Is it ALWAYS better to constrict the roots?

Carlo
1244686430

According to the Royal Horticultural Society of England,

"To encourage figs to bear crops it’s a good idea to restrict their root growth; by restricting the plant’s leafy growth, the plant will produce more fruit. You can do this by creating a planting pit; growing the plant in a container; and plunging a container into the ground.

To prepare a planting pit, dig a hole 60x60x60cm (2x2x2ft). Line the sides of the holes with patio slabs, setting them 2.5cm (1in) proud of the ground to prevent the roots from spreading over the top of the soil. Leave the bottom unlined, but add a layer of rubble or broken bricks and crocks to 10–15cm (4–6in) deep, to prevent roots penetrating the soil underneath.

Dig around the outside of a planting pit every couple of years with a sharp spade to ensure that no roots have escaped."

http://www.rhs.org.uk/growyourown/fig.asp

Do you think it really works? Less roots=more fruit?

Quote

The_montreal_Fig
1244689332

see http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2556920&highlight=restricting+roots

Quote

OttawanZ5
1244689452

Even if in principle the theory is sound for fruit plants with slow growing roots, it may not be practical with figs because of its fast growing root system that fills up the space thus blocking intake of water, nutrients and oxygen required for sustaining the plant and the fruit. But this is only my opinion (as they say IMHO).

Quote

OttawanZ5
1244689635

Well, the next post might come from Toronto, I guess.

Quote

Dieseler
1244726592

Ottawan ,
ok i will chime in from the states here.
Its said
According to the Royal Horticultural Society of England,

"To encourage figs to bear crops it’s a good idea to restrict their root growth; by restricting the plant’s leafy growth, the plant will produce more fruit. You can do this by creating a planting pit; growing the plant in a container; and plunging a container into the ground.

My take

PINCH PRUNE Whatever you want to call it no need for all the above work and when your pinching they like a nice song sung to them!

Best Health

Quote