I have two panache that are exact same age. One I kept in pot and another made into espalier. There are lots of vertical growth off the laterals and makes a great hedge. However, the espalier does not have a single figlet. Being in the ground, the trunk is larger, around 4-5 inch width. And the espalier spans at approx ten feet.

The potted fig in a 20 gallon pot has a trunk less than half the size of the espalier so that shows the effect of keeping a fig potted vs in ground. It has figlets at every node.

I would like to know from someone with espalier experience how to get it to produce more fruit? I thought just doing the espalier naturally produces more fruit.

Espalier is a pruning/training method. Plants that are in ground and in pot and both be espaliered. Potting is a growing method. Potted plants can be espaliered or not.

Espalier should not affect fruiting. If you see the Japanese training method, it is essentially a variation of espalier. It very effectively produces a large crop.

I would look for other issues: maybe differences in water, fertilizer, sunshine, etc. Is the Espaliered plant really a Panache? Does it have the unmistakeable striping in the wood?

Yes the espalier is a panache and had figs last year. I pruned all the verticals off end of season last year so that I had all laterals to start the season. As expected, lots of vertical growth now, but no figlets at all. Not sure how if I should pinch any of the vertical growth since that's what is supposed to happen. Just saying the potted panache has way more figs at this point than the espalier. Both get lots of sun. Pot has potting soil with mulch on top. Espalier is in desert soil with mulch on top. It get regular water run off from surrounding pots and I'm sure is probably taking some of the neighbors overwatering.

If you have desert soil do you have nematodes?  Do you fertilize it more and add things like worm castings and compost or tomato (or other) tone?  Desert soil typically doesn't hold nutrients well.  Do you know your pH? 

Hi Figfinatic,
Though you're in Zone9, Panache is mainly unifera - so (almost) no brebas.
So if the in ground one went (sort of) dormant, you'll have to wait some weeks more to see the figlets. That is absolutely normal.
For the potted one, is she more sheltered ? Perhaps she didn't go dormant, and that is the reason for her to already have figlets.
Pruning can as well affect the setting of fruit .
If both have stripped wood, just let them do.
My Panache is now waking up slowly ... as I'm in Zone7 ... So I'll have to wait some more weeks to see figlets . Normally end of June / Beginning of July here.
Patience, patience ...

So the count is now about 40+ figs on the panache in the pot. About 6 figs on the in ground espalier. Not sure how to induce more figs on espalier since having an espalier should actually produce more figs. I've resorted to pinching a couple verticals to see what happens. Not so patient.

My SoCal inground trees are about 3 weeks behind the potted ones too.
I think it can be explained by soil temperature. The pots are in the full sun and much warmer than the ground.
I think in 2-3 weeks you will see plenty of figlets, just give your trees some time.

I would bet that greenfig is right, it is about soil temperatures. A potted fig is going to get a lot more heating units than one inground this early in the season. I have no doubt it would impact when fruit starts growing.

Update:  Fig Espalier - still about 6 figs;  potted 40 figs.   The potted figs formed way earlier but slow to ripen.  The 6 figs on the espalier started later but are just as big as the ones on the potted fig.  

Searching for any more suggestions for more fruit.   Weather is hot, hot, hot.  

In ground tree has it too good?

Potted plant is more stressed, so it fruits more. Maybe don't fertilize the tree next year. Would love to see pics of the espalier.

Is the potted plant as heavily pruned as the espalier?

I don't really fertilize any of the trees with store bought fertilizer.  There is just some compost and wood mulch on both the trees.   The espalier was heavily pruned in the winter which is why there's tons of vertical growth.  That's what I'm trying to figure out is if there is any thing more to do for an espalier to get it to fruit.    The potted was also pruned back.   Will get pics in about a month of the espalier.  It's making a great hedge.