Fig Masterclass | Growing Fig Trees in Greenhouses
Channel: Ross Raddi
Date: 2023-04-29

In my experience, the most notable advantage of cultivating fig trees in a greenhouse is the ability to kickstart the growing season. Figs are usually ripe between August and the first frost, but for those of us in shorter-season climates that can't provide the 150 to 180 frost-free days needed for figs to ripen reliably, a greenhouse can be a game-changer. It enables the fig trees to rise from dormancy ahead of the last frost date, speeding up their ripening.

Check out the full companion guide on the Fig Boss blog, here: https://www.figboss.com/post/greenhouse

Introduction (0:00): 
The discourse begins with an explanation of my experience growing figs in a greenhouse and low tunnels for around five to six years.

Greenhouse benefits (0:48): 
Greenhouses are beneficial for an early start of the fig season, particularly for those in shorter-season climates, as they require 150-180 frost-free days.

Protection from rain (2:24): 
Another advantage of greenhouses is protection from rain, which can deteriorate fruit quality and increase spoilage, mold, and fermentation.

Optimal heat conditions (4:36): 
There is a discussion about the optimal temperatures for fig growth, recommending above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night and around 80-85 degrees during the day.

Excessive heat effects (6:36): 
The downsides of excessive heat are discussed, such as fig trees entering a summer dormancy and fruiting at an earlier date, possibly leading to an energy deficit for the tree.

Heat units requirement (9:13): 
Heat units are important for setting and ripening the fruits. Optimal conditions allow early varieties to ripen in 65-75 days, mid-season in 90 days, and late varieties in more.

Watering needs (12:22): 
Adequate watering is needed when the trees wake up and during the early growth stage. Water also cools the soil and helps maintain growth. As the summer gets warmer, more water is needed.

Irrigation system (13:56): 
The implementation of a timed irrigation system is discussed, which waters the trees twice a day. Every five gallons of soil requires a 3.6 gallon per hour emitter for about 10 minutes of watering every day.

Nutrient Discussion (15:25): It is discussed that figs, especially when grown in containers, need a balanced ratio of nutrients, including silica, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and potassium. A balanced NPK ratio of 10-5-10 or 20-10-20 is suggested, or alternatively, a straight 10-10-10.

Pot Selection (15:58): The importance of selecting the right type of pot is emphasized. Due to heat concerns, it is recommended to avoid fabric and black pots, suggesting white plastic pots instead to maintain soil temperature at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Light Impact (17:41): It's observed that access to sunlight significantly affects the growth and behavior of fig trees. Trees in the greenhouse, which gets sunlight all day, are branching out more, activating more buds, which is beneficial for fruit production.

Branch Positioning (19:18): It is suggested that positioning branches at a horizontal angle can allow more light to reach more areas of the tree, activating more buds, and potentially leading to more fruit production.

Sunlight Optimization (20:33): The concept of optimizing sunlight exposure for each tree is further expanded upon. It is said that more sunlight leads to more fruiting branches and therefore, more fruits. This can be achieved by staking branches to maximize sunlight exposure.

Watering Requirements (22:17): With an increase in leaves due to more branching, the requirement for watering increases due to more transpiration. The watering requirement varies based on how warm it is and the number of leaves on the tree.

Greenhouse Growing Summary (23:13): A summary is given of the key points to consider when growing figs in a greenhouse - nutrient balance, pot selection, maximizing sunlight exposure, and adjusting watering based on the number of leaves.

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