Being a newbie I would like to try my hand at raising figs in pots, looking for help. I live in  the Pittsburgh  Pa. area, and would like to raise one light and one dark fig. I would like ones that ripen early,sweet and taste good and take a little frost. I had a dark fig in the ground for 8 to 10 years. It was about 7'  to 8' tall had to use a 7' step latter to tie the branch and wrap the tree. 2 years ago when I unwrapped the tree it was mold cover and the bark came off, the tree never came back. The tree was a hand me down, from a father to a son, to a son, to me. Know one knew where it came from or the name. Was a vary tasty fig, but to late to ripen. The figs did not start to ripen until the middle of Sept., if we had a early frost  covering  the  tree did not help, the leaves would fall off then the fig, I sure miss my fresh figs and would like to start over. What type of soil is best to use? When do you know to change pot size?  This will be all new to me and I would like hear to from people who has success with raising fig in pots.  Thank bugs

Welcome Bugs. I think you have many fignuts living around your area. So my congrats. I would recommend you to get in touch with either one of the 3 guys --- Gorgi or Herman2 or Bass. They are all regular forum members here and U know 100% what you get. Even better, get a big tree if you can for hardyness as well as instant fruiting capabilities. There are other well known members in your region but I am not sure whether they sell. Good luck & have fun in this forum.

Gino's Dark!!  ;)

I second Jason- Read the forum thoroughly- very helpful.

Dark- Gino's Black, Chicago, Sal's
Light- Italian Honey, Adriatic

Good starters- even a Chicago is good to start-There are so many to choose from. A fig is in the taste of the beholder. What tastes good to one may be great to another.

Pots

You should go up only a max of 2 sizes when you see roots come out the bottom-i.e.-1 gal to 3 gallon, 3 gallon to 5 gallon, etc

Use well drained soil- nothing that will retain too much water- will rot out roots. Not to get crazy, but look for Miracle Gro with a good amount of Pine Bark mulch, Mix some sand to improve drainage.

You also could make your own- as per Bass- 3 parts Pine Bark Fines ( mulch run over by a lawn mower) 1 part perlite, 1 part peat moss.

One correction Dominick you should not use dolomite lime it is a fast acting lime that has already been broken down/diluted then formed into pellets works fast but is quickly depleated from the soils. You need limestone {white powder} it stays in the soil longer and works for up to three years. It goes against what you would think... powder dissolves and is gone but not with lime....

Thank to all I have learned a lot today, for my first time.  Now I have a start.


Bugs

Whoops-Thanks for the correction- The local Surplus guy drives me crazy!

He keeps correcting me-Thinks he knows all!

Dom I was confused at work and all Dolomite lime is fine but I have never found it in pellet form.. I use the powder dolomite lime white show lime as we call it. The pellet form is a diluted powder lime that has already been broken down and formed into gray pellets for fast absorption of lime to the soils.  The powder is long acting even though you think it is washed out is is in the soil working for upwards of three years... Garden centers sell the powdered lime (white) to sweeten the soil.sorry for the confusion i even confused myself.....

Supposedly it activates with moisture. I can not find granular anywhere by me. It is either dolomite or nothing. They are in pellets w/o the dust. I have even seen some say limestone chips in the bottom of the pot is good as well. I heard Bill figs uses it (granular) in pounds and not cups for his self watering.

For your self watering, does it not leach away since it is self contained? No holes for it to leave, it stays in the water even if removed. But even if it settles to the bottom as grit, couldn't you take the water use it on top to filter back through?

As far as the local agriculture supply store. The guy drives me nuts! I tell him what I'm doing (enough to get my supplies) and he corrects me every time. That's why I don't even bother telling them I'm growing figs because they have no idea what is needed as far as growing figs. I say fruit and they want to shove phosphorus up my wazoo. I understand why but they don't seem to understand potted culture with them - requirements are different then a tomato and try to correct me EVERY TIME!