figs from seed

[crackapple]

i have grown a fig fom a seed, it is about 2 years old and approx 2ft tall. will it fruit?

[Lesley Jay]

Fig trees are relatively easy to grow. The difficult part is getting them to fruit. To stop it growing to much and not producing fruit grow it in a 15 inch pot or if it is in the ground make a pit with paving slabs all around to stop the roots spreading. It also needs winter protection. Next years figs are present now (if you are lucky) as tiny embryo fruits and these and new shoots need covering during winter.

Good luck!

[Jaxom]

I read in one of Bob Flowerdew's books that he uses an aluminium washing machine drum to confine the roots of new fig trees. The fine roots can get moisture from outside the contained root ball via the small holes all over the drum, but at the same time the confinement the drum provides is ideal for growing figs.
I am sure that getting your hands on an old washing machine would not be too difficult in this day and age of recycling all our old white goods. Perhaps your local council could help with this?
Jax

[Issy]

Thankyou Jacom - we have an old drum at the bottom of the garden - so that’s going to be the next project - do I need to keep it in the original pot? Or - remove from the pot and use the drum as a pot - had no figs this year so hopefully maybe next year!!

[devonuk]

It may be the wrong sex. The sex life of fig trees is insanely weird - see under common fig in Wikipedia. They are gynodioecious - some plants have female flowers, some hermaphrodite, and I don't think both sorts produce edible fruit - at least not without pollination, which doesn't occur here because we don't have the right sort of wasp.

That is all second hand, and I am all for experimentation, but don't bet the farm on getting anything.

[DannyK]

Get it in ground, with root restriction asap. Have one in and one out in 2'X2' slabs, brick base and it's surprising how big they get. Also one in pot that does b all.

If you've a hardy fig nearby see if you can get a couple of foot long branch ends. Strip off all bar top 3 leave and they'll trike in water. Have 2 on go now. Better than waiting for seedling.