What to feed fig tree

digitalphase

Hi all, I have a fig tree that I bought last weekend. It is in a pot in the garden up against a sunny wall. I'd like to give it some food as it would be nice to have some figs this summer if possible. I'm not sure what to feed it though. Any ideas?

Also, do you know how old my tree is, it's approx. 4ft tall. Is it old enough/mature enough to produce figs?

Thanks

Money_maker

If it doesn't have small fruits on it already, then it wont have edible fruit this year. 4' is more than large enough to produce a crop.

digitalphase

Oh Any tips for getting some next year and what to do with it over winter? Should I give it some food anyway?

surfsister

To begin with, ficus trees are VERY moody. Once you find a good spot for it, leave it there.

They need a LOT of sunlight (it's a tropical plant), and a lot of water (depending on how big it is right now). The typical size, about 4-5 feet, would get about 1 gallon a week. I suggest putting your plant (as is - in the plastic container it comes from the store in) inside a decorative pot. Put the water in the decorative pot and let the plant drink what it needs. It's easiest and better to do this once a week, not on a daily basis. Just pick a day and set that as your routine watering time.

As far as pot size, a lot of people think that the bigger the tree is, the bigger the pot you need. In reality (like a fish) the bigger the pot (tank), the bigger the plant will grow. If you don't want your ficus to get any bigger than it is, don't change pots. You merely need to make sure you feritlize it properly.

I don't know if you can get it where you are, but Algo is the best in my opinion - doesn't burn the roots like Miracle Grow. Just add the called for amount to your water about once a month.

Some things to keep in mind with a ficus. I mentioned they are "moody". What I mean by this, is that every time you move it, many (sometimes all) of it's leaves will turn yellow and often even fall off. That's why you want to pick a spot and leave it. Be careful when pruning it, too. You'll notice a white sap comes out - this will stain anything it touches a brownish, blood color. There is NO way in the world to get it off of carpet or clothing.

from http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070731071721AAhtGuS

I am in the same position as you and have put mne in the greenhouse s it gets watered everytime the greenhose does. I have been told figs don't like to be moved so find a place and keep it there. Enjoy but once you have figs there should be lots!

Money_maker

All new shoots should be stopped when they are four or five leaves long, this should only be done before the end of June. In April cut out any dead or diseased wood then cut back alternate young shoots to one bud.
A curious fruit which needs its roots restricting to reduce plant vigour and encourage fruit, this can be done by planting in a 15 inch pot or lining the sides of the planting hole with brick or wood. Small embryo figs forming in september will not be ripe until the following summer. Winter protection of the soft shoot and embryo fruits is essential. Add 2oz of fish, blood and bone when planting. Do not feed for three or four years while the main framework is being built up.

This is a quote from a nursery. I have negected my figs somewhat. My mother plant which is about 6', grown in a pot as a fan has no figs whatsoever. However, a cutting I popped in my raised bed last year is only about 18" high with figs that will be ready this year!!

Must give them some tlc!

Davesnave

On the other hand, if you're not into latex flavours, unrestricted, it makes a darned fine tree with interesting foliage for a sunny corner!

Farway

If against a sunny wall or sheleterd, and in a warm part of the country, and you have room, it will grow huge and bear figs as well without any care at all

There are some around here in Hamshire that do just this [Stansted House & Hilliers Arboretum come to mind]

Elsewhere

I have three fig trees planted in my garden, 2 with red fruit and one with yellow - they grow like crazy but don't produce a lot of figs - put all their effort into foliage I think. Obviously restricting the roots as mentioned above would have been the way to go! When there are figs the birds and squirrels get most of them :mad:

It never occurred to me that they aren't supposed to be hardy. I do live on the south coast, but we get quite a lot of frost and there's never been any sign of damage to them. One is against a south wall, one's in the middle of the lawn and one is on the north side of our property where it is exposed to north winds and doesn't get much sun. They all grow equally well. I have heavy clay soil, if that's relevant.

I do find that the little figs which form in autumn drop off in spring - they never mature. Instead new ones form which ripen about now - July.

So if you live in the south, I'd recommend planting it in the garden and you won't have to worry about feeding etc. If you are worried about losing the plant, take a few cuttings - they are easy to propagate.

Just had a thought - my trees are all the Common Fig - Ficus carica. Could be other varieties of fig are more delicate.

simpsonsfan

Fig trees have incredibly strong roots, so much so they can damage underground pipes and foundations. I wouldn't advise planting a fig tree near your house for this reason. Also, they do grow very vigourously and if allowed to, will produce masses of foliage and no fruit. In order to produce fruit it is necessary to restrict the growth. i.e keep it in a pot. I feed mine with tomato feed and it has produced a small crop of figs every year.

Farway

simpsonsfan wrote: »

Fig trees have incredibly strong roots, so much so they can damage underground pipes and foundations. I wouldn't advise planting a fig tree near your house for this reason. Also, they do grow very vigourously and if allowed to, will produce masses of foliage and no fruit. In order to produce fruit it is necessary to restrict the growth. i.e keep it in a pot. I feed mine with tomato feed and it has produced a small crop of figs every year.

A tip I heard on R4 Gardeners Question Time yesterday [repeated Sunday at 1400] from Bob Flowerdew, is plant fig tree in a stainless stell washing machine drum sunk into ground

He reckons the tiny holes will allow water & nutrients in, but stop all large roots escaping, and any roots that swell will be severed or restricted by the perforations

digitalphase

Thanks very much for all the advice/info - very useful!