Today, I decided that my TC-born baby VdB had reached the "too spindly" tall stage, so I pinched off the terminal bud. I figured, healthy as it is, either too much water or too much fertilizer has caused its great growth spurt skyward. Busy at it's base  with side growth, but it could do better. So, we shall see if my pizzico - that's Italian for "pinch" - works and what will follow. I am hoping for more bushy-ness. I will say that I have not seen so much latex spurt out from a pinch. Too much rain water?

Joe

Joe, I pinched my TC Green Ishcia(sp?) back in May, it has exploded in growth since then! It has countless branches and continues to branch. I will have to cut it back in the winter, but man oh man, did pinching make it change shape! I just pinched a slow growing Battagalia Green that was getting tall and spindly. I am really looking forward to seeing what it does. I have come to the conclusion that unless something is major wrong in the overall growing culture, pinching is the most important things we can do for our figs.

Thanks, Gene.
I agree: pinching should do wonders for a tree. It will be fun to see how this TC tree responds.
Joe