Growing Fig Trees: Avoid These 11 Season-Ending Mistakes
Channel: Ross Raddi
Date: 2023-06-16

Growing fig trees is a rewarding experience, but even expert fig growers make mistakes and you can bet I've made all of them. I've updated an old article about avoiding these mistakes and now they're available in video format. In this video, I share with you all of the possibilities of how you can fail so that you can succeed. 

Check out the full companion guide, here: https://www.figboss.com/post/the-9-biggest-reasons-we-fail-at-a-successful-fig-season - It's worth its weight in gold.

You can also get the companion to this information in poster form, here: https://fig-boss.creator-spring.com/listing/11-fig-tree-mistakes-to-avoid?product=623 - Each poster I've created is beautiful and easy to read. You can also find the Fig Tree Timeline, the Fig Flavor Profiles, the Varieties of Ficus Carcia Collage, and the Fig Commandments also in poster form. They'll arrive in an 18x24-inch size and were designed in Canva. The material is 9 mil, 210-gram Photoart Paper with a satin finish. They're not only informative, but they're also simply gorgeous.

Essential Fertilization 2:01: 
The importance of regularly fertilizing fig trees, specifically in containers, using a slow-release fertilizer.

Proper Watering 3:08: 
Overwatering and underwatering fig trees can be problematic, especially for trees in containers.

Canopy Management 4:42: 
Dense canopies can hinder fruit formation due to lack of sunlight.

Importance of Pruning 6:23: 
Excessive pruning can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to more growth rather than fruiting. Maintaining apical and lateral buds is crucial for fruit formation.

Preventing Late Frosts 8:37: 
Highlights the detrimental impact of late frosts on fig trees' new growth.

Maintaining Dormancy 10:50: 
Skipping this process can lead to a weaker tree in the spring due to increased pest pressure and insufficient care.

Sunburn Protection 12:58: 
The issue of sunburn in fig trees when transitioning from low-light to high-light environments. Sunburn reduces photosynthesis and can set back the growth of fig trees.

Premature Harvesting 14:39: 
A cautionary discussion on the harvesting of figs too early, including the advice that the indicator of fig ripeness lies in the softness of the neck, not the color, honey drops, or cracking. An emphasis is made on the importance of allowing figs to fully ripen on the tree, as store-bought figs are often picked too early, resulting in a significant loss of flavor and quality.

Proper Pot Size 18:14: 
A mistake often seen is keeping figs in small pots, which restricts their growth and negatively impacts fruit production.

Improper Winter Storage 19:20: 
Improper winter storage or inadequate cold protection can cause the branches to die back, a mistake that can be easily avoided by following recommended guidelines.

Fig trees need to be kept above 15 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and suggests avoiding warm, unheated basements as they can lead to premature wake-up of the tree.

Choosing the Wrong Variety 22:01: 
Different fig varieties have different tastes and growth characteristics, so choosing the right variety for your climate and conditions is crucial to successful cultivation.

Fig trees are highly influenced by the climate they're grown in, with some varieties being more resilient in different conditions.

Check out the very informative Fig Boss website & blog: https://www.figboss.com/
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Other important links: 
The Fruit Talk! Podcast: https://anchor.fm/rossraddi
The Ever-expanding Fruit Growing Spreadsheet: https://goo.gl/X6ye9e
2018 Fig Variety Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/a9MLNYaf3pqxNU7p9
2019 Fig Variety Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bSFfDZnVuwSeZ9Bi8

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