Posted: 6/23/2014 7:51:04 AM EDT
I'm happy to say that my wife's family's heirloom Italian fig tree has thus far survived and flourished in transplanting. I had it in a pot just as a twig with some roots and just 4-6 leaves while inside and then out on the deck while moving to our new house (Lancaster area in PA), then this spring finally got to plant it. It now has 33 leaves and about 2-3" of fresh green growth from each of a few points. I built a rudimentary box around it and mulched around it first with shredded newspaper and a couple weeks ago a bag of grass clippings to keep the weeds down and out and give it some basic nourishment without over fertilizing.
My question is now what do I do to keep it going, so that it grows big and strong enough to last through the coming winter? Any tips on how to prevent diseases, and what I need to watch out for? |
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My figs never have had any problems with pests or disease. Now, polar vortex... that killed my trees to the ground. Luckily, the roots didn't die and they're coming back from the ground.
That said, you're little guy probably won't be established enough to make it through a nasty winter (especially since you're likely in a colder areas than my spot in VA). I'd think of rooting a cutting and keeping that inside over the winter. Once your fig is established it will have a better chance in the winter. Also, you might double check the variety. If it grew in the north of Italy, it may be fine (think the Alps). If it's a southern growth, then it may be less viable in the cold. |
| Do you have any chickens? This is what we (my Father and myself) discovered. We planted a fig tree close to the chicken house. During the warmer part of the year we would keep a small rubber utility bow (2-3 gallon size) in the pen to water the chickens. During the summer we would change the water daily mainly because the chickens would all get in the bowl to drink and crap in the water. We would dump the water out by the fig tree 3-4 times a week probably about. 1 to 1-1/2 gals each time. By the end of the first season all the water and chicken manure in it made the little fig stick into a tree. It's still very healthy and producing yearly close to 20 years now. Probably the harshest winter we had back in Texas though was two weeks below freezing in the teens. |
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my heirloom fig tree was started from clipping from my uncles tree ( clipping from his great uncles tree) this tree did real well without being wrapped in tar paper or linoleum ( llinoleum tree) until this past winter it killed all the branches, then out of the blue the leaves came out of the root base, my only problem I have not had fruit in 5 years, also for our deep southern brothers, this tree does not grow well in florida south of tampa/orlando real well, fig tree love it in the middle belt
go luck |
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My Aunt and Uncle had a huge fig tree that put out more figs than two families could eat. Figs are tasty! The only thing my uncle ever told me was that fig trees like to have wet feet in rich soil. Chicken droppings would work well. Maybe even horse manure, slop from the pigs pen etc. |
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Figs are fussy unless under the right conditions. There are several informational videos out there that might help with answers. Here's a good one to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KZl5Mr8zjA |
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Relevant to my interests. I planted three fig trees a couple of years ago.
I thought all three of them died this past winter, but I'm getting growth from the root base. I don't know if these were grafted trees or cuttings from roots. I hope to get some leaves this year that will tell me if it's worth letting them keep growing. |
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I had problems growing figs. Just happen to talk to a guy selling fig trees and he recommended that make sure to dig a wide base because if you don't
the roots won't grow out.Shallow root tree. I will try again this fall. I love figs to eat fresh or a fig and strawberry preserves or to make wine with.(fig wine is soooo good) |
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I can get bags of manure pretty cheaply so I might start putting a bag or two around the base of the tree. I had been previously cautioned to not try to get it too rich because it would overgrow then not survive the winter, but now that I read what you guys have written maybe it's a winning strategy to try to feed it as much as possible to get it big fast so it'll stand up to more punishment.
I'm also entertaining the idea of building a miniature greenhouse tent that I can put on over it for the winter then take off in the spring. Anyone done that? |
| My father has had several fig trees throughout the years. Keeping them alive in PA during winter months is nothing short of a battle. A tree he's had for over 5 years fell victim to the long cold season this year. Building a small greenhouse seems like a good idea. My father's method is a lot of work each year, but it does seem to work. Every fall he cuts the branches back, cuts fencing similar to chicken wire to place around the tree, then fills the space in with straw. Once that is all done, he then takes plastic tarp and covers the tree to protect it from the elements. You must leave the top open a little but to allow it to breathe. He also places a bucket on top, leaving a small space between that and the tarp. If you do not allow the tree to breathe, even if it survives, you'll be fighting some nasty mold in the tree. It's hard work, but worth it many times over in my opinion. |
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I've never done it but my understanding about fig trees in cold climates is that one of the best ways to protect them is a trench. Do a google search but basiclly when the tree starts to go dormant you prune it and dig a trench next to it, loosen the roots and tip it down into the trench then cover it. They can take some cold just not long periods so a little geothermal heat is all the help they need.
As far as I know there are no grafted fig trees (no reason to graft them) it's common for younger trees or ones exposed to a harsh winter to die above the soil and start new growth from the ground. |
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Some things to consider. One of the main things with figs (or essentially any plant) being able to thrive year to year is to not let it get "spindly", but allow it to grow to around a maximum of 4' tall. Tie it up with poles and staking. Don't be afraid to prune it at the tips in early stages of life. Think of a fig as you would a rose. The less there is above the ground in younger years, the more the root ball has time to get established underground for later in life. With this in mind what you are wanting are more flowers (fruit) While the root system is still establishing itself underground (new starts or young trees) and when fall comes and the leaves drop, like a rose, prune it back with a nice clean "cut" to around a foot tall. Keep in mind that pruning tools need to be free of petroleum base contaminants at the cut areas. Hay, straw, shredded bark are great for thermal protection during cold times. If used, and during the first few years, rake (fluff) the covering while pulling it away somewhat from the trunk during the drier parts of the year. Anything beyond that during cold parts of the year I have nothing of value for you due to my living far mid-west. I might suggest talking to someone who grows apples or similar fruits. |
| My mom said to not fertilize it too late in the growing season so that the root growth doesn't exceed sustainability through the cold. True or not true? Thus far my thick bed of grass clippings seems to be keeping the tree very happy, retaining moisture well and basically acting as fresh manure. Since the previous posting there's been at least six inches of stem and leaf growth. Should I add chicken poop as well or just keep it as is? |
| Using hardware mesh or similar construct a cylinder shape around the trunk and fill with grass clippings prior to winter. The higher the better, as the grass clippings keep the cold out from the base, if the base survives, the three will replenish it;s leaves the following spring. |