Fig tree pruning question

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Webmaster, Jun 6, 2005.

  1. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2004
    Messages:
    5,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    GC central
    Ratings:
    +2,970
    I have a fig tree that is 18" high, coming from the main stem are 2 branches, each one of these is getting on for 18" long, now am I supposed to prune back the branches?

    I had read somewhere that you are to prune back to x many leaves to a branch, but as this is my first fig tree, don't want to do anything that is going to harm it.

    As a by the way, if I am to prune the branches, do fig tree cuttings take easily ;) .

    Thanks

    Nathan.
     
    Webmaster, Jun 6, 2005
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,803
    Nathan I dont prune mine in the summer, except to get the odd cutting later in the summer.
    Pinching out the shoots I do, do, This involves pinching out the growing bud after 4 or 5 leaves.
    This works best on plants under glass as the figs that this produces do not ripen outside here and are lost in the winter. However some figs will be produced as very tiny buds, late in the growing season, these will go on to ripen next year. Its a bit of a long process in this country, but once it gets going you get some figs every year.
    pete
     
    pete, Jun 6, 2005
    #2 Quote in Conversation
  3. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2004
    Messages:
    5,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    GC central
    Ratings:
    +2,970
    Thanks Pete, I will be piching out the growing tip of both branches tomorrow then, as it seems all the goodness is going into the branches now, and it;s not growing upwards.

    Also, mine is in the greenhouse, and has gone crazy, when I bought it earlier in the year, it resembled a twig.

    Off topic, my Koelreuteria's and Custard apple tree are coming on, the Koelreuteria being very quick (approx 8" tall) .


    Nathan.

    [ 06. June 2005, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: Webmaster ]
     
    Webmaster, Jun 6, 2005
    #3 Quote in Conversation
  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,803
    If its in a greenhouse, stand back, I take it, its in apot or something.
    Good hear everythings doing well.
    pete
     
    pete, Jun 6, 2005
    #4 Quote in Conversation
  5. SteveW

    SteveW Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2005
    Messages:
    1,160
    Ratings:
    +2
    SteveW, Jun 6, 2005
    #5 Quote in Conversation
  6. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2004
    Messages:
    5,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    GC central
    Ratings:
    +2,970
    Very informative steve.


    Nathan.
     
    Webmaster, Jun 7, 2005
    #6 Quote in Conversation
  7. GardenGerald

    GardenGerald Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2005
    Messages:
    21
    Ratings:
    +0
    Hello
    I fully agree with pete 2255. I do hope you have contained the fig in a pot or container. Figs that are allowed an unrestricted root run produce rampant top growth but very little fruit.
    Some type of container about 2ft x 2ft x 2ft to restrict roots works very well but do remember to have some small drainage holes in base.
    Best wishes,
    Gerald.
     
    GardenGerald, Jun 7, 2005
    #7 Quote in Conversation
  8. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2004
    Messages:
    5,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    GC central
    Ratings:
    +2,970
    Gerald,

    No worries about being containerised, I have had it since it was merely a twig with a couple of buds on it (Wilkinsons special ;) ), And I have potted it on a couple of times so far, roots are showing themselves again at the bottom of it's current pot, but I won't be potting on again for another 6-8 weeks (hopefully).

    Nathan.
     
    Webmaster, Jun 7, 2005
    #8 Quote in Conversation
  9. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2004
    Messages:
    5,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    GC central
    Ratings:
    +2,970
    A pic of the Fig tree taken today :-


    [​IMG]


    Nathan.
     
    Webmaster, Jun 8, 2005
    #9 Quote in Conversation
  10. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,803
    See you've pinched it out then [​IMG]
     
    pete, Jun 9, 2005
    #10 Quote in Conversation
  11. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,803
    [​IMG]
    These are growing outside, should ripen this year OK.
     
    pete, Jun 11, 2005
    #11 Quote in Conversation
  12. Webmaster

    Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2004
    Messages:
    5,046
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    GC central
    Ratings:
    +2,970
    A bit of a beast Pete :eek: , how old is it ?


    Nathan.
     
    Webmaster, Jun 11, 2005
    #12 Quote in Conversation
  13. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,803
    About 5 yrs Nathan. As you can see not in ideal conditions, under trees, but it does pretty well.
    pete
     
    pete, Jun 11, 2005
    #13 Quote in Conversation
  14. warthog

    warthog Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2005
    Messages:
    4
    Ratings:
    +0
    thanks Pete will take your advice and hope for better luck next year
    Warthog
     
    warthog, Aug 17, 2005
    #14 Quote in Conversation
Loading...
Similar Threads - Fig tree pruning
  1. 1eyedjack

    Fig tree pruning

    1eyedjack, Mar 27, 2012, in forum: Trees
    Replies:
    1
    Views:
    559
    Loofah
    Mar 28, 2012
  2. Victoria

    Ficus carica ... Fig Tree

    Victoria, Jun 24, 2024, in forum: Edible Gardening
    Replies:
    2
    Views:
    461
    Victoria
    Jun 28, 2024
  3. Danny Hughes

    Question on Fig Trees

    Danny Hughes, Aug 27, 2023, in forum: Trees
    Replies:
    23
    Views:
    2,134
    pete
    Sep 4, 2023
  4. buddleia64

    Fig Tree

    buddleia64, Oct 16, 2020, in forum: Tropical Gardening
    Replies:
    3
    Views:
    834
    2nd_bassoon
    Oct 17, 2020
  5. Jasmine star

    Advice on Fig trees.

    Jasmine star, Jun 7, 2020, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
    Replies:
    13
    Views:
    1,269
    JWK
    Jun 8, 2020

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice