Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > can you transplant a fig too deep ?
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
greenman62

Registered:
Posts: 45
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
So i had planted this fig in my front yard
and being that we had 98F temps and little rain, i wanted to mulch as best i could.
so i kept throwing clippings and leaves on the ground at the base
and now its 2 inchs deep.
its been in ground at least 8 months now.

THing is, ive actually noticed roots coming out of the trunk
(well above the normal root-line)
i tried moving the mulch out the way
but the smaller roots actually started growing up, into the mulch.

So is this a problem for the future of the tree ?
SHould i really try to dig it up ?
__________________
New Orleans La.
zone 9

growing subtropical food-forest
figs = Black Mission, Celeste, 2 un-named, and 4 cuttings started

guava, papaya, mango, fig, mulberry, jujube.......,
white, black, and mamey sapote....,
Cherimoya, lychee, longan, several psidium/guava relatives, Jaboticaba, citrus, Jamun, natal plum,
and about 100 more...
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
No. Fig trees are not like other plants/trees. You can plant them as deep as you want. The deeper the better in my opinion, and it is actually common practice to actually grow your fig trees into a tall whip & plant them 3+ feet deep. Mr. Pons does this. The reason why it makes sense is because this develops a strong root system quicker, and protects the root zone from freezing in cold climates.
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
tsparozi

Registered:
Posts: 303
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Makes great sense, Ross.... If the plant can tolerate planting low, then the more material below the frost line the greater the chance of it surviving a really cold winter....
__________________
Tony S - Zone 6A Carmel, NY
WL-Ischia Black (UCD/USDA), Martinenca, Calderona, Victoria, Craven's Craving, Colonel Littman's Black Cross, Bon Jesusa, Sant Martina, Princesa, Paretjal Negra
EB18702

Registered:
Posts: 51
Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Thanks Ross will definitely use this method next year.
__________________
Growing: DK, VdB, Brown Turkey, Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Verte, Negronne, Natalina BI, U. Italian Yellow BI , U. Yellow Greek AD, U. South Plainfield, U. Orangeburg 
U. Carini RG,
Rooting: Prosciutto, Naples Dark, Azores Dark, Columbaro Nero, De La Tira, I376, Des Roig Manyo, Greek Church U.

Wishlist: ANY PEACH OR PLUM SCION PLEASE PM ME. Smith, any in ground figs for zone 6.
Erik
zone 6A northeast Pa
tinyfish

Registered:
Posts: 223
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I guess figs are similar to tomato plants in that aspect that they will grow roots from the stem if planted deep.
ADelmanto

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 911
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I would do this only in the active growing season. Planting too deep in the fall leads to rot. I found that out the hard way.
__________________
https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tinyfish
I guess figs are similar to tomato plants in that aspect that they will grow roots from the stem if planted deep.


Yes. It's basically the same thing as air layering, but instead you're planting it.
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ADelmanto
I would do this only in the active growing season. Planting too deep in the fall leads to rot. I found that out the hard way.


That's a really good point.
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
Daramus

Registered:
Posts: 39
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
I asked a question similar to this about planting my well-rooted tree on a Facebook "expert" forum - The Garden Professors Blog. Here is my question and also the answer I received from professor / author Linda Chalker-Scott :

Question

Can plants like figs and pomegranates be planted deep like tomatoes and peppers can? I have heard for years about the dangers of planting a tree too deep, but what about plants that will root when buried? Is there any advantage or disadvantage to burying a 3 foot fig tree so that only the top few nodes are exposed above ground?

I know in colder climates people often plant figs a little deeper as protection against frost kill, and I have seen videos online where large machines were used to dig 6 foot+ deep holes in which a large unrooted fig branch was buried and allowed to root. As the tree grew, the hole was gradually filled in around it.

Answer

" Rooting twigs and branches is different than burying the root crown of an established tree. The original root system will die from lack of oxygen, and the tree will grow a secondary root system. This will never be as robust as the original root system."

Not sure this helps but there it is. :)
__________________
Buckeye, Arizona Zone 9B
fignutty

Registered:
Posts: 580
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I'd say professor Linda is just guessing or speaking about trees in general. The original roots of a fig planted 3ft deep aren't going to die in a well drained soil. In a poorly drained soil sure they might. But in a soil where figs normally root 3ft or deeper there's no reason to believe the buried roots will die. And for plants like figs and grapes that root easily even on older wood the new roots near the surface should be just as good as if planted shallower.

That said planting 3ft deep sounds a bit like overkill. It's not going to help survival after a winter freeze unless the buds can push up thru 3ft of soil. Will they do that? I don't know, maybe in a loose friable soil. But not thru clay.
__________________
Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a
Wish list:  Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fignutty
I'd say professor Linda is just guessing or speaking about trees in general. The original roots of a fig planted 3ft deep aren't going to die in a well drained soil. In a poorly drained soil sure they might. But in a soil where figs normally root 3ft or deeper there's no reason to believe the buried roots will die. And for plants like figs and grapes that root easily even on older wood the new roots near the surface should be just as good as if planted shallower.

That said planting 3ft deep sounds a bit like overkill. It's not going to help survival after a winter freeze unless the buds can push up thru 3ft of soil. Will they do that? I don't know, maybe in a loose friable soil. But not thru clay.


The buds will come back from the buried trunk and not the roots. They can come back from the roots, but buds from the trunk will probably activate & break through the soil more easily.
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #12 
See this post: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1266018764&postcount=5&forum=0
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
fignutty

Registered:
Posts: 580
Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ross


The buds will come back from the buried trunk and not the roots. They can come back from the roots, but buds from the trunk will probably activate & break through the soil more easily.


Figs don't push shoots from the roots, only from stems. So it was the buried stem that I was talking about.
__________________
Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a
Wish list:  Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross
Daramus

Registered:
Posts: 39
Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fignutty
I'd say professor Linda is just guessing or speaking about trees in general. The original roots of a fig planted 3ft deep aren't going to die in a well drained soil. In a poorly drained soil sure they might. But in a soil where figs normally root 3ft or deeper there's no reason to believe the buried roots will die. And for plants like figs and grapes that root easily even on older wood the new roots near the surface should be just as good as if planted shallower.

That said planting 3ft deep sounds a bit like overkill. It's not going to help survival after a winter freeze unless the buds can push up thru 3ft of soil. Will they do that? I don't know, maybe in a loose friable soil. But not thru clay.


I live in the Phoenix area and my soil is mostly clay. I was curious if burying my plants deeper would possibly add some drought resistance during the intense summer heat since I water deeply in addition to mulching. I know from past experience that plants with relatively shallow roots struggle in the heat versus those with more established, deeper roots systems. I was trying to determine if planting deeper offered any benefit in a hot, arid climate where winter freeze isn't really an issue. I suppose as long as the soil was well draining, it couldn't hurt to try?
__________________
Buckeye, Arizona Zone 9B
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fignutty


Figs don't push shoots from the roots, only from stems. So it was the buried stem that I was talking about.


Steven, you sure they can't come from roots? If so that's good to know. Can buds form on roots?
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
greenman62

Registered:
Posts: 45
Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Hmmm...
this is actually interesting.
I am wondering if any testing has been done on this subject...

I have put tomato plants in the ground much deeper
and yes, it gave them a much better root system.

I actually recently read about roots needing air
i didnt know what till recently, that roots
will actually take in oxygen and give off CO2
and its the leaves that do the  opposite.
and what i read was that roots under water
die from not being able to release CO2
(especially if the water is stagnant and CO2 builds up)
and not from lacking oxygen.

So, im my case, i am building up the soil with mulch
and i doubt that it will cause the roots underneath to get less 02
especially since my soil is high in sand.
I also have lots of worms
i know they say worms can aerate the soil
but, i am wondering if thats the same thing ?
Since every inch of the root is not getting more 02
or, is more able to release CO2

So, i guess i will be mulching away :)

thanks all...
__________________
New Orleans La.
zone 9

growing subtropical food-forest
figs = Black Mission, Celeste, 2 un-named, and 4 cuttings started

guava, papaya, mango, fig, mulberry, jujube.......,
white, black, and mamey sapote....,
Cherimoya, lychee, longan, several psidium/guava relatives, Jaboticaba, citrus, Jamun, natal plum,
and about 100 more...
ross

Registered:
Posts: 375
Posted Reply with quote  #17 
If your tree looks droopy after planting, it's very possible that it's not getting enough oxygen. Your tree should let you know within the first day if there's a problem.
__________________
Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia
My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube
fignutty

Registered:
Posts: 580
Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daramus


I live in the Phoenix area and my soil is mostly clay. I was curious if burying my plants deeper would possibly add some drought resistance during the intense summer heat since I water deeply in addition to mulching. I know from past experience that plants with relatively shallow roots struggle in the heat versus those with more established, deeper roots systems. I was trying to determine if planting deeper offered any benefit in a hot, arid climate where winter freeze isn't really an issue. I suppose as long as the soil was well draining, it couldn't hurt to try?


I don't think it will hurt but doubt that it will help in the long run. Either way the fig plant will end up with about the same root system. Whether it ends up rooting 3, 5, or 8ft deep at the extreme, it will get there either way IMO.
__________________
Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a
Wish list:  Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross
fignutty

Registered:
Posts: 580
Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ross


Steven, you sure they can't come from roots? If so that's good to know. Can buds form on roots?


I've left a lot of fig roots in the soil when moving fig plants and they never push shoots.
__________________
Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a
Wish list:  Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross
jdsfrance

Registered:
Posts: 2,591
Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Hi,
You can bury them 3'' deeper if you want but not 3' .
If your tree is young and still growing new roots, it will use those additional 3''.
If your tree had been 10 years in a pot, the trunk would become hard, and roots will hardly grow on such a trunk. The trunk may rot from that unused water/moisture.
So on a young tree, it is not a problem. I have one tree that I buried 2'' deeper and then build a 3'' high frame and filled it with dirt from the nurseries (and added jonquils ... against rodents)and the tree is happy.
But the tree was young when I did. It was a root-sucker and is now 15' tall.
On that 15' tall tree, I wouldn't add any more mulch or just 1'' ; definitively not adding 1' of mulch - not risking loosing such a tree ...

As for the roots that you see, let them be. They will either grow into the dirt ( as surface roots - I have a pic here in one of my topics), or dry out and the tree will be fine.
Is the tree growing normally ? Is she in stalled mode ?
If in stalled mode, the tree may be lacking some fertilizer and is growing roots into the mulch to access some more nutrients.
__________________
------------------------
Climate from -25°C to + 35°C
Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply