Hi, I need some advice from the fig experts. I have tried for several years to grow a few fig trees of different varities but no luck. Every year my trees will grow although slowly but when they put on figs they always remain  small and will never ripen before frost which is usually October here in the midlands of SC. I was told that you shouldn't fertilize figs and they get plenty water because of my sprinkler system. The last tree that I planted a friend gave it to me in a small bucket and I set it out in my yard, it has grown to be about 4 feet tall now but does the same thing, no figs before frost.

I am at the end of my road trying to grow figs. Will someone tell me what am  doing wrong? Do I need to fertlize them if so when, how much and which fertlizer to use. Do I need to prune them if so when and how much, does anyone have any pictures to show how to correctly prune them.

Lastly I would like to buy a couple of fig trees, I don't know which one I have but the friend that I got ine from has a tree about 12 foot tall that has plenty of figs on it and he does nothing to it. If someone sells fig trees on this site I want to buy two and tell me when I need to set them out. You can pick the variety based on where I live in the sunny midlands of SC. Guys any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,\
Wade

Do they have plenty of sunlight? Figs need lots of light to ripen. If the twigs are long with few nodes they should get more light.

You do need to fertilize. I use the miracle grow tomato water soluble (18-18-21) at 40% recommended dosage. Don't give it too much or it can burn your trees. Also add some epsom salt every once in a while to give it magnesium. Magnesium is essential in production of chlorophyll. Hope this helps.

Thanks guys for your replies. Yes they are outside where they can get plenty of sunlight.
When do I fertilize my trees and when to put out the Epson salt?

I would like to add a couple more trees to the one that I have. Could someone recommend 2 different variaty, and where is the best place to buy them, I would like to get then as high as they come and when would be the best time to plant them here in SC?

Thanks,
Wade

Midnight - I have two things you should consider here;

1) " am at the end of my road trying to grow figs" and, "Lastly I would like to buy a couple of fig trees". My friend, you're not going anywhere. Be patient. I had this same problem and posted about it.

2) PINCH! PINCH! PINCH! 

Pinching 1/3 of your buds after 4-5 leaves on maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of your branches will cause the plant to send out side shoots and begin to fruit. There are good Youtube videos on this.

Fertilizer is often necessary - especially in potted plants...But be careful. If you over fertilize or use a fertilizer with too much nitrogen you'll get a beautiful big tree with nice leaves...and no fruit!

As for what trees to get...What is good for me is not necessarily good for you. You need to talk to local growers or those with experience in your area to find what works best there. THEN - When you grow a fig well in your area you need to decide if you actually like it... It's a matter of taste...right...

Lastly - That friend of yours with the 12 foot tree with lots of fruit. I would take a hard look at what he's doing...then do that... Or buy some beer and invite him over to help care for your tree...Then watch carefully. Seriously - I can grow a 6 foot long zucchini and a 4 lb tomato (I'm not exaggerating) but my lawn is brutal. I have no skill with grass. I think it's because I can't eat it. So I care for my neighbors veg and he for my grass... It works for us...

All just IMHO....   Hope you get some figs this year.

Thanks Toronto Joe, some good advice I appreciate it.

Thanks,
Wade

Fertilize in early spring just when bud breaks and never fertilize in late summer.
Follow the direction as to quantity of fertilizer per year (age of tree) and keep it away from base of tree.
Throwing some composted Manure around the base helps.

Since you are in zone 7b your choices for in ground are way less than my zone 8b. Hopefully you have a Chicago Hardy as one of your trees. The trees come in large enough at local nurseries and they should do well in your zone.
My trees don't freeze like other zones, but I read that this one even if it dies to ground comes back and fruits.
Make sure that you burry it deep enough.

What kind of soil do you have?
Red clay?  Does it look like it's better for making pottery?
Or, perhaps "plenty of water" is NOT what's needed, especially
if the roots are already drowning in a puddle you don't see.
Yes, pinch, fertilize sparingly and even beat the trunk
with a stick 3x per week to get those juices flowing!!
Make it go into survival mode. Something HAS to change!
Maybe air layer a branch from a vigorous tree in your area.

Love Toronto Joe's suggestion of working with the neighbor with the 12' tree. Any of the the MT. Etna line of trees work well in the cooler parts of SC and there is a wide variety of differing flavored figs within the group. I live upstate and grow my figs in brick maker's clay.  Fortunately I have the production of 2 horses to help me along with my composting needs. We all have our challenges. I have been able grow almost anything except for beets and lima beans. I have mastered the beets but after 30 years my husband has given up asking me to plant lima beans. LOL. For several years did have an arrangement with the neighbor.  He grew more lima beans than he needed and I grew the salad greens and herbs for his wife that he did not want to plant. It worked nicely for both of us.

At the risk of beating a dead horse:

1.  Do your trees survive the winter without severe damage?  I just want to make sure that the late development of figs is not due to dieback.  If it is, you may need some winter protection.

2.  You probably want a low / no nitrogen fertilizer -- not the same stuff you'd put on a lawn.  Until you have a tree that is the size you want, I'd give a fertilizer with some nitrogen.  But once the tree has grown a bit, I'd cut the nitrogen, leaving K, Ph and other minerals.  Nitrogen promotes leafy growth but may discourage fruiting.  Some manure (slow release N) would probably be OK.  As suggested above, fertilize in spring and early summer.

3.  You probably want more water, at least until you are sure that you have a well-established root system.  I'm imagining that the amount of water required to keep grass green is not enough to saturate the ground and encourage fig trees (or any trees) to develop deep roots.  My brother-in-law has a couple of healthy fig trees in red clay in northern GA, but the roots are as thick as my arm and extend at least 15-20' from the trunk; I have to imagine that they penetrate deep into the ground as well.  But there's a chicken-and-egg problem -- you have to water enough to get root growth before you can stop watering and let the roots fend for themselves.

4.  You may have a late-ripening variety, though that wouldn't explain why your neighbor is successful while you are not.  If you add new plants, look for cold-resistant, early-to-mid-season-ripening varieties.  The Mt Etnas, as suggested, would work.  Also, Ronde de Bordeaux, Florea, Malta Black.  I guess that, given your soil, I'd be cautious about southern varieties adapted to / demanding lots of water, such as the LSU figs and Celeste.

We tend to think of figs as desert plants, not needing much water.  But consider this from Wikipedia:

<< The common fig tree is mostly a phreatophyte that lives in areas with standing or running water. It grows well in the valleys of the rivers and ravines saving no water, having strong need of water that is extracted from the ground. The deep-rooted plant searches groundwater, in aquifers, ravines, or cracks in the rocks. >>

Shallow watering (e.g., a lawn sprinkler) will encourage shallow root growth and leave the fig vulnerable to dry spells.  Deep watering will encourage deep root growth and leave the fig better protected.

Your specific problem is that figs are not well adapted to clay soil, which is hard for roots to penetrate and tends not to drain well.  Of course, there are plenty of people growing figs in clay.  I think you need to make extra effort with site prep when planting and with subsequent watering to encourage good root development.