My Brown Turkey is now about five years old and is planted against a SW facing wall in a sunken container made of five paving slabs to contain the roots. The tree is about five foot tall and about the same size across.
This year, the first crop, September, was very paltry, but the 2nd crop is massive but obviously will not ripen and I have just removed about 100 walnut sized fruits. Being Autumn, the leaves are just about turning yellow and falling off. My question is why cannot I see any 'buds' of next year's first crop? Previously by now I would have seen many small buds for the next year's crop. Did I do right in removing all the part developed fruit now? Should I fertilize the tree at any time.
My next action is to prepare the tree for winter by wrapping it to protect it....
There is all sorts of information regarding the planting and tendering of fig tress, which I haven't followed mainly due to my unconformed attitude towards gardening I suppose.
I planted my tree directly into a well composted hole which is now bonded to the clayey garden soil, so no problem with trying to compact the trees roots. There was one fruit in the first year of planting and I've just looked to find the tree has produced signs of several buds, hopefully for next year.
The first years fruit was quite edible, not the best but edible nonetheless, so my somewhat lazy approach seems to have paid off. I'm a great believer in little is more and a case of letting nature do her thing.
Titters Titchmarsh said to plant the young saps in a Gladstone case to keep the roots nice and snug, which is ok if you have one knocking around the place.
Gardeners World and Blue Peter are indeed a force to be reckoned with when it comes to sourcing things, Raiders of the Lost Arch with a blank cheque book.
My advice is to plant and leave well alone for 5 years at the very least.
Graham, yes you did right in removing walnut size fruit.
I would be inclined to drape polythene over your fig...at least fleece.. i think it will help imperceptibly tiny figs to grow enough to provide fruit next summer.
No,
I would not fertilise it ...just protect it to encourage fruit
iona, yes very confusing info about figs. Letting nature do its thing is prob the best treatment for it.
Thanks, Verdun. Nice to have confirmation of my actions. I have a load of garden fleece with which to wrap it as soon as the last leaves fall. One more question,please. The tree is now about the right size for me and I was going to lightly prune it before winter...just take off about two buds length of each branch and cut back any crossed branches.
My friend has an enormous fig tree growing against an outbuilding, producing big crop of fruits, most are eaten by pigeons and squirrels. He never tends his tree. My two fig trees produce mere 20-30 fruits each year. I suppose I follow the restricted root system and they are not as productive.
My friend has an enormous fig tree growing against an outbuilding, producing big crop of fruits, most are eaten by pigeons and squirrels. He never tends his tree. My two fig trees produce mere 20-30 fruits each year. I suppose I follow the restricted root system and they are not as productive.
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Thank you Dove.
My Brown Turkey is now about five years old and is planted against a SW facing wall in a sunken container made of five paving slabs to contain the roots. The tree is about five foot tall and about the same size across.
This year, the first crop, September, was very paltry, but the 2nd crop is massive but obviously will not ripen and I have just removed about 100 walnut sized fruits. Being Autumn, the leaves are just about turning yellow and falling off. My question is why cannot I see any 'buds' of next year's first crop? Previously by now I would have seen many small buds for the next year's crop. Did I do right in removing all the part developed fruit now? Should I fertilize the tree at any time.
My next action is to prepare the tree for winter by wrapping it to protect it....
My location is SW Essex.
Confused amateur needing help.
There is all sorts of information regarding the planting and tendering of fig tress, which I haven't followed mainly due to my unconformed attitude towards gardening I suppose.
I planted my tree directly into a well composted hole which is now bonded to the clayey garden soil, so no problem with trying to compact the trees roots. There was one fruit in the first year of planting and I've just looked to find the tree has produced signs of several buds, hopefully for next year.
The first years fruit was quite edible, not the best but edible nonetheless, so my somewhat lazy approach seems to have paid off. I'm a great believer in little is more and a case of letting nature do her thing.
Last edited: 27 October 2016 17:31:23
Reads Nursery have a great deal of experience growing figs in the UK - we've had our best crop ever since following this pruning and feeding regime
https://www.readsnursery.co.uk/blogs/tips-advice/163561031-fig-trees
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Titters Titchmarsh said to plant the young saps in a Gladstone case to keep the roots nice and snug, which is ok if you have one knocking around the place.
Gardeners World and Blue Peter are indeed a force to be reckoned with when it comes to sourcing things, Raiders of the Lost Arch with a blank cheque book.
My advice is to plant and leave well alone for 5 years at the very least.
On second thoughts it could have been an Aspidistra, anyway all very hard work if you ask me.
Thanks, Verdun. Nice to have confirmation of my actions. I have a load of garden fleece with which to wrap it as soon as the last leaves fall. One more question,please. The tree is now about the right size for me and I was going to lightly prune it before winter...just take off about two buds length of each branch and cut back any crossed branches.
is that sensible?
Graham
My friend has an enormous fig tree growing against an outbuilding, producing big crop of fruits, most are eaten by pigeons and squirrels. He never tends his tree. My two fig trees produce mere 20-30 fruits each year. I suppose I follow the restricted root system and they are not as productive.