I bought a Hardy Chicago twig this past spring.  It was about 12 inches tall with what looked like three small branches at the top.  One of the branches grew about 14 inches over the summer but the others grew very little or not at all but seemed to have green growth tips all summer so it is very lopsided.  I am wondering how and when to start training my tree.  I have attached a photo to show what I have and to get some advice on how to proceed.  It will remain in a container.  I am thinking I should cut off the middle shoot shown with the green arrow.  The one with the blue arrow had no leaves this year but has a green spot at the top.  Will this grow next year?  There is also a very small branch coming straight out of the trunk (inside of the red oval)  that I thought may do nicely.  Part of my concern is that the way it grew this year it will get so heavy on one side that will easily fall over.  My other thought is to cut both the yellow and blue branches and try to promote the small center (green) one to grow straight  up next year and hope the red one grows also.

Actually I have no idea how to proceed so help would be much appreciated.  Also should I do it after it goes dormant and I put it away or wait until spring?

Thanks  

Hi Mazehavoc.
I'm not an expert, this is what I would do, I would cut the green and blue off, and stake the yellow one to grow straight , until it reaches the height that you want, then cut the tip off and it will branch out. ( you could use the blue and green as cuttings to start new plants.
Good luck.

Vito

Vito. Are you saying if I stake the large (yellow) one I can pull it more to the center line of the pot?

Yes

Vito. Thanks!!
One more question please.  Do the clipping this winter or in the spring?

Vito has good advice for you. Good luck. You have a strong tree just has some side shoots that need taken off then you. Should be able to train your tree

You can do it any time after it goes dormant.

First cut those 2 branches as my friend Vito tells you and grow some more plants next season. You then  up pot to a larger size and plant the root ball at an angle, so the main trunk is straight up. Ive done this with many trees

Hey Coop.  That sounds like a good plan.  Thanks!

Maze....

Do a forum search, read through all the threads regarding the pruning of fig trees and the training methods that can be used to establish the basic, branch structure of any fig tree. 

You still have, essentially, just a rooted twig, and depending on your climate zone, I would be more concerned about keeping this small plant alive throughout the coming winter.  Next season, just as buds are getting ready to burst, I'd plant that tree into a much larger container, fertilized it, and let it grow out.  I wouldn't prune anything off of it for the first few years.  Why?  Because branches can sometimes be damaged, or killed, from freezing temps.  If you leave extra branches on the tree you will be able to prune off what you want to prune off when the time comes.  Why limit yourself?  Decide how you want your tree to look, i.e. bush-form, or, single-stem, standard tree-form. In either case, it doesn't matter.  Prune away whatever branches that don't fit into your envisioned plans.  If the tree is fertilized and is vigorously growing, new buds will break, and grow into new fruiting twigs/branches.  Pinch out new buds as needed.  Once the basic framework of branches has been established, keeping the bush/tree within bounds is easy done.

Root systems will grow to support the canopy of leaves growing above the ground, so the more branches/twigs, the more roots, the more figs....  Try not to restrict root growth with too small a container. The roots in a containerized tree need to be protected from overheating.  A good size tree needs at least 15-18 gallons of a quick draining, growing mix.  If grown right, you can easily get dozens of figs off a 6 ft. containerized tree.  Strive for the basic branch  structure, then, for fig production.  This takes 3-5 years (growing seasons), and will be a work in progress...but at least you'll get some figs along the way.  The results are worth it.

Good luck, and happy growing.


Frank

Hello Mr. BronxFigs.

Thanks for your input.  I will be storing my tree in my unheated basement under a large garbage can to make sure it stays completely dark and should stay nice and cool.  When I got it I put it in a 6 gal container so I think it should be good for a few years correct?  Then I plan on up potting and maybe root pruning?  So do you think the small branches that did not grow much or at all but had green ends that looked like buds will grow next season?  I will be looking at the pruning forums and hope to find some picts of the different structures.  I actually have no idea which structure to use.

Thanks for the great info.