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newbe needs help

  • rx2

Hi all, I got bit by the fig bug last year when a friend gave me a dessert king. I was told to let it go dormant. I did and the top of the tree died and started to rot. I brought it inside and for 4 to 5 months it looked like I was trying to grow a dead stick. Now I have this. What fertilizer should use and should I clip the tops?
fig2 010.jpg 


Welcome, rx.
Looking good. Desert King can only produce a breba (first crop) unless you were in Southern California, but it's a productive and hardy variety for your climate.

Branches that are green right now (this year's growth) will give you fruit next year, so when pruning, take that into consideration.
Any dieback should be cleaned out. Those dead tips will stimulate more branching, which will give you more fruit.
Figs like slightly alkaline soil, so a little shake of pelletized lime (the stuff you use for lawns) two or three times during the growing season will allow your plant to efficiently absorb the nutrients it needs.
Osmocote, Miracle Grow, Espoma or any well balanced fertilizer with micronutrients will make that plant happy, though it looks like it's pretty happy already.
If you plan on bringing it inside for the winter, you can fertilize it as any house plant. If it's going to spend the winter outside, you should stop fertilizing by the middle of August, so the new (green) growth has enough time to harden off.
Any stems that are bright green are really sensitive to cold temperatures, so you want that plant to slow down or stop its growth by the time the leaves start turning and falling off.

Try doing a search for "pinching", a practice that forces branching.
Again, welcome to the forum.
Good bunch of people here, a kind community.

  • rx2

Thanks for the help all, Yes there are dainage holes in the bucket. I live in Tacoma WA Zone 8 so I don't think I can get a second crop. I plan to winter the tree outside this year under a carport and put it in the ground next year. I hope all the green this year will have figs next year.
Thanks   rick 

Hi Ric, welcome to THE forum.
To my opinion you can go daring and plant the tree on the ground now and let it grow as big as it can, no pruning at all. Lay a nice thick layer of top soil (potting soil) under and around the roots in the ground before covering it. If it grows big enough you'll be out of danger of freeze drying it in winter. It's just my opinion.
Good luck ;)

Hi rx2,
If you plan to put her in ground, do it now and fertilize the dirt around the tree, and water regularly.
Good luck .

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  • Tam

xr2: Welcome to the Fig Forum.

Best,
Tam

  • rx2

Thanks for all the help. Can't put in the ground this year. Too much work, have to remove a small fir tree by the house first. I guess I got bit bad so I just bought an Olympian. Its future home is in the middle of the front yard. Have to build a BIG planter first.

Rick
Lakewood WA  Zone 8

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