Newbie - how much water?

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dolo918

Registered:1401019864
Posts: 25

Posted 1401117110	Reply with quote #1

I have a brown turkey in a container. I would say it is about 6 mos - 1 year - bought from a nursery. It is in a 15 gal. pot. I am in zone 10 Florida. Just not sure how often to water. When I do water it drains nicely and media stays damp. Sunny and 80-90 degrees now.

javajunkie

Registered:1362970391
Posts: 1,523

Posted 1401119505	Reply with quote #2

Good Morning and welcome to the forum! When I first started I almost killed my cuttings from under watering. You are in the hot humid south so I don't believe you can over water unless your pot doesn't drain right. I am in SE Texas and as of now I am pretty much watering every day. If you lift the side of the pot and it feels light, water. __________________ Tami SE Texas

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1401140716	Reply with quote #3

Hi dolo918, Welcome to the forum. As for watering, the tree will tell . It all depends on the heat in the day and if you have rainy weather. It depends on if the pot is exposed to the sun - as that will make the pot dry quicker. I would put a plate under the pot and water as usually and see if the water drains and stays for long in the plate. In what kind of potting mix do you have that tree ? __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

5fignut6

Registered:1308262329
Posts: 53

Posted 1401144392	Reply with quote #4

put a tray under the container and water it from the bottom, filling the tray up. watch it dry up and water as needed. they take a lot of water

dolo918

Registered:1401019864
Posts: 25

Posted 1401144798	Reply with quote #5

I did not pay attention to the standing water until today when I noticed it was funky looking. I used a turkey baster to empty the saucer. I have pea gravel in the bottom of the pot then mix with potting soil and compost. Tossed the bag so I am not sure. I am just confused by what I have been reading about water...too much ....to little. It is not showing any signs of wilt or stress. I have been watering every couple of days.

recomer20

Registered:1378013757
Posts: 402

Posted 1401147140	Reply with quote #6

The "barely water" rule applies to cuttings and babies. And again, during harvest week--some figs split with too much watering. Once a plant has a suitable amount of roots and is actively growing with a decent amount of leafage, watering isn't a huge issue. Some cultivars prefer more or less water, but they'll let you know. Just try to make sure the pot drains well and doesn't stay soaked all the time or sit in standing water for so long that it rots. Once autumn comes, and trees go dormant ease off: without leaves and growth, the chance of overwatering is again an issue....that's if you are keeping everything in pots. Big pots can be deceiving. It might be bone dry on the top 3 inches of depth, and a soggy mess down below. Might stick your finger in there to make sure. Even well watered plants' leaves will wilt a little on scorching days. If by evening the leaves haven't begun to perk up, then you might test for watering. All that said, an actively growing tree with good root growth can stand a good bit of water. Best of luck! __________________ Rick C. Birmingham, AL z7b --- INGROUND: S.C.Lemon ("Dr.Welch"), LSUpurple, Celeste (Std) POTTED 3rd Yr: Alma, Atreano, BattGreen, GrnGreek, HardyChicago, ItalianBlack (Becnel), LSUGold?, MBvs, Sal's EL, Southern BT?, St.Jean, Jackie'sUnk POTTED 2nd Yr: SunbirdUnkJP, BourjNoire, JHAdriatic, ValleNegra ROOTING: RdB, ScottsBlk, BlkGreek-MN,Preto

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1401158774	Reply with quote #7

If your mix is good draining, its difficult to over water an "adult" tree, because there is always air available to the roots. It's cuttings and very young starts (4 months or so) that you have to watch how much water as it can cause/assist rot before the roots are established. __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

Rob

Registered:1320245426
Posts: 550

Posted 1401201666	Reply with quote #8

In south florida heat I would say make sure you give it lots of water. Why not plant it in ground? Are you worried about nematodes? There are some folks here on this forum who live in south florida who might have some pointers on how to grow fig trees there. __________________ Rob Maryland Zone 7 http://rbfigs.webs.com/

dolo918

Registered:1401019864
Posts: 25

Posted 1401234145	Reply with quote #9

I have it in our screen enclosure as I did not want to deal with all the animals we have here....squirrels, crows, birds, deer, etc....and then the dirt insects, nematodes....A lot of new growth in the planter so I am optimistic. Much improvement since I burned leaves with insecticide soap.

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