Fig ClassificationsCOMMON FIG TYPES:
Common figs are the most distributed types of figs in North America. Their development is parthenocarpic which means they do not require pollination by the fig wasp. They are most ideal for home gardeners as the fig wasp is not naturally present in North America. Common figs can produce two crops but some only produce one crop.
SAN PEDRO FIG TYPES:
San Pero fig types bear two crops of fig flowers. The first crop develops on the previous year branches and is pathenocarpic. However, unlike bifara common figs, the second crop requires pollination by fig wasps. A good example of a San Pedro is the Desert King cultivar.
SMYRNA FIG TYPES:
Smyrna fig varieties have fig flowers requiring pollination by fig wasps. Without pollination figs are not produced.
CAPRIFIG TYPES:
The Caprifigs are the male flowers and they are an important element in pollination of female fig flowers. Most importantly, Caprifigs contain pollen that is carried by fig wasps into the female fig flowers.  Texas Bllue Giant Keep the birds away from your delicious figs!
Wrap foil around the branches and trunk to save the majority of your fruit. No matter how clever you think you are, the birds will get some.
Trouble with ants on your fig tree?
Wrap aluminum foil about six inches up the trunk base and smear petroleum jelly all around the foil. Ants wont climb up! Be sure to use foil or you will damage the bark.
| Growing and planting fig trees in containers:Planting a fig tree in a pot offers several advantages. One of the advantages of pot grown figs is the fact that they can be kept free of nematode damage. Here in Florida and in some other regions, sandy soil is infested with nematodes. Nematodes are divided into both good guys and bad guys. Bad guys cause severe root damage to figs and cause root knots that starve the fig of nutrients and cause poor growth. Good nematodes play an important role in the soil and may actually protect plants from other bad soil organisms.When growing in sandy soil you can plant your fig in a plastic pot with the bottom cut out. Plant the fig in the ground with the pot. Keep the pot approximately 18 inches out of the soil and the rest in the planting hole. This will reduce nematode damage. Also use plenty of rich organic material all around your fig tree. Nematodes that damage fig roots don't like moist soil with plenty of organic material. These nematodes also live in the first 18 inches of soil. The pot when 18 inches above the planting hole protects the roots.
For our northern friends just grow in the container above ground and this will make it easy for you to easily store the tree during winter. Also, you have to take into account that your tree will require a pot of a proper size. Ideally you can use any kind of container you find suitable. One drawback of container growing is the root restriction The growth of the tree will be affected as the fig becomes more root bound and dries out faster. It's important to prune the roots every couple of years and freshen up the container with fresh potting soil. This method provides new root growth so they can continue to expand. If root pruning is not performed fruit yields will decrease. Be sure to prune the roots during the cooler months to minimize any possible shock to the tree.Trees will go dormant in winter and bounce back in the spring. Here in Florida they are often constantly growing with minimal dormancy depending on your zone.
Watering:
Figs are Mediterranean trees and can survive drought without irrigation when grown in ground and have been established for a while. Trees provided with good drained organic soil and plenty of water will grow rapidly. Keep your fig moist but not wet and provide plenty of sunshine!
Tree size and pruning:
A fig tree can grow and produce fruit without pruning. Your best practice is to prune in winter. Prune at a 45 degree angle with a clean sharp pruner. Make your cut above an eye facing outward from the branches. Cut close to the line of the eye. Don't cut and leave a stub or that area will not heal properly and may cause disease to spread. Figs fruit on old and new wood so don't prune all branches at once.
Feeding the soil:
Fig trees will grow much faster if provided with a soil rich in organic matter and plenty of sun. Be sure to feed the soil compost teas, green manure, mushroom compost etc.
Not into organic growing? Okay then use a balanced 10-10-10 time release fertilizer or a 13-13-13 fertilizer. Make sure it has minor elements also. Some growers use a 10-20-25 formulation. Tips:
Control nematodes in sandy soils
Always add compost to your soil and keep your tree mulched. Figs benefit from the mulch greatly. The mulch should be spread beneath trees from 4-6 inches out from the trunk to the drip line of their branches.This improves the soil and helps to control possible root damage by nematodes.
Now hear this! It really is smart to grow your fig tree in a container if you have really sandy soil. When growing in containers be sure to use a potting mix and place the container on a large stone paver or on a concrete surface, wooden deck or consider burying the pot in the ground.
Control Fig Rust
Fig leaf rust is a common problem on fig leaves in our humid South Florida climate. It is caused by a specific fungi. Fig leaf rust first appears as small, yellow-orange specs on the leaves. These specs enlarge slightly and may become very numerous as the season progresses. Rust may cause complete defoliation of fig trees. One other smart practice is to gather all the rust-infected leaves that drop at the base of the tree. Collect these leaves and place them in a plastic bag and toss them in the trash to contol the spread of the rust to other fig trees. Avoid spraying the leaves with water so the fungi is not spread to other fig leaves. Always wash your hands after collecting infected leaves.
Many people control fig rust by using copper sprays. Spray when the first leaves on the tree have reached full size. The second spray should follow in 3 to 4 weeks. Be certain to get good leaf coverage under the leaves with the spray so you can control this rust and keep your leaves looking nice and green. We recommend Copper Soap from Natural Guard.
Fertilizer?
People often ask what is the best fertilizer for figs? We feel that a 10 - 20- 25 or 13 -13 - 13, fertilizer works very well or any combination that is lower in nitrogen and higher in P and K at similar ratios. Slow release fertilizers make it easy to keep essential elements and nutrients in the soil for several months. A well drained soil and maintaining moist conditions is very important for best growth and production.
When is my fig ready to eat?
Your fig is ripe when it droops on the stem from its own weight. Some are light colored from green to light yellow and others are shades of brown violet, black etc.
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