For those of you who plant in-ground in northern climates- do you find your trees with FMV perform better or worse in-ground?

I'm curious what others will say, but I find that the tree will still show fmv, but it does grow much stronger. I will be selectively removing fmv branches from a couple of my inground trees and those I planted for neighbors and am hoping that might minimize fmv.

To this... All I can say is that walking around Brooklyn, I see NO FMV on any trees.

Get over it! 

FMV is rampant and will NOT kill your tree or hurt your figs!  Some trees have it, some don't.  Fact of life!  Some of us have good vision, some don't.  But we live to bear children, and figs do too!

I dont fear FMV but I do fear that nematode!

Suzi

Hi Slingha
From what i have seen from  my plants, they will do better in ground.
Even fmv infected potted plants that are allowed to send roots into the ground do better, show less evidence of fmv, than infected plants that are confined to their pots.
grant
z5b

Suzi- you are looking too far into my question. I'm not concerned with FMV, just wondering if in-ground gives the fig a  stronger system against it. 

Grant- thanks for the informative response. I've got a ucd Adriatic and I was thinking of putting it in ground. Do you do anything special to protect your unground trees?

I planted mt VdB from UCD that has sever FMV, it seems to be perking up but it grows so slowly, against Herman's advice I planted it hoping for the best as i will take cuttings in the fall as back ups just to be safe.  I think if it needs more strength the ground will help it and if it doesn't make it, I will have some other things to take its spot so I am hoping for the best.

Slingha,
   My San Pietro had a moderate case of FMV. I planted it inground this Spring and now it doesn't show it as much. Actually all the new leaves that grew since I planted it are almost perfect. So in my case, I think that it most definitely does help. IMO the roots get more room and the trees are able to get more nutrients and trace minerals that aren't in the potting soils.

no special protection for winter,
just the usual, mulch, wrap,  insulate, protect from cold drying winds, mothballs to deter rodents,
this coming winter i will be adding rat poison in case the mothballs do not keep the rodents away.
Grant
z5b

If you live in northern climate,only healthy figs could be planted in ground and resist Winter.
FM Virus ed tree,form fruit buds later if in ground,compare to healthy trees,and also they do not have the strength to survive Winter the same like healthy trees.
Forming  fruits later mean they will not ripe in time till frost come,so,that is why people grow them in containers.
Healthy or diseased,if a tree was fertilized a lot (with Nitrogen rich)during Summer,it will die to ground or totally dead if in ground in northern climates.

DesertDance...

FMV may not be much of a problem in your climate zone, but it is a significant problem for infected plants in colder zones, like in the North-East.

Plants are weakened, and are inferior to uninfected fig trees, to the point where plant failure/death is a real concern.

I personally will toss even my most beloved tree(s) right in the garbage at the first signs of the virus.  Luckily, none of my trees never displayed any symptoms, and seem to be clean, healthy, and vigorous, as are most of the fig trees in this area of The Bronx.  Uninfected plants seem to stay uninfected.  FMV is not as rampant here, as it is out on the West Coast.  Maybe all your plant sources out there sell diseased stock, and you can't find any clean trees?  I bought some trees that I know were grown by West Coast wholesalers, and they were filthy with disease, and they went right in the garbage as soon as I opened the packing box.

I very much enjoy growing fig trees, but I will not nurse, any diseased stock until it ultimately fails.  It's a waste of my limited time.  But, hey....that's just me.

Frank

Thanks for the response Herman. Interesting comment on fertilizer. In regards to fmv infected trees, ill quote the Russian from Rocky.....
"If he dies, he dies". 

Desert dance I have to very strongly disagree with you. I am on my way to my orchard I'll post a pic of a tree I am experimenting with. I did plant it inground to live or die. 

My Negronne last year in Self watering container had some signs of FMV when young. Slowly disappeared as it grew taller.

This year in ground there are no signs of FMV ( or any I can find).

I planted in ground last year several Hardy Chicagos from EL that showed signs of FMV.   This year they're much better, with just a branch or two showing any signs of infection. I also planted a Celeste from EL that is still showing fairly heavy signs of infection.  I'm hopeful that another year in the ground and some extra fertilizer will get it to perk up.

It seems that as a tree gets stronger and is coming out of adolescence, it's better equipped to deal with the virus.  That's my unprofessional opinion.  

Herman, I seem to remember you posting that each year your trees that once showed FMV got healthier and healthier and exhibited less signs of the virus.  Do you think this is due to age and health/vigor of the tree, or do you think that harsh winters play a role in somehow helping to rid the tree of infection?

Yes,It is my opinion,that the very low frosty Temperature in the North and north east,might kill some viruses inside the tree when the tree is totally frosted included roots.
Of course the temperature inside the tree can go down to let say 25F,and the tree still live.
If the temp goes way lower than that then tree and virus die,and so end of story,but in the above situation,the tree survives,and when it grows again ,the virus inside it might be dead if it couldn't take 25F.
That is the idea!
This opinion is based on the same observation some people above have made,that their trees get healthier every year in ground in the cold frosty climates.
Also this opinion is because after having so many example of healthy old trees here in the north east,as for example the statement by someone that NY is full of healthy fig tree.
It is not a scientific demonstrated fact,but it could be possible that the virus,can't take frosty temperatures and live on.
One thing i can say ,it is for sure ,is that the virus does not spread to other trees here.
Gina :That assessment is just plain wrong,and it had an interest to say so.
It will hurt your fig production,and in frosty climates will make your tree die.

This is a very sick 5 year old castle Kennedy I produced 1 fig in that time.  It is in ground to die.