Here is the situation: I was asked a question last night from a friend that has two baby celeste trees. Neither tree has produced any fruit. One tree is about 3 years old, and the other is two. My friend says that not only are they not producing fruit, but not growing any taller either! It seems like he's done everything correct when it came to planting..so any ideas on why this is happening?

I had a Figo Preto that behaved the same way. Jon said to try a deliberate over fertilization schedule. It is in my greenhouse and has snapped out of its stunted growth habit this year. It didn't happen right away but waited until the new season of growth. I would make sure that the soil is a high quality well draining soil before I tried that though.

Could be a number of reasons. My first guess is root bound in the pot.. (Bonsai fig tree) Second is it allowed to go dormant each winter and rest in a cool dark place?
I would repot it into a bigger pot work the roots loose alittle but do not leave air pockets. If it is really root bound take a razor knife and make 3 or 4 slices down the sides of the root ball. or take pruning shears and cut out the large cable roots. Repot it in a good media for mature tree's (not starter media) and allow it to do its thing..

Hmmm.... over fertilize. Interesting. Why do they become stunted? Any idea? Even after it's been 2-3 years?? Northeast..I should have mentioned that the two trees are already in the ground. Both trees get morning light, and afternoon shade. Both trees have been well fertilized.

In ground trees become stunted for various reasons the number one reason is FMV. The small trees might not be showing alot of sign of the virus but could be a factor.I would use a good compost mix to mulch around the tree allowing the compost to naturally fertilize the tree.  Pictures would help alot. look for misshapen or discolored leaves a sure sign of FMV. Also could be Root Nemotodes affecting the plant only way to tell is to dig it up and look..

Since you mention FMV, I have a question. I purchased a fig  last year from a commercial source. I can't say which fig or which source, because they are wrapped up for winter right now. After seeing pictures and reading posts like this, I am thinking that fig displayed symptoms consistent with FMV. Are my other figs at risk for contamination from this plant?

No FMV is not a contact virus it is located in the trees DNA. The tree will grow and produce fruit it just has mottled/misshapen leaves and some grow slower.  I have an infected tree that did not grow in two years just as I was about to send it to the landfill it started to grow.. Sometimes you have to threaten them i guess...LOL
Nemotodes on the other hand can and will go from tree to tree..

Good to know. Thanks!

Northeastnewbie,

I have to disagree with your assessment of the threat posed by FMV. It is transmitted by a tiny mite from plant to plant and also by grafting. That much we know. My concern is since grafting can spread it, what about using contaminated pruning shears? Before anyone says "I've done it without infecting...", I would remind you that many viruses sometimes require more than a single exposure before transmission (ie. HIV). Please read the attachment. Thanks!

Figsontheporch, what never fails me even with plants with FMV with one exception stubborn plant out of the ones i have is full sun, water, fertilizer on nice warm surface such as rocks or cement patio where my containers are kept.

Ruben You are correct I have to reread my articles sorry if I created any confusion..

@ northeastnewbie-no harm done. with all the confusion surrounding ficus carica, can anyone say they have never been? Take care.

Figsontheporch,

If he is fertilizeing and giving the inground tree plenty of water even with partial shade it still should produce  some  ripe fruit "if" it is of the self pollinating type even in shade.

In past i had one tree that gave me total ripe fruit in 4 full seasons 1 period and that tree was given the best possible care by me.
Tree was discarded going into the 5th season.

Thanks for all the great info you guys!

One other possibility.  If it was allowed to get very rootbound before it was placed in the ground, it might still be rootbound, even though it's been in the ground for awhile.  If a plant is badly rootbound, then it has effectively grown roots around in circles and boxed itself in.  If you just pop it out of the pot and stick it in the ground, it doesn't always help.  It still may be hard for it to spread roots because it's so contained.  If you suspect this to be the problem, you can take a sharp shovel or something similar and cut straight from the base of tree maybe 10 inches out, or whatever the radius of the pot in which it was formerly root bound.  This will sever many of the roots that are encircling the plant and allow it to send out new ones.

Rob... can this still be the case if the trees have been in the ground for 2-3 years??