier may out do the Lsu Gold in the flavor department. If I happen to get one of those, I'll try to grow it out quickly so you can try one. Bob I can't seem to send you a msg through gardenweb, it might not be enabled in your settings. Let me know if there's a way to contact you other than using facebook.

Bob I found out I was thinking of Violetta Bayernfeige which is a trademarked name for Brown Turkey. Definitely a different variety from Violet de Sollies though. I would love to take the cuttings of your Smith and Violet de Sollies off your hands for you! Don’t let them burn to ashes just yet, I hope I’m not too late. Please use the message button on my profile to message me if you can. The button might be under the “activity” tab or next to my photo. If that doesn’t work then let me know and I’ll post my email address for you here

Would anyone else like to arrange some cutting trades? Don't want to hijack the thread but I would love to do some trading with fellow members before I sell the rest of the fig cuttings I'll be taking this winter. I'd be happy to send a Have/Want list

This is what a Viollette de Solies looks like, compared to a mandarin.

Kartie, do you have any fig that ripen early for my area? Sweet too? I live in New England. I threw away all my figs that take too long to ripen for my area unfortunately... Some really nice ones hard to attain. I should of held on to them after knowing I failed them to begin with.

Violette de Bordeaux

Hey, Mike, I wanted to let you know I was having trouble growing figs about a year or so ago, and I switched over to growing mine in SIP's made out of 5 gallon home depot 'Homer' buckets. I have not looked back since - the growth from the figs in SIP's was so much more and better than the others I was growing that I won't even consider growing figs in any other container now. I also changed the soil mix I was using from a generic miracle grow type soil to a mix of miracle grow moisture control and kellogs raised bed at about a 50/50 ratio with a good bit of extra perlite, and it seems about perfect to balance the SIP wicking up moisture. Figs hate wet feet but when they are growing and it is hot they go through water like no other plants I have seen. My LSU Purple was an insane water hog this summer, needing refilled almost every day compared to the others, but the root system is supposedly more vigorous than other fig varieties and it showed (by water uptake alone I could tell). It reminded me of a peace lily in that it would look almost dead wilted and then perk back up like nothing had ever happened after a bit of water.

In spring I will trim/prune the roots on each tree a small amount before placing them back into their SIP's with new cypress mulch on top to slow down evaporation a bit. I'm hoping to automate watering all of the SIP's each year with a drip tube going to each reservoir

Mike, sorry my above post didn't have a response to your question, can you let me know what varieties you have tried already? and we're talking containers and not in-ground, right? You're not too far North from me, so I think my fig short list may come in handy for you

Mike, I would not go for very many, if any, "White" (Green) varieties of figs aside from maybe brooklyn white, white marseilles, paradiso, lattarula, these are the only green varieties I'm aware of that will ripen readily that far north without extending the season artificially. I was staring at a big ole' unripened JH adriatic fig this morning...wishing

My fig 'short list' , in order of how likely they are to succeed and produce (in containers or outside in my experience)

#1 ANY Mt Etna variety (I would go w/ Takoma Violet personally, but any of the 'Mt. Etna' varieties would do well like Marseilles Black VS or Hardy Chicago. I have a friend about 15 minutes from me that has 30 trees in the ground, in WEST VIRGINIA mountains, zone 6b. There are no other figs this hardy or productive in cold environments that I am aware of ) Notes of berry, peach, and grape soda in the flavors.

#2 Malta Black, Improved Celeste, LSU Tiger, VdB, RdB, Florea, Celeste

Malta Black is supposedly not a MT Etna type but almost identical to them so gets lumped in w/ them. So much debate in fig nomenclature these days =/

#3 Brooklyn White, lattarula, paradiso, LSU Purple (plus other LSU hybrids like O'rourke)

mostly in the sugar taste group

#4 Still figuring it out

most of the varieties I just listed would come back from the roots after a total top kill and may still produce that year.

The LSU Purple in the picture I posted earlier is about 8' tall and was grown from a cutting last winter to give you an idea of the capability. I'm not aware of many perennial fruits or trees that can do that so don't give up on figs!

Katie I just got started with figs this summer so I don’t have any trees to prune and trade cuttings for. I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the cuttings online though so I’ll only have trees by next summer. I can’t predict how large they’ll be in a year though. If they do grow huge, I’ll def be sharing them with you guys!

Mike it’s tougher to ripen figs in MA because of how short your season is. I also go on a fig forum often and there are people who manage to get figs in z4-6. Katiebeth recommended alot of good varieties that would work for you and the ones you usually find in big box stores or even some nurseries aren’t suited for shorter seasons. Definitely avoid Black Jack, Black Mission, Panachee. Violette de Bordeaux technically ripens late so a better alternative variety that is similar but better suited for cold climates is Nero 600m. And now I can message you to link you stuff :D

You're right about the VdB, I like it for container culture because it has excellent breba and flavor on main crop figs. The VdB does ripen main crop figs considerably later than the others that I mentioned