Removal of leaves from potted fig in fall to expedite moving inside for winter storage

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OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1444769470 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

I am talking about situation in zone 5a where short, cool and cloudy days of fall have already set in. Temperatures in our area now are “daily High/Low at 10C/3C average” and cloudy half the time. But the leaves on potted fig plants are still very fresh and sturdy which mean I have to wait a while for leaves to fall before I can start to store inside for winter. Unfortunately weather fluctuations at this time of the year are unpredictable; we can get some snow than can make outside slushy wet and difficult to work, or temperatures can fall very fast to -10C ( (15F) overnight that can kill some plants (faster temperature drop can burst tissue cells, the cells not having enough time to diffuse out the water contents). I have a good number of potted figs to take care of. My question is if there could be any residual harm to the plants if I remove the leaves and store the plants now (i.e. before the leaves fall naturally or fall due to a sudden good drop in temperature). Personally I feel the benefits of removing leaves and unripe fruits now and expediting storage now outweighs any negative effect if any but it is still better to check with others for their educated opinion. Edit: I forgot to mention that, in addition, I also have to dig out the partially buried pots. __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1444772109	Reply with quote #2

I'm in zone 6. I removed 2/3 of the leaves 2 weeks ago. The rest I'll remove next week. Pots will go in storage around thanksgiving. To answer your question I'd cut off the leaves and old figs. Then wait a week or two to let the leaf stems purge themselves. Prune as needed before storage to hedge yourself against winter dead loss. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1444772229	Reply with quote #3

I don't think there would be any serious negative impact. It sounds like you need to get started. I'd say go for it. __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1444815832	Reply with quote #4

Hi OttawanZ5, I would already unbury the pots for sure, and cut the extra-roots and remove at least half of the figs (all the smallish ones out). Here I don't have that big frost problem. We usually get mild frost (0°c / -5°c) and most of the leaves fall, and then we get the snow in December. In November I finish the job and remove all remaining leaves and fruits and put the protections on. Here the wintering job should be done by the second half of November. I would let the trees get at least two weeks of cold/fresh weather (like 10°c/3°C) before moving them in. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1444842081	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by jdsfrance Hi OttawanZ5, I would already unbury the pots for sure, and cut the extra-roots and remove at least half of the figs (all the smallish ones out). Here I don't have that big frost problem. We usually get mild frost (0°c / -5°c) and most of the leaves fall, and then we get the snow in December. In November I finish the job and remove all remaining leaves and fruits and put the protections on. Here the wintering job should be done by the second half of November. I would let the trees get at least two weeks of cold/fresh weather (like 10°c/3°C) before moving them in. jdsfrance, so there's no worry about severing the roots of buried potted tree that is not yet dormant? I've been wondering about that because I have one that has a lot of new green growth & seems to still be growing.. I know we will most likely get our first frost this weekend.. I've been hesitant to sever the roots though since it is still awake. Just wanted to clarify & make sure this is okay before I go ahead and do it.. Thank you in advance! :) __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1444847026 · Edited	Reply with quote #6

It appears that the nature itself will take care of the leaves this weekend. With -4C minimum forecast and windy here for the weekend will knock off most of the leaves. Then knocking off the many fat hard unripe figs will make me wish for just one more warm month !! __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1444857605 · Edited	Reply with quote #7

Hi Jamie0507, Now that the heat wave is gone, you can do it. I have a "Ice crystal" and since the remaining figs were not ripening I decided to take it out - As of today,I got 3 figs from that tree for this year. That tree was in a buried 80liters trashcan with bottom removed. I considered several options and decided to go brute force. The tree came off, some roots broke while pulling and I saw some roots to fit the pot, and I potted it. One fig ripened after the potting, and two weeks later the tree still is not droopy. So really from experience, go ahead with cutting the roots. I already removed most of the smallish hard figs on mine. But I'll let the frost remove the leaves. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1444865722	Reply with quote #8

Leaves are now sending sugars and other good stuff to the roots, where it will be stored, and then used when trees start up next spring as they break dormancy. Let the leaves fall off naturally, then store your hardened-off, dormant trees in a cool shelter. Nature knows best. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

coop951

Registered:1217167527
Posts: 595

Posted 1444870867 · Edited	Reply with quote #9

I agree with my friend Frank. I would let them go to sleep naturally. I don't feel a frost or two will cause any damage. __________________ Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1444872042	Reply with quote #10

Quote: Originally Posted by coop951 I agree with my friend Frank. I would let them go to sleep naturally. I don't feel a frost or two will cause any damage. Even to pretty green branches? I am not worried about the lignified wood at all, but some plants have a lot of green on them and are a little soft. __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

SoniSoni

Registered:1362273241
Posts: 777

Posted 1444896922 · Edited	Reply with quote #11

Quote: Originally Posted by ADelmanto I'm in zone 6. I removed 2/3 of the leaves 2 weeks ago. The rest I'll remove next week. Pots will go in storage around thanksgiving. To answer your question I'd cut off the leaves and old figs. Then wait a week or two to let the leaf stems purge themselves. Prune as needed before storage to hedge yourself against winter dead loss. Hi, Do I read this right, you leave the leaf stems hanging on but cut the leaf off them? Does this have to do with the sap bleeding out,,, or ? Thanks Soni __________________ Soni GA. 7-8. seeking Galicia Negra, Bianchi Guido, Violette de Sollies, Emerald Strawberry

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1444908053	Reply with quote #12

Quote: Originally Posted by jdsfrance Hi Jamie0507, Now that the heat wave is gone, you can do it. I have a "Ice crystal" and since the remaining figs were not ripening I decided to take it out - As of today,I got 3 figs from that tree for this year. That tree was in a buried 80liters trashcan with bottom removed. I considered several options and decided to go brute force. The tree came off, some roots broke while pulling and I saw some roots to fit the pot, and I potted it. One fig ripened after the potting, and two weeks later the tree still is not droopy. So really from experience, go ahead with cutting the roots. I already removed most of the smallish hard figs on mine. But I'll let the frost remove the leaves. Thank you jdsfrance! Looks like I have some work cut out for me prior to this upcoming weekend! __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1444914736 · Edited	Reply with quote #13

It is at this time of the year (shorter days, weaker sunlight, longer, cooler nights) when semi-lignified (greenish) wood is starting to harden off. Leaves are sending photosynthesized foods, hormones, etc. to the roots for storage and watery sap is thickening, becoming fig "anti-freeze". All fertilizing with nitrogen-rich formulations should have stopped at least a month + ago. Continue to keep the semi-dormant trees hydrated. Let the leaves turn yellow, and fall off the trees, naturally. Expose the bare, quiescent trees to some cooler weather- to properly harden off the newer wood- and then, store trees in a cool area for the dormancy phase. Keep the roots hydrated/damp. Light is not necessary after trees go into full dormancy. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1444951720	Reply with quote #14

Leaf removal should be fine with your temps. Removal can cause a re-flush with new leaves if the temps are summer or spring-like, but doubt that will happen at 3C. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1445010242	Reply with quote #15

I pretty much agree with Frank. I would remove any figs bigger than a pea and let the leaves be. Every year I put away some figs with a good deal of green healthy leaves still attached. The tree will slowly draw the nutrients from the leaves and drop them as they are done, now if your storage isn't cool enough yet..that's a different problem. Ed, your right. Brown stems can take all the frosts and light freezes just fine, if there are any green stems those trees will need to be shuffled during freezes because the green will be killed. It is almost always the younger ones that are still relatively small and easy to shuffle. Eventually when it gets cold enough and I'm over it they go to the garage for the winter and drop their remaining leaves in due time. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1445045672	Reply with quote #16

To clarify a little, I cut the leaves off but leave a bit of leaf stem for a while. When they are ready, they will drop on their own or with very little effort. I've got over 200 potted figs that need to get stacked in the greenhouse. All of the tree branches will need to be pruned back. I want them to harden off as much as possible before I have to do it. A hard freeze at this point would really damage my semi hardened branches. Yes, this cold snap is just going to be a couple hours Sunday night, but a cold week would set me back 6 months or more. Not on my watch! Ideally, let nature take it's course, but the problem is the wild temp swings we can have this time of year. I can't let nature go unchecked. These are semi-tropical plants & this is NJ. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

gardenparty

Registered:1427139625
Posts: 18

Posted 1445339729	Reply with quote #17

This: "Leaves are now sending sugars and other good stuff to the roots, where it will be stored, and then used when trees start up next spring as they break dormancy. Let the leaves fall off naturally, then store your hardened-off, dormant trees in a cool shelter. Nature knows best." Frank

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1445561592	Reply with quote #18

Ottawan, time to move to Vancouver/Fraser Valley. Leave your trees behind . I can help you with a new collection that guarantees no work needed from a few reliable varieties. In no time you will have more than U need for the family. This season I have a large harvest and almost stop picking them for fresh consumption after end August. We have been dehydrating, making fig roll-ups and invited many friends & neighbours to come and pick them.

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