Never saw this being discussed in relation to fig culture.

Are there certain plants, herbs, flowers, etc. that emit volatile, scented, oils from the leaves, that will repel insects that prey on fig trees?  I'm thinking that if these are planted around the base of our trees, these plants may provide natural, non toxic, repellants for aphids, nematodes, leaf-hoppers, borers, etc.  I dislike the use of chemicals being sprayed on anything that I will eventually eat.  There's enough poison in our food supply already.

I know certain insects hate marigolds, and certain scented geraniums, herbs, mints, but I have never read anything about this in reference to fig trees.  All my trees are containerized, and I have to constantly remove weeds from around the base of my trees.  I think I will plant some marigolds around the roots to cut down on heat, weeds, etc.  I think the containerized figs will look nicer with some colorful flowering plants, but if I can get the added benefit of natural insect repellants, I'd rather plant something that will help the figs.  In nature, some plants can help other plants, when grown as companions. I want to keep it natural.

Any thoughts, recommendations, etc?



Frank

don't they compete for the resource in the container? i know the container gets packed with fig trees roots really quick. but i would love to see some color on the container also.

Marigolds also protect against Rkn

I usually plant impatients, scented geraniums, and marigolds for added color and use the pots as accent around the yard

Nice to see some response and suggested plants. 

For containerized trees, I don't think nutrient competition will be too much of a worry.  The trees and plants will be fertilized with much diluted nutrient solutions each time the figs are watered, and the added color is easier on the eyes.  Besides, how much surface space can the flowers take?

I'll give it a try with some low-growing marigolds, portulaca, thymes, etc.  So, now I'm off to the Garden Center.

Thanks,


Frank

Also root competition , I think is minimal for the amount of time they would be in the pot for summer. As long as the fertilizing regimen is continued , I don't see a problem. 

Nothing to add but rarely get weeds growing in the figs pots and if and when i see i pull it out.

Here is one of my smaller pots

Really pretty!!

Jack in your picture it looks like a shoot of bamboo coming up on the left of the pot. I'm still pulling bamboo out that pops up from time to time. I can't get rid of it. Maybe some day.

I am trying clover as a "living mulch" and groundcover.  It supposedly adds nitrogen to the soil and helps retain soil moisture and temperature.  Trouble is...I waited too long to try it.  Temps here at the casa are into the 100's nearly every day now, so I am unsure if they will survive.

If not...next year maybe... 

Thanks for the interest, and some great ideas,  The flowers will certainly beat that bare, weedy-soil "look".



Frank

This tree had died down mostly and left dead twigs, so the shoots are growth coming up through from the roots

I have discovered that figs are great companion plants for mulberry trees. I have a giant mulberry that came with the house and the thing is so tall I can't reach any branches to pick them. Luckily a one limb overhangs my lattarula. The large fig leaves do a great job of catching the ripe berries without smashing them. So now I at least get a nice handful of mulberries to tide me over when I go out to check on the figs.

Dave as i understand it clover itself dont add nitrogen it just pulls the nitrogen in the soil to a singular place. my whole back yard is clover and the front burmuda grass (i hate burmuda) but i use all the clover for compost along with any thing else i can add.

now i may be wrong here but its just what i have always been told by the old timers around here. Having a horse poker run at the bar across the street this weekend so i will be getting some freash poo for the compost as well.

Thanks, Dave.  The clover planted in my test areas has sprouted, but it isn't impressing me a whole lot.   I may try this next fall.   I'm gettin tired of looking at straw.  Clover (if it survives), would be so much prettier.  And cooler, too I think.

Clover can fix atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria that lives in its roots. It is advisable to use inoculated clover seed so you are sure the bacteria will be there. Without the bacteria there is limited to no nitrogen fixation. You can tell if your clover is fixing nitrogen by pulling up a plant and looking at the roots. If you see little nodules on the roots you know you have nitrogen. The more nodules the more nitrogen that will be released when the roots die and decompose.

I've got strawberries planted under a couple of my fig trees.

It makes harvesting more fun.

All the companion plantings in my pots have been done by varmits.  Small pecans, acorns, maple, sweet gum, Chinese dogwood, smilax.  I may give hens and chicks a try in some of my smaller pots if they don't take too long to cover the soil surface..  They take little water and might catch some unwanted seeds.  Oaks and pecans take some effort to pull out of pots due to tap roots. I have planted Zinnias near my fig trees and both seem happy with the relationship..I have some alpine strawberries I got from the Montreal fig a few years ago and planted a small fig cutting nearby  that has figs on it now. Not sure if the strawberries and now ripe blueberries are telling the birds to hang around and eat the figs and pears when they finish with the other berries for a Spring thru Fall feast.

This is a topic I would like to resurrect. I love the idea of companion planting and read somewhere that figs like mint. I planted chocolate mint in one pot to see how it went. Both fig and mint looked till cold set in. I am wondering about my topset onions, any ideas?

Last year I had some basil growing underneath a Mineola Tangelo.  I don't know if it helped the tree but I really enjoyed the smell and it drew honeybees and other pollinators to my yard.  I'll be seeding basil under several of my fig trees this year.

I planted Guardian marigolds by seed late in the season under my inground tree and was surprised by how quickly they filled in the area under the tree. They are a few dollars per pack of several hundred seeds and look to be self seeding thereafter. They are not as pretty as the more ornamental marigolds and get rather leggy, falling over, but create a ~2foot tall mound.  THis variety is one of the best for RKN and other marigold-averse critters (according to the seller).  I also have many volunteer basil plants under the tree which I encourage.

My grandmother likes to plant mint around the base of her fig trees. I think she does it for the insects, and I don't know if it is placebo effect, but figs from trees with mint around the roots seem to taste slightly minty and fresh to me.

Now don't get me wrong, it's not like chewing a piece of minty gum, it is still very figgy, but just this slight hint of sweet mint. Listentohorses, I second the motion. This would be a great topic to resurrect. 

I forgot all about this topic....

I decided to plant herbs in combinations with some marigolds in each of my containers.  The herbs had a subtle fragrance, and the marigolds looked beautiful when they spilled gently over the rims of the containers.  This also gave me a ready supply of herbs for cooking.  I planted some Basil, Greek Oregano, Lemon Thyme, etc.  The bees were happy, I was happy, and the fig trees couldn't have cared less. 

Besides, it just looked nicer.  I'm sure the companion plantings must have helped keep the temps down and the roots cooler.


Frank

I grow Rosemary and Thyme with my big trees. Since I am storing those pots in the garage for the winter, it lets me keep my Rosemary alive for the winter with no extra work. 
I tried growing basil with them one year, but it used too much water and made it hard for me to keep the pots well watered. Rosemary, Thyme, and probably Oregano aren't as thirsty. 

I can't say the herbs have any direct effect on the figs, but they do keep the soil covered, look great and are tasty.