Got a Fig fruit. Now what do I do with it.

16 years ago

I brought home an edible fig from the nursery last summer to see if I could grow it as a houseplant. Around Feb. I actually got a fig fruit! I wasn't expecting that, and figured it wouldn't mature. Now it's getting close to July, the plant is outdoors in its pot, and the fruit is still on, green and plump and the size of the figs you find in the supermarket. Is it normal for the fruit to be growing this long? (Maybe that's why they're $4.99 ea to buy at the supermarket)

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Comments (5)

birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Hi Rose..Congrats on your fig..I have an inedible fig that's been fruiting since Feb, so perhaps long-lasting fruits are common. I'd imagine like most fruit, it'll remain on its stem until you pluck off, or it fully matures and drops on its own. If you feel it's mature, perhaps you should pluck and eat..are you planning on eating fruit, or growing for decoration?
4.99 is a great price for that plant..what's its size? Toni
rosebuddy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Toni. I meant the actual figs are $4.99 ea to eat! Needless to say I've never tried a fresh one, but may try my fruit if it looks ripe. Right now I'm enjoying it as a novelty to show people. The plant is about 2 ft high, and I actually have two as I started another this winter from a stem cutting. Both are growing like crazy out in the sunshine. Too bad our summers are so short (sigh)
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Mentha
16 years ago
When the stem end turns more pink and the fruit gets really soft, like an over ripe banana it's ripe. It should start to smell fruity also. Yum, I love figs. It should be ripe about August or September.
birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Rose, I'm still baffled..lol..did you buy the fruit or an actual plant?
If the fruit was 4.99 all I can say is WOW..that's expensive..can you believe the prices they charge for fruits these days? Then they advise us to eat at least 3 pieces of fruit per day..ha, who can afford that?
Do you have a pic of your fig? Please post one if u do..
I have an old plant book, from the 70's, called, Starting from Scratch..Most plants in this book discuss plants started from fruit seed, what to do, requirements, etc..It's fantastic..
I remember when I had a Fig tree, which was supposed to be hardy to my area, ha! it required certain soil, but can't recall if it was acidic or alk..I think it was alk, but don't quote me on that..Hope u get more fruit..Toni
Mentha
16 years ago
Toni,
I think she meant that she bought a plant, but had she bought a fruit at the grocer it would be $5. I'd say they grow in alkaline soil, because they like the same kind of soil as olives, grapes, and rosemary, well drained sandy soil.

For this time of year $5 can be expected for fresh figs. Out of CA or other Medeteranian states figs will be quite pricy, because they don't travel well when ripe and really don't taste as good if not left on the vine (Yes figs are vines) to ripen. They would have to be greenhouse grown if grown in a large enough scale to go to market. That's why most of the time you only see dried figs, which are really good treats in themselves.

Given enough light, you should get more fruit eventually, most figs are self fertile and have two crops a year.

Got a Fig fruit. Now what do I do with it.

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rosebuddy
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Got a Fig fruit. Now what do I do with it.

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birdsnblooms

rosebuddyOriginal Author

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rosebuddy
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