I did not water any of my in ground figs this season and their taste far exceeded previous years. The best came from Nardi Black. I was surprise at how good it tasted over all my potted figs where watering was done on a daily basis -- better than Negronne, Brooklyn Wht, Texas Wht Everbearing, Barbillone, Aldo, Paradiso Dusan, Morena, MVS etc. Others non watered variants that tasted very good were Enrico, Large Dark Greek & Vincenzo. Fig weather this season was the best in 3 years.

So was withholding water or the good season the reason for the outstanding figs?

I tend to suspect that potted figs will never taste as good as in-ground figs, but am not at a point where I can prove it yet.

maybe its just my own superstition, but I have found the same thing - Sometimes I don't watter regularly on purpose because I want the best flavor, but the flip side of that is that if the plant does not get enough water, I find there are more fig ejections.

Figs growing in the ground I feel get bigger and can use the water whereas regular water for trees in a pot might be too much.

But I also agree it depends on the variety. The other thing I have come to suspect is that even though I like to plant them in a warm area, they need to sleep so really in CA, I do move them to a cooler spot come fall/winter.  It hardly ever gets as cold as the East but they do go dormant easier.

I also have to really watch the soil as well in containers - I believe that container figs, if not cared for, will have inferior taste.  I am also a believer which I apply to other fruit trees though, that smaller fruit trees with less fruit produce superior tasting fruit.

One thing I can say for sure; while being
in one hot/arid/dry fig-heaven island in the Med Sea,
them all figs tasted sooo good! Yum yum jam-yummmy!

By comparison, all my good (wet climate) NJ figs, do taste relatively "watery".
Sooo, water is not good for the fig fruit.
Figs are not (lemons)/lettuce/broccoli....

This withholding water thing has been done with wine grapes for a long time.  Water in spring to get the clusters going.  When they get all plump and fat, withhold until the vine droops.  Water until it perks up for a day or two, then withhold.  Tricks the vine into thinking it's dying, so it puts all it's energy into it's fruit to insure survival of it's kind.  Wine made from grapes that were dry-farmed is far superior to others.

In containers... that is a different story.  I think maybe not so much water, but the poor things have no place other than what's in that container to look for water.  In ground, the roots can search, and you would have that option.  JMO

Suzi

My uncle is convinced that regular watering of figs (and pomegranates) is key to prevent splitting when the heavy rains come.  I've not tested his theory.  Based on my experiences in the field I am growing in, next year I plan to increase the amount of mulch around the trees and limit the amount of supplemental water the trees get after May.  I have two varieties with multiple trees in the ground.  Perhaps, i will continue to water one of each into the fall and see if I can tell a difference in the taste.

The potential problem is the amount of rain we get.  Even the ground under ~3" of mulch cracked from lack of rain.  I hope plowing through the hardpan and the increase in mulch will help alleviate the problem.

~james

Hi James,

Sounds like your soil needs a lot of organics added to it and I wouldn't be afraid to have 6" even 9" of mulch. My thoughts on mulch is decaying organic matter not that stuff you buy in bags at the box store. Wood chips are fine for flower beds but 9" of decaying brown leaves will be a better mulch and hold water better.

I have had no shortage of water this year yet I still had some Citrus splitting. I think it is a multi prong thing. Not too little water and not too much water and even distribution as it is needed. I don't think you can set a specific amount unless you do not receive any speakable rain and even them as Spring turns to Summer turns to Fall the watering requirement will have to be adjusted.

I'd say it two parts Black Majic, a good portion of luck and fate, some Voodoo and a little common sense.