Question? I have a friend who just retired  is renting a house with a couple acres. He is considering growing  figs. He will probably  move in 4 to 6 years to his own place. He was wondering about growing figs in large ipc containers (325 gallons) with the tops removed. The tree's could be transported or moved with a fork lift. At $75-125 it would be somewhat cost effective. Is this a good size and if he didn't move, would these be big enough for full sized tree's? How deep do figs usually root? Thanks.

Ye gads that's way bigger than needed. Mine in 12 gal pots this yr probably had 200 figs, maybe more. I'm going with 20-25 gal fabric pots this winter and putting 5-6 varieties in each.

Yes 325 gal is big enough for a full size tree, at least 10-12ft tall. They'll root to the bottom of any pot if the mix drains well.

That's a huge container and I think that is not necessary for 4-6 years. It would be a big hassle to move. What a lot of people use are plastic 55 gal containers cut in half. Attached is a pic I saved from another forum member had found on the net. I think the point is you can grow large trees in containers.

Hi,
325 gallons pots are not easy to move. They would brake from their own weight in the moving . What are they made of ? Photos ?
I'd rather go with 20 gallon pots and bury 1' of height in the dirt around the house. Be sure to water them consistently.
When the time for moving comes, dig the containers out, cut any roots that got out into the free dirt and plant them in the new location.
Perhaps, plan to make new trees from the first ones in 5 years, to keep smaller trees that are easier to move.

Question: 325 gallons, is that what they call the American way of life ? ... LOL

I have a nursery near me that grows their mother plants in those containers and it works very well. They put them right by the entrance to the nursery with the smaller trees that are for sale nearby and it's an impressive sight when they are loaded with figs. For someone with a forklift and winter storage space that can be driven into, it's a great system for large trees and moving them around couldn't be easier.

I would agree that this size is over-kill for keeping a tree for about 6 years. A 55 gallon barrel, cut in half or 2/3, should be plenty.

However, if you want to use the bigger containers, I would recommend using the smaller 275 gallon size and cutting them in half horizontally. Cut the metal frame and plastic container together. It will need to frame to support the plastic bin. I have done this before, to use them as storage for different soils and materials.

CliffH.

Hi JDS this is what those 325 gallon totes look like. Fairly common here now.

holy smokes, that is a large trunk tree, I have not seen that since the Belleclare nursery

20-25 gal is more than enough. I keep mine in 15 gal. I can easily lift those. 20 gal gets more difficult. More than that I would need equipment. I have a couple in 100 gal pots. That is a little ridiculous. I meant to plant them in the ground this year but never got to it. I guess next year. I'll keep my mature trees in 15 gal for quite a few years.

I often wonder why people bother to answer questions on forums like this. Seven individuals made a real effort to help the OP. One got a Hi in return. About pare for the course.

@ Fignutty 

Yeah that might be true but it is a good reference for people other than the OP who might be lurking

figoffrandy:

It's not as much about an acknowledgement of input as much as facilitating a discussion. If the topic was deserving of posting then it's deserving of some attempt by the OP to initiate a discussion. JMO

DevIsgro,
No, I don't have any info. But I think it was from somewhere in Spain or Portugal. I saved it from another member.

Devlsgro,
They are in 65 gal containers from Spanish Plants out of the UK.
Here is the original post.

palazzophoto
10/23/15 · Edited
This is a really cool UK nursery that specializes in exceptional container trees and plants. I had to show everyone these fig trees

65 gallon
Ficus carica (Fig) AE03 specimen.jpg

They use drip irrigation with ferilizer, a coco coir based mix and mycorrihizae.

http://www.spanishplants.co.uk/photos.aspx?img=fruit&d=fruit&p=fruit

That's super cool! When I am 75 that's going to be me ;)