That little tree will have a hard time establishing a root system if you allow the soil to dry out. Because fig tree do not have tap roots, it is VERY IMPORTANT to ALWAYS keep the ground moist around a new tree planted in the ground. When the ground dries too much for even a little while, you are destroying developing feeder roots which stunts tree growth. The top will not grow until your little tree develops a good root system to support it. Mulch would help keep the ground moist.

Dan

Thanks! Unfortunately, that ground is always damp. It's in the shade, and the sprinklers go on 2-3 times, day and night. No control over that. HOA controls the water. I can put mulch on it, but I don't want the roots to rot.

I just took a photo showing how damp that dirt is. The dry stuff is next to the sidewalk.

This baby gets very little sun, but it is hot here. Is that the problem? I have some pine bark fines, so I'll mulch with those.

Suzi

Ya, if you're in the low desert and are experiencing the high temps that go with it....six inches deep of mulch for a couple of feet around the tree is recommended. You can get away with less, but leaving it exposed is hard on it. And if you get those hot dry winds like we do here in Arizona, you might also consider a small barrier on the windward side of the tree. Doesn't have to be much. Anything that will create a little shelter and help keep the ground cooler and from drying out fast will help.

Dave

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Dave, those leaves are about 1/2" off the ground. If I put 6" of mulch over it, I'll bury it!! 1/2" of mulch would be the best I could do.

It is protected by a huge post that supports the patio. You can see the drain in the photo. Most of our winds blow from the West, and the fig is protected by that post.

It seems healthy. I just wish it would grow. The terminal bud is green, and has been so for a long time.
Suzi

Very little sun is a problem too. Fig trees need sunlight.

Dan

Should I move it? Like put it in a pot with Al's gritty mix, and put it on the vineyard drip like my other fig (the one that is thriving)?
Suzi

Your plant is adjusting it will be fine in my opinion.
That green bud will open when its ready to do so.
I have panache in a container with fmv and kept looking at it daily and it looked back at me as well like saying quit staring will ya!
Finally it slowly started to grow and now eve has a medium size fig.
Just needs time to get out of the stagnant stage it is in . Let us know in about a month as it sounds like your doing fine with it.

One thing I have noticed here in the desert with my new trees is that they put on most of their growth in March thru May, then when it got real hot....they slowed way down. If you planted in April, it would have, by the time it got over the transplant shock, have missed most of that optimum growing period. I think Martin is right. Give it some time. Also, as it get taller, it will probably get more light as well, and that will help.

As far as the mulching of new short little trees, think of your mulch ring as like a fat doughnut. Keep the mulch away from the base of the tree 5-6 inches and then pile it on heavy. I am using both wood chips and straw. Mulching will keep the roots cool as well as moist.

That hot desert sun is brutal.

Dave

I thought Figs are semi-tropical hot weather does not bother it. I planted 2 fig trees Brown Turky and Black Jack. They were 2 1/2 feet long when I planted them. Water every day, they are about 4 feet long now and look very healthy. Should I give them some fertilizer. The Orchard man told me don't fertilize it until next spring. I wonder Why? Don't they need food?
I was born in Egypt and Figs to Egypt is like Apple to America. I am a fig lover. But they are very expensive $5 per pound if my store has it and occasionally.

MATURE fig trees certainly can handle hot weather. However, to get a YOUNG in ground tree to grow as rapidly as possible......keep the ground always moist. This will allow a strong root system to develop quickly. After a year or two in the ground they will be much better able to handle dry conditions.

I live in zone 9 and do not give my fig trees any fertilizer after the middle of August. This is done to discourage too much tender green growth that may not have enough time to harden off (lignify) before the arrival of cold weather. Fig tree growth that is too green is damaged easily by cold weather. That is likely why your orchard man told you not to fertilize your tree until spring. It also helps harden off your fig tree for the winter if you lessen the amount of water that you give it a month or two before cold weather arrives in your area. Making your tree thirsty for water just before winter will help it survive cold weather.

Dan

Dave, you are probably right that I have missed the optimum growth period (spring) for my little cutting. I remember last summer, I started some green softwood grapevine cuttings in water, planted them in the middle of July, and all but two died. The cabernet grew one new leaf all summer, and went dormant like the others in November. I was amazed in spring because it went through bud break, and grew like a weed! It's 4' tall now, and still growing.

I'm much more comfortable about the little fig because it looks very healthy, and I will just give it time!

Thanks everyone!
Suzi

Dan Thank You. I am a Fig Lover but my knowledge about Figs is not that great. My Dad had about 300 Fig trees but he never taught me any thing about it. He wanted me to go to school and have a degree.

desertdance if your weather is like we have here in the low desert where its 100+ every day thats your problem like wabikeguy said. Things grow like made in our early spring and then come to a stand still during the really how months. Things will pick up again once temps get down into the 90's. Of course this all assumes your tree is getting a minimum of 6-8hrs of direct sunlight.

thisisme, the fig is next to an east facing post, so it gets full morning and mid day sun, and afternoon shade. It gets heat all day!

When it goes dormant, I'll dig it up and put it into a container like my Violette Du Bordeaux. Violette is still growing like crazy even in this heat! Every time I walk out there, I see new growth and new figlets. It's in it's second year though, so given time, I'm sure this little cutting will do great too!

Suzi