Hi Guys,

First time poster here.  I'm in SoCal and my 2015 VdBs from UCD grew relatively fine last year, but for some reason they are just not growing this year.  I have two 1 gal potted VdB's that started to come out of dormancy but both only put out stunted little leaves which have now fallen off.  We did have a few days of cold El Nino weather after they initially broke dormancy.  Now they look dormant again.  All my other potted figs are well out of dormancy and leafing out nicely.

Anyone ever had this issue with VdBs?  Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

I have two in ground and am going through exactly the same thing. Early last spring I planted two 1 1/2 foot trees, they leafed out great but really didn't grow much and so far they haven't budded out at all. All of the other fig trees are budding and leafing out pretty good. This winter was maybe the mildest winter I have ever experienced in Texas but maybe the few times it got to freezing nipped some budding leaves or something and I didn't notice. My fingers are crossed that they pop up because it is probably too late to get cuttings or gallon pots of VdB for this year. Here is a picture from last year http://i.imgur.com/kyc5h10.jpg

I am in Zone 7b/(8 this year due to mild winter). My VdB has been the last one to wake up. I see the buds starting swell, while the rest of them already have good foliage.

So be patient. Put your pots where you might get most sun for the day and it might help the trees grow strong shoots.

Another thing to consider is to "appropriately fertilize" (not too much but just the right amount, or use slow release ferts) the plants. I see you mentioned that they are in 1 gallon containers and its easy for the trees to run out of food in a pot that size, unless you are maintaining a schedule to feed them.

I have found the UCD VdB to be a severely diseased plant. After 2 years of disappointment I am giving it one more year. I planted in ground here in NJ last year and hasn't come up yet. I'm almost hoping it doesn't

In my short time in this new hobby of figs, I have noticed that VdB the SLOWEST and most sensitive at everything, rooting, airlayering and just overall slow grower... But you can't beat the tasty figs... I'm looking for a Vista to compare, I've read that Vista is a more vigorous grower...

Could you slide them gently out of the pot to see if they could be badly rootbound?  Or if something else is affecting the roots?

Thanks for all the replies, guys.  I moved them to a sunnier spot and I'll just have to wait it out and be more patient I suppose.  :)

[QUOTE=sbmohan] Another thing to consider is to "appropriately fertilize" (not too much but just the right amount, or use slow release ferts) the plants. I see you mentioned that they are in 1 gallon containers and its easy for the trees to run out of food in a pot that size, unless you are maintaining a schedule to feed them.[/QUOTE]

Is there a particular fertilizer and feeding schedule you use?  My plan is a teaspoon of Gro-Power Plus 5-3-1 every month.

[QUOTE=eboone]Could you slide them gently out of the pot to see if they could be badly rootbound?  Or if something else is affecting the roots?[/QUOTE]

I took a peak and there's something I've noticed--my plants in plastic have much more robust root systems than plants in ceramic pots.  I didn't notice any issues with being rootbound though.