Pruning multi-stemmed container fig

[djhs196]

Hi there,

I'm interested in training up a fig in a container, but rather than going for a bush form, going for a multi-stemmed plant. From what I've read this involves:

• Cutting an established 2 to 3 year old container fig to ground level
• Letting 10 or so of the best shoots grow up from the base
• In subsequent springs, cutting away 3 or 4 stems to the base (removing oldest / weakest)

That all sounds good so far - but I'm lost on the next one:

• summer prune as for any fig

As far as I'm aware, that's pinching out at 5 to 6 leaves - but it can't mean the main stems !? The plant would only be two foot high...

Any advice on what's involved with summer pruning / pinching back with a multi stemmed form? It's my first fig so I'm a little unsure.

Many thanks!

[Alison]

Sorry can't help you, don't really prune mine, just tidy it up a bit now and then - probably not what I'm supposed to do but never mind. With any luck somebody might come along soon who knows more.

[smallblueplanet]

Try searching/asking on here?

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/mb/figs4funforum

From

figs4fun home

[FB.]

I don't know much about figs, but with other fruit trees, summer pruning is intended to form fruit buds for the next season and to reduce vigour.

Winter pruning is for training to shape in the early years.

Summer pruning usually stops growth at the pruning cut for that season. Winter pruning usually causes branched re-growth from the pruned part in the next growing season.

I would guess that you need to winter prune until you have established the basic branch structure and then switch to mainly summer pruning after that.