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Subject: Nice idea for potted fig trees!!! Replies: 11
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 918
 
I noticed they recommended watering every other day during the summer...that sounds a bit much.  It has me concerned about my watering schedule for my potted figs.  Ive been watering it once a week since the rainy season ended this spring.  

Now its starting to heat up here in Los Angeles and Im wondering if Im doing my figs harm with my watering plan.  Perhaps the soil/medium this company uses requires the heavy watering...my pots are using HP ProMix...I wonder if they require such watering.  My plan has been to water when the top inch or so of soil is dry.  So far, this as resulted in moist, but not soggy soil where the root mass near the surface resides.

How are others watering their potted figs in weather similar to Los Angeles?

Subject: Spring growth in pots Replies: 5
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 593
 
cool, good to know, thx.

Subject: Spring growth in pots Replies: 5
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 593
 
I switched to HP ProMix over traditional potting soil.  Traditional potting soil kept my roots to wet, caused all kinds of problems last year.  The tress appear to be doing much better this year.

Remove the fruit!?!?!  :o  I can wait on more growth, cant wait for the fruit. :)

Subject: Spring growth in pots Replies: 5
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 593
 
So this was my first good year of growth after finally switching to an appropriate potting medium.  My Peter's Honey gave 6-9 inches of new growth off the various branches since February. 

The new growth seems to have stopped and is already beginning to wood over.  I have lots of new fig buds that are now growing/maturing rather rapidly, at least doubling in size each week.

Is this the end of my limb growth for the year?

Since Im using diluted liquid fertilizers, is its safe assume i should be switching to more of a bloom type(less nitrogen, more phosphorus and potash) fertilizer to encourage strong "fruit" growth.  It would seem nitrogen contributions in excess of whats needed to maintain the current plant size would be wasted if I cant expect any more green growth.

The tree is only about 4-5 feet tall, so would this year's growth be considered good(my 5 foot potted Black Mission did around 9 to 12 inches...but its always been a stronger grower)?  Will it grow more after the fruit sets?

Subject: Bonsai Fig Tree Replies: 6
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 846
 
Interesting, the leaves stay big even if you snip the leaf tips early in their growth?  That usually does a nice job of encouraging smaller foliage size, though I havent tried it on a fig.

I was hoping of doing my potted fig as a semi-bonsai/sculpted tree...both for looks and easy of fruit access.

Subject: When should i snip the tips to encourage branching? Replies: 7
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 776
 
Thx for the help guys!

Subject: When should i snip the tips to encourage branching? Replies: 7
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 776
 
My tree began leafing out this week, i was hoping to encourage branching for this particular tree to make more like a bush.  Is it too late to snip the tips and collect cuttings for rooting?

Subject: Brown scales on developing fruit Replies: 6
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 575
 
Thx for the responses guys, i hope it doesnt cause too much havoc with the maturation of the fruit...I was really hoping to see some good growth out of the tree this year.  Last year was difficult on the tree from the stress of the first re-pot holding too much moisture resulting in stagnant growth and eventual tree decline, then the stress of a 2nd re-pot into better soil mid-summer.

 

Subject: Brown scales on developing fruit Replies: 6
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 575
 
What is this, what is the cause, how do i fix it?

The young fruit have brown scales/scab looking damage on them, sort of like the thin, flat scabs you get from an abrasion on your skin.

EDIT:
here is a photo

Subject: Looking for Green Fig varieties suited for the San Fracisco Bay Area (USDA Zone 10a) Replies: 4
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 603
 
I'll look into it, thx!

Subject: Looking for Green Fig varieties suited for the San Fracisco Bay Area (USDA Zone 10a) Replies: 4
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 603
 
How do they rate in terms of sweetness and flavor? 

I remember looking into a Desert King for her...I may need to pursue that.

You've been like my best firend today, thanks again.

Subject: Looking for Green Fig varieties suited for the San Fracisco Bay Area (USDA Zone 10a) Replies: 4
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 603
 
Im currently growing a Peter's Honey cutting for my mom...but it never dawned on me to see if this variety was good for her area.  So Im looking on info for green varieties for her area.  I know Mission Figs are popular, but I dont recall ever seening a green variety in the area(I didnt even know there were green varieties until a little over a year or so ago).

She is Northern East Bay, in the shadow of the Golden Gate, so very cool weather, lots of Marine overcast layers, even in the Summer.  Summers rarely break 85 degrees and most Summer weather is likly about 75 degs, with cool overcast weather overnight. 

Subject: Osmocote/Slow release ferts for 15.5 and 19in pots Replies: 4
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 661
 

Next year it is...maybe like March?

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 
*wipes hands* my work here is done.

From what I can tell the Pro-Mix HP is really just stick in, water it and walk away.  My only suggestion, bury as much of the cutting into the medium as possible.  I lay it just about level and leave a couple of inches sticking out, leave it in a shaded area.

Subject: Osmocote/Slow release ferts for 15.5 and 19in pots Replies: 4
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 661
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcantor
I have great results with osmocote but it doesn't last 4 months.  I use more than it says and repeat every 2-4 weeks as the plant growth slows.  Will your plants go dormant?  If dormancy is less than 6 weeks away you shouldn't fertilize.  If you have at least 8-10 weeks of temps over 75 day and 55-60 or more nights you can fertilize heavily and get old stem growth.  If you want to speed that up just cut off what's growing now and the old wood will put out new growth.  Fertilize first then a few days later cut it off and either make new trees for yourself or offer the cuttings here or on ebay or all 3.  If you don't have enough time of high temps left just let your trees go dormant and do it next year once they've started growing.  There are many ways to do things, that's just my take.   :)


Its Los Angeles...I have plenty of warm weather left(Im actually growing watermelons right now...first melon pollinated yesterday) :)  I can likely expect at least 70 degs in the day and 55 degs at night until Novemeber.

Thanks for the info, how much more than recommended do you do, 1.5x, 2x, more?

Subject: Osmocote/Slow release ferts for 15.5 and 19in pots Replies: 4
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 661
 
The pot measurements are for the interior diameter.  I have two slow release Im thinking of using.  Osomocote garden and vegetable (14-14-14) or Jack's ClassiCote (http://www.jrpeters.com/Products/Jack-s-Classic/ClassiCote.html).

My question,  do I follow dosing directions on the side of the container or would I add more?  I say that because it seems in ground fertilizing recommendations on the web frequently suggest 1lb per year of age or Foot of tree...that sounds like a lot to me.  I look at those little pellets and wonder how I can equate that level of feeding from a few tablespoons...especially for a pot that would likley flush lots of nutrients out.

My concern is that my growth this year was a bit lack luster, initially due to bad soil choice holding too much moisture, and during the second growth spurt this past 2 month after the tree settled into the new potting (Pro-Mix HP).

Both trees are about 4.5ft tall, one a 5 branched bush, the other a typical erect type.  Each tree grew about 6 inches, both with very dense and short nodes, all my leaves are bunched in compact tuffs ate the ends of the braches.  The leaves are good sized, with some of the newest leaves apparently stuck in mid-growth in small and intermediate sizes...they've been stuck that size for a few weeks. 

Im looking to get these trees to fill out, not such much concerned with hieght(if I cant reach the fruit without a ladder its too high).  Right now, they look like that poor Christmas tree from Charlie brown.

The bush is a Mission.  The erect is a Peter's Honey.  Im just a few miles inland of the Los Angeles coast.

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 
Placed the first cutting(the only one to still have any life) in Pro-Mix HP...it made all the difference in the world.  That baby took about a month to respond, but she burst into the best growth spurt ever.  Its doubled in length, has about 8 large leaves and even has fruit budding for next year.


Im so pleased because this cutting is for my mom, I cant wait to give it to her.

I will be looking for new cuttings for next year with much anticipation(can never have too many Peter's Honey trees). 

Subject: I got fed up...so I made my own dirt! Replies: 15
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,546
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by go4broek
CJ,

You will probably need to wash away most of that medium before you repot. Some say wait til dormancy. I have done it without harm to the plants during the growing season. Just be careful and don't shake the plant/rootball. I dip the root ball in cool water and gently agitate the roots until the soil washes away. Sould be very simple with such a sandy mix. Then add the new mix, making sure to get the new medium between the roots by tapping the sides of the planter. Good luck!


Currently the figs are in ProMix HP...they were in Miracle Grow moisture control...that held way too much water.  They'll stay in the ProMix until after the weather cools.  The sandy soil is primarily for my melons, but I wanted to try it for the figs too.

Subject: I got fed up...so I made my own dirt! Replies: 15
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,546
 
I have huge pile of all that, but it also seems to hold too much water.  At this rate I might just pot everything in rocks! 

I didnt know about the wood chips and sawdust stealing Nitrogen, would this also apply to wood bark nuggets sold for ground cover?

You'd be suprised how hard it is to find just regular dirt.  As of now, I'd be just looking to add more of my composted material to the sand mix.   

I just figured a sandyloam(supposedly most agricultural plants love it) would be benefical, but perhaps that would only be the case in ground, not necessarily in pots? 

Subject: I got fed up...so I made my own dirt! Replies: 15
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,546
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by go4broek
Sounds like too much sand. It will compact and remain wet in the root zone resulting in rot. Good luck though.

What else could I add to melp with compacting?  Maybe layer wood chips or perlite or lava rocks in the pot?

Or maybe use a tall pot?  Maybe a wick...what can be used as a wick?

 

Subject: I got fed up...so I made my own dirt! Replies: 15
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,546
 
A sandy loam actually.  Apparently all my summer garden produce will like it, I'd assume figs would too...so made some. 

Its about 60% sand, 20% fine material and 20% organic matter.  It was a lot easier than I thought.   I'll be testing it out on some herbs first, but if works, my fig trees will be potted in it after all the fruit drops and the temperature cools.

I might actually bump up the organic matter...I havent decided.

Anyone else built their own sandy loam?  Does anyone have experience with growing figs in sandy loams? 

Subject: Trying Pro-Mix HP for my container figs...what are suitable fertilizers? Replies: 8
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,025
 
Would the use of liquid chemical fertilizers prevent/hinder the development of beneficial organisims and microbes from colonizing the Pro-Mix?

Do I have to go either organic or chemical?

Subject: Trying Pro-Mix HP for my container figs...what are suitable fertilizers? Replies: 8
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,025
 
Im was hoping to make use of some organic fertilizers I fell in love with this year, but Im getting a sense it wont work in Pro-Mix very well...and perhaps organic isnt the best way for containers anyway.

So I was think of going back to liquid, chemical fertilizers instead, but Im also considering Osmycote too.

Is one a better choice than the other?  Are there any drawbacks or considerations that need to be made short term and long term with either one?

Considering Pro-Mix is "sterlie" will it eventually develop microbes to allow for the breakdown of organic materials as fertilizers/nutrients?

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 

old cutting stagnant again, gonna try different soil in near future.

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 

old cutting is going nuts, letting it dry seems to be helping.  Waiting for the newer cutting to show life again

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 
Old cutting is leafing again, ive been letting the soil dry out...perhaps its helping.

The new cutting with stagnation, for which this post was about, is dropping its leaves like the old cutting did...i'll let it dry out in hopes it'll leaf out again under better conditions.

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by noss
cj,

I may be misunderstanding you, but I think short nodes is desirable over stretching out.  I think lots of new branches is good, as is lots of fruit.  I wish my Celestes had shorter distances between nodes.  They are monsters, the way they grow.

noss


No you understood me, I thought short nodes was bad because the Peter's Honey was struggling last year due to being root bound(it was that way when I bought it languishing behind a bunch of other fruit trees that were growing over it...must have been a lost specimen from the year before).  It had very limited growth, no new branches and very short nodes.

This year it still has short nodes, but its branching out like crazy, and will have tons of dense clusters of fruit.

It had a low attached branch that shot off the main trunk which seemed to hold all the energy in last years growth lack luster.  Since I wanted an upright style, I cut that branch and turned it into two cuttings, one of which I spoke about above(stagnating with several newly sprouted leaves, I have high hopes for this one...it'll be for my mom when she moves back into her house this summer).

Cutting that branch seems to have sent growth and sprouting into the rest of the tree, combined with a good root pruning, this little tree is finally trying to branch out. 

My Mission Fig was a 6 inch seedling I rescued from my best friends house last year.  It was growing between the pads of an old hot tube he was about to demolish.  That thing is in its 2nd year and has 9-12 inches between nodes, the thing grows like bamboo!  Its success had me thinking long nodes was a sign of good health and growth.  But this year the node length is signifcantly shorter on even the Mission...perhaps thats a seedling/yearling attribute.

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 
Mine are doing ok for now, I try to go much longer between watering, but I will look into switching to another soil after this summer.  

I cropped the rootball this year and saw tremendous growth between both plants, they arent stretching out like I had hoped(short distance between nodes), but im getting all kinds of new branches and the Peter's Honey is developing lots of fruit.  I'll let them be until after the summer heat and fruit collection.

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 
So what are the options for increasing airflow into the soil?  I know a deep watering would it, but would that be too much for the period of time the water presists if there is too much water already present?

Perhaps its already too late and the roots have rotted already.  I had moisture control soil handy for the cutting, the hope was that it would have held enough moisture without encouraging rot...not the best choice, but it was what I had and has worked for other types of cuttings.

Subject: Cutting growth stagnation Replies: 17
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,304
 
Twice now Ive had cuttings that begin to rapidly grow several 1-2inch leaves, then all of a sudden they just stop...even small leaves mid-growth(leaflings, post-bud inmature leaves...Im not sure what to call them) just halt their growth and the whole cutting just stagnates.  It doesnt dry up nor do any leaves turn yellow and die.

It just seems the growth and development of the cutting explodes, then crashes.

My first cutting sat with the same three leaves for what seemed like months, eventually something came along and began to just eat the leaves.  Its not dead, the tip of the cutting where the leaves and stems were originating is still green.

My second grew 4 leaves of matching size in rapid succession.  It went from bud to 4 leaves almost over night, now the 5th leaf is stunted and hasnt grown a bit in a week or two.

Is this normal, is there something I should be doing?  Watering?  Feeding?  More sunlight?

Im in Southern California, about 5 miles off the coast in Los Angeles.

Subject: Peter's Honey questions Replies: 10
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,580
 

The Peter's Honey appears to be doing well after the pruning.  Its been warm this winter in SoCal, and it appears to be prompting fruit buds and leaves at the tips of the branches and possibly a couple of new shoots.

 

I root pruned and up-potted the Mission Fig a few/couple of weeks ago, I assume it'll be fine to.

 

My question is on shaping and promoting branching.  My Peter's Honey is basically straight up and down, with a couple of small branches up top, and one big "J" shaped branch that sprung out from the trunk a few inches above the soil.  This "J" shoot is the currently the strongest part of tree and will give the majority of my 1st crop of figs this year.  what I want to do is trim the tree to encourage strong growth and additional branching in the weaker upper portions of tree...hopefully resulting in a large 2nd crop all around.

 

Should I cut all the leafing tips on the limbs I want to get new branching? 

 

Should I cut the tip on the strong "J" branch and will that only promote brancing on the "J" branch, or will it promote branching over the whole tree? 

 

Should I leave the "J" branch intact this season to get the most fruit from the strongest part of the tree, and then cut it off all together after the last crop?   The "J" branch takes away from the straight up and down shape I want and Im concerned it may become a tipping or break hazard.

 

Is now too early to trim the tips (the leaves at the tips are just beginning to uncurl)?

Subject: Peter's Honey questions Replies: 10
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,580
 

I'm in San Diego every other week for work.  I keep saying I'll visit Encanto...in fact I'll be in San Diego all this coming week.

 

Can't imagine how I'd get a tree in the cargo bay of our little planes though...I take that back, I could probably do a couple if small young plants.  getting them past my wife is the hard part...she has us pinching pennies.

Subject: Peter's Honey questions Replies: 10
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,580
 
Potting complete, it's a 20 or 24 inch pot, so lots of room. I trimmed the roots about half as much as the above pic...I couldn't bring myself to cut that much :)

Subject: Peter's Honey questions Replies: 10
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,580
 
Wow, didn't know I'd have to be so extreme. I'll get on it tomorrow. I hope it'll bounce back strong in the spring.

Subject: Peter's Honey questions Replies: 10
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,580
 
Oh yikes, it could be that bad? So should it re-pot immeadiatly, wait until late winter/early spring? Should wait for the fruit to drop or take them off now to conserve the plant's energy?

Subject: Peter's Honey questions Replies: 10
Posted By: cjwilson Views: 1,580
 
Is it normal for one of these beauties to ripen fruit in the beginning of Dec? I've even had some new leaf growth in the last month...all the while, my Mission Fig is dropping leaves and going dormant.

Also, should I root prune the PHoney before spring since I didn't unbound the roots when I potted it this summer? It appears the 4ft plant had been at the nursery for a while before I got it...it was pretty bound up. My wife says let it be, she is afraid I'll mess it up :)

I'm in Los Angeles just about 5 miles from the coast. Frosts are rare and near freezing temps only happen a few nights out of the year.

Lastly, my leaf growth I'd pretty weak, only one branch sprouting out just above the ground has strong growth. The top and mid trunk branches(only two right now) have small, compact, dwarfed growth.