Hi I am wondering what the most common cause of this is. I swear that my Black Madeira (2 feet in a 10 gallon pot when I bought it a year ago, same exact size now) is collecting dust. Almost daily I peer at the little terminal buds, hoping for any sign of anything, and it leads me to wonder two things: Should I yank this overhyped twig and go with a good old black mission? Or is it biding its time, amassing a giant and beautiful root system to explode with next season? I am practicing the same cultural practices that I am with my white adriatic which is growing like seaweed in a less desirable location.

Does anyone have a guess what the deal is?

Hi Forrest,

I just emailed you privately but what I said was that this fig requires a long hot growing season. Since you are in a cooler climate on the coast it may slow it's development significantly. It's a slow grower anyway. If you are going to throw the fig out, throw it my way! ;-) I'm not too far away!

Sue in Ramona

Mine required a severe over-fertilization regimen for a season, before taking off the following year. I used something on the order of 1# of 15-15-15 every week for a season. I just treated it like a banana.

I see, thanks to you both. I knew it was risky on the coast but from what I had been hearing about it I decided it was worth a trial. When I heard the words "long hot growing season" for some reason I thought that only applied to the ripening of the fruit, and the tree itself would rocket in most climates. Something I didn't take into account is how satisfying it is to watch a tree grow quickly.

This is a good thing though, now I know the importance of selecting the tree and not just the fruit. If you have multiple acres to just throw whatever in, go with the B. Madeiras and Ischias of the world. If you have a joke of a lot in coastal Del Mar (like someone here) plant producers.

It's also good because now I get to pick something new for that space... Purple Smyrna, LSU Purple... so many choices.

I think the Osborne Prolific will do well too. My friend has one in La Jolla.
Sue

Hi Sue, I replied to your email just now. I know I could do Osborne but I don't like it quite as much as some others. It has a bit of goofy taste to me. If I lived in Seattle or something I would go that direction.