to pinch or not?

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GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1429738655	Reply with quote #1

All my in ground figs died back to the ground or close to it. But praise God they are all alive and showing green growth. I am not going to cut back the dead looking tops yet, but it does appear all new growth will be starting real close to the ground. With that in mind, how should I pinch/train this new growth? Should I pinch this new growth at 6 or 7 leaves like I usually do? I want to maximize fruit production while starting new structure. Any suggestions or experience anyone can share with me? __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1429739614	Reply with quote #2

This Southern California lady isn't really qualified to help you, but when I want more figs, I pinch at 5 leaves. It appears I have a tree some members would like cuttings from, and it's destined to grow huge. This year, I am pinching for sprouts to make into cuttings to send next year. Maybe you should take more cuttings so you can insulate those trees with hay or whatever you guys in cold climates do. Member's here may love your cuttings, and if they are gonna die back anyway, why not? Good luck with your figs! Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1429745905	Reply with quote #3

Suzi your right they going to die back anyway. Any how. How do i pinch back to get more figs? Do tell. I live in hot louisiana just to let you know if it matters for this process __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1429746555	Reply with quote #4

Richard, you just wait for 5 leaves, and pinch the growth tip. NOW you have stopped the branch growth, so the fig puts out new side shoots with more figs. Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1429796626	Reply with quote #5

As Suzi mentioned, simply cut/break/'pinch' the tip of the growing stem to halt growth, which forces lower nodes to shoot new branches. For me, I begin pinching in early June, when growth is vigorous and the tree has lots of energy flowing. I limit my growth to under 6' because they all die back every year anyway. I do believe it helps produce more figs too. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1429811939	Reply with quote #6

Thanks Suzie and Frank. That is my plan. I will pinch from the beginning. If the winters keep being like the last few, my inground figs will die to the ground each year, so I need to find the best way to maximize their production in that environment. I tried protecting them 2 years ago, but it really did not help much. I am going to keep 2-3 in big containers and shuffle them in and out of a shed, just so I have a couple with earlier growth. But the majority of my figs will be inground. __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

Yeehova

Registered:1396914416
Posts: 210

Posted 1429923658	Reply with quote #7

Mine all died back to very close to ground level as well If you pinch at five leaves or so, won't your figs almost be touching the ground? __________________ Brian Wish list: Col de Dame

Tiffanyp8904

Registered:1404505489
Posts: 13

Posted 1429924706	Reply with quote #8

I'm confused. If I pinch a tip at 6 leaves. What exactly happens to that branch? Will it get more branches? Does anyone have a pic so I can see what happens? This is only my second year with figs. My trees are all small. I'm just hoping for a few fruits this year on my little trees. __________________ Mike and Tiffany ct shoreline. 7a Rdb, vdb, brown turkey, Chicago hardy, lsu purple, ischia. 4 unknowns.

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1429926080	Reply with quote #9

Tifany, it isn't rocket science. You pinch. You stop the main branch from growing, so it sends out side branches with more figs. Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1429926511	Reply with quote #10

Quote: Originally Posted by Yeehova Mine all died back to very close to ground level as well If you pinch at five leaves or so, won't your figs almost be touching the ground? For potted trees, I'll let them grow about 18" before I start pinching. For ground trees, I start around 4' tall. Really just depends how they're growing. No rules, really. Just ensure they're actively growing or it may stunt a weak tree and take longer for shoots to grow out. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1429926684	Reply with quote #11

Quote: Originally Posted by Tiffanyp8904 I'm confused. If I pinch a tip at 6 leaves. What exactly happens to that branch? Will it get more branches? Does anyone have a pic so I can see what happens? This is only my second year with figs. My trees are all small. I'm just hoping for a few fruits this year on my little trees. Hi Tiffany, Here is an example of a 'pinched' tip. Although I had removed the top, it grew another one at the tip, but at a slight angle. It also grew a branch just below. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1429926888	Reply with quote #12

Another result of pinched tips. You can see several new shoots. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1429926960	Reply with quote #13

Also, when you do this, the tip will 'bleed' white milky sap. No worries, as it will naturally heal itself within minutes and harden over. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Tiffanyp8904

Registered:1404505489
Posts: 13

Posted 1429927433	Reply with quote #14

Awesome pics. Thank you for helping me understand. __________________ Mike and Tiffany ct shoreline. 7a Rdb, vdb, brown turkey, Chicago hardy, lsu purple, ischia. 4 unknowns.

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