Hello gents,

Excuse my newness here but I'm training my fig in the Japanese method and need the main horizontal branches to grow a bit longer after last season.
Will they just start growing from the tips when they emerge from dormancy or do I need to cut back and retrain a new end bud? I'm in the UK with no sign of leaf break yet.

I'm still not sure whether that is the style I want so I have also left the leader in case I change my mind on the style.

Many thanks

Jez

Hello Jez-

A  forum member: "ascpete", and a few others,  have done some training using this Japanese method.  A search for his past-postings should yield some more information on this subject.  You'll spend a few years establishing the basic framework of trunk and branches, and then once this is over, you'll have plenty of figs.

By the way, fig trees are some of the most adaptable-to-training fruit trees that can be grown.  Can't speak about the growing conditions in the UK, but I have been growing containerized fig trees since 2007, and training a fig tree is really easy once you establish the basic shape of your tree, be it a Japanese style, many stemmed bush, or, a simple, standard, tree-form.  The first 2-4 years should be spent establishing the style and branch structure.   Then in the following years, concentrate your efforts on the growing of the branchlets that will bear figs.  The more  branchlets, and leaves....the more figs.  There are past-threads that more thoroughly cover and discuss in detail the pruning methods for production.  Training methods used for establishing a basic framework of branches and training for fig production are two different things.  Different fertilizers, and different pruning methods.

Go for it.  You will do it!  Good luck.


Frank

Hello Frank and thanks.

I checked out ascpete's post on training which is easily followed with his attached pics but I just wasn't sure if the main branches would just start growing again from the tips or if they need trimming to bud and retraining flat to lengthen them?

Looking forward to see where it goes this year.

If you do not get lateral growth at the ends of the branches, bend down the lateral-most upright growing branch and train it to grow where you need it, make it into the lateral cordon.  If bent early you can usually get it horizontal pretty quickly, if bending an already upright branch you can take it to the horizontal position in a few stages - the branches are pretty flexible

I agree with all of the above.  Also, per you initial question, the leading/apical growth point ("tip") will continue to be the dominant growth point as the tree comes out of dormancy.  If you are happy with its position, continuue to use it as your main branch.  No need to trim it off.  Good luck, and pictures please!

Thanks eboone & brackishfigger.

Apical growth was the word I was looking for! Good news it keeps growing as I have another 40cm or so to grow laterally.

Pics are not impressive or pretty but here you go.
This was the growth after I had to move it last year in May and pruned to a whip so well into the growing season.
Also a pic of the bud from this season waiting to get going.

Planted in a pit before I knew different and found this forum.

I don't know what fig it is as it was there when we moved in so its Friel and error. Don't know if there will be any Breba crop either so though I would leave the leader and see what happens.

Thanks

I visited WillsC over Christmas and was very impressed with his stepover VdB. he's had a couple of threads on it. Here and here.

Thanks greysmith

As I do not know what type the fig is, should I leave the central leader and see if any Breba crop grow on that or just cut it off and go for main crop uprights from the laterals step over style?

Thanks for taking the time to share some links.