Now's the time to pinch buds!

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Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1466533940 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

I have been pinching buds for the last 2 days.....Actually, I am about sick of pinching but last year I seen how good things got when you pinch them. So, I have 38 trees in the ground plus my pots and I am not through yet. For sure, it works! There are several good videos on this and newbies should be watching them to learn how it's very simple. Below will show you an actual case from last year, how pinching works to make some plants branch and put on fruit! Hope this helps some members here.Oh yea, this plant was fed every week, with a diluted mixture of "Miracle Grow" 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

bigbadbill

Registered:1357527109
Posts: 376

Posted 1466535165	Reply with quote #2

Wow! That looks great, Frank. Good call, I'm going to do that now. I wasn't sure when to start, but I guess now is the time. Thanks! __________________ SE Pa, zone 6b https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1466537208	Reply with quote #3

I have been gradually doing that on some of my plants past few weeks, depending on their rate of growth. Agree it makes a difference in branching and figlet appearance __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

Mario_1

Registered:1398299123
Posts: 407

Posted 1466542451	Reply with quote #4

Thanks Frank , it's always nice to have a more experienced member reassure us on things like this __________________ Wallingford CT, USA zone 6a would be happy to meet and get together with other members near me Wish list; Any fig from any specific place anywhere in Italy

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1466607521	Reply with quote #5

Great reminder, Frank. And a beautiful tree you have there! Pinching is one of the best things you can do for a fig tree. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1466610838	Reply with quote #6

Great stuff Frank. Would you still pinch if there's fruit set close to the tip? __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1466612281	Reply with quote #7

A picture is worth a thousand words, Good idea to show before and after pinching. That's some good growth especially for a Black Maderia. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

indestructible87

Registered:1368407095
Posts: 548

Posted 1466625730	Reply with quote #8

At how many leaves do you pinch at? I started doing at every third leaf last year and this year and keep seeing people pinching at 6 or 7 now. Is pinching at three too much? __________________ Travis Pittsburgh, PA

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1466631266	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by Sas Great stuff Frank. Would you still pinch if there's fruit set close to the tip? Sas, That's a good question...If you were going for just fruit, I would not, but if I wanted more branching say on a rare cultivar, I think I would pinch at the expense of the fruit.. __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1466631596	Reply with quote #10

Quote: Originally Posted by indestructible87 At how many leaves do you pinch at? I started doing at every third leaf last year and this year and keep seeing people pinching at 6 or 7 now. Is pinching at three too much? Travis, I have been pinching at 3-6 leafs...Seems to be working pretty well already! : ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

Allora

Registered:1371832737
Posts: 87

Posted 1466633566	Reply with quote #11

I pinched my plants as soon as I read this. Thanks!! __________________ Valerie New York, zone 6b

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1466640695	Reply with quote #12

Great info! Thanks, Frank! __________________ Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

musillid

Registered:1327758167
Posts: 1,507

Posted 1466646191	Reply with quote #13

I pinched my wife. Not the same results. __________________ Dale non compost mentis in Zone 6a

Figfanatic57

Registered:1460217336
Posts: 125

Posted 1466686726	Reply with quote #14

Is it safe to pinch a very young fig? It's about 15 inches tall that was a rooted cutting, just a main branch.

adoresfigs45

Registered:1421515059
Posts: 254

Posted 1466689946	Reply with quote #15

musillid hahahaha

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1466695440	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by Figfanatic57 Is it safe to pinch a very young fig? It's about 15 inches tall that was a rooted cutting, just a main branch. I start when they are young, especially if they have no branching..... The tree in the photo had no branching until I pinched the buds.... Hope this helps. : ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

Centurion

Registered:1293429646
Posts: 810

Posted 1466695512 · Edited	Reply with quote #17

Quote: Originally Posted by Figfanatic57 Is it safe to pinch a very young fig? It's about 15 inches tall that was a rooted cutting, just a main branch. Just curious, but why would you want to pinch something that young? I normally don't prune or pinch anything the first year or two, unless a branch dies. Plenty of time for that later, and one wants to encourage maximum growth early on. I am pinching my larger inground trees every couple of weeks this time of year. That's about how long it takes a healthy tree to produce new growth buds. __________________ Dave Verde Valley, AZ Zone 8

Figfanatic57

Registered:1460217336
Posts: 125

Posted 1466697611	Reply with quote #18

Centurion, I have been trading airlayers and will be trading a Peloponnisiaka Aspra and Martinenca Rimada for a Ponte Tresa. So, that is why I want to pinch. Normally, I have been just airlayering out of place branches.

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1466702898 · Edited	Reply with quote #19

Quote: Originally Posted by Centurion Just curious, but why would you want to pinch something that young? I normally don't prune or pinch anything the first year or two, unless a branch dies. Plenty of time for that later, and one wants to encourage maximum growth early on. I am pinching my larger inground trees every couple of weeks this time of year. That's about how long it takes a healthy tree to produce new growth buds. I respect the way you pinch your trees but every case is not textbook or the way you do it. The Black Maderia Tree I posted was only a year old about 15" Tall and done great, the second photo is only 2 months later. When it comes to rare Trees (such as this particular tree with no FMV, is rare), I totally disagree with your idea on pinching. Look at the results with the photos! ......,....Have a great Year..: ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

chucklikestofish

Registered:1391263141
Posts: 1,316

Posted 1466729386	Reply with quote #20

Quote: Originally Posted by Frankallen I have been pinching buds for the last 2 days.....Actually, I am about sick of pinching but last year I seen how good things got when you pinch them. So, I have 38 trees in the ground plus my pots and I am not through yet. For sure, it works! There are several good videos on this and newbies should be watching them to learn how it's very simple. Below will show you an actual case from last year, how pinching works to make some plants branch and put on fruit! Hope this helps some members here.Oh yea, this plant was fed every week, with a diluted mixture of "Miracle Grow" 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. ~LOOKS REAL GOOD FRANK ~ __________________

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1466791102	Reply with quote #21

Quote: I pinched my wife. Not the same results. LOL, good one Dale. In regards to pinching small or young trees...it depends on what you want and it also depends on the growth rate of the tree. So potted or in ground can weigh on this choice. A young potted tree in shorter season zone may not put on much growth with pinching. Overall it still just depends on what you want, an all out bush or something else. Also, pinching for shaping/pruning/growth or pinching for production are two different things. Pinching for fruit development on a rather small or young tree shouldn't really be done, unless you have a really long season. I personally am rather selective about my pinching. I have a few branches I have pinched lately for production, but most I have been letting go because I want a thicker longer branch to grow this season, and around bud swell next spring I will prune them back to the buds I want to see growing. To further the method, if I pinched some of these branches now..I may be eliminating buds which will develop and face in the direction of future desired scaffolding. I have a few long season figs which are also late to put on figs and have decided to again not worry about figs and let them continue to establish strong well manicured form seeing I don't think I will have 120 days to end up ripening these figs with any reliable heat at this point. Another point not mentioned which new growers may not know, often times once a tree develops a fruit load the new veg growth will stop. At least that's how it works for me, I can either have growth or figs or a little bit(not much) of each and young/small trees don't carry a very big fruit load before stopping all vegetative growth(in my yard anyway). Lastly, a small tree that was over cropped is much more susceptible to winter mortality, I lost one this winter which still baffles me because I thought it was big enough and hardened off fine but it never woke up with the rest and all things were equal. To sum it up. What is your goal, how long a season do you have, and how old and/or vigorous is your tree. These points need to be considered when pinching. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

Figfanatic57

Registered:1460217336
Posts: 125

Posted 1466796126	Reply with quote #22

I have pinched the Peloponnisiaka Aspra to airlayer. I pinched the top single branch and removed 5 lower leaves. The purpose was so I can airlayer for a future trade. As long as it doesn't die no harm done. I will post pics and info of future progress. It should stay in warm until October.

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1466796152 · Edited	Reply with quote #23

Hey Calvin, that is one outstanding Post! Thanks so much! Have a great Season : ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1466810363	Reply with quote #24

Quote: Originally Posted by indestructible87 At how many leaves do you pinch at? I started doing at every third leaf last year and this year and keep seeing people pinching at 6 or 7 now. Is pinching at three too much? Travis, Pinching at 3 leaves will give you a very densely branched fig, perhaps too dense and will keep the sun out of the interior of the canopy. Remember, you need light penetration. I pinch at 5 or 6, sometimes 7 leaves, depending on all other factors. I think 3 is too tight. __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1466810397	Reply with quote #25

Hey Frank, thanks. Your Black Mad is looking good. My Black Mad KK is healthy but still such a slow grower in comparison to other varieties. I actually have 2, one I have been using as a scion producer(unsuccessfully so far I might add) and am going to graft a handful of T-buds to an aggressive unknown that turned out to be a smryna type. Happy growing! __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

noss

Registered:1244523274
Posts: 2,122

Posted 1466916574	Reply with quote #26

LOL, Dale! noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

Figfanatic57

Registered:1460217336
Posts: 125

Posted 1467326809	Reply with quote #27

My 15" tall Peloponnisiaka Aspra half brown,half green and about 6 months old from a cutting. It had only one main branch and no lateral. Well, I pinched it 7 days ago and there are now 6 buds popping out. I am a believer pinching will work on certain figs,not all. My pics were blurry,will take better pics in future.

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1467332007	Reply with quote #28

Quote: Originally Posted by cis4elk LOL, good one Dale. In regards to pinching small or young trees...it depends on what you want and it also depends on the growth rate of the tree. So potted or in ground can weigh on this choice. A young potted tree in shorter season zone may not put on much growth with pinching. Overall it still just depends on what you want, an all out bush or something else. Also, pinching for shaping/pruning/growth or pinching for production are two different things. Pinching for fruit development on a rather small or young tree shouldn't really be done, unless you have a really long season. I personally am rather selective about my pinching. I have a few branches I have pinched lately for production, but most I have been letting go because I want a thicker longer branch to grow this season, and around bud swell next spring I will prune them back to the buds I want to see growing. To further the method, if I pinched some of these branches now..I may be eliminating buds which will develop and face in the direction of future desired scaffolding. I have a few long season figs which are also late to put on figs and have decided to again not worry about figs and let them continue to establish strong well manicured form seeing I don't think I will have 120 days to end up ripening these figs with any reliable heat at this point. Another point not mentioned which new growers may not know, often times once a tree develops a fruit load the new veg growth will stop. At least that's how it works for me, I can either have growth or figs or a little bit(not much) of each and young/small trees don't carry a very big fruit load before stopping all vegetative growth(in my yard anyway). Lastly, a small tree that was over cropped is much more susceptible to winter mortality, I lost one this winter which still baffles me because I thought it was big enough and hardened off fine but it never woke up with the rest and all things were equal. To sum it up. What is your goal, how long a season do you have, and how old and/or vigorous is your tree. These points need to be considered when pinching. Great writing and accurate. My trees act similar. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

Figfanatic57

Registered:1460217336
Posts: 125

Posted 1467761102	Reply with quote #29

This was 15" half green half brown rooted cutting that was a few months old. It was just one stick with no lateral branches. I originally pinched for airlayers on 6-23. I had removed all of the original leaves. Today 7-5, I have 6 well placed new branches. I have become a strong believer of pinching. Before and after pics. Attached Images PART_1467758651147_IMG_20160623_154821.jpg (83.36 KB, 27 views) IMG_20160705_155910.jpg (201.67 KB, 28 views)

veggie_girl

Registered:1413504464
Posts: 29

Posted 1467771164	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by musillid I pinched my wife. Not the same results. LOL love it!

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