We have had the weirdest weather this season - very bizarre. We had 4 cycles in April through June when one week was in the 50s and the next was at or near 100F. Really played havoc with newly potted rooted cuttings, and lost quite a few (one cycle was 8% humidity along with the 95+ temps). Many trees grew very little, having experienced 4 seasonal cycles in 2-3 months. Cool weather in August sent many trees into dormancy, only to re-leaf and begin adding new fruit in September.

The point is, we had a lot of very hot, EARLY weather, and the ripening season was accelerated from early August to mid July, and many varieties were ripening 4-6 weeks earlier than normal. I am wondering if people in marginal climates with trees in pots couldn't similarly accelerate their season by putting their trees in a warm/hot environment to give them a "jump" on the season. It seems that it would be worth experimenting with.

I would think that would work. The challenge is of course how to provide the warm environment and light. If the trees are in pots, you would have to bring them inside and supplement the light (can be expensive). Or, if you had a greenhouse this could be done much easier. I have been pondering the greenhouse option. In fact, I have been clearing some land for more "recreation" space (so the wife thinks). I'm of course hatching a plot for a greenhouse in the future.

Jon,
yes weather can be wierd, here in chicago there is a saying we use. If you don't like the weather wait a minute it will change. I have seen snowflakes as late as May when my tree's have leaves. Of course i have to wheel them back in garage but its only for a couple days and does not set them back. Here rule of thumb is dont plant anuthing till danger of frost is gone usually Mothers Days is the rule we use. Well i do that for my veggie garden but get a head start with trays growing my seed earlier then come around Mothers day after i harden them off they go in the dirt. With my fig tree's in and out of garage early on when weather permits, each year they are in garage with frosts at night outside but have small leaves already growing during day out they go on a sun beaten driveway, anyways for me this works best and gives them a slight boost, i never but will start to write down when they actually break bud (start) but of course they always do in garage when there is still frost outdoors, i have a top panel in garage door facing east that lets light in which might help somewhat. I know exactly what you mean though about real hot then real cold temps it happens quite often here in our springs and not so much in summer, but later in the month of aug early Sept can also be funny with weather. As for cuttings or baby figs which i have in small pots or cups i bring them in and out so they dont suffer. Anyways thought some might like to hear what happens in our area. Oh one more thing i remember well when i used to go trick or treating with kids, 1 year hard cold rain , another summer hot, another snowing and very cold, still another we saw summer early that day indian summer that is, then turn cold windy rain started, then it sleeted by days end it was snowing , that halloween it was like all seasons showed there face in a full day, never forget that one. What we consider indian summer is after first frost hits then temps climb back up for a short time . With these figs tree's though there fun to watch and trty to make work here in funny weather as well. If mine were in ground only it would be for me a different posting im sure
Best Health
Martin