Why doesn't my fig - give a fig?

[devonuk]

Dizzy yes it was - I was interested that we get diametrically opposite results - my Brown Turkey in a pot in a cold greenhouse produces really sweet maincrop figs, while the breba crop refuses to come back to life after the winter.

[dizzydidi]

That is interesting that your results are so different.

My pot grown brown turkey was never kept in a greenhouse but on a south facing patio by the house wall, pretty sheltered.

My dislike of the maincrop figs was not based on greenhouse ripening, so maybe I was overly harsh on them.

The tips I gave above work for me in growing figs for the breba or maincrop except if focusing on maincrop do not pick them off and pinch growing tips off after 5 -6 leaves ( Mid may), whereas if focusing on breba I remove maincrop and pinch tips in feb.

No brebas do speed up ripening of maincrop plus your greenhouse conditions probably help.

I grow figs in a polytunnel for the maincrop but they still give breba figs so would have expected the same from a brown turkey.

Do you leave figs on over winter or do you pick them off? Any overwintered figs over the size of a pea will come to nothing the next year and can prevent brebas at the tips popping through.

I would love to see a picture of the leaves and fruit of your fig tree. Maybe you have a different variant to the one I had. Maybe we could swap cuttings if you want to try a new variety?

[devonuk]

There's a couple of photos on the previous page of this thread.

Embarrassing admission: I have 2 potted figs, obviously different, and I know that one is Brown Turkey and one isn't, but I have forgotten which is which. and what he other one is. Having said that they both behave the same - good maincrop, no breba. And yes I now remove all figlets I can see at the start of winter, having given up hope of a breba crop.

Will take more photos in the hope someone can identify the brown turkey.

[dizzydidi]

Ah, seen the pictures now. I don't know how I missed it. the one in the picture looks similar to the ones on my Brown turkey fig but i cannot be sure.
Also I have read through the thread more thoroughly and can see you know a lot about fig growing.

I have found I lose breba figs if I let the pot dry out over winter and early spring. They might start growing but then they drop. Could this be the cause for you?

[devonuk]

So here are the two branches again, one pinched out and one not, with the pinched one so well in the lead that I have now pinched out the other one.

The other fig (third picture) is growing really short extension growth, and setting fast-growing fruit without needing pinching. I suspect this is because it is in too small a pot and wants repotting.

Will try to keep pots more consistently this winter to see if that saves the breba crop. I saw a 100 year old White Marseille yesterday, growing outside against a wall on Dartmoor, laden with fully grown but unripe fruit which the owner said was the breba crop. So it can be done.

[Issy]

My figs are in the tunnel with the total of ONE fig just on one plant - I have done just about everything I could to make them fruit - one is about 4 yrs and the other 2 I watched a utube video on pruning - did the necessary - and still nothing - fed them last week with special potash - guess I am just impatient but would love some figs !!!

[DannyK]

Hi Dizzy. Don't know why it was moderated but its approved now!!

You'd be surprised what people say about Essex!

[Jay-ell]

Having checked mine today I have a number of small embryonic figs forming. I did pinch the tips off a couple of a couple of the shoots - I heard that you don't have to pinch all and a couple of them pinched off can start the figs forming over the bush.

Let's see if they grow up and mature in time.

[Issy]

Have just seen some very tiny figs on my brown turkey - not sure if I did the right thing but a few days ago took them out of the tunnel - I know it will be too late this year but it was very heartening!