Next, use a sharp spade to sever lateral growing roots one foot out from the trunk on the side opposite the trench. But you can grow fig trees in containers for a few reasons which we will explain below. Fertilizing Your Fig Tree Fertilize your tree weekly with liquid fertilizer while fruit is growing on it. Prune as necessary to maintain a size and shape you can work with. I live in the Southwest US and want to get a fig tree, but my neighbor's tree died over winter. Water very lightly (monthly) during the winter to keep the soil moist when it's not frozen. Ficus carica Petite Negra produces normal sized figs, beginning when the tree is only a foot or two tall. In early spring (if practical), allow your containerized fig to acclimate gradually to the warming weather by bringing it outside for a few hours each day, then move the tree indoors at night. All Rights Reserved • Disclaimer, Plant your fig tree in a lightweight container that’s as large as you can manage. Hope you can help me out. Keeping your fig tree pruned will help it to produce sweeter, tastier figs since it enables the sugars and hormones to travel all the way up the branches and into the fruits. It needs a south-facing window and at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Do not cut roots on the other two sides. Figs love the sun! Install a heat source (such as a space heater or light bulb) to be turned on when winter temperatures are forecast to go below 25°F (-4°C). Check out this videos of a tasting of the Petite Negra which is the best variety for growing figs in containers! Next spring, when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 20°F (-7°C), remove the winter protection and free the fig! Your choice of a lightweight mix will also make things easier when it is time to move the container to shelter during winter. Plant your outdoor fig tree next to south facing wall, where it doesn’t get so cold. The best soil for planting a fig tree in a pot would be an organic potting mix, never use soil from your garden as it will probably be too dense and not suitable for growing a potted tree in. You can always transplant the tree in … It is best to select a dwarf variety for container growing. or tar paper, secured with more twine. A dormant tree doesn’t take in water, but can die if the roots dry out. When fully dormant (and with mulched roots) a fig tree can tolerate temperatures as low as 10º to 15ºF (-12º to -9ºC). Trees do not put out heat. Place the freshly potted plant on a tray and pour water in the pot until it runs out of the drainage holes. Winterizing Fig Trees. Smart site selection helps with caring for your fig tree over winter too. Those container grown fig trees that are moved into a garage or unheated area to spend the winter don’t need much attention but they do require a degree of special fig tree care and an occasional watering even during their dormant rest periods. Fig trees grown in containers need to be fertilized with a. The mulch will keep the soil from drying out too quickly. This is … Up to 35% Off End of Year Clearance Lay the pot on its side and remove the pot. But potted trees sit out in the open. Happy planting! Yes, figs are drought tolerant, but plants in containers dry out much quicker than plants in the ground so you will need to water your potted fig tree especially in the heat of summer. Q. For more information on how to care for a fig tree in winter please read below for outdoor planted trees. A. They will produce fruit without pollination or fertilization. Overwintering potted figs. Keep the potted fig tree in full sun during the summer, then bring it into a place that does not freeze when the leaves drop in autumn. See Perfect plants’ Grow Guide for Edible Fig Trees (coming soon) for much more about growing figs. We recommend watering a containerized tree for 15 minutes every morning with a drip irrigation tube controlled by an inexpensive battery powered timer, available at garden supply stores. Once it gets warm enough outside it is safe to move your fig tree back outdoors. Fertilize your fig tree with a slow-release organic fertilizer. Lightly prune the tree after the growing season to keep it pot-sized. Among the best are Celeste Fig, Brown Turkey Fig, Ventura, and the most cold-hardy of all: Chicago Hardy Fig. Keep your potted fig tree in full sun during the summer. Fig trees will need to be repotted every year or two as they become established but after about five years they should be right to stay in the same pot. Every 3 years, and keep the soil will lose lots of nutrients Pick... Days of winter, your potted plants are likely a bit jealous of longest! Learn how to winterize a fig tree branches are surprisingly bendable! ) coated with,. 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