Anyone growing figs

[LauraAnu]

I just got a small fig tree today and was wondering if any Palm Talkers are growing them. The local agricultral station has quite a variety of fruit trees this season and I picked up one there today. What type of conditions do they like? How soon can I plant it in the ground? Any suggestions for care welcomed.

Laura

[buccaneers37]

I have a Brown Turkey Fig that I planted with my mother in the early '80s. This was the early start of my palm / fruit tree obsession. In fact, when I had my bar/game room added to the back of my house in 1997, I had the construction company alter slightly where the foundation was going so I could save this tree. It had a main 10" thick branch rot & fall about 6 or 7 years ago but it has come back strong from shoots it keeps putting off. it is presently 15-16 feet tall & 8-10' across. I fertilize it at the same time I do my citrus trees, and with the same fertilizer. It gets two crops of figs on it a year, the early summer crop is usually the heaviest. The birds & squirrels get the figs almost as quickly as they ripen, so I am usually out picking and eating them with a tree full of wildlife doing the same thing! I planed a Celeste Fig about 10' from my Brown Turkey 2 years ago. It is only about 5' tall, so I haven't gotten too many figs of this tree yet. They both went through winter 2 years ago when it got down to 18deg. without getting phased, so they are pretty cold hardy. It should be fine to plant out that size, but I suppose you could grow it a little larger in the pot (maybe plant out next spring?.Good luck with your tree, figs are one of my favorite fruits.

Wayne

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

I never had any luck with these as they prefer a Mediterranean climate. Wayne, I am surprised at your success. That is great! Laura, anecdotally, I have heard that planting them where they get a little sea spray in the air (up to a half mile inland) keeps them from getting the fungus that slows them down here.

[_Keith]

They do extremely well in Louisiana. I have Celeste and Brown Turkey, as well as LSU Gold and LSU Purple, developed by guess who. The LSU Purple is by far the most vigorous and best tasting of the four. The LSU Gold is the worst in both categories.

I think your fig is safe to go in the ground right now, and the sooner the better.

[Takil-Explorer]

Brown Turky grows well here, good fruiting and hardiness in our chilly climate!

Alexander

[LauraAnu]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. It is raining like crazy here. I will probably put it in the ground tomorrow once I can make up my mind on the perfect spot

Laura