I am new to figs, but it seems that many very nice folks on the forum are wishing the best of luck to others  who are hoping to get to taste just one!  Is it really that difficult?  Is it really more often than not that everything can seem to be going along just fine, and then, suddenly no fruit?  It never shows up, or it shrivels and drops, or it doesn't ever ripen?  If it does ripen, the birds or ants or squirrels get them?  Wow!  I'm scared!!!!

I have five trees (two old ones that I've had for six years but never really took care of and just discovered this year that figs are good)!  Both of them are in 30 gallon pots and I just bought three new ones.  Petite Negri, Green Ischia are the older ones.   Black Jack and Peter's Honey (both from Monrovia in 5 gallon pots) and celeste (a baby in a two gallon pot).  The two older trees each had two breba fruits this spring which sold me on figs!  They were awesome.  Now each of those trees has about 30 fruits on it.  The two Monrovia trees have about 20 fruits apiece, and I have already eaten three from the Black Jack, three more look like they are about to ripen any minute.  Again, I though they were awesome, but I don't have a very refined palate, yet!    The Celeste has about 10 tiny little figs on it. 

Pictures are attached.  At what point can you feel comfortable that the figs will ripen?  I know it's safe to say that if you are eating it, like I have with the Black Jack, that chances are good that I'll get to taste it!    :-)  But what about the others!  Obviously the Black Jack from Monrovia was ready to ripen, so that one doesn't count.  However, The  figs on the two older trees have been about the same size for about three weeks now (just over an inch).  From the pictures, does it look like I have a chance at tasting the fruits?  Or even at this stage, can they get unhappy and drop everything?  Just curious.  I don't want to get my hopes up too high, or buy my prosciutto too early!   MMMMMM!!!!!!

Thanks.

Nightspell....

I am almost certain that you will have ripe figs this season.  Many growers on this forum start their fig trees from cuttings which might take more than a few years to reach bearing age, and younger trees can be temperamental until they settle down.  Sometimes they abort fruit, or, the fruit will  usually improve in flavor with age.

Start with as large a tree as possible and this factor will cut years off waiting for fruit.  Your trees are already bearing.  There are a few threads currently posted that discuss how long a fig takes to ripen, from a tiny embryo fig, to the full-ripe stage, which is roughly 70-85 days.  But this can vary with culture, climate, anf growing conditions, etc.  You profile doesn't mention where you live, or your climate zone.  Those factors will make answering your questions easier by other forum members.  Climate matters.

Hope this helps.  Pour yourself a nice glass of wine and relax...but keep an eye on your "Celeste", and make sure she's always happy...or, she might drop her figs.  Then, she's not so celestial!

Even if you have some minor disappointments, growing fig trees can be the most rewarding endeavor for any plant lover.  They fruit on new, and old wood, and when grown right, you'll have all the figs you can eat, every year.  You will learn all you need to know in just a few seasons.  It really is basically ....just let the trees grow, form figs, eat figs, store trees correctly over the winter, and start them back up the following season.  Did I say basically?

This forum will help you through each seasonal requirements.  Check with us often.  By this time next year, you will be a trooper, and be hopelessly  hooked.

Happy growing season.  It will bear fruit.

Frank

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Edit:  Sorry, I missed the Texas notation on your profile.  F

Hi Nightspell,
I'm in zone 5b southern ontario canada
last year I tasted figs off of my 7 trees,
this year it looks like 20 will give me something to eat.
You are in Texas, and have a much longer and warmer growing season
for sure you will taste some figs.
probably your main concern would be making sure they have enough water.

enjoy
Grant

I haven't read what you've read, but would say patience is definitely required.  You should eating minimal fruit within 1-3 years with proper care, it may not taste awesome, but you'll be eating it.

Wow, thanks for the info.

I am in a little town called Lancaster, 15 miles south of Dallas, Texas, zone 8a.  100 degrees here today!  All my figs are in pots, and until yesterday (99 degrees), I was watering once a day.  Yesterday and today, I have watered twice.  The trees seem happy, but the newest ones I have been moving out of the hot sun in the afternoon and giving them some partial, filtered sunlight.  Put them back in full sun in the morning until about 2:00, then back in filtered.  Thought I would gradually get them used to more and more sun. 

The celeste is the newest (about a week), and she was in a nursery practically hidden under larger fruit trees.  Her transition has been the hardest, and I think she is going to drop some fruit even tho I have tried to introduce her slowly to the sun!  Leaves look fine, but one of the 10 or so fruits looks like it's drying up. 

Frank, I am 62 years old and I had it figured out that I didn't have a lot of time to wait for baby trees to grow up -- so I purchased the Black Jack and Peter's Honey at a local nursery who got them from Monrovia.  They each are about four feet tall, covered with fruit, and set me back about $60.00 each.  But I figure it's worth it!

Also, on my two older trees -- I didn't know enough back then to give them shelter during the winter, so each of them has had to rough it out outside.  Hasn't seemed to hurt them, tho!  Go figure!!!!!

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

Santa Rosa plums!  We have a tiny, ancient one that's all stunted.  One, admittedly very nice, cherry sized fruit for something probably almost thirty years and still 4-5ft.  We have a more vigorous Green gage, but I suspect this isn't the most friendly climate for fruit, anything that was ripe was small and not good.  The apples and pears, especially Kieffer, are so much more problem free, and if we'd just manage to bag the dang apples, we'd have some.  The small Kieffers tastes a great deal like Seckels, so it's always pretty delicious.  The big ones are just watery and the skins are extra tough.  The tough skins makes it really unpleasant for animals to peck and eat. 

Nightspell....

You nailed it.  I am also 62 years old.  The waiting game is for the younger, more patient growers.  I started growing in 2007.  A late start, because I never knew I could grow a fig tree, successfully, in a container.  I went right on-line and searched until I found a nursery that sold big trees...took a ride and bought some 6 ft tall trees that already had set a main-crop of figs. That was in July of that year.  By August, I had a big crop of figs ripening, and I ate almost all of them.  I had to share with others in my family.  The rest is history.  I've been growing ever since, and ate figs every year.

The money you spent is cheap compared to the long wait from cuttings.  How much is your time worth?  Now get yourself some cheap dollies, and roll your trees around.  Getting hernias when you're 62 is no fun!  I hate work.  I have my trees planted in large containers, and placed on dollies.   I just push them around with my feet.  I'm too lazy to even bend.

You will have very few problems growing fig trees in your zone.  Ask on this form, what varieties do well in your heat...but I wouldn't worry about that right now.

I'm a little confused...you are not a new grower if you've been growing for 6 years.  Or, have I misunderstood your first posting?  It doesn't matter....go enjoy the trees, and the soon, ripening figs.  Go out and buy some good, paper-thin prosciutto, crusty bread, some ripe brie, and a good wine.  Life is good.

Frank

Hi Nightspell,
with your plants in pots, it helps to keep the roots cool if the pots themselves have protection from direct sun. The ones I have not dug into the ground, I have put into larger white pails, or mulched.

Grant

Nighspell many here get to taste lots of fruits as there trees mature, Jason said it best patience cause mostly in this fast pace society folks want things Now !  lol
I an understand that also but as a fig tree matures the fruit will come in more and more with proper pruning .
Also fig trees are very forgiving as i notice on the forum with some new growers the little things gets them worried but nothing wrong with that cause there like a part of us and we want the best for them.

I will say this.  IF you find a neighbor that lets you take cuttings, and this neighbor swears that people come from miles around to taste her figs, and she invites you to the tasting (late Aug-early Sept), and lets you take cuttings, as many as you want (I took 20 tips).

Catherine's cuttings are all green and showing growth after 3 weeks now.  Nothing dead or dying.

I will get to taste the fruits of my labor.  I promised Catherine 3 living, rooted plants, and myself 2.  The rest are for you!  Catherine's Nacido White is an emerging fig tree. 

Personally, I think it's some known varietal, but she has no clue.  Sweet lady though, Hugs all around!

Suzi

PS Don't be afraid to knock on a door, baby fig tree in hand and ask for a trade.  You don't even need a baby tree, but if the person opening the door is a lady, you need to be female, understanding, and gushy.  If not, you will lose!  If the person opening the door is male, and you are female, you are in the ball park... male, proof will be required.  Bring the trade with you, and be prepared to dig!

This forum is awesome.  Thanks.

Frank, you didn't misunderstand my first post.  I have always loved gardening, but it has been the landscaping type.  Never was particularly interested in growing anything I could eat. 

Six years or so ago, a friend gave me the two older trees in the pots.  My husband loves figs, so we found a spot in the yard -- admittedly not the best spot, because it was pretty shady.  Never did look into how to care for them.  Over the past six years, they've grown into pretty dramatic looking trees -  I thought they were pretty but I never really paid much attention to them.  I thought I didn't like figs, since I had only tasted store-bought, so I didn't try to get them to produce.  Then, totally by accident this spring, each of the two trees produced two breba fruits, and believe it or not, they ripened at the same time.  My husband ate two of them, I for the first time, tried "homegrown" figs as I ate the other two.  They were delicious and the rest is history!!!!   I thought I'd pay some attention to them  this year and learn how to care for them!

So far I'm having a ball -- and everyone on this forum is so helpful.  Thanks.

And you are so right -- Anytime you can find another way to enjoy brie, prosciutto and a fine wine, you've got it made in the shade!!!  Life is good!

That's right.  If you ain't havin' fun growing something, then don't grow it.

If you can, post some photos of your older trees.  Maybe they might need some clean-up pruning...which will help push out more figs next year.  More figs = more figs to eat.

Learning how to get the most from your fig trees will evolve over the coming months.  Will you continue to grow in containers, or, do you plan to put them in-ground?  Enjoy the growing season for now, but do some homework to learn what options you have for overwintering your new trees.  Plan ahead for the colder months.  Don't get caught with your prosciutto hangin' out.  : )

Frank

I'll take some pictures tomorrow for you, Frank.  I have figured out that they definitely need some shaping and some root pruning.  Thought I'd wait till fall for that tho!  Your advice on how to shape them will be most appreicated.

Just post a few shots that show the trees, and branch structure, even if you have to move some branches/leaves to show trunk details.  We will look the trees over and give you alternatives, if that is what you want.  You know that you can start new plants from the pruned off branches? 

Root pruning is another issue.  We will cross that bridge later.

Happy growing.

Frank

Oh, my!  Frank, I am so embarrassed.  I definitely want your input.  I seriously thought about messaging you in private to avoid being reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Figs, but I have learned so much from other newbies' posts that I decided to come clean!!!!

First:  the disclaimer.  These were given to my husband six years ago because he likes figs.  He is not the gardener, but he promised he would care for them!  ROFLMAO!!!!!  Loving all things living, I did regularly splash some water on them while I was tending to the rest of the garden.  But that is absolutely the only care they've received in six years UNTIL I accidentally hit them with some miracle grow foliar fertilizer when my dog tripped me and I got all wrapped up in the hose.  That's when they produced the brebas this spring and I fell in love.

Remember also that I said I kinda liked the trees because they were dramatic?  That's because they have grown horizontally, winding, twisted,  inside-out and curvilinearly with just a clump of leaves on the end of the branches.  Rather artistic I thought!!   :-)

So, okay!!!!!   I'm ready!!!!   Kevlar on!!!!   Let me have it!!!  Photos below!

Nightspell...

Nice "trees" ....and they are very artistic.  That being said, I would very lightly pinch out the terminal buds and try to force some dormant buds to sprout out from some of those older, non-productive  stems, which will give you more fruit.  The trees will just become fuller and twiggier, but will also retain their "artistic" original shape.  The overall "look" will not change much.

If you want a standard, single-stem tree, I would repot/re-orient the main, thick stem of tree in photo 5 and 6 so that it is positioned vertically, and trim back the top slightly to induce some branches to also grow vertically.  This will be the basic framework for your future tree, which will evolve over the next few years.  You will be able to grow a nice rack of fruiting branches toward the top of that vertical stem.  A 6 ft tall tree will be all you need to give you dozens of figs.

Any pruning back, re-orienting, trimming, pinching, etc...will be a work in progress, and you should not do anything drastic until you decide what you are aiming for.  Figs are pretty forgiving, and if you make a mistake with pruning, they usually resprout.  Just take it easy for now, and do major work in the correct season.

You are the one that will live with these trees.  Shape them the way you want them to look.  If you are reluctant to do some pruning, then just feed them and pinch back growth.  You'll be surprised how differently these trees will look in a few seasons.  You will eventually come to some decision, and then, go for it.

I use pruning tools made for bonsai work.  They look like a giant toe-nail cutter, and they leave very clean, smooth, cuts, and no stubs.  Best tool for pruning.

I'm sure other members will have some ideas for you to think about.

Good luck...thanks for posting photos.

Frank

Frank:

Thanks for not laughing out loud!   I know it had to be hard. 

I have no problem pinching, pruning, reorienting, etc.  Just want to be sure how and when.  So, attached are two more pictures.  Each is a close up of a branch, with fruit, etc. 

So, do you mean for me to pinch in now with fruit on?  And if so, just that itty-bitty little "thing" that looks like it might turn into a leaf, or the leaf itself just above the fruit, or both?

Ooops!  Sorry, hit the wrong button.  Pictures attached.  Also, see that little bitty thing in the "crotch"?  Is that an "embryo". 

If we pinch now, will more fruit develop this year.  Should I pinch out the new growth at the bottom of both trees?  Thanks so much for putting up with me. 

Night...

Thanks for the additional photos.  No need to feel bad about your trees....by next season, they will look completely different, after pinching, pruning and some redirecting of new growth.

"Pinching out terminal buds"...or, just, "pinching" means removing that green, thorn-shaped tip.  By doing this, it redirects the energy that the tree will use to make new leaves, and directs this energy into ripening already formed fruit/figs.  It is a very useful technique for growers  in areas with short, cool seasons.  Your season will probably last  far longer than my short season, so it may not be necessary for you to pinch out the terminals just yet.  Maybe some Southern growers will chime in and offer suggestions.  If you pinch out the terminal buds now you probably will not get more fruit, and if you do it may not ripen.  It's your call.

And yes, that "little bitty thing in the crotch" is a fig bud, and it will form another fig.  By the way, I'd lose the "little bitty thing in the crotch" phrase.   It's just not a good thing for any man to read.  Too Freudian   : )     Hope you have a sense of humor. 

I would not do any major pruning now.  You can wait until next spring to remove extra stems.  All the extra wood will send food into the roots for growth next spring.  Then when you remove it, all the energy will go into the remaining, unpruned stems, and you'll get a good flush of new, growth.

Above all, keep asking questions.  It is no bother to help new fig growers.  We all went through this...and we are all still exchanging ideas on how to grow better figs and plants.

Relax.....take a good swig of wine....

Frank

Ah, yes!!!!  I believe a glass of wine is in order after I realized what I just said to you in an open, public forum.  I do have a great sense of humor, though, and I  blushed and laughed at the same time.  Sorry about that!  Reminds me of when I was young and stupid and you'd think that my advancing years would prevent foot-in-mouth syndrome. 

Anyway, your responses are appreciated.  I think I'd like to err on the side of caution, though, if there's a chance I could get another crop this year by not pinching just yet.  So I think I'll hold off. 

Also, with respect to the fig bud where the branch "forks", will that little fig grow this year, or will it be next year's breba?  Perhaps I could experiment a bit and pinch out one or two on branches that don't have any figs on them right now and see what happens. 

Thanks again!

Nightspell...Nightspell....

It was all in good fun, of course.  I had to do it.  It was just too funny to pass up.  Glad you laughed.  I did, and I'm still laughing.

Yes, do nothing until you are sure about what you want.   I'm really not sure you will ripen another crop, but I could be wrong.  And the tiny fig will get larger as the season progresses...however, I'm not even sure if next year's breba figs will be visible on this season's wood.  More experienced growers will have to answer that question.

This may sound like overkill, but when I started to grow figs, I would write quick notes in a journal, so I could keep track of what I did.  I don't anymore, but it helped for a few years, until I got the hang of it.

Frank