Growing figs

[flynch]

Bought a fig tree last year and has been in the greenhouse. Is still rather small about 60-70cm. How long or at what size does a fig tree start producing fruit? This is my first fig so is new to me.

[veggiechicken]

I bought one about that size in L1dl last year and it had a fig on it.

[Jay-ell]

I'm assuming that it's still in a pot

[greenishfing]

I've had a couple of fig trees in the greenhouse for 2 years now. They are about 90cm/3ft tall. I got a good few figs last year. If you are going to get figs this year you should be able to see tiny pea sized baby figs on the plant now.

[sparrow100]

I took a cutting & rooted it last year. This year it has 2 baby figs on it. Not sure if they will get to maturity, but the tree which is a year older has nothing at all on it. Nada. It's not trying at all.

[sandspider]

If I remember right, figs ripen on a fig tree for two years, so when you see the little baby figs, they won't be edible until the next year. I planted a fig tree (not under cover) in Feb this year and it's budding nicely, but I'm not expecting (much) fruit for a couple of years or so.

[DannyK]

If you click on "Growing Guides" at the top of the page you'll find a good one on figs.

[Alison]

Mine lives outside, seems to suit it well

[sparrow100]

If I remember right, figs ripen on a fig tree for two years, so when you see the little baby figs, they won't be edible until the next year. I planted a fig tree (not under cover) in Feb this year and it's budding nicely, but I'm not expecting (much) fruit for a couple of years or so.

They overwinter - but are so small you don't see them. The pea-sized ones you can see now will be the fruit you pick in summer. If you live dahn sarf like me you might also get a second crop.

[BUFFS]

I break off the tips of the stems in Feb, this promotes more fruit further down the stems, I have about 37 young pea sized fruit on my tree which sits outside all year on a south facing wall, in a big tub, a reasonable summer will give me a great crop..

[sparrow100]

Did not know that about breaking the stems. Cheers! When mine are bigger I'll give that a go.

[AkionTotocha]

Yeah Sparrow, you need to threaten yours a little bit. Say nasty things to it and wave a pair of secateurs near it menacingly.

[Jay-ell]

I have 2 varieties planted outside in buried pots to restrict their root growth. I planted the last year and pulled off the figs they had on them as they were too large to overwinter.

Didn't prune this winter as they are still growing into the shapes I want.

I'm going to move one of them later as where it is its going to be shaded by the raspberries - as it's in a pot it should be fine

[BUFFS]

Did not know that about breaking the stems. Cheers! When mine are bigger I'll give that a go.

just the pointed tips, any that are round shaped are young figs, and grip the tip and snap it back so it comes off cleanly, but it is a job for February so it triggers side growth to compensate, my plant is showing more each time I look, now the hard part, we need some summer sun, like bl***y hens teeth round here, but we live in hope, we must be in line for a good summer as the last "good" one we had was 2006...

[sparrow100]

Wall to wall sunshine here - Himself is in t-shirt, shorts and flipflops. Several people have been blinded by the sight of his legs.

We need a spot of rain...