I have 2 figs in the ground: a NOID black that I planted a year ago, and it has tremendous growth since then, and Bari, which was started from a cutting last year, planted a few months ago, and has made good growth.

Both of these plants had set a few figs, however instead of ripening, these have fallen off. Could it be the lack of a pollinating wasp, or some other problem?

Comments would be appreciated!
Thanks

Hi Rick, I am not sure about the Noid black but the Bari doesn't need the wasp to fruit. It has been a strange growing season for us in our corner of Ct. Not enough hot sunny days, late spring start, early onset of cool weather and cool nites, lack of constant rain have all slowed down production. I have several trees that I uppotted this spring that either jettisoned it's figlets or didn't produce any figs at all. They were productive last year. I'm chalking up most of our problems to a bad growing season and we'll see what happen next year. Mother Nature just letting us know who's the boss.

I believe young fig trees will also sometimes drop figs as well based upon my reading here. I usually pinch them off on young trees to encourage growth for a more bountiful harvest the following year.

I was surprised that the few figs that seemed to set, finally dropped. The links below (hopefully) show the black NOID with figlets in mid July, and the tree itself with bushy top growth.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ic6tnvhz98guw8/20170821_100746.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/463i7bnsxrwymx9/20170715_184949.jpg?dl=0

Dave, yes, it's been a strange growing season. Sending you a text later.

RRedBeard, it would be helpful to know where you are located, your zone, etc.

I agree with the comment above that Bari does not need the wasp.  I put my Bari in the ground this past Spring and it set figs shortly thereafter and has been ripening quite a few.  I didn't notice any drop but mine is in its 4th season.  Other figs (both in-ground and containerized) have dropped figs this year though.  Many fruit trees (figs included) will set fruit when young but then drop the fruit.  The plant senses the capacity of its root system etc. and if it is not established enough yet it will drop the fruit.  Drop can be caused by other factors as well.

Rewton--thanks! I'm in coastal Connecticut, zone 6b.
When did your fig trees planted in the ground start to bear fruit reliably? My Bari, in ground, seems to be holding on to a couple of fruits. The noid that I planted in the ground last fall finally ripened a few that I almost missed, assuming it would drop all of them. Lesson learned, among the first of many here!
The few figs that have yet to ripen are a good deal larger than these first ones. I'll post pictures separately.

It seems to vary a lot by variety - some varieties in-ground are precocious and start bearing the first season (Violette de Bordeaux and related, Mt. Etna types, Zingarella-RW, Siclilian Red, etc) while others are not (Ponte Tresa, Scott's Black, Briguglio, Bordissot Blanca, Vasilika Sika-Belleclare, Battaglia Green, Kathleen's Black, Pastiliere etc.).  Some will also not produce after experiencing winter die-back while others will recover and produce a crop the same year.

I have a 5 year old Flanders, about 12 feet tall.  It does not drop its brebas, but faithfully drops the main crop to the last fig.  Zone 7a.  Potted.