Hi, I'm new to the fig-tree world, and in need of some advice. My boyfriend gave me a little brown turkey fig tree in a pot for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I have been watering it and putting it outside next to a south-facing wall in the late mornings, and bringing it in again in the evenings.
It's about 10'' tall, has 3 big leaves, one or two medium ones, and one or two very small ones. The big ones are dark purpley-brown around the edges (and were that way when I got the tree), and small parts of them have started to turn dead-brown and shrivel up. It has only been two weeks, but I wonder if I should be worried that I have seen no change whatsoever in the size of the littlest leaf (smaller than a dime).

Any advice would be very, very much appreciated--I really want the little guy to pull through!

Thanks a bunch, 
aatnat

This may be a blessing in disguise.  If it's actually a real Brown Turkey, it may be best just to let it die ;).  Then go out and buy a fig that actually has some flavor.  In your situation, the only reason I would keep that tree alive is because a loved one gave it to me... but that doesn't make the figs taste any better.

A lot of people think they have a Brown Turkey - it's one of those names that get tossed around like a cheap hooker - if you have Celeste or one of the other varieties that taste good but people often mis-title "Brown Turkey", it may be worth saving.

aatnat,

Fig trees like sun.  A brown Turkey isn't a premium tasting fig, but it means something to you!  Figs are tough!  They don't like snow.  They don't like too much water.  Welcome to the forum!  I'm sure you will find a ton of figs you want when you read all the posts!

If it's cold outside, don't worry!  Figs go dormant in the winter.  They all lose their leaves, and in spring they come back with a vengeance!


Hang in there!  And what a nice boyfriend you have who is thoughtful enough to give you a fig tree!!  Diamonds are better, but a fig tree will do ;-))

Suzi

aatnat,

This is the time of year figs slow down growth readying for dormancy. If your area is not too cold at night you can just leave it outside. It needs to start adapting to the cooler nights. You might want to put it into a larger pot too...if not now then in the spring. Be careful not to over water it. Figs like good drainage and do not like wet roots so no soggy soils like MiracleGro creates. Use a cactus mix soil for good drainage if you don't have a homemade blend of soil.

If this is a true Brown Turkey many do not like it as much as other figs. It is a large fig and therefore watery which dilutes the flavor. Others LOVE this fig for just that reason. What I'm saying is you need to be the judge of this fig and not take anyone else's advice until you taste it.

If you get additional fig trees give us a holler for advice on some excellent figs for your area. Many here will be glad to help. Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of figs!

Sue

Great advice from Sue.  Don't be concerned what ever the variety it is.   If you like the figs it produces, or if it is a pretty tree, or if you just want to please your boyfriend...that's what counts.  

Fig trees are adapted to a wide variety of climates.   One tree will produce great figs in one area and not in another. So just because Jason is unable to produce great tasting brown turkey figs doesn't mean it won't produce great figs for another grower in another area. 

Also taste is subjective.  One person may love a fig that another doesn't like.

Welcome!  What are the temperatures in your part of Arkansas these days?  Can you take a picture of the tree, pot and soil for us?  Figs aren't all that picky but they can't be soggy or very dry.  A big dose of fertilizer can do that sometimes, too.  If you've fertilized it recently tell us which fertilizer and how you mixed it up.

The best thing about the Brown Turkey I temporarily have is now that the leaves have yellowed and fallen off, they smell delicious.  IMO, the tea from this variety is much better than the figs were.

chances are your tree is going dormant for the winter. that's why the leaves are changing. i won't worry too much. the bigger worry should be watering and keeping it in place where it won't freeze to death. don't water too much. water when the contaienr is light enough to let you know that most of water has been used up, but still some to keep roots moist. once the temp is around 35-40, take it into garage or indoor where it won't freeze.

welcome to the forum.

This your tree, a gift given in a gesture of love, it doesn't matter what the pedigree is, did it ask for your pedigree?  Brown Turkey is one of the most widely grown figs in this country, maybe the world, and has been a gateway tree to the hobby for many.

I promise you the thrill of eating your first fig off your love tree, will be the best fig you have ever eaten.

All the advice concerning the over watering and the dormancy is good advice.

Hi aatnat,
Welcome to the fig forum.  My journey in figs started when I had tasted an unidentified green fig that was incredible. It was the first time that I had tasted a fresh fig and  was hooked.  I thought a fig was a fig and was excited to find and purchase what was labeled a dwarf brown Turkey fig.   It grew and gave our family some good tasting figs.  Not as good as the green unidentified but still good. 

Later, I found this forum and reading found that there were people who liked brown figs and those who did not.  To make matters worse, I bought a fig without doing more homework.  I saw that people recommended a fig called Black Jack for my area and found one at a garden center called Black Spanish.  Read online that it was similar to Black Jack and later found that it was very close to Brown Turkey.  Was trying to branch out and ended with two figs with different names but basically the same fig.  Had a forum member send me a cutting of Texas Everbearing.  Went from cutting to small plant very quickly and it is beautiful.  It is also a type of Brown turkey. 

It may sound silly but I am attached to my Brown Turkey because it is my first Fig.  One warning. figs can because very habit forming. 

Again, welcome to the Forum.  Some great people and fun reading.

if it is in a small pot i would keep it indoors in the winter as a small plant is not as hardy as a tree in the ground. you could skip dormancy and let it grow. how big is the pot?

first trees are very special. and when they put on figs, it's just amazing. then you develope your taste and look for better testing figs. then you end up with too many fig trees and start needing to retire some. but first few trees.. they will be taken cared of and live to give more figs.. even if it's BT :)