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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: GrannieAnnie on October 09, 2011, 21:25:00

Title: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 09, 2011, 21:25:00
Just wondering what type you grow and whether you recommend them. And what you've learned about growing them successfully. I'm a relative newby at fig culture having one Brown Turkey in a pot and its air-layered baby.
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: pumkinlover on October 09, 2011, 22:18:49
I'd love to help but mine were already on the plot when I took it over.
I do not think the roots are contained though as is often recomended.
I keep them pruned to a reasonable height and try to take off most figs at the end of the season just leaving the embryo ones, as is recomended for this country.
Branches seem very brittle, but that doesn't stop us climbing up into the tree, but need to be aware, if you pull on a leaf to get at a fig they can just snap off.
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: saddad on October 09, 2011, 22:22:47
I have a Brown Turkey too...
It's in a large tub to constrict the roots!
I'll be knocking off all the figs when the leaves drop next week..  :)
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: Ninnyscrops. on October 09, 2011, 22:23:59
Hi GrannieAnnie,

There was a fig tree in the garden of our house when we moved here many moons ago, and planted in the soil  :o. It's been cut down to soil level many times as there is nobody that likes them here, I might have the odd one over the years but not to my taste.  It's back up to 10' again and will produce again next year.

They will put roots out across the garden (even our path has been lifted), so restrict it well! Keep it in a large pot unless you have room for the roots to roam.

Ninnyscrops x
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: budgiebreeder on October 10, 2011, 08:42:39
Ooopppss! Looks like i have been doing mine all wrong.I got 2 plants from Wilkos the other year(forgot what varieties)put them in large tubs (got that bit right then).Didnt know i should take some off though.I thought it took 2 years for them to mature?and have been taking them into the cold greenhouse 4 the Winter.(didnt need to do that either if they grow ok outside)had a good crop of tatsy figs though ......
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: garrett on October 10, 2011, 20:18:02
I've had a Brown Turkey for years but the fruit has never ripened as far as I've noticed apart from this year. Despite being a miserable Summer, I had four delicious figs this year, incredibly sweet.
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: ajb on October 10, 2011, 21:54:10
Oh! I'm glad people are growing them. I've got two due to arrive in November.
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: manicscousers on October 10, 2011, 22:01:51
We have 3, 2 in pots and 1 in the ground( a new one). Don't let them get dry, they get rid of the fruit then the leaves, we had a brilliant harvest last year ans none this year. If you like the taste, they're fantastic  ;D
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: 1066 on October 11, 2011, 11:24:51
Hi GA, and nice to see you around  :). Can't help on the fig front as we have only recently got a Brown Turkey. In a pot in the garden, I'm hoping for some action next year!
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 11, 2011, 12:20:03
Quote from: saddad on October 09, 2011, 22:22:47
I have a Brown Turkey too...
It's in a large tub to constrict the roots!
I'll be knocking off all the figs when the leaves drop next week..  :)
Saddad- how tall did you let your potted tree get? And how big is your pot  (your fig tree's pot ;D )  They say the bigger the pot, the bigger the tree. I'm wondering if my pot is big enough.
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: artichoke on October 11, 2011, 12:31:33
This is the only year I have not eaten many ripe figs from my two Brown Turkeys (12 yr old cuttings from a fig tree I had to leave behind when moving). They are quite substantial, planted in two dry areas full of stones, not contained and never fed, and normally very productive.

Early this year I think the constant deep frosts got the tiny figs that should have developed over the summer. All we have is a second generation of baby figs that are never going to develop in time.

On one of my allotment sites there is a gigantic old neglected tree belonging to no-one that normally gives lots of juicy ripe figs, but it seems to be having the same problem as my own trees this year. Very disappointing.
Title: Re: Lets talk about your Figs
Post by: GrannieAnnie on October 12, 2011, 21:32:18
Quote from: artichoke on October 11, 2011, 12:31:33
This is the only year I have not eaten many ripe figs from my two Brown Turkeys (12 yr old cuttings from a fig tree I had to leave behind when moving). They are quite substantial, planted in two dry areas full of stones, not contained and never fed, and normally very productive.

Early this year I think the constant deep frosts got the tiny figs that should have developed over the summer. All we have is a second generation of baby figs that are never going to develop in time.

On one of my allotment sites there is a gigantic old neglected tree belonging to no-one that normally gives lots of juicy ripe figs, but it seems to be having the same problem as my own trees this year. Very disappointing.
someone said he was going to cover each fig with a plastic bottle to protect them from frost. I'm not sure how well they'd stay on in a wind but I might try that since our crop has come very late, in fact they might not all ripen before our Oct. frost date.