Thinning the fruits

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TahomaGuy2

Registered:1365215474
Posts: 101

Posted 1410240449	Reply with quote #1

My Osborne Prolific (Neveralla) has 400+ main crop figlets. I always pinch and have gotten up to 40 to ripen in the past. Any advice on thinning them out or covering the tree with a plastic tarp to increase my yield? __________________ -Charles Cool Pacific NW Zone 8b

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1410244389	Reply with quote #2

Charles, What happens if you do not pinch? The figs do not ripen or they are just smaller? Is the tree in the ground or in a container? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1410268968	Reply with quote #3

Hi TahomaGuy2, Without a photo it did not happen :P (400 figs on one tree). In which usda zone are you ? How long have been the small figs hanging ? Just appearing now like for my "longue d'aout" or some of my "Dalmatie" ? Too make a long story short, in Zone7, actions will benefit if done as of 1 st of august or sooner . When it is too late, it is already too late. A greenhouse will help . The most effective action is pinching, but you then jeopardize the next breba crop - So the decision is all yours and the consequences as well. I tried in 2011 with a plastic tarp over the tree and it didn't change anything ! Good luck, and let us know if that works better for you. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

TahomaGuy2

Registered:1365215474
Posts: 101

Posted 1410279287	Reply with quote #4

I'll get a pic soon. All figs are of uniform size. The mature tree is in the ground. Neither pinching nor covering with a transparent plastic tarp for 3-months early in the season seems to make a difference in fig development!?! OH! We have 3 consecutive days in the 80'scoming up in our cool PNW and with the tree on the S. side of the house, hopefully some figs will start expanding. Thanks for the 2-replies thus far. __________________ -Charles Cool Pacific NW Zone 8b

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1410281927	Reply with quote #5

hi Charles, my purple fig tree is also loaded, this is what I do. I thin out some of the leaves, weak and thin branches, I knocked the smaller and the ones towards the tip out. I put plastic bags with small venting holes and containers that 'hold some warm air in around the figs'. it works, you may have to thin them out a few more times. most important is that there is air flowing in the middle of the tree. Figs that will not ripe has a strange 'old look skin', so, knock those out also. here are some of my branches. My neveralla cuttings from you succumbed. Neveralla from Slavi may not be Neveralla after all...so, I may have to get some from you again to graft onto my tree. I put the bags about a week ago on the these branches and I can already see the speeding process. On the other side, the figs are much smaller and they get more sun from the west. So, I have to do the same when I have time. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

TahomaGuy2

Registered:1365215474
Posts: 101

Posted 1410286353	Reply with quote #6

Thanks for the tips! OH! I'll have a small Neveralla for you & one for Slavi when I go up to the UW in 2-months. __________________ -Charles Cool Pacific NW Zone 8b

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1410286972	Reply with quote #7

Charles, if I were you, I would tie some of the branches a bit down so, more air gets in the middle of the canopy, yes, you can cut 1/3 of leaves out, it really helps. cut the very old and the brand new, thin the very weak and thin branches that only 'shade' the areas. they are not going to be very productive next year, only leaving the more robust leaves in place. your tree is a beauty! __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1410295344	Reply with quote #8

Grasa, I had to smile when I saw your photos because, can you imagine the expression on someone's face when they drive by your tree and see all those plastic containers and bags, their thoughts and expressions would be priceless. Keep up the good work and posts.

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1410314863	Reply with quote #9

Wow, very nice tree! __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1410353140	Reply with quote #10

Grasa, did your tree order take out? __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1410399513	Reply with quote #11

Gloria, hum, English is not my first language and here and there I trip on big words like 2 new ones today while reading a magazine on my way back from SF (harangue and conundrum) By the way, I like big words, but I am struggling here what do you mean with 'your tree take out'? Wayne, my tree is not viewed from the street. the mesh in front of it is about 30 feet of tall grapes on poles, raspberries and tomatoes and apple trees. In addition, my plot is higher than the street, I built a 3/4 feet tall rockery (my new hedge of figs is in front of the rockery) oh yeah, my daughter is very embarassed when I put upside down pots over the poles to trykeeping birds from the ripening cheries. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1410400043	Reply with quote #12

the containers you use to protect your figs are restaurant "take out" containers.... so I was making a joke about your tree ordering food while you weren't looking... __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

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