Ed,
You're welcome.

The O'Rourke and VDB were in SIPs, the Champagne was in a standard container with 3/4" bottom drainage holes and was allowed to send roots through the pot into the ground. Root pruning the 5 gallon root ball is much easier than a 10 or 15 gallon, with the SIPs or through pot ground rooting a large amount of roots (growing outside the container) can be easily pruned at the end of season.

The tests with 5 gallon containers is to see if the "Japanese" branch pruning techniques combined with minimal yearly root pruning will yield yearly "productive" harvests and healthy growth has been informative, but will need at least another 2 years to see if the success can be continually repeated.

Pete, do you have either of those varieties in a bigger container as well?
I'm wondering if fruit size is reduced, there has to be a threshold point. It seems logical that X amount of root= X amount(weight) of fruit. This is given all needs are met and no shortages occur, such as light/nutrients/water/root zone temp....

Calvin,
My plan has always been to grow the fig cultivars in-ground. I have several duplicates of all the cultivars in the 5 gallon buckets and most will be planted in-ground, Several will be planted in my largest containers, 20 gallon SIPs made from 30 gallon Barrels. From my observations if the trees are provided with proper culture, the size and flavor will remain consistent, regardless of the container size. The exception (or rule) is that younger trees will usually have smaller figs with less intense flavors.

Hi Pete

For a newbie that really only has the space and climate for container figs (city living, no yard, cold winters), this is a pretty interesting thread. Thanks for posting.

Have you continued this experiment? I'm curious if you have come to any conclusions regarding variety, pot size, and productivity.

I don't think you can do a good test in a season or 2. A really big factor in production is the age of the tree. If you want true figures you should run the test for at least 5 years with the same age trees in different size pots.

Hello,
its me again, having problems with starting a new post on this site. hopefully can get my question answered here. Sorry Pete, Ed and Calvin.
my question is I am growing Chicago Hardy in 7-10 gallon pot, I started as a cutting about 2 months ago outdoors. It is growing like crazy probably over a foot now.
with huge leaves. I wanted to know when should I bring it indoors, and can I bring it in my living room will it still produce fruit or at least produce leaves. so I can
enjoy making fig Tea at least, and enjoy the beauty and aroma of the tree. I read in sites to bring in to garage or shed but no one mentioned anything about inside the
home.
- Zone 7A New, Jersey

Also Can anyone tell me how to start a new post thread.
and sorry for the disruption in your conversation.
Thank you,
Stephen

Its needs a certain amount of cold days to bear fruit. Garage is fine. I leave mine out till the red line drops to 37 degrees. So could be November, December, October. Depends on temp

Where in jersey are u. I'll give u leaves for you tea.

My CH is in-ground and bears plenty of fruit in South Jersey. It keeps ripening well after most trees are done. They are very cold hardy. As long as it has leaves it can benefit from the sunshine and 37 degrees seems a good way to make sure you don't leave it out too long.

Thanks for your answers, so I guess I cant bring it in to my living room.
Thank you for your offer Sylvia, I love tea, so I have no joke a closet full of different 
teas, my wife will kill me  if  I bring in another tea. 

Thanks again
Stephen
zone 7A NJ near GWB.
 

by the way if anyway can help me out with how to start a new post thanks

Click on the "Topics" link and then click on "New Topic" in the lower right hand corner.