It's just about over for the growing season in the cooler-climate areas.  Figs are ripening, trees are starting to wind down, days are getting shorter, and nights are much cooler.  Fig trees will soon be preparing for dormancy.  I would like to give my trees a little "fortification" before they go into the quiescence/dormancy period...but with what?

Joe Morle of Italian Fig Trees.net recommends...a top dressing of super-phosphate/bone meal/garden lime: 1 part of each....but, he gives no application recommendations.  So, how much for each tree?  My guess...1/2 cup/tree?????

Is there a complete product out there, that I can use as a top dressing/tonic that's good for the roots and for hardening off new wood?  I have already stopped fertilizing, and give my trees only plain water.  (N.B.   I grow containerized trees).  I know if I give my trees nothing, they'll do just fine....but, maybe they'll do better with a pre-winter, "nightcap".

Your thoughts, please.


Frank

The dosage should depend on the product...usually there will be recommendations on the label based on pot width.

Personally, I don't see a need to use anything and I've never heard of commercial nurseries using anything either. If you wanted you can use something higher in phosphorus and potassium, but avoid anything with nitrogen.

Kelby-

Thanks. 

The Joe Morle top-dressing is a mixture/compound of three ingredients, each having an individual, application rate.  So with no recommended application rate for the mixture, I wondered about just how much to use.  I suppose a phone call to Joe will give me a quick answer.

Thanks for the interest, and suggestions.  I was leaning to your way of thinking, but, I figured I'd ask anyway.

Frank

Frank,
I personally don't use a "end of season formulation" , I just provide balanced nutrients throughout the growing season and stop the water soluble fertilizer at about this time (1-1/2 to 2 months before first frost).

Joe M's recipe is P-K with Calcium, Magnesium and micro nutrients, a close alternative is the "Bloom" formulations, like MaxiBloom a 5-14-15 Balanced Fertilizer, http://generalhydroponics.com/site/index.php/products/nutrients/maxi_series/ used in Hydroponic and soil based culture. Its pH balanced and is formulated to be used at the end of the growing season. 1 teaspoon / gallon of water would provide a "maintenance" dose. I'm currently trialing the Maxi-Bloom for potted and Hydroponic culture.

I'm referencing Hydroponics because a lot of scientific study has been done with fertilizer formulations and recipes and that info is applicable to potted culture.

Hi Bronxfigs,
I simply give one shot more of 10/10/10 fertilizer . I did yesterday as I saw the trees were asking for .
They are all still shooting root-suckers and new growth - So I better help them grow that quickly for them to harden off asap.
My Ice-crystal doubled in height this month after being on relaxed growth pattern through July ...
My "Longue d'aout" did the same, "Sultane" as well. Perhaps all the rain we got these 3 last weeks got them to react like that ...

Thanks, one and all, for the interesting suggestions.


Frank

Hi Frank,

I do not have enough experience with Pro-Tekt to fully recommend it (or similar products). My plan is to stop my regular fertigation (33% MG daily) at the end of this week, and switch to PRo-Tekt (.5 tsp per gallon when watering is needed). I have some cuttings which were just potted. Those I plan to keep growing (hopefully) until December before they go dormant. I will continue to fertigate with 33% strength MG with the .5 tsp Pro-Tekt added.

For those using Pro-Tekt or similar products mixed with another fertilizer, dilute the PT first before adding anything else.

Thanks James-

Another of my "senior moments" ....
I had bought a bottle of "Pro-Tekt" earlier in the season....then, left it in the closet. Totally forgot I had the stuff until you mentioned it.

I'm fallin' apart at the seams!



Frank

Me too Frank, but do not fret.  Figs will cure all that ails you.*

*These statements have not been verified by the USDA, FDA or the NSA, and are not meant as a guarantee of any health benefits or cures.  Results may vary depending on age, gender, hair color, zip code, income bracket and the color of the car you drive.  WAC - TT&L due at signing.  No cows real or fictional were harmed in the writing of this post.  Please eat figs responsibly.

That disclaimer was too funny!


Frank

Funny, James.

   On the other end, has anyone used magnesium sulfate (AKA Epsom salts) to kick start figs in the spring?

I read that the only studies on Epsom salts are poorly done with poor results. The summary was 2 sets of plants in pots, one with zero fertilizer and one with some Epsom salt, the one with Epsom salt performed marginally better (any nutrients are better than none). I wouldn't use it since salts are dicey to put on the ground, better off getting a fertilizer with magnesium if you want that.

Epsom salts work well to boost magnesium and sulfate, potassium sulfate is more effective for sulfate though if needing magnesium and not adding dolimitic lime, then epsom salts would be the way to go, not that you need much to begin with.

Dale,
I've used the Mittlieder "Pre-plant Mix" in the spring for over a decade, and have included it in my fertilizing schedule for in ground and potted Fig trees. The ingredients are Dolemite Limestone - Epsom salt - Boron mixed in a 80 - 4 - 1 volume ratio.


Shailesh,
A recommended dose for Epsom Salts for a 50 Sq ft soil garden area is only about 5 teaspoons, there are 48 teaspoons per Cup.
Magnesium is needed in small volume, but is required by many plant cellular processes. In commercial Hydroponic culture, Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) is also used in similar small quantities.