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Figs on brown turkey tree in PA never ripen on the tree

6 years ago

I have a brown turkey fig tree that is growing very well. It is about 4 years old. Each year it gets larger and more healthy, but the figs on the tree stay green. They never get ripe. Right now (July 16) I have lots of large, green fruit on the tree, but the unripe fruit usually fall off the tree after a month or so. Why is this? Is our growing season not long enough? Is there anything I can do to get the figs to ripen on the tree?

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Comments (5)

Moses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
A disease free fig tree, growing in full sun, with as much heat as you can give the fig (nowhere in PA is it too hot for a fig tree), quality fertile soil, excellent drainage, and plenty of water are all the ingredients for a successful harvest. Drop the ball on any of these, and success is unlikely.

The most common reason for fig drop is a period of not enough water, even for a few days. Wilting fig leaves mean the fig is under stress.

You may also have a defective tree from the get go. It came incapable of bring a fig crop to the ripe stage. Some virus, bacteria, or who knows what may have caused the premature fruit drop.

Also, it may a combination of adverse situations which when combined, are the cause, not just one reason.

Moses
tishtwo thanked Moses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
dieseler
6 years ago
Here near Chicago i cut tip off after 6 leaves have grown and any other growth in that area that tries and regrows, any figs that appear after end of June are also removed as its wasted energy for tree .

Hope this helps.

Martin
tishtwo thanked dieseler
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vasile F S
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
My opinion is ,your fig is not a genuine brown turkey, but a seedling of some sort, needing pollination to ripe fruits

Sorry for bad news.
tishtwo thanked vasile F S
Moses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years ago
Vasile has an excellent point. Many figs sold are not the same variety as what you were led to believe they are. Your fig may be a variety that does not produce fruit without pollination. Therefore the figlets develop in spring in size to the blooming stage, then when they do not get pollinated, they all drop off.

Why not buy a more mature fig tree that has already proven to produce ripe figs. This ensures that it will ripen for you

Moses.
tishtwo thanked Moses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
tishtwo
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you all for your comments and ideas. Guess what? Some of the figs on the oldest branches are now getting ripe!!! Those on the newer branches are still small and green. Those on the older branches are larger and are starting to ripen. Maybe the older a branch is the more likely it is for the branch to produce mature fruit? Seems so. (The tree is about 4 years old and this is the first year it got fruit which ripened.) Just ate my first one and it's flavor was so delicate and delicious! Thanks all!

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