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DKrush

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hello everyone I am new to growing figs and the forum. Getting my first fig tree tomorrow in the mail from Peaceful Valley Farms. It is a 2 foot Violette De Bordeaux plant. I know it is dormant now but I am not sure what to do with it for the next few months. If anyone can help me out at all that would be great. Thanks
Bluemalibu

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 

   Welcome to the forum!

   Peaceful Valley is forty-five miles from me, here in Northern California.  You'll be receiving a potted plant from Peaceful Valley, as they do not sell bare-root figs...  but they do provide purchasers with a pretty good set of instructions on care, to tip the odds in favor of you being a successful steward of your new tree.  If you want to simply keep the new tree in suspended animation until spring, your task is to prevent the little guy from both freezing, and from getting too warm.  (Warmth will initiate bud break...  which will require you to maintain the warmth, and to provide artificial light as well, for the balance of the winter.)  Otherwise, just keep the tree in chilly conditions 35* - 45* in a mud-room, the basement, etc. 

  Here are the instructions that are provided by P/V:  http://www.groworganic.com/media/pdfs/fig-l.pdf

  Blue
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FiggyFrank

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Welcome!  Blue said it all.  While the tree is dormant, give it about a cup of water once a month so the root ball doesn't get completely dry.  Also, a dormant tree does not require any type of light until it breaks dormancy.
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jenniferarino83

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
get a head start for spring. Repot. Water once a week.
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DKrush

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Thank you very much BlueMalibu and everyone else. I can not wait to try some figs from my plant.
Only think still a little confusing is fertilizing. I read somewhere too much or too little can kill the tree and what kind should I use?

Thanks again,
Have a nice newyear
drew51

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
You could use an organic, it's hard to over fertilize with organics. Also if using soluble fertilizer, just use half suggested amount to be safe. A good one is Foliage Pro, it contains all trace elements. I always suggest trying different methods to see what works for you. Another fairly safe fertilizer is the time released Osmocote. I myself prefer dynamite, it last 9 months.  I get mine online, postage free for a large bag of it.
This year I'm using Plant-Tone and the other Espoma organic products. I often use grains too like alfalfa, and cottonseed meal, makes it cheaper.  When using organics add some compost to containers to make sure you have bacteria there to break things down.
Everybody probably has their own methods to fertilize. I just gave you mine that work for most plants, although each type of plant is unique. I'm fairly new to figs and I'm still experimenting myself.  They seem like easy plants to take care of compared to many other fruit trees. I have peach, plum, pluot, tart and sweet cherry trees. These are difficult to manage, very difficult. Well worth it though!
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Drew
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ross

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Don,

I got your email, but I thought it'd be better to respond here.

Osmocote slow released fertilizer is your best bet. Also, any all purpose Miracle grow is recommended by many. Follow the label for the proper amount of fertilizer.

To comment on your first question, your tree will be young, and I prefer growing younger trees throughout the winter indoors provided you have enough room. If you put your VdB in a south facing window with a constant room temp above 60, it will do fine and you'll have a huge tree by the end of the summer. Even if the tree arrives dormant you can wake the tree up and easily accomplish this with warmer temps. If growing indoors, it's very important not to overwater. Use a very well draining soil with lots of perlite.

If that's not a possibility then doing what Blue said is also a great option. It really comes down to your specific conditions, which are different for everyone.

-Ross
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jdsfrance

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Hi Dkrush,
Welcome to the forum !
What is your usda Zone ? If you're in Zone9 ... It is all different from my Zone7 .
What is your plan ? : In ground or potted ?
If you're going to keep the tree in a pot, I would pot it up upon receiving .
If you plan to let her sleep. Just put her in a garage until Spring.
When you'll wake her up, fertilize the tree, and let her grow.
If you don't pot up nor do fertilize, the growth would be weak, so don't forget to fertilize !
Good luck !
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DKrush

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Thanks again. I live between zone 6-7, I think more closer to 7. I was kind of planning on keeping it in a big bay window when it is dormant or at least until it gets bigger. I will water it about once a month but just do not want the soil to dry out. Going to keep it in a pot for sure it will need to be in during winter months.
I feel like I am learning a lot already so thanks to everyone giving me advice.
DKrush

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 

And Ross the window does face south and it is usually between 60-65, and i will do a mix of pearlite and good draining soil.

Is this well draining soil and pots when they are young or is this the entire life on the tree?
Thank you again 

rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Welcome to the forum!  You made a great choice for your first tree.  Some people have success getting healthy growth from a tree over the winter, some get lankey, weak growth.  If you can get good, strong wood you'll have fruit much sooner.  As long as your S facing bay window gets 6 or more hours of unobstructed sun on the plant I'd go for it.  As far as fertilizer goes you'll want to follow the directions for houseplants, not for outdoor plants as long as it's in a pot.  That will keep you from killing your plant.  Best of luck with it!
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Smyfigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Welcome to the forum, DKrush! And, congrats on your new fig!!!
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Windowsill_Gardens

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Congratulations on your new fig! VdB is delicious. If you seem to be short on light at any point, you can also supplement with some fluorescents. Figs are pretty forgiving. Just don't over water, and the fig mostly does the rest. ;)
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DKrush

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Ok so the plant was delayed a few days for the holiday and I got it today. The plan was to put it in a pot and place it in the window so it can get sun and still stay dormant. Now I have a problem, the plant is supposed to be 2 foot high and it is bigger and came with a pot. With the pot it's 4 foot and it will not fit in the big bay window. I know the house and rooms are always around 72 and now I guess I am going to have to buy some artificial light bulbs. But is it too warm in the house will it come out of dormancy?     If I put a plant bulb on it would warm it up i think too? Right now its about 30s and 40s highs for the next 10 days. 
Thanks again for any help
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