Amazing results is an understatement. I followed the advice of a couple of forum members who used this technique to grow their figs. They utilized the SWC techniques of global buckets. Other than 2 of the figs grown which were already rooted, the rest were all cuttings won on Ebay. The LSU Golden Celeste cutting was from a generous forum member, and an additional cutting was from a local fig grower. I could never of imagined the growth that I experienced in this first year. 

The plants look great!! Congrats!

I didn't see this when you first posted it.
They look fantastic.
The main problem I've encountered this season is the trees in these 5 gallon sips have gotten so big that I have some problem with them blowing over.
When I root pune this Winter , I'll also prune the tops back very hard and make plans to stake them down somehow next season.

Great looking group of plants there.

Do these 5 gal pots need root pruning every year? I am hoping not, but will do if need be.I was under the impression that you were able to get 3 years before root pruning in 5gal pot. If so, when is the best time to do. Early sping? Before first bud ?


luke

Ruben- Thanks!!!

Kerry - Thanks for the advice and kind words, How has production been  with your 5 gallon sips? 

Root pruning depends on how much growth. I didn't root prune a few that started middle of last season.

But you will find a ton of roots invade the water reservoir. I will trim quite a bit this coming season. 2 inches off the bottom and about 1 to 2 inches off the sides.

My Preto is at 5 feet tall now and it was started as a cutting in March 2011.

Do you keep them year after year in the 5 gallon buckets.
What do u do when they outgrow? If you trim top and roots, how productive are they? I have t had the best success with sips. Water is pretty salty and there is salt buildup in reservoir. Kills most of my plants, but haven't tried it much with figs.

Haven't done it long. Only 2 seasons. I know what you mean about the salt. Saw it in reservoir over the winter when they were dried out. White residue.
But it has not been a problem up until now. Nothing has died or withered.

My goal was to grow them in the SWC for about 3 to 5 years. Evaluate the fruit to see if I like. Then I was going to transfer those i like into the ground to test hardiness.

nypd5229 Thanks, for your root pruning suggestions...This is the end of only my first year growing in the SWC...I want to be able to manage and maintain them and keep them in the buckets as long as I can, since I have limited overwinter storage space, and I know that root pruning will be a key in maintaining their health, potential growth and fruit production.

Luke ,
Mine have been in these 5 gallon sips for 3 years with no root pruning.
I think they would have done better if root pruned every 2 years unless they are slow growers.  Almost nothing grows slow in a SIP.
I did root prune some at 2 years that were being moved from Sips to 5 gallon pots with side holes for sale. They were very easy to root prune at that size.
Never noticed salt build up in the sips , but I tend not to fertilize as much as I should and allow more overflow of the resevoir when I water probably because of slow reaction time in shutting off the hose.
Pasquale , production has varied . I have some 3 year olds that haven't fruited yet and some that produced 2 to 3 dozen figs this season and some in between.