Pot / In-ground Planting Strategy

14 years ago

I have seen a couple of postings that mention setting a potted fig directly on top of soil or partially burying the pot in the ground to allow the roots to grow into the ground. I would like to try this approach with a few of my fig trees this year. My objective is to get more vigorous growth and more fruit.

I have several questions regarding this approach.

1. Does this approach really increase growth and fruiting as I hope?

2. Should I expect serious damage to future growth and fruiting when I cut the roots to take the plant inside when it goes dormant? (I am in zone 5)If so, is there way to avoid it?

3. What other issues should I anticipate with this approach?

I would greatly appreciate information from any firsthand experience that other Forum members have with this approach.

C.J.

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Comments (8)

gorgi
14 years ago
I do that!
For ease of severing the roots, make sure that the
drainage holes are on the bottom vertical sides.
Growing figs in pots, and having many, I prefer
the main-trunk (standard) tree shape.
This tends to result in a smaller overall tree.
I have (locally) seen in-ground trees that (bush-grown)
did better than mine (I supplied the starter specimen).
If you have a FEW figs (and space), consider in-ground,
maybe after maturing 2-5 years in pot - with some pruning
and minimum winter protection, things may be better off.
Smaller early ripe fruit (short season) e.g., HC, MB(VS),
figs are best.

Heck! An average family should not require more than
1-3 good fig trees...

1: No/yes (maybe?) less-growth/earlier-fruit.
2: No, roots will re-grow. Some people say to root-prune
pottted figs. So far I have not done that...
3: See above.
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jenia
Original Author
14 years ago
Gorgi,

Thanks for the feedback. That is encouraging.

Thanks to the evil influences of this group, I am waaaaaaay past a "few" fig trees. One of my newbie New Year's resolutions was to NOT acquire more figs until what I already had started producing. That resolution lasted about as long as it took me to check the new Ebay fig listings. Oh, well. There is always next year.

I have a LOT of space but not a lot of soil. I am right on rock ledge, so this location isn't a great candidate most kinds of plants, but I WILL try a few varieties (MVSB, HC, Danny's Delight, etc.)in-ground in a couple of years. As hardy as those varieties might be. I am still concerned that I will have to give them some substantial protection in our - 10 F winters.

In one of Herman's postings he stated that the most he gets from a potted fig tree is about 80 figs. (I can go through that amount by myself in a very few days.) How many should I expect from a tree such as MVSB grown in-ground, and assuming I manage to fight off the deer, raccoons, opossums, bears, squirrels,chipmunks, mice, birds and wasps?

One more question: Herman noted that trees that had produced heavily the year before they are put in the ground seem to suffer more damage than those that produced modestly or not at all. Has anyone tried removing all fruit the season before they are planted in the ground?

C.J.
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dieseler
14 years ago
Jenia , last season was lousy here (weather) but seasons before i have gotten anywhere between 100-150 plus figs on 2 of my mature potted plants that are 4 -6 ft. I can easily eat 20- 30 figs in a morning sitting on patio and relaxing when the plants are in ripe mode.
Best thing is they don't act as a laxative for me during the time im scarfing them !
Best Health
Martin
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jenia
Original Author
14 years ago
Martin,

That is music to my ears since you are also in zone 5 I believe! Which varieties produced best for you, and were they brebas or main crop?

C.J.
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dieseler
14 years ago
Jenia my best were Hardy Chicago and EL.Sals but that might change with time as more of my others get mature time wll tell. They were all main crop figs no breba but a few earlier in season which is kinda rare for me.
Best Health
Martin
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smittee
14 years ago
W.A.R.N.I.N.G...I hear that this disease know as FIGITIS is spreading and is in nearly incurable. Garden Webbers are especially succeptable.

You think you have a hold on your condition and then a sale comes along or someone offers a cutting or two or three and WAH LAH a flare up. I hear the only thing that helps this affliction is an afternoon [when the trees are in full fruit] sitting in the shade of YOUR tree with your favorite chosen drink and a bucket full of YOUR freshly picked fruit, and a time of just relishing the beauty of the moment WHILE EATING the fruit of your labor,until you can eat no more.

This treatment only causes REMISSION for an inderminant period of time.

PROGNOSIS: NOT GOOD
TREATMENT. MORE TREES
NOTE sharing your fruit and or cuttings seems to offer some additional relief.
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jenia
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, Smittee, tell me about it. I started 2009 with 6 trees. I ended 2009 with 50 trees. Just couldn't resist experimenting with airlayers and cuttings.

Thank God, most of them are still small so I have time to figure out what on earth I'm going to do with all of them. (And Diesleler/Martin, don't even THINK about "helping" me with my "problem" ).

That's why I'm looking for alternative planting strategies.

C.J.
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dieseler
14 years ago
CJ,
50 to me is a lot, there still small but they will grow nice this year i bet.
I wont suggest that i bring my 3 friends over with there truck moe, larry and curly, but perhaps you could consider makeing some bonsai plants out of a few of them i here its possible .
Best Health
0

Pot / In-ground Planting Strategy

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