Am I doing something wrong?

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Shawn

Registered:1422739534
Posts: 66

Posted 1432139698	Reply with quote #1

I am trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong with my trees or if there is just some variation among my trees due to age etc. I dont want to start messing with something that is not broken or make a minor problem worse I have two figs trees that I purchased earlier this year. Both trees (VdB and Celestial) are from Dave Wilson. Both of these fig trees have leaves growing very close together on stubby branches. I have third fig tree (RdB) which I obtained through a member of the forums which has longer branches and what looks to me like more normal growth. Here is the difference between the trees: The "stubby" trees are planted in Promix HP while the healthier looking tree in planted in another less expensive potting soil from Home Depot (dont remember which one). The two stubby trees are planted in 1/2 wiskey barrel style plastic pots and the RdB is planted in a taller pot that isnt quite as wide. The RdB with the longer branches and more open growth is younger than the stubby trees All three trees have received the same fertilizer (5-5-5 organic fertilizer and Espoma Garden Lime) and water. The photo shows the VdB which has almost identical growth to the Celestial except the celestial has 5 or 6 figlets. They both started leafing out the end of February __________________ Shawn San Diego, CA Zone 10a Wishlist: Galicia Negra, Smith, Martinenca Rimada, Longue D'Aout (received thanks Gary), MBVS, CDD Blanc, Black Tuscan, Falls Gold Have (most are less than 1 year old): VdB, RdB, Celestial, Yellow Long Neck, Unk LSU TC, Magnolia, CDD Noir, CDD Grise, Maltese Falcon, Black Madera, Panache, Deanna, Peter's Honey, Vasilika Sika, Red Italian

Rob

Registered:1320245426
Posts: 550

Posted 1432140114	Reply with quote #2

Shawn, I doubt the difference is due to anything cultural, although it's possible. I don't really see anything wrong with the picture. Yes, the nodes are a little close together, but sometimes this happens, and you can still have a good crop in this situation. My advice is just to hang tight and not worry about it. Rob __________________ Rob Maryland Zone 7 http://rbfigs.webs.com/

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1432141381	Reply with quote #3

Hey Shawn. This is a pic taken of my VdB last week. Super close nodes that just seems to be last year's growth, might spread out, might not, who knows. As long as it's productive, I wouldn't mind. I've also noticed that that little area is great for rooting or airlayering. __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

Shawn

Registered:1422739534
Posts: 66

Posted 1432143887	Reply with quote #4

Thanks for the feedback, it is helpful. Being new to this hobby/affliction it is sometimes difficult to determine what falls within the normal range. I wish I had all those fig on my VdB like you do Simon. Right now mine has no fruit forming but hopefully soon. __________________ Shawn San Diego, CA Zone 10a Wishlist: Galicia Negra, Smith, Martinenca Rimada, Longue D'Aout (received thanks Gary), MBVS, CDD Blanc, Black Tuscan, Falls Gold Have (most are less than 1 year old): VdB, RdB, Celestial, Yellow Long Neck, Unk LSU TC, Magnolia, CDD Noir, CDD Grise, Maltese Falcon, Black Madera, Panache, Deanna, Peter's Honey, Vasilika Sika, Red Italian

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1432158811 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

Hi Shawn, I don't see what your problem is . Can you show a pic of the "good growing" one ? If your "problem" is the short internodal space, well, this is due to the volume of the pot IMO. I have/had problem with underground rodents. So I started growing in 2012 some of my trees in 80 liters trashcan bottomless and buried in the ground. The idea was that the roots would sink and reach the open dirt at 50 cm /2' of depth, and thus not be limited by the trashcan. All those trees expose small internodal spaces which is not a problem since that gives me smaller trees. The main drawback is the lack of exchange of water with the open ground, which means a bit more watering for me. That is a problem especially during my summer holidays :) . __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

erics11

Registered:1399955853
Posts: 102

Posted 1432175312	Reply with quote #6

If you want more growth and node spacing, I think a higher nitrogen fertilizer or supplement would do the trick. __________________ Hayward, CA 9B Own: Brown Turkey, White Kadota, Mission Black, Celeste, RdB, VdB, Hunt, Dominick, Strawberry Verte, LSU Scott's black, Brown Greek, Spanish Black Wishlist: Chicago Hardy, Desert King, Col de Dame Gris, any other favorites

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1432211652	Reply with quote #7

I have a small VdB too (second year), and it has shorter internodal growth than my other varieties too. It is growing very tight, like yours. But, it is still going to produce a nice bunch of figs. But like eric11 said, you could hit it hard with nitrogen if you want to. I don't think I would because it might reduce its fruit production this year. __________________ 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?

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1432257268	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by erics11 If you want more growth and node spacing, I think a higher nitrogen fertilizer or supplement would do the trick. The nitrogen will promote more growth and increased space between future nodes, but those ones that are already laid down are at a permanent distance apart. Future growth will not change the close nodes. __________________ 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.

Shawn

Registered:1422739534
Posts: 66

Posted 1432322126	Reply with quote #9

It is good to know that the node spacing on this age VdB is pretty normal. Thank you for the feedback! __________________ Shawn San Diego, CA Zone 10a Wishlist: Galicia Negra, Smith, Martinenca Rimada, Longue D'Aout (received thanks Gary), MBVS, CDD Blanc, Black Tuscan, Falls Gold Have (most are less than 1 year old): VdB, RdB, Celestial, Yellow Long Neck, Unk LSU TC, Magnolia, CDD Noir, CDD Grise, Maltese Falcon, Black Madera, Panache, Deanna, Peter's Honey, Vasilika Sika, Red Italian

striveforfreedom

Registered:1322497326
Posts: 437

Posted 1433172929	Reply with quote #10

My observation is that branches with closer nodes means that the cuttings I've taken have all exhibited stronger root and growth when propagating. __________________ Vince Russo Norwalk, CT Zone 7A Wish list - Any cuttings of the Col de Dames would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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