Today we are having a cold spell here in Dallas, 50 degrees with hard wind 30's tonight.  We had a big rain last night.  My fig trees dont look good today? The 16 in ground look splotchy?? dark green with light green discoloration. And the three in the pots are curly, pale and droopy! They seem plenty wet. Im wondering, in the summer how often does everyone water their inground figs?  Our summers here get sooooo hot in Texas! I dont want to overwater...... Any info much appreciated :)

Hi Kim,

My in-ground young plants have not been watered this year at all except what rain they have gotten, mine look great!

Unless we have a drought I will not water mine until the middle of June.........Unless they show they are stressed.

I am darn near famous around here for drowning young Figs, so it will have to get pretty dry before I start watering them.

Good luck up there.

Cecil,

You have me laughing b/c Im right there drowning my little figs too, hahahaha. From what you just said I am waaaaaay overdoing it on watering and they are gurgling for help.  Have youll had big rain in East Texas?  We are having the loud booming thunderstorms here in Dallas.  And on top of the rain I have watered them everyday, lol. Thank you Cecil!

Kim

Cecil, Kim quit sending all the rain east as it seems to ride on the jet stream, weatherman says March rainfall broke record since rainfall record were kept back in the 20s,and April is turning out the same way so far, between westcoast sending rain and good friends to north in Canada sending down there cold our spring is not so good for me being able to wheel my figs in and out of garage as there still sleeping (sheesh).
Another thing seems like you nice folks love giving them plants a good drink...lol
Kim maybe why its drooping if water is not draining down under and past the roots, as for Cecil well im not saying anything he's always gets the better of me!
Best Season to the both of you.

Hi Kim,

You asked have we had much rain here, Yes, in the last 3 weeks we have had a measured 6.3" of rain, we really needed it though!

The soil here is deep sand so standing water don't happen here.

BTW, when did you plant your figs in-ground? I planted my Martins unknown, UCD Kadota, LSU Gold and Tx. Everbearing last Nov.7
The only one that hasn't leafed out is the LSU G. It might have kicked the bucket???? Hope not!
One more thing, those plants were never wrapped, if it got down to near freezing I did what James S. told me to do, put a bucket over them, and as soon as it got back up to about 36* I removed the buckets!
I don't articulate worth a Shirt? I hope I might have helped Ya, just don't water them baby's for a while, I have learned the hard way, they like "WET FEET"

Now to my Friend up in the Land of Lincoln, HEHE, ya sound kinda gun shy....It has been all in fun Martin, my FRIEND

The Tx. Trouble maker out!

Watering needs are dependent on temperature, rainfall, plant size, soil type, dormancy, leaf mass, etc.

If you have no leaves, you need less water because there is no water loss through the leaves. Dormant trees nee very little watering, just enough to keep the rootball moist.

Smaller plants, esp. in pots need more frequent watering.

Heavy soils (clay, etc) hold water better and need less frequent irrigation.

If you have sufficient rainfall at appropriate intervals, no watering is needed.

Hotter weather means more frequent and often deeper watering is needed.

You guys!! hahahahahah!

Martin- I know your suffering, I will stop my rain dancing so you can get your figs out of dormecy ; )  It looks like ours are out and the weather is just not getting winter... let me change that is there a season calle YUCK. Were in YUCK waiting for Summer, lol.

Cecil-  I did the same thing when James S. said that and planted them, all of them (I have since aquired 3 more in pots) and did the bucket with a brick when it was freezing.  I didnt start that until well into December and the rabbits or whatever ated my trees down to nubs but they dont seem to have minded :))  It made it easier for me to cover them with the pots and buckets!  I would take the LSU up and check it for life and if its still kickin put it back. If not, well that just freed you up a space for something else!!!
Yes your sandy huh, were are black clay, total opposite.  But the figs dont mind :)

Did I mention I love fig trees, the only thing I cant accidently kill with love :)
Did I mention I love

Pitangadiego- Thank you for the info, I definantly realize I am overwatering right now.  I can save that for our mid summer HOT weather :)