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Tips for watering container figs while on vacation.

14 years ago

I decided to try some container figs. I have some large plastic containers about 2 feet tall and 1-1/2 feet wide that they are growing in. I'll be gone for 2 weeks in early June. Will the figs die if worst case scenario we get no rain in two weeks and they are not watered?

Other option is to put figs in the garage where it is cooler. I plan to soak the figs goods for a couple of days before taking off. What else can you suggest for watering container figs on vacation?

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Comments (6)

johnsvmf
14 years ago
I gather you can't get someone to come and water them every other day if it doesn't rain. If that is correct I wouldn't put them in the garage unless they get sunlight during the day and then watering the plants becomes the issue again. My recommended options include:
1. Burying the pots at least half way in the ground
2. Buy an irrigation system with a timer
3. Place the container figs in partial shade (outside)

Of course getting someone to water for you is the best option.
Good Luck!
loslunasfarms
14 years ago
Johnsvmf,

I would agree with everything except with the burying the pot. Unless you are 100% sure you dont have RKN you could infect all your trees with RKN.
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This is my dilemma also. I have roughly 40 large mixed containers, plus about a dozen hanging planters. At this point, we try to only leave home between October and April. I must say that this is our oasis and pleasure so it is nice to be at home during our growing season. I was told to find someone and pay them well. I helped a neighbor for nothing and still missed an unobvious planter. If your plants are extensive, it is a lot to ask and I'm not comfortable trusting myself to an uneducated teen, nor imposing on the busy working adults. It would be great to have a "while you are away" service that is trained to do this for us folks. I'll be watching for any ideas. At this point one overnight is the max and who wants to risk a large investment in both money, and time? I just got an idea...make friends with the top nursery companies, or the MG Association in your area, and find an educated person who might do it. It wouldn't come cheap, but could be an idea...?
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I suspect your plant is still fairly small and could be re-potted? If so, you might want to re-pot them in something called a global-pot (earth pot, etc.). I've also seen folks use wicks (made from old t-shirts, etc.). You can google it, but essentially what you do is provide a water reservoir and let the plant absorb the water through the wick. Outside of that idea, a timer and a small submersible/fountain pump ($15) with some drip line and emitters might work. Put the pump in a bucket of water and plumb your drip emitters to the pump and set the timmer to run as needed. You can check out some of the hydroponic and aquaponic setups for ideas. They often cycle them throughout the day because they don't typically use soil. You wouldn't need to run the pump that often, though.
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A wet cloth over the soil with plastic bag over that would probably work for a now and again trip. Or rough sphagnum moss soaked in water instead of a towel, if you have that on hand. I have not used automatic watering systems, but if the weeklong trips are regular, might be worth looking into. I don't think the p. afra will need anything special. ez
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Smaller version of Terra Cotta irrigation unit that siphons from reservoir. Waters by difference in water tension in unit and soil. Works like a leaky tensiometer , the vaccum in the unit draws water from reservoir thru tube. http://www.amazon.com/Self-Watering-Probes-Package-of-5/dp/B0002VAHXC%3FSubscriptionId%3D14H876SFAKFS0EHBYQ02%26tag%3Dhubpages-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0002VAHXC
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johnsvmf
14 years ago
You're probably right. I don't have a RKN problem (I hope to keep it that way) so I guess I wasn't sensitive to that as a cautionary note.

Every year I bury about 100 pots in my yard. This year I repotted all 100 in larger pots, root pruned them and repotted them in Dr Tapla's soil mixture. Fortunately I didn't detect any RKN.

Since I bury my pots up to about 3/4 depth, I rarely water. I only water during droughts and if my plants indicate stress. The biggest problem I run into (which isn't really a problem) is cutting roots that run out of the drains when it comes time to put the plants away for the winter.

Thanks for pointing out that folks need to be aware of the risk of burying pots. Vinnie
keepitlow
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks. How do I find out if I have the RKN problem? If the figs get it, will it kill them?
johnsvmf
14 years ago
Another topic that I recommend that you search the forum for answers. The link below should be a good start.

Here is a link that might be useful: Heat Treatment for RKN
gorgi
14 years ago
For a long while, my dream was of some automatic
"drip-watering" system. One of these days, I hope I'll
find/get both the energy and $'s to actually doit for a fact.

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