Hi All,

I think I'm still a newbie (3 years) and it looks like this is the year I will finally get figs!  I had 2 Brebas last year, but most plants got sunburned and lost their leaves in the spring; by the time they rebound and started producing figlets, the season ended before they could ripen.  This year, I did a better job and have many, many figs on their way as well as 4 brebas I already enjoyed.

I have been up-potting and using Sta-green with fertilizer for potting soil.  I have been adding Miracle Grow Shake tomato fertilizer monthly.  This year I switched to Espoma Tomato Tone due to recommendations on the forum.  I liked the Miracle Grow better because the granules were pebble sized and you can visually see how much is being applied AND see when it is gone to reapply.  Tomato Tone needed to be measured because you can't see how much to apply and when.  I put a handful in each drum.  Does anyone have fertilizer preferences / tips / trade secrets they wouldn't mind sharing?

Thank you,
Andrew

  

looks like whatever your doing is working very well. Miracle grow is probably one of the least expensive solutions. I grow organically and it may be one of the more expensive solutions.

Your trees look good . I'm new what's up with the containers with all the holes ? Thanks

Rabbit poop is GOLD

I have said this before but Osmocote Plus is great stuff.  Not organic, but it's slow release, non-burning, has micro and macro nutrients, and most times only takes one application per season.  I do have some other stuff that I buy (whatever is on sale at the end of each season) that I might use as a supplement but that's usually for my vegetables and other heavy feeders.

I see. Thanks.

Careful using the 'F' word here... :-) Fertilizer is one of those topics that if you search will find many, MANY discussions. First, I think your trees look great and whatever you've been doing seem to be working.

The reality is that there's no magic bullet. What works for me might not work so well for you given your climate, soil type of fig etc.... That said, I have some (loose) thoughts to share:

As a rule, once a tree is of fruiting size, I dial back on nitrogen...  So maybe a 5-10-10 or 5-5-5. Nitrogen will (often) lead to great foliar growth but not much fruit.

As manures go I think it was mentioned. Bunny poop is considered tops. If you have a source I highly recommend it... Even if you're using granular fertilizer, the manure will provide other valuable micro nutrients. Also excellent are worm casting....This is what I use as I have a very good, inexpensive source. Bunny and worm are great because they don't need to be composted before use. Other properly composted manures are good as well but can be heavy and retentive.

The other thing that I've found helps is the notion of "fertilize a little, a lot". That is use less more frequently for a more consistent application.

If you want to get scientific about this you many want to do some research in to studies and work by Chemist Justus von Liebig.

 
https://soils.wisc.edu/facstaff/barak/soilscience326/lawofmin.htm

BTW - I too am curious about the holes in the barrels.... What's that all about? Did you make the worlds biggest air pots? Hard to tell from the pics...

I didn't realize there was a limit to pot size and air pruning ;-).  I had read about it from members in this forum and thought since I was using 55 gallon drums for pots, why not drill some holes?  I did some sort of sips/air prune hybrid as I left a reservoir below the last row of holes and hung 4 nylon cords up into the pot for wicking.  When I return from a weekend trip, the non sip plants have curled leaves and the sips do not so I think that is working.  I'm not sure if the holes do anything.

I can't get rabbit poop, but I may have access to chicken.  How does that compare to rabbit?

I created a separate post about the lack of fig production.  Reading the replies, I think it is related to over watering/fertilizing.  I will cut back on both.

I didn't mean to ruffle feathers, I was hoping most used the same fertilizer and could say, use brand-X and apply when you see Y.  It looks like that isn't going to happen.

Thanks to all who replied, Andrew

Hey Andrew,

I don't imagine there is a size limit for air pots... Just I never thought of it on this scale. Bravo for thinking of it. Do you actually see the roots popping through, drying up and dropping? And think of all the weight you remove from that big drum? If so then it's working as an air-pot.

Using a full 55-gal drum is hardcore. Most split them in half...

Chicken poop is also known to be very good indeed. Personally, I don't have experience with it so I don't know if how to what extent it needs to be composted so you'll want to consult with someone in the know before using it.....  But indeed it's good stuff... People pay good money for that "stuff" in stores

I'm not sure your production problem is due to "over-fertilization". My guess id this is the case would be more "over-nitrogen". You have strong, green plants that are a good size for their age. I had a similar problem with a tree last year that I fed with a lot of miracle grow 24-8-16. Beautiful big tree.... No fruit. I stopped feeding the in-ground trees with anything but worm castings... All my potted trees now get worm castings and Jobes 4-4-4 organic. The same tree this year - albeit a year older - had well over 100 figs on it.... And it's been a crappy season in the north east as you know with all the rain and grey skies.

No feathers ruffled - we're all here for open, frank and friendly discussion. I wish it were as easy as saying, "use brand x for monster figs" but the truth is that anyone who says that is selling something.

One last point - My father and his father and his father etc, etc didn't use special mixes in specific ratios and the latest super advanced feeding formulas or sip systems... Not that I'm knocking those things - I use them... Only that figs have been grown very successfully for thousands of years with little more than trial and error accompanied with some common sense. My father when here only ever fed his figs with sheep manure tea. When I visit my family in Italy and I asked them what they use to fertilize their figs, the reply is a blank look... They don't... They also grow only two types of figs... The white ones and the dark ones... ;-)   They don't care mush about cultivar... Just, is it a good fig worth keeping...Or not...

I hope you derive some value from my rantings...

Please post back with any findings on your fertilizer journey... That's why we're all here..