I would like to change the mix and up pot a few trees. They have just come out of dormancy and have figlets and buds opening. Is it too late to change without the figlets dropping? Id rather wait another year if that is the case.

Eric

If you are going to a bigger pot and just adding soil they will be fine. If you are going to root prune I'd wait till fall.

There is a an old rule not to change things up to much once they sprout, but I haven't had much bad luck up-potting plants once they are somewhat established. I think the trick is to not disturb the roots too much. If you are planning on completely changing out the medium, I'll defer to others. I usually try to keep as much of the original rootball and medium intact and just add it to a larger pot with similar medium.  Be careful of adding new soil that is premixed with harsh fertilizers, it can burn the roots. Also allow for some transition time so you're not making a dramatic change in environment (too much water, too much sunlight, etc.) For me it takes a few weeks for the plant to adapt to the new pot. As far as baby fig-lets, these could be breba figs (generally not that desirable in most varieties) and the main crop will reset in  early summer.

Best of luck

How humid is your environment?  In Houston (80%+ humidity) I was able to do root work while trees were in full leaf without too many issues. If you bare-root, you will want to do some root pruning.  If the tree is dormant there is no risk in throwing off the balance.  If not dormant, there is a great risk the leaves will transpire moisture at a greater rate than the smaller rootball can supply  It might not harm your tree, but you may lose a few leaves/fruit.

I've up-potted a tree that had already started leafing out and had young breba on it, and had no problem.  (I had the same worry that you expressed).  It did fine.  I don't think I'd do it deeper into the season though, i.e. once the figs were mature sized (mine were still little at the time).  Also, I just up-potted and added soil... I didn't remove much soil from the existing root ball (just what fell off naturally).  I was worried anyway, because I went up in pot size significantly, and I worried that all the energy would go into making new roots, or just that the shock would cause it to drop the breba.  But it did fine... the breba stayed on and ripened at the usual time, and with the new/bigger soil it had a great main crop that year.

I do agree with the advice above though, about not disturbing the roots too much.  (i.e. I would wait to root prune).  Also, the variety may make a difference... if it's a variety that is already prone to dropping fruit, that might make a difference.  Mine was Peter's Honey, which has always held onto figs pretty tightly here, even after they're ripe.  

Good luck... hope it works out for you.

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a

Thanks for the suggestions. I am not in a very humid environment. They are not root bound. I just want to change them into a more draining bark based soil. (Variation of 5-1-1)
So that would involve bare rooting it. I think i will risk it and just do it. The figlets are just little nubs.

I've lost the recipe for Al's gritty mix for the desert.  He made it for me special.  But it did contain turface, Crushed granite, peat and vermiculite.  They all had a job, and I can't remember the ratios.  But the stuff drained well.

Good luck!

Suzi

Superior Potting Mix - Al's Gritty Mix

Friday, 07 May 2010 15:35 administrator

wayneaYou nailed it!  Al is the king of container gardening.  I sort of lost the formula because we have acreage, and no need for containers now.  That was a great synopsis of Al's gritty mix!

Suzi

Yes, I have 4 acres, all flat, Florida. So far, only 1/2 acre has figs, mangos, bananas, carambola, avocados, guavas, peaches, plums, papayas, dragon fruits, lychee and longans. One acre has granddaddy oaks, so I still have 2.5 acres to go. Most of my rooting is done in gallon pots 60% pine bark fines, rest is peat, perlite, and compost. I lose very little by this method where others do not dare to try and I don't blame them but it works for me.

I looked into the gritty mix and started gathering materials. But i realized that it would be too heavy for my larger pots. Ive used 5-1-1 and been really happy with it. This year i'm using extra large perlite and growstones in a 5-1-3 ratio. (Bark, promix, growstones/perlite)

Sounds good Eric, I am a big time advocate of pine bark fines, especially when I can purchase a high quality 2 cu ft bag for $3.

Ive been paying $14 from a nursery. Ive been to probably 10 different stores and most just dont have the right size. The $14 bag is good straight without sifting. I did see a $3 bag at walmart that looked promising. Im in need of about 10 cf. so im gonna check it out today.

I read somewhere that figs prefer soil that is slightly alkaline.  Is this true; and if so, doesn't the pine bark add more acidity to the soil than optimal?

Most box stores do not carry the fines, a lumber company from North Florida makes several different products and wholesales them to mulch and landscaping retailers. I travel 110 miles to get the pbf, but 3 of my children live in that area so a visit is due when I need some pbf, or I have my son visit me only if he brings 25 bags of pbf with him.

Crunbar, you would add lime to raise the PH.

Waynea, i know. Ive been everywhere in my area. I quickly glanced at the walmart bag last time i was there but was in a hurry. It looked pretty good but ill confirm today. I found orchid bark that is perfect. But it comes in 1cf bag for $15! Worse case ill have to buy a few $14 bags because i have 3 more citrus trees barerooted in my garage that are in cedar shavings. Running out of time.

http://www.theevergreennursery.com/garden-care/bulk-materials/

http://clarkshomeandgarden.net/Products/BarkandMulch.htm

Hey Eric, try these two supply centers, they should have what you are looking for, if not they could give you information on how to find some.

Thanks for the links! Evergreen nursery is where i get the $14 2cf bags.
I'll check out clarks today. They are only a few miles from me.

You may want to buy bulk, 1 cu yd = 27 cu ft =13.5 bags. Bag it up yourself.