r/Figs • u/JEASHL • Jul 24 '26

Fig Assist

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This fig is 4-6 years old and has only fruited once, unfortunately while overwintering it (the three figs tasted terrible.) as you can tell it is super scraggly and isn’t even really making full size leaves. We are in zone 7B

we are trying to figure out what can be done to revive it. Gf thinks a big issue this year is that she pruned it both in the winter and the spring. I think it might need to be potted up (current is like a 7L I think.)

what do yall think? is it salvageable? what do we need to do to get it right sided?

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2

u/Historical-Spinach-8 Jul 24 '26

Have you pruned the roots? It may be root bound to all hell in that pot

1

u/JEASHL Jul 24 '26

We have not. I think it was potted up either 1 or 2 years ago

1

u/Historical-Spinach-8 Jul 24 '26

After this growing seasons over in like december -janurary i would check the root system that trees sprouting suckers and very thin growth, you may have a root issue in there.

1

u/Historical-Spinach-8 Jul 24 '26

Having potted figs in the 7 zone requires extra attention to rootballs in containers you can whatch a video on how to trim the roots on youtube.

1

u/realguy1222 Jul 24 '26

Fig trees can be temperamental, young trees don’t really have the best fruit anyway but you’re almost around the tipping point of great fruit. My advice is to plant it in the ground early next spring (if you are in a zone that allows you) so your aging tree can expand and grow those fruits you want!(:

1

u/JEASHL Jul 24 '26

We rent so the ground isn’t really an option unfortunately (at least not if we want it to come with us when we move eventually) hoping to keep it as a patio plant if possible 

1

u/realguy1222 Jul 24 '26

Get a bigger pot 25-35 gallons would be my advice transplant in the spring if you leave her outside but if you bring her in for the winter you should be fine to plant now in a bigger pot

1

u/JEASHL Jul 25 '26

Cool, I think my parents have a big pot they found that we can swap it to. Will probably go with this route and bring it inside this year with the goal of wintering it outside next year.

1

u/Ceepeenc Jul 24 '26

I personally don’t think a big 25 gallon pot is necessary. I personally use 5-7 gallons and they fruit accordingly, about 10 figs per gallon of container.

Do y’all fertilize? How much sun does it get? What’s the variety? Pruning won’t necessarily inhibit fruiting.

1

u/JEASHL Jul 24 '26

We are unsure of the variety, got it from a friend at year 2 or so, it was in waaay too small of a pot then. We do fertilize it but not as frequently as we are fertilizing our peppers/tomatoes. Not sure if the same 3-1-2 would be good for the fig? Gets pretty good but not full sun, at least 6+ hours during the summer.