Good point--I certainly didn't understand how much TLC this one would need when I first planted it, which is why this thread got started in the first place! Hopefully now that I've learned a few things and the trees have gotten bigger, I'll be able to get them through a few winters (and summers) and buy them enough time to build up some toughness.

Update:

Looks great, Ken!

Looking good, Ken. I hope to keep my Black Madeira long enough to see to that size. All three are doing well so far in 1 gal pots.

Pete

Looking good Ken.

Glad to she she survived and is pushing out figs for you, I hope you get a good taste in a couple months.

Oh its doing well from the looks of it.

Thanks for the update.

Interesting thread with good information.

Thanks all, I'll post a photo if the fruit ripens.

Hi, Ken just wanted to share my experience growing in the my area. I live in what is called a "rain shadow desert". It hot, dry, and unforgiving. Clay soil so thick that when it does rain, the rain water just pools and evaporates. The salinity in our water and soil is so high we have salt flats in some areas. Summer temperatures reach into the 100's for 3 month's straight.

Lessons I've learned:

- Check the drainage of the soil.
- Amend the soil with sand, compost, perlite, ect.
- In the summer water at night.
- Mulch the ground heavily with leaves, bark...to insulate the ground against summer heat and winter chill.
- Shade in ground trees for first 2 years during the summer.
- When in doubt, grow in containers.