Tipping branches to harden off wood?

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HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1410648438	Reply with quote #1

I have quite a few fig trees that started out the year fairly small but they've grown well and have lots of young tender growth. In my experience, the branches that are still green and tender will die back when frosts come around. I'm wonder if trimming off the tips of these branches now will force energy into maturing the wood that is already there so that it can survive the winter. Does anybody have any thoughts and/or experiences with this? __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1410657497	Reply with quote #2

I'll look forward to hearing the answer to this too. I have noticed that often growth pauses in a young tree with a single trunk when the apical bud is pinched off. So it seems like this pause might allow the wood maturation to catch up with the growth. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1410659116	Reply with quote #3

My thinking is the same. It would make sense that clipping the tip forces energy into hardening the wood faster. Just speculation though. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

ztfree1128

Registered:1354498568
Posts: 221

Posted 1410659407	Reply with quote #4

Thanks for posting this- I have also been thinking about this. I started pinching this year for the first time and I noticed similar observations to Steve's in that on branches that were pinched they seemed to harden the wood faster than the branches that were not pinched. I am probably going to start pinching the apical buds off of all of the green braches that are growing now in an effort to try and encourage them to mature. __________________ Zach Baltimore, MD Zone 7a

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1410664015	Reply with quote #5

I've been pinching all growing tips in my in-ground Hardy Chicago for 2 months and all it seems to do is encourage lower buds to start up. Only 1 fig has started to swell and nothing is lignifying despite nightime lows in the 40s and no fertilizer for 8 weeks. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1410666853	Reply with quote #6

Yes, Bob brings up one concern I had about pinching: I don't want lower buds to push and start even more new growth. I haven't fertilized my trees for a few months since they grow well enough without. __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1410670888	Reply with quote #7

Harvey, you have to try to find out. If you have 2 of the same, do one of them to compare. Knowing what I know, I would not be pruning now. We started having cooler nights, that is enough to harden them. you prune in early spring. I am concerned that if you prune now, you are opening wounds for die backs. Last year, I pulled a couple of branches too fast to create side growth and it died back to the joint. The tree is a huge tree. You just never know how this will affect the growth. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1410671562	Reply with quote #8

Harvey, I'm going to dare to answer this . Trimming NOW will encourage the tree to throw new branches which will worsen the problem/concern. The weather is still hot and trees are still growing like there is no tomorrow. BUT...if you trim them after they have gone dormant...perhaps it will work and those cuttings can be used for rooting. ( what you think?)

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1410672211	Reply with quote #9

Some interesting discussions here: http://plantchemical.com/the-application-of-plant-growth-regulator-on-controlling-the-forest-trees-growth/ __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

drivewayfarmer

Registered:1260287641
Posts: 773

Posted 1410707592	Reply with quote #10

For potted figs I use Pro-Tekt , which is available silicon from potassium silicate . Works very well and fairly quickly. I use a rate a little lower than lowest recommended on the label and haven't used it as a foliar spray which may work well (after testing a plant or 2 to make sure there is no adverse reaction.) __________________ Kerry Zone 5 NH Wish list :Galicia Negra , Col de Dame Blanca/Negra .

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1410710334	Reply with quote #11

Oh boy, this is all new can of worms for me...all these chemical applications for my food source would definitely go against my "Growing Organic" intentions.

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1410711948	Reply with quote #12

Aaron, I am with you on this topic, if I am to eat the poison that is available, including (agent orange/weed killers) I rather not grow anything at all. At least I know when I consume what I grow it is the cleanest I can make them to be (aside from the noxious things that are already in the soil, air and water). I am doing my best to grow clean food, but cannot imagine how difficult it would be to do in a larger scale food production, the poison industry pushing for this or that and the market demand for bigger and more beautiful fruits (apple, tomatoes, etc) __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1410712994	Reply with quote #13

Quote: Originally Posted by Aaron4USA Oh boy, this is all new can of worms for me...all these chemical applications for my food source would definitely go against my "Growing Organic" intentions. That MG soil you love is about as far from organic as you can get, that stuff is garbage IMO.

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1410714157	Reply with quote #14

Kelby, thanks for the enlightenment, what is the best soil , In your opinion , to use ?

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1410719881	Reply with quote #15

Aaron do you inhale the air where you live?

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1410720203	Reply with quote #16

Aaron, this is somewhat OT, but for potting soil I really like ProMix HP though I would use ProMix HP for plants staying in pots long term. In my opinion, some synthetic products are safer than some organic products (but many are not). Thanks for the tip, Kerry, I will check that out. __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1410721833	Reply with quote #17

Quote: Originally Posted by Aaron4USA Kelby, thanks for the enlightenment, what is the best soil , In your opinion , to use ? Out of respect to Harvey I won't hijack his thread further.

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1410758478	Reply with quote #18

thanks for the info all

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