I am considering moving to South Florida gulf coastal area. I would think figs would do well there, zone 10a or 9 b, 100 to 200 chill hours. Summers might be too humid.
Anyone in that area on this forum growing figs?
Bill

Bill...

Can't answer your questions about growing figs in the humid, South-Florida area.  I have friends who live in the Stuart/Palm City, area (East-Coast) of Florida.  I recently payed them a visit.  While driving around, seeing all the sights, etc, I didn't see one fig tree growing in any of the yards.  Ummmm....I wondered why.  I asked a few questions at the local garden centers and nurseries, and was told that fig trees can suffer from terrible nematode infestations, and from rust/mildew problems.  The sandy soils = nematodes,  and humid air after the frequent rains = rust and mildew.

I will be going back down to Florida, for another visit in a few weeks, and I am bringing a dormant fig tree along with me.  My friends love figs.  I will plant the tree in a very large, 25-gallon container.  I will NOT plant the fig tree in the ground, which is nothing but sand.   My friends will continue to grow this fig tree in the large container, near their pool.  BTW, the containerized tree will rest on a dolly, and prevent hernias.  This will allow the tree to be rolled around.  This, I think, will control/eliminate the nematode infestations....as nematodes will not be able to migrate into the container. 

However, the rust and mildew infections, if any, will have to be controlled.  Just a guess on my part, but I would try blowing a stream of fast-moving air from a fan, over, and around, the leaves.  This might be helpful, and this fast-moving, continuous stream of cooler air, will evaporate any water droplets that cling to the leaves from rain and morning dews.  Hopefully, by doing this, it will eliminate/control rust and mildew without the use of chemicals.  Who wants chemicals, and insecticides on what they will eat?

I am sure that those forum members who grow figs in Florida will help out, and answer your questions.  My suggestions are just speculations.


Frank

well i am rooting lots of cuttings so far and they like it by the pool.  the humidity outside of Tampa where I live is brutal right now.  About 80%.    temperature above 80 every day this month and above seasonal average.   You will see no figs in any yards.  Maybe in Tarpon Springs home of the Sponge Docks and a huge Greek community.  I asked my Greek friend who lives there if there were any trees that he had seen and he said Nope.  Jeep.  I thought he would have some relatives who maybe brought some over.   Nope.   Ah rats.  My yard is not sandy and I have a large planter box around three sides of the pool cage.   I have some Magnolia and one Green Ishaia that I got from Lowes for 5 each.   They seem to be growing well.  I have some in Containers by the Pool that are doing fine and plan to put some others in the beds inside the pool.  I will throw a sheet over them if we have any really cold weather .   Usually one or two nights.     The planter box has a sprinkle system in it.   So far so good but when I eat some figs   I will consider it a success.   This is my first year and rather than try a few cuttings     I have a lot.  Go big or whine and lick the computer screen when the beautiful fig pictures appear.  LOL      Joyce

I live in SW Florida, inland from Fort Myers.

I have about 15 fig trees that have been in the ground for 2-3 years and are doing just fine. I feel that once the deep roots have been established then the nematode problem is not that much of a threat, or maybe it's a real massive/healthy root system that compensates for the nematode problem. I actually had more nematode problems with potted plants, roots growing out of the pot, into the ground becomes infested with the nematodes which in turn travels throughout the pot. I completely up-potted all of my pot plants(300+), trimmed the roots, soaked them in warm water with a pesticide and put the new pots of fig plants on the ground that is first covered with plastic. They have taken off in new growth.

Here are some photos of the in-ground trees. The wind was gusty so some photos may have been in mid action.

 

 

 

 

Notice that Waynea has tons of mulch.  That discourages nematodes.  There are a lot of people in FL growing figs.  Some of them don't post much here.

I used to live there but live in Maryland now.  South FL is not an agricultural/gardening heaven like California.  There are some tropical fruits that will do very well there, such as papaya.  Other things won't fruit at all, such as apples. 

It's just different.  For example, tomatoes won't do well in the summer there so you have to grow them in the spring and fall.  Brocolli, lettuce, etc, can be grown in December, January, February, but probably not in May.

I have heard the nematode problem is the worst with sandy soil with low organic content.  So the solution is to make sure where you are growing the figs there is enough organic matter.  You might consider a raised bed, perhaps.  Just buy a few yards of compost or pine fines, and grow directly in that, or perhaps mix it with the soil 50/50. 

Yes, if you dig a hole in the sand and plop the fig tree in, I it's going to suffer.  But I bet if you use good gardening common sense you'll be fine. 

I live in Central Florida. Here nematodes is a big problem too. But if you putting lots of mulch around plant in ground this will deal with nematodes..
Pots figs.. different problem.. Sometimes we have so much rain and over watering kill many my figs, plus I have deep well.. sulfer water, so if we don't have rain long time I have no choice but watering.. figs don't like this kind water.. They don't like salt too much..
Best here grow citrus trees, mulberry, mango if we don't have cold winters doing good..Persimmon trees doing OK..Pears, apples will don't produce..
So, if your property will not flooded in big rain , you can plant figs in ground, put lots of mulch around you they will do good..

nematodes is a big problem with an easy fix.
just plant it with a big pot and remove the bottom of the pot
so the roots can grow out from there.
nematodes only stay in the top 50cm of soil and dont go any deaper.
if you plant the pot to be just above ground and the bottom lower than 50 cm you have solved the nematodes problem.

Andreas, I would think that wind or animals, etc would eventually pass the nematodes from the soil to the pot. 

However, if what you are saying is true, then wouldn't a plant, once its roots reached 50 cm below soil, start to recover, because at that point it would be able to uptake water effectively? 

Enjoyed reading through all the information.  Very interesting.

So, a fig tree from The Bronx, will be planted by BronxFigs down in Florida.  I hope it grows well, and does what a fig trees supposed to do.  My friends love figs, but they never knew that fig trees can be grown in large containers.  In the past, my friends have tried growing vegetables and various other trees on their sandy land, but nothing grows except pathetic, crappy-looking weeds. 

That's where I come in.  It's been decided.  A fig tree is going into a 25+ gallon container, filled with a good mix.  When the time comes to plant the tree, I will direct my friend's son on just how I want the tree to be planted, and he will listen, and do as directed.  I will sit back, supervise, sip on a cool drink, and watch a young man do all the sweaty, grunt work. 

It's nice to be the King.....  : ))))


Frank

Great info everyone. It looks like the major challenge will be the nematodes. I understand
That planting against a building or slab will also offer the roots some protection. Thanks everyone

I think nematodes are an inevitability.  When I lived south of Houston, just about every tree I examined was RKN+ (there may have been one or two, but I don't remember).  I kept mine in containers raised from the ground, and several were still infested.  I think a healthy tree will outpace nematodes and stay productive for quite a while.  I once was helping a forum member with one of their trees and we found galls on the roots of the tree. We had just been talking about how healthy the tree looked and how productive it was before we found out.  His response to finding the galls was "If this is what a tree with nematodes looks like, perhaps all my trees should have it."  In a container, RKN is a much quicker death sentence for trees.  The roots have a finite amount of space to escape the RKN.

Southern RKN is a problem along the Gulf Coast.  I assume the issues are just as severe in Florida as they are in Houston.  They are not so mobile on their own.  They travel more through humans, tools, wind, water, etc.  Regardless of the barriers one might use when planting the tree, all will be lost on the first flood or during gusty winds.  Mulching is supposed to help by inviting organisms that are not friendly to RKN, but that is not a sure bet either.  

OK....after reading all the above I guess even a containerized tree will eventually become infested?  Yech!!  Not good news.

Are there any nematicides that will work, and stop/reverse infestations?  There is a product called "NEMASTOP" that is on the market.  Anyone ever try this?


Frank

I remember seeing a picture many years ago of workers steam treating a field.  It was similar to this root watering device, except they were pumping steam into the top several inches of soil.  Also certain varieties in the Marigold family are known to suppress RKN.  I did not know when I planted my first two fig trees (~18-29 years ago) in Houston that the ground carried the parasites.  I eventually dug one of the trees out to put into a container.  The other one is well over 15' tall X 12' wide.  Even ten years ago, during peak season, I was getting more figs than I could eat and share from one tree.

There are certain varieties which seem to produce roots much more vigorously than others.  Generally, if you see vigorous top growth, the roots are probably keeping up.  I would recommend those varieties.  From my experience, LSU Purple and Celeste are good choices.  I'm willing to bet other varieties from the LSU program should fit the bill (I haven't grown them).  Also, hose described as southern heirlooms (Italian Black, Smith, Hollier, etc.).  Having said that, I have not found 'Native Black' to be a vigorous grower in Texas.  Hunt (on paper) seems like it would be an excellent choice.  An alternative would be to find a successful local variety to use as root stock and graft onto it.  

My oldest potted figs are in their third year and none of them have nematodes. I've up-potted them several times and all of the roots are healthy.

The pots that were infested came in direct contact with my yard's native soil. Every single time. 

Earthworms, lizards, and ants come and go in every pot and yet, so far, it seems that improper placement has been the thing that exposes them to rkn.

I think I've been able to successfully avoid an infestation by placing the pots on my concrete patio, at least 2 feet away from both the edges that meet the soil and from any slope in the concrete that floods during rains. 

I have a friend in zone 9 that I want to send fig cuttings to.  I'm assuming I can do this from WI without incurring the wrath of some governmental authority.  She just harvested some grape tomatoes from seed she removed from some past-use grape tomatoes.  I am encouraging any kind of gardening for her and us too because of the rising cost of food. 

Sunnilab makes some kind of treatment utilizing sesame seed.  I will go to Madison and get some fresh sesame seed to grind and use for my chickens for round worm(along with pumpkin seed).  Maybe I'm trying to apply one thing to a different situation but what the heck...  Besides enriching the soil I bet there are other natural ways to stymy the nematodes.  Talk to the old people and to people who have successfully fought different predators.  There is still a reservoir of wisdom, drink from it before it is gone.

Rob yes you are right.
wind and animals might eventually pass the nematodes but by that time you will have given your tree a good head start.
after the roots go deeper the nematodes will not reach them. sure they will take any roots that form close to the surface,
but the ones that are deeper will be able to suport the tree and grow happy.
Wayne did it without having that problem and so did Wills.(both in florida).
my uncle is in clearwatew florida and has not had any problems with RKN just by giving them a head start.

In my area (SoCal) many of my potted plants that had been in contact with the soil have nematodes. Some figs seem more prone to stunting from it, others not so much. They are here so I live with them. If a tree doesn't preform well from either FMV or RKN, there are more than enough good varieties that do. Fig Fatalism. :)