Fig tree suckers, what to do with them?

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kevint8

Registered:1433060860
Posts: 33

Posted 1436297114	Reply with quote #1

I rooted some fig tree cuttings late last fall and put a few into the ground early this spring. The fig cuttings grew quite quickly and are about 5 feet tall now (quite amazing seeing them progress from the 8" cuttings). They have quite a few suckers growing out of them and I am not sure what to do with them? I am quite new to growing fig trees and gardening in general but it's becoming a really enjoyable hobby for me. Is there any harm to keeping the suckers, or should I have them removed? __________________ SoCal - Zone 10a

Figglet

Registered:1416863929
Posts: 69

Posted 1436297844	Reply with quote #2

Your could always root them and give them out to members on the forum wink wink nudge nudge But it really just depends on what plant type your want, keeping them on would create more of a bush shape and pruning them would create more of a tree __________________ Amateur Fig Addict Truman Z8b Oregon Varieties I'm looking for: -Battaglia Green -Ronde de Bordeaux Growing: Negronne, Stella, Peters Honey/Kadota, Local Unk, Smith, Antigone Unk, Black Madiera, Yellow Neches, Col De Dame Blanc.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1436301304	Reply with quote #3

hi kevint8, The question is: do you have space for more trees, and are you willing to have duplicates from your trees ? If the answer is yes : keep the suckers and remove them in September. If the answer is no: remove them now as they are fed by the roots and they are taking their shares out of what the main trunk could get. So the main trunk is slowed by those stems. The choice is yours ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

kevint8

Registered:1433060860
Posts: 33

Posted 1436303095 · Edited	Reply with quote #4

I probably would want to grow it as a bush since my backyard is small. So keeping the suckers there will not harm the tree? If anyone want the remaining fig cuttings that are still growing in 1-gal pots, I don't mind giving them out to anyone nearby (I am in SoCal). I don't know what kind of fig variety it is, only thing I know is the fruit is green/yellowish and inside is pinkish. Taste sweet like honey with a hint of floral fragrance. I checked the tree this morning and noticed a small fig forming so perhaps someone could help identify it once it ripens. I am surprise to find it there because it hasn't been a year since this tree was grown from a cutting. Here's a pics of the small fruit forming: jdsfrance - Thanks for the suggestion, I think I will be removing them now if they are going to hinder the growth of the main trunk. Do I just cut them off, or is there a better way of doing it without hurting the main trunk? __________________ SoCal - Zone 10a

Figglet

Registered:1416863929
Posts: 69

Posted 1436304252	Reply with quote #5

sounds like an atreano to me would you mind posting some leaf pics? __________________ Amateur Fig Addict Truman Z8b Oregon Varieties I'm looking for: -Battaglia Green -Ronde de Bordeaux Growing: Negronne, Stella, Peters Honey/Kadota, Local Unk, Smith, Antigone Unk, Black Madiera, Yellow Neches, Col De Dame Blanc.

figlayla

Registered:1430091348
Posts: 155

Posted 1436304438	Reply with quote #6

very nice of you to offer, is it normal for the root suckers to have figlets? Quote: Originally Posted by kevint8 I probably would want to grow it as a bush since my backyard is small. So keeping the suckers there will not harm the tree? If anyone want the remaining fig cuttings that are still growing in 1-gal pots, I don't mind giving them out to anyone nearby (I am in SoCal). I don't know what kind of fig variety it is, only thing I know is the fruit is green/yellowish and inside is pinkish. Taste sweet like honey with a hint of floral fragrance. I checked the tree this morning and noticed a small fig forming so perhaps someone could help identify it once it ripens. I am surprise to find it there because it hasn't been a year since this tree was grown from a cutting. Here's a pics of the small fruit forming: __________________ Joshua Ahl New York/Long Island Wish List: black madiera, vdb, rdb, nero 600 ( waiting on greenfin's delivery) pomengranete cuttings/plants..and a bmw r25/26/27 Current list in pots: Sals, honey, green ichia, monstrues, hardy chicago, joe morle Goccia d'Oro, atillio purple, black mission. Rooting Unknowns Now

kevint8

Registered:1433060860
Posts: 33

Posted 1436307361	Reply with quote #7

Figglet, here are a few pics of the leaves. They look different but are from the same tree. figlayla - I am not sure if it's normal for suckers to have figlets but the above pics of the figlet is growing on a sucker. Although the sucker is growing slightly above ground and not buried like the others. __________________ SoCal - Zone 10a

Figglet

Registered:1416863929
Posts: 69

Posted 1436308747 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

Thanks for the pics looks like you got yourself a keeper I'd love too have one but I'm not exactly local and dont know much about California's shipping laws __________________ Amateur Fig Addict Truman Z8b Oregon Varieties I'm looking for: -Battaglia Green -Ronde de Bordeaux Growing: Negronne, Stella, Peters Honey/Kadota, Local Unk, Smith, Antigone Unk, Black Madiera, Yellow Neches, Col De Dame Blanc.

kkk2210

Registered:1420862008
Posts: 474

Posted 1436310729	Reply with quote #9

Hello, I would keep the suckers if you want to make a bush, you can always train the suckers as fan shaped against a wall or a fence. Vinny __________________ Vinny Bognor Regis, United Kingdom Wish List : Callara, De La Rio,Cul Noir, Calvy, LSU Red, I-258, Maltese Beauty, Preto, FMV Infected Ischia Black UCD. My Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/myb/Summary?MyEbay&gbh=1

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1436315067	Reply with quote #10

I grow all of my figs as bushes. Usually in the winter I prune mine back to 5-7 trunks. But I live in zone 7a and I do this because of the winter cold. Some of your choice will have to do with climate. Many growers in colder climates (7 or below) grow figs as bushes. __________________ 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?

figlegacy

Registered:1412213071
Posts: 96

Posted 1436328592	Reply with quote #11

I am by no means an expert, as this is my first year with figs too.... However, the second leaf pic you have (one without the quarter) looks like my leaves, which I believe to be Chicago Hardy. The stem and figlets look identical to mine as well. If someone more knowledgeable can identify, please let us know as I'm curious as well.

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