Fig Trees
Ficus carica. Fig trees have been entwined with the human race since early times. Maybe that's why the leaves of the fig tree are immediately identifiable to almost every person on the planet. The fig is sometimes called a fruit without a flower, but it's actually a flower without a fruit. The edible portion of the fig tree is stem tissue that has enclosed the numerous tiny flowers. Scrabble players please note: the botanical term is syconium.
The deeply lobed leaves provide a unique texture in the landscape and the fresh fruit is nothing short of marvelous. Two crops per season can be achieved by careful pruning and varietal selection. The first crop, known as breba, is carried on the prior season's wood in midsummer. The second crop appears on new wood about six weeks later.
Takes a few seasons for fig trees to begin heavy fruit production. Self-fertile. Warm summers required for best fruit flavor. Add organic matter to planting hole, especially in sandy soils. However, don't fertilize too heavily or you'll get leafy and frost-sensitive growth at the expense of fruit. Fig trees prefer a neutral pH, but are fairly adaptable about growing conditions. Moderate water. If planting in a container, don't make it too large because the roots like to be crowded. And choose a container that's wider than deep, given the fibrous roots of figs. Whether planting in ground or a container, do not disturb rootball. Figs prefer their roots crowded so resist the urge to untangle them.
Pruning of figs generates heated debates among gardeners. We suggest no pruning the first year and then pruning the top back a few leaf nodes the second year, followed by yearly pruning in early spring.
Established fig trees in the ground are hardy to about 10 degrees F, with protection. Branches may die back to ground during extended freezes, but new growth will regenerate from base. Younger trees that have not been adequately hardened off may die from exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees F. Fig trees in pots require protection from freezing temperatures.
Figs require 100-200 hours of temperatures below 50 degrees during the winter to induce a good fruit set the following year.
Customers in cold climates report that oiling the eyes of figs at the end of the season helps them to ripen prior to first frost. Use the side of a toothpick dipped in olive oil and brush against bottom of fig. Since figs won't ripen off the tree, this may be the only way gardeners in colder zones can enjoy fresh figs.
Very suitable for container culture, especially if you happen to have some ancient Etruscan urns in the attic. Bay Flora fig trees are pesticide-free. Most plants are about 3' tall in 4" x 9" grower's pots, with about 1/2" caliper trunk and no branching yet. Figs in 1 gal containers are a bit shorter and have some branching. Our fig trees can be kept to a 6' shrub in a pot, or be allowed to grow to a typical size in warmer regions of about 20' tall with spreading branches. Negronne and Peter's Honey tend to grow much smaller.
Shipping charges are 30% to CA, 35% to OR, WA,AZ, NV, and 45% to rest of U.S. Sorry, no shipping to AK, HI. Orders received by Friday 5pm will ship the following Monday, weather permitting.
The deeply lobed leaves provide a unique texture in the landscape and the fresh fruit is nothing short of marvelous. Two crops per season can be achieved by careful pruning and varietal selection. The first crop, known as breba, is carried on the prior season's wood in midsummer. The second crop appears on new wood about six weeks later.
Takes a few seasons for fig trees to begin heavy fruit production. Self-fertile. Warm summers required for best fruit flavor. Add organic matter to planting hole, especially in sandy soils. However, don't fertilize too heavily or you'll get leafy and frost-sensitive growth at the expense of fruit. Fig trees prefer a neutral pH, but are fairly adaptable about growing conditions. Moderate water. If planting in a container, don't make it too large because the roots like to be crowded. And choose a container that's wider than deep, given the fibrous roots of figs. Whether planting in ground or a container, do not disturb rootball. Figs prefer their roots crowded so resist the urge to untangle them.
Pruning of figs generates heated debates among gardeners. We suggest no pruning the first year and then pruning the top back a few leaf nodes the second year, followed by yearly pruning in early spring.
Established fig trees in the ground are hardy to about 10 degrees F, with protection. Branches may die back to ground during extended freezes, but new growth will regenerate from base. Younger trees that have not been adequately hardened off may die from exposure to temperatures below 20 degrees F. Fig trees in pots require protection from freezing temperatures.
Figs require 100-200 hours of temperatures below 50 degrees during the winter to induce a good fruit set the following year.
Customers in cold climates report that oiling the eyes of figs at the end of the season helps them to ripen prior to first frost. Use the side of a toothpick dipped in olive oil and brush against bottom of fig. Since figs won't ripen off the tree, this may be the only way gardeners in colder zones can enjoy fresh figs.
Very suitable for container culture, especially if you happen to have some ancient Etruscan urns in the attic. Bay Flora fig trees are pesticide-free. Most plants are about 3' tall in 4" x 9" grower's pots, with about 1/2" caliper trunk and no branching yet. Figs in 1 gal containers are a bit shorter and have some branching. Our fig trees can be kept to a 6' shrub in a pot, or be allowed to grow to a typical size in warmer regions of about 20' tall with spreading branches. Negronne and Peter's Honey tend to grow much smaller.
Shipping charges are 30% to CA, 35% to OR, WA,AZ, NV, and 45% to rest of U.S. Sorry, no shipping to AK, HI. Orders received by Friday 5pm will ship the following Monday, weather permitting.
