Hey everyone.  I live in the southeast, and I was wondering if it's possible to artificially extend the growing season to try to ripen some of the really late ripening figs.

I noticed this past year that when I brought my LSU purple inside as the temps got down into the mid-low teens, that after a few weeks it started to bud and leaf out (in like...early-mid february).   Well, we just put it in front of a sunny window and put it outside when it got warm enough.  It also put on figs a few weeks earlier than last year (they're not ripe yet of course)

I was wondering if a similar concept could be employed to artificially extend the growing season.
Thoughts?

Hi brettjm,
For one tree, if you have the time, you could do. But it is still tricky to keep the tree at a good level of conditions.
For instance, the leaves grown inside will be tender, and when you put the tree outside, they could be toast resulting in a set back for the tree .
Some use a greenhouse, and it is probably the easiest way, but again you need space for the greenhouse .
Some take them out on warm days, and in in cold nights. It is all a matter of patience .

So basically, yes, it can work, but it gives you some work ( just not to say a lot of work ).

I'd love to do in ground trees...or the greenhouse option.  Alas, I'm not to the point in my life to buy a house yet, so rent it is.  This also means lots of container growing...haha

You could still do it with a grow room and a 1000W HID lamp.  If you don't provide enough light the growth will be weak and lanky and you'll be worse off than if you left them dormant.  Also it helps to do it near a window.  Any sunlight coming in helps and the police can look in and see that you're not growing marijuana.