Fig on a first year cutting Can I keep it?

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71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1310261018	Reply with quote #1

I bought two Sicilian Reds they are doing great. They grew some nice thick green wood and the leaves are growing out. I noticed today while I was out tending my yard each one has a fig coming out. Can I keep it on? If more come out, how many can I keep? Also I have not pinched these trees either is that something I should do now? __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1310262758	Reply with quote #2

The general rule of thumb is to rip it off if it was rooted within the last 6-12 months. With that said, I understand why some would choose to leave them on as a case by case basis. I would ask these questions: - How large is the pot? - How long ago rooted? - How tall is it? - How thick is the main trunk? - Where is the fruit located, close to the roots or far away from the roots? __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1310266681	Reply with quote #3

It is in a 2 gallon now, but I up potted it to that today. I don't know exactly when it was rooted. I picked it up in May. I am guessing about 6 months. I guess it is about 16 inches give or take. The main trunk I guess is it is a little less than 1/2 an inch. I took a picture of each one. I think that willl be better. sorry its not the best. I had to use a flash since it was dark. __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1310268837	Reply with quote #4

I personally wouldn't let it stay on. That's just me. No hard wood, I'm guessing the root system isn't that well established. Fruit takes a lot of energy to completely form. There's a solid chance that fruit will never even form, or it will rot, or it will be small and totally lacking flavor. The chances you will get a nasty piece of fruit are huge; this means that your chances of allowing your plant to waste a lot of energy are high. I would pluck it off. Odds of anything beneficial happening are miniscule, odds of detriment are very high. __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1310295254	Reply with quote #5

Better to be safe then sorry I will pull it off and as soon as I can get the other one off i will pull that too. __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1310300318	Reply with quote #6

71GTO, I feel your pain!! I get so anxious when I have a new variety showing fruit for the first time, can't wait to taste it, but if the tree is too young it is a waste of time and energy and you wouldn't get a the true taste anyway. The real pain is in knowing you now have to wait til next season to get a taste. I have really had to learn patience with figs!!

rafed

Registered:1252876934
Posts: 5,308

Posted 1310307100	Reply with quote #7

The Mother Bear must separate from her cub sooner or later if she wants to breed the next season ( did I say it right? ). My point is, I think you are doing the right thing by snipping of the figlet now. We should concentrate on the roots now and worry about the figs next year. I rather sacrifice a fig for a healthy tree later and for the many years to follow. Good looking tree btw. Good luck with it.

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1310317646	Reply with quote #8

Many years ago, I rooted 3 'Tena' cuttings. Two of them produced shortly after they rooted. I took one off, left the other. I noticed no difference in foliage growth of the three plants. ~james __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

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