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I brought my potted Brown Turkey fig tree up from the basement

terry_upstate_ny

15 years ago

I received advice from several people on this forum last fall about my fig tree which has been potted for several years. I always overwintered it in the house (we live upstate NY, zone 5) and it never had a chance to go dormant. After following your advice, it did go dormant during the winter in our basement.

We had a warm streak last week and and temps 85 degrees F for a few days. The tree was budding out (there are some windows in the basement for a light source), so we brought it upstairs and put it on the porch. The days and nights have gotten cooler now but are above feezing. Some new leaves are developing on the branches, and they look pretty healthy.

I gave the potting soil a half cup of organic fertilizer that I bought at home depot, and a little vermicompost.

So, I want to thank you for the good advice on letting it go dormant!

My question now is, if we are about to have a night where the temp goes down to 32 degrees F or lower, should I cover the tree with a sheet or something to prevent damage to the new growth, or can it take some cold weather? The tree is small, about three feet tall, but is growing low to the soil with curved branches.

P.S. I love this forum!

Terry

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Comments (9)

bonsaist
15 years ago
Terry,
Since your tree is no longer dormant don't expose it to freezing temperatures. Hopefully the temperatures will stay above freezing but if they don't, I would bring it inside in cold nights.

Bass
terry_upstate_ny
Original Author
15 years ago
The potted fig is too heavy for me to lift and carry around too frequently, so I put a clear plastic bag over it last evening. I hadn't thought of hardening it off before leaving it outside, but it looks ok and leaves are getting bigger. The temp has been in the low 40's at night here for the past few nights.
Terry
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User
15 years ago
The trick in hardening the fig is to slowelly expose it to the sun.
IThe sudden sun, is more damaging than 30*F,low Temp.
nhardy
15 years ago
Terry, thank you for the posts. I'm a newbie with one fig in a pot. It answered my questions, thank you!
cath41
15 years ago
This may work for figs too: I read of a citrus grower spraying his trees with "Surround" to prevent sun scald. If it works, we could bring our fig trees out once, spray and not have to move them back and forth to harden them off. It would save a lot of labor. I meant to try it this year but did not have to because the trees went out dormant. I may still have an opportunity to try it later on the rooted cuttings.
baust55
15 years ago
cath can you tell me more about "Surround"
cath41
15 years ago
Baust,

"Surround" is refined kaolin clay. It is sprayed on fruit trees and dries to dust and eventually rain washes it off. It acts as an insect deterrent and as a protection against sunburn and heat stress.

A good explanation is at www.groworanicapples.com/surround-kaolin-clay/ or just google "Surround spray".

Tom,

Sorry, I don't have any more VdeB available than I have already offered to Baust.

Cath
dieseler
15 years ago
Here also is explantion of sorts about product.
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/resourceguide/mfs/07kaolin.php

Be careful useing it as there are "human concerns" when applying it as stated on the web page.
As for me this year with just a few plants i just slowly introduced them to sun now all is fine.
My dormant trees go into full sun as they yet to have leaves at that stage and when they do come out there are no ill effects.
Martin
terry_upstate_ny
Original Author
15 years ago
My one fig tree is on our porch and so far is doing well, getting leaves at the tip of the old branches mostly. Growing figs in pots in the northeast is challenging. Where do the brebas form?
Terry

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