Hello all, I haven't been on in a little while.  I have not had much luck with my fig producing fruit, so I am a little frustrated.  This year, I got the tree out much earlier and let it really absorb the weather, only bringing it in if there was a chance of frost.  I live in upstate NY, and we actually had a frost advisory 2 nights ago (sheesh)!

This tree is maybe 5-7 years old, I have no idea of the type - can anyone help identify it for me?

Also, I know you all have suggested removing leaves to keep it to 4-5 per stem...can you please explain a little further?  Do I remove the very bottom (largest) leaves?  Prune them or just break them off?


     

Thanks for all the help!!

I would look at rules in the forum for pinching back you branches. I have tried it and does induce your fig tree to produce figs.

Hey Frank

If I may suggest. Don't stress about what type of fig it is. So many of us have figs that came upon us and the fact is that the people that brought them here had no use for names... Just, "good fig" or "not good fig". What you have may not be consistent with anything in any cultivar database...Like the wonderful honey fig a friend recently found growing unprotected in zone 5...

IMHO - If you like it....Keep growing, preserve the legacy and enjoy.... Also, in a pot... you need to feed...

Leave the leaves on.  After 5 leaves pinch the growing tip off.  Some varieties will start producing figlets 2 weeks later.  Some just grow new branches and some do either or both depending on conditions.  It takes 60 - 90 days for the figs to mature and they taste best if they ripen in the heat.

Sorry to see you going through what I initially experienced and still experiencing with many varieties that I grew in pots.
Not all varieties are created equal. You might have an exotic variety, but it does not mean that it is better than a $10 tree when it comes to producing delicious figs.
Some varieties will take much longer to produce than others. Also there are some that are not adapted to pots and will give you a hard time no matter what you do.
When you have many like I did, you can afford to wait, but if you're growing only one or two, you need a productive variety that will ripen its fruit during your short summers and without interruptions. My Celeste is an example of such a tree.
My recommendation: Keep this one until your new tree starts to produce. If by then you're still having problems with your current tree, you have time to decide what to do with it.

Yes, please can we have a look at the Z5 badford fig. :)

Is it big? Or does it die back every year?

This fig was found by member Paolo. He rescued the mother tree. A family bought this house and was about to chop down this fig tree that was growing largely unprotected in zone 5. He dug up the large tree on the spot and has kept it in his garage all winter in tubs. He had to trim a ton of it back which made for lots of cuttings. Paolo and I have gotten to know each other and have shared some figs. Currently I'm growing about a dozen of these successfully and look forward to seeing what they do. They're fiercely vigorous and as cuttings aren't as prone to rot as many other cuttings I've rooted.

Here are some recent pics but I'm looking forward to seeing what some good weather will bring.

 
 

Here they are asleep in Paolo's garage as well as where he dug them up. Because of all the work he's invested in these I've for now dubbed
them "U. Fico Venchiarutti"

 

 
 

High hopes for this being a stellar cold weather fig!

It may be a while before this fig can be distributed and in any case it's Paolo's find and I defer to him on it. I'm just thankful to have some.... I'll post more about this as they mature...

I don't know yet but I doubt that it would have any die back once mature in zone 8.... Zone 5 is bloody cold...  I'm not aware of any fig like it...as to the taste.... I suppose good enough to be kept for all these years...but I have no first hand experience...yet...

Thank you all!  I "pinched" the buds off of most of the branches this weekend.  It has been chilly though, down to 42 degrees last night.  This fig seems to be pretty hardy though.  We had a heck of a hail storm yesterday afternoon, and it got pelted pretty good.  I had no idea the storm was coming and was not able to get it inside...everything seems to be ok this morning.  My hope is that less babying of the tree will help it to grow...

I did see some advice on "feeding" the potted trees.  I have put some fertilizer in it once already, how often should we do this with potted trees?

Thanks again!

I've struggled with this issue for a few years. Last year I fertilized just once and under watered in the beginning. This year I've fertilized already and am working on upgrading the drip system. Try to keep it well fertilized (2-3x per year) and evenly moist. Mulch or something works well. I used rabbit poop mixed with hay and sawdust bedding. I've now got hundreds of breba and waiting for main crop to show itself. Good luck. NJ z6

Knowing what fertilizer to use and how much is very frustrating. Even when using big-brand commercial products, there's very little clear information available. I believe this is because ever plant, in every region, in every potting mix, on any given year is different. IMO you'll be banging your head against the wall if you want a good, clear concise answer on this.

My best advice is largely to repeat what Aaron wrote. Use manure compost. Bunny poop is tops. I use worm castings as I have good cheap access. Other properly composted manures are also good. That will give you the micro nutrients and make for healthy soil. Also, you can't really over-do it with manure.

Add to this a good quality, low-nitrogen slow release fertilizer and you should be in good shape. The rule I follow is with this stuff is, "use a little, a lot". Meaning use small amounts more often...Less chance of burning roots and provides a consistent, steady source of food. I know Aaron said he only fertilized once but he has so many trees that feeding often would be near impossible.... At least that's the impression I get... If you get to where you have hundreds of trees, a good slow release once in a while might be all that's possible.

Good luck and please post your results....  The feedback helps everyone...

We have little figlets!!  I think I counted 8-10, and they are still popping.  I saw a new one this morning.

Very excited!!

 

Nice.  Pinching really does work...most of the time.

I pinched my monster Galicia Negra about 2 weeks ago and nothing yet but I know that energy is going somewhere.  Wouldn't mind a few more branches.

I would say it took almost a full month from the time I pinched them to see the baby figs coming.  So...there are more leaves coming in some of the spots I pinched...do I try to pinch them again?

Congrats Frank!

I grow in NYC as well as Delaware County in NY.  Have about 30 or so different varieties in pots at the 'northern garden' on Franklin Mountain, same zone as you.  It's definitely a challenge but seems to be working out.  Good luck!

This fig leaf looks very similar to my white marseilles aka. lattarula which is a honey fig which is cold hardy but maybe not that cold hardy.