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ndnlady

Growing Fig Trees

ndnlady
16 years ago

Five years ago I purchased a fig tree (a Brown Derby, I think) from the local nursery. I have cared for this tree faithfully. I mulch it well for the winter, but it dies back and comes back bigger each spring. It is beautiful and healthy. BUT, it doesn't fruit at all. What is wrong with my fig tree .... or me?

Comments (3)

  • bpgreen
    16 years ago

    How often do you water it and how deeply do you water it?

    If the tree is only getting the water from the sprinkler system, that may be part of the problem. Trees benefit from deep watering about once a month.

    The first year I owned my house, I gave the previous owner a couple of bags of peaches from the tree. It represented less than a fourth of the peaches we got, but he told me it was more peaches than they'd grown the entire time they owned the house.

    The main difference was that once a month, I took the hose out and set it on trickle at the dripline and let it sit for an hour, then moved it to another spot on the dripline and let it go for an hour or so. I think I watered in 3 or 4 spots altogether.

  • stevation
    16 years ago

    I did a quick google search, and although not really conclusive, my guess is that the tree isn't really hardy in our climate. The winter dieback is probably hurting its ability to produce fruit. There were some references to them liking poor soil or also doing better if their roots were confined, like in a large pot. Perhaps your soil is too rich?

    Anyway, you're the first person I've heard who has a fig tree in Utah. I'm sure there are others, but perhaps it's just a little too cold here for them. I see their hardiness rating is supposed to be zone 7 and up. Some areas in SL Valley are zone 7. If it were on the south side of the house with full sun, it might help keep it a little warmer in the winter.

    That's the best I can come up with! Good luck.

  • kliddle
    16 years ago

    some figs don't fruit on new wood. try hardy chicago. it supposedly will fruit on green wood. and once established, should fruit after dying back to the ground. with figs i believe it is less about water and more about heat, which we have plenty. also some figs do take a while to produce fruit. i recently ordered a few fig cuttings from a guy on the fig forum and from UC Davis. should even half of them root i will have twice what i can handle. keep in touch, i might have some other varieties to share than might do better for you.

    i bet it is a brown turkey.

    there is a fig on the north side of 5th south, east of i believe 12th. it is protected for winter right now. it is next to a palm tree (trycarpus fortuni or takil i believe). this is not you is it? i need to go talk to that guy.

    nice to know there are others trying to grow what does not belong here like me.

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