I could give a fig!

[purpletigron]

N has sent me a baby fig tree!

It comes with a closely typed page of instructions. I'm not very good at following such detailed instructions :-)

Has anyone reading successfully had a bush-trained fig (Brown Turkey variety) fruit in a city in the South of England? How did you manage it?

Comments

[maureenkspeller.livejournal.com]

I have a fig tree, it's fruited, and I've eaten the ripe fruit.

Managing it? Mostly, I've left it to its own devices then hacked it back irresponsibly, but I have figured out now that it helps to keep it regularly pruned back, in thirds, so there is always a mix of new/old growth, because it seems to fruit on last year's wood.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Splendid!

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

I don't give a fig about this ;@)

Seriously, they like South facing walls where they can get lots of Sun and seem to like having to rough it a bit.

[scotiva.livejournal.com]

You lucky sod, you've got a fig tree and somewhere to put it! If given unrestricted access to space and nutrients figs tend produce a lot of growth and very little fruit. Dig a pit for it or keep it in a container, repotting only when it becomes seriously pot bound. If you want to grow it in open soil you'll have to root prune it every few years once it gets to a desired size if it's on rich ground. Don't prune both the roots and the branches during the same year. Give it some tomato type feed (high PK lowish N) at half strength every two weeks or so during late spring/ early summer as the fruits swell. Liquid comfrey, seaweed, manure tea made from well rotted manure is good for this. Good luck!

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[My grandfather and my mother each had a fig tree growing by their house, but both trees are lost to me (and two gorgeous walnuts, although I believe they are still growing). So this is even a little poignant.]