Howdy, All -
I'm in the process of re-habbing my back yard, putting in a raised bed vegetable garden, and planting some more fruit trees -- I hope to add a few more fig trees to join my Brown Turkey, Green Ischia, and Black Mission. Ive got both the Ischia and Turkey fig in the ground but I've planted the Mission fig in a fairly large (but shallow) terra cotta pot. I heard that the Black Mission does not do well in humid Florida so I potted it up and have it on my patio where it can soak up the heat and hopefully have a bit of a drier micro-climate
Florida's "Rainy Season" is typically during summer, and we get some pretty heavy tropical weather (though, Thank God, no hurricanes in recent years). When we get a good spell of tropical rainfall, my backyard can get quite waterlogged and sometimes has standing water in it for a few days. Although the Brown Turkey (my oldest tree) has always survived this deluge, it certainly must suffer.
Im considering putting in a hugelkultur swale / beds to get my figs and citrus trees' roots up above the standing water (plus have some rich soil to boot). I'm wondering if anyone here has tried this technique and what you think of it. (Ill also do a search for the term *DOH* ).
I've also noticed quite a few members here grow their figs in pots. What size of pot is a minimum for growing fig trees? How much fruit can you get off a potted fig under good conditions?
I keep all of my fruit trees, figs included, pruned to about 7-8' so I can harvest easily and protect them from the numerous critters which call my area home. What size could you keep a potted fig tree pruned to? Im considering putting most of my new figs in the ground, as I like their foliage as a 'Screen" and they mix so beautifully with the jungle-esque chaos known as my "garden"
Thanks in advance for your advice...
James