Hello all, I've done a search and haven't been able to find what I'm looking for.  I've read on different threads about the heat needed to ripen the figs and they get sweeter.  I've also read not to water too much - drowning the poor thing or the fruit could split if it gets too much water near the end of the ripening stage.  But, I've been told to water deep to encourage a good deep root system.

So, do I water deeply now in the spring to encourage the deep root system and reap the benefits of vigorous growth and fruit production, then cut back later in the season?  Or do I keep a watering schedule for the whole growing season? 

The tree is new from a nursery this past Jan. and is about 4ft tall and growing quite well.  I've been watering deeply once a week and  hitting it again mid-week.  I haven't mulched the garden yet - plan on doing that this weekend or next.

I am in the DFW area of TX - Zone 8a

I look forward to reading the replies.

Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann...

Do what ever it takes to keep your tree(s)  happy and healthy throughout the growing season.  When your main crop starts to ripen, try to control the amount of water near the roots.  This is done only when figs start to change from hard to soft stage, and begin to droop, then hang.  They say timing is everything, and that's true with ripening figs also.  Too much soaking water around the roots at this point will dilute any sugars in your figs, and might cause your fig crop to split.

I'm assuming that your tree is planted in-ground, and not containerized.  Good luck.  My trees are containerized, and it's easier to control the water reaching the roots-zone.  If at ripening time,  I expect a good drenching rain, I cover my containers with a styrofoam, rain-shedding lid, or wrap a plastic tarp over the soil to prevent soaking near the roots.  Yes, it's a lot of work, but a pleasant routine once you get the hang of it.  I also only have a few trees to deal with, and not the dozens of trees that some others have.  I only grow what I could control.

Hope this helps.

Frank

I think the point is that surface watering is a waste, and your watering pattern will dictate where your plant sends roots.  You are much better off to water significantly once or twice a week, as you are doing, so that the water sinks into the subsoil, and the fig roots will dive deep.  I would expect this will be much of the growing season.

When the plant begins to ripen, the feeding roots will already be deep giving you protection against drought at that time.  I would also think that you might judge and cut back some water at that time to avoid splitting, but not so much that the plant is wilting.

Frank, good idea on wrapping the containers!

John

Frank and John - Thanks!!!!!  I am sure the Texas weather will accommodate not raining when the time comes.  We haven't had any measurable rain in 2 weeks or so.  Back then (2 weeks ago) "they" said the drought is officially over - we'll see.

  It's crazy how I grew up with a fig tree in the garden at my parents house, and no one really knows what to do with it!  When I was a kid (a couple of years ago - lol) I don't remember anyone (grandpa or dad) doing anything to it except covering it for winter and watering it in summer. 

On Long Island they ripened in very late Aug. - Sept.  I don't even remember looking for figs until July!  I have about 2 doz on it now and looking forward for them to ripen.

Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann....

Are your trees in-ground?  If yes....read on.

Your problems will start when figs begin to ripen, and go soft. That's when they load with sugars. That's also the time to start to slack-off on the watering schedule.   What will you do if it rains for a few days, and soaks the roots of the tree(s)?

I can't offer any help.  I grow in containers for exactly this reason....so I can control water at the roots when figs reach that critical stage of ripening.  I have only one in-ground tree, and last year I had a very large main-crop of dark red figs beginning ripen.  In only two or three days, I would have dozens of sticky, red figs on my table.  It rained...and rained hard, for two days.  The ripe figs loaded with water, and split open like a flower.  Crop ruined.  Three months of growing and waiting, shot to hell.  Mother Nature will control you, and your figs. 

Good Luck.

Frank

Oh Frank - I am so sorry for your losses.  I do have just the one Celeste in the ground. 3 months to ripen?  I saw the first fig-let about 10 days ago,  so I should be feasting by the end of July!!  If this summer is like last summer splitting will not be an issue.  We had a lot of rain in March and beginning  of April and have not had any in 2 weeks.  We got teased tonight by Mother Nature - Thunder!  Lightning!  Then nothing else.

I will be getting a cutting or sucker from Moms tree - maybe next week.  I think I'll keep that one in a pot.

Jo-Ann