I read somewhere on the forum I think, that newly moved up (1 gal) figs will thrive on all the full sun they can get.   Hummm……?    Well, not here on the Southern California coast, IMHO.    It seems like I’ve spent the last month or more, experimenting with different durations of exposure.   They all appear to stress under full all day of direct sun conditions.   Keep in mind; this is my first year at this, so just my amateur opinion.

After seeing Jon’s set up at the Fig Fiesta, I concluded that I needed more shade or protection.  After a little research, I settled on a 30% filtered netting.   My good timing because, no sooner delivered and we got hit with a heat spell in the last week!   A Santa Ana condition, as it is known in Southern California!  This one has been a little more extreme than nornal all along the coast.   Not so bad the high 80’s but, 10 to 15% humidity….. urgh.   That seemed to send the best into retreat.    The shade cloth showed up none too soon and I hastily rigged it up in my veggie garden this weekend.  Moved all baby figs under net on Saturday, sprinkled them down and they seem to be very relieved and happy.

All this moving around the yard, from shade to sun and back, trying to protect them from wilting in direct sun, appears to have retarded their development.  We should have multiple Santa Ana’s and warm weather well into December, so I’m hoping they catch up before a brief winter rest begins. 

Here’s a few photos of my happy first starter figs.   Anyone else have this “too much sun experience”?  Am I on the right track here..?  Thanks, for any suggestions.  Happy fig picking......

90F and 10% humidity yesterday. Definitely had to up my watering schedule on large and small.

Confirm that 2 hours North of you is no different. Hot and dry... Cannot believe it is a Fall already, my figs think its a Spring and grow with a triple speed!

Jack,
I had the same problem with my new 1 gallon plants last spring. SE Texas is very hot and most of them couldn't take over 2 hours of sun even in the morning. I opted to keep them under a live oak that got a tiny bit in the morning and a tiny bit in the late afternoon. They also seemed a little slow to me so I started fertilizing and they snapped right out of it. So, I think my problem was not enough fertilizer not too little sun. Yours look really good even trying to give you some fruit.

People of the Southern California.
If this heat becomes a problematic you can all pack up and move to Michigan, were you can actually experience all four seasons in one day.
Where else can you have a downpour on a sunny day?

Hope the net works out for you Bosco.

Rafed, we have 4 seasons: Early Summer, Summer, Late summer, Winter Wannabe - oh, and no snow!! You could adapt, trust me.

Shush Jon…… you’re letting the secret out, ha, ha.  The sweet part of Southern Cal is, if you get a craving for the seasons, best snow in the states is just a few hours drive.   Same with the warmth of the low deserts!  Of course, the beach is always in the backyard…… :-)

On a serious note, my baby fig starts seem to love the new sun screen.  Helps that the heat wave has abated too!  The transition from rooting cup to one gallon has been the biggest challenge for me in this new adventure.  And, now the transition to full sun….. urgh!  Seems that those youngsters would prefer partial shade mid-day, at least the first year.   Then again, I may be pushing them too much!  

Good comments Java, glad I’m not alone in this experience.   I have been doing a very light fertilizing up till now; maybe I need up it a bit, while we still have growing weather on our side.  And, now full filtered sun to help!

Looks like you are in my zone Gina, thanks for your tips too!   I’m all over that water thing, almost to a fault.  Meaning too much, because my soil mix is a little too rich!  I want to wait until they go dormant, then re-pot many with way more perlite or equal.

Thanks again for the tips…..

I think your figs have fertilizer stress and the sun amplifies the problem. My young figs this year that have no added fertilizer are all doing very well in extreme sun and heat. It's been in the 100's for months and just started cooling to the 90's last couple weeks. I did an experiment and tried fertilizer on two fig trees this spring and only those two could not take the sun, the
Their leave started shriveling and just now are starting to recover.

Figfinatic……..   I have never heard anything about “fertilizer stress” but, you may be on to something.   I have given the plants a very diluted organic liquid fertilizer when moved to 1 gal.  And, the move to 3 gal   added several tablespoons of slow release Osmocote.     Repeated again one month later!

My potting mix may also be contributing to the fertilizer question.   The mix has ¼ aged horse manure.   Actually, it’s my potting mix that I believe to be genesis or part of my problem.  It retains too much water, doesn’t seem to drain well.  That’s why I mentioned previously, re-potting as soon as they go dormant.    Potting mix I used is: ¼ equal parts large perlite, Pro-Mix (BX), Miracle Gro (moisture +) and aged horse manure.   It didn’t dawn on me (the beginner) my poor drainage/water retention,  until I purchase a few 1 gal figs from Jon and noticed how light they were a day after watering.  Much more perlite, drains like a sieve!  Of course, his 1 gal figs, all seem to be sheltered under a canopy of filtered sun. 

Anyway, thanks for the comment.  I will rethink any more fertilizer.

Jack:good job and thanks for sharing .

Much can go into the equation. Even a one gallon container in the wrong scenario can be a problem and heats up too fast. My first thought though, is whether or not the young fig trees are fully acclimated to the full sun. This is a process which takes some time, maybe yours are acclimated and there is something else.
I think it comes down to this, if you can keep the roots happy(correct temperature, water, air, nutrients) and the leaves are acclimated to sun and the resulting heat, then they can take all the sun you throw at them. Granted, there are going to freakish heat spells from time to time that will make the happiest trees shudder, but in general..at least for me sun, sun, and more sun.

Thanks you for the words of wisdom and experience.    “Keep the roots happy”……  so true!

Thinking on the acclimation issue, I’m sure this has been a factor here.   We have a seasonal weather condition along the coast, locally known as May grey and June gloom.  Basically an early summer marine layer that doesn’t burn off until mid-day!  

So, young figs spend the first few months acclimating to this nice diffused light and humidity, and then……… boom, full hot and bright sun.    That begins the kabuki dance, of moving them all over, looking for the right amount of sun as it rises higher on the horizon daily….ha, ha.   Lacking a green house, I’m hoping this shade cloth idea solves the problem for that critical first year of development.  Thanks much for your comments..