A dwarf Lime (what kind and what rootstock?) will probably be slow growing no matter what. It sounds like it took a long time to establish new roots. I would leave the limes alone, but that is because I hate to see fruit wasted and don't mind at all if my trees are not huge. Smaller trees are easier to care for and to pick from(G). How big do you want/expect your dwarf tree to get? I don't notice any growth differences in my non-fruiting vs fruit-covered trees of the same ages. But they are different varieties so that may be why. I always leave fruit on-I figure if the plant needed to shed them, it would. Lisa

Herman I still need help. I have 4 varieties I planted outside and I am planning to use Xmas lights to protect it in freezing weather. But I am also intrigued with your method and I don't want to leave a stone unturned in my endeavor to have delicious ripe figs. I decided to add two varieties and plant it using your method. Italian Ever-bearing 3 Gallons 4 feet : What Size a pot should I use. Celestial 1 Gallon 1 1/2 feet: What size a pot I should use. How many holes in the pot side and should I use specific pattern to make the holes or any thing goes. In winter time they go into my basement where the heat unit, the hot water unit and the Washer and Dryer reside. I think the room environment will be suitable because temperature never goes below 55. Inside the house in winter season should I give it any water. Appreciate your help.

I live near Haddonfield, in Camden county, NJ and am trying my hand at growing figs for the first time this year. I got one tree (variety unknown - maybe Celeste?) at a local farmer's market last September. Per instructions I left it outside 'til the leaves fell and then wintered it over in the basement - but it started growing! Anxious to get it in the ground I made the mistake of planting it in the side yard (western exposure) in early April. We'd had some quite warm weather that fooled me into thinking spring had come early. It had not. The tree suffered terribly in a windstorm with sustained winds over 40 mph and the snow that hit a week later. losing all its leaves and killing the growing tips of all the shoots. The good news is that the tree sprouted new shoots from four of the five "trunks". It is now doing just fine and enjoying a bit of a growth spurt, although I'll be surprised if it yields any fruit this season. Today I purchased a second fig tree. This one is a Hardy Chicago from Lowe's. I put it into a 12" plastic pot where it will stay for at least the first year or so. I plan on bringing this one into my enclosed but unheated porch next winter. A friend and neighbor also has a fig tree of unknown variety that has survived one winter outdoors. I'll try and get a cutting or two from her to plant next year. I look forward to seeing which one performs best for me.

Oh, San Jose? You should be fine in terms of chill hours. That oozing sap is very concerning though. This could be caused by many things. If you see any sawdust mixed in with the sap it could be caused by peach borers. It needs to be treated. This has probably been weakening and holding back the growth of your tree. If the oozing sap is black it is very likely Cytospora canker. There is no cure. You might consider taking out your peach tree and replanting a new one. And closely monitor the new one to preemptively and quickly treat any recurrence before it becomes too late. I would dig out all the surrounding soil too and replace it to reduce the chance of reinfection. There are ways to manage Cytospora canker if you really do not want to take out the tree, it involves taking out the dead and infected wood and continuously dipping the pruning knife in bleach to avoid spreading the fungus to the freshly cut open wood. But the base of the trunk is a difficult spot to try cutting into, likely may not survive cutting out the dead and diseased wood.