Do figs need Direct Sun to Ripen?

RedRockFig

RedRockFig

Active member
I read and hear that figs need direct sun to ripen. I prune my trees with an open center to get sun to the figs. I know the trees leaves need lots of direct sunshine to fuel the tree's engine. What makes me question if figs need the direct sunshine is that figs that form low on the tree and are under leaves and don't get direct sun are often the first to ripen. What about huge trees that the center hasn't seen direct sun for years, they still ripen figs in the leaf shaded area. If anyone has an explanation, I'd love to hear it. Heat seem to play as big or bigger role in ripening figs than direct sunshine on the figs.
 
RedRockFig said:
I read and hear that figs need direct sun to ripen. I prune my trees with an open center to get sun to the figs. I know the trees leaves need lots of direct sunshine to fuel the tree's engine. What makes me question if figs need the direct sunshine is that figs that form low on the tree and are under leaves and don't get direct sun are often the first to ripen. What about huge trees that the center hasn't seen direct sun for years, they still ripen figs in the leaf shaded area. If anyone has an explanation, I'd love to hear it. Heat seem to play as big or bigger role in ripening figs than direct sunshine on the figs.
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I have read mixed things too on direct sun. But heat hours are consistently said to be what is the ripening factor. We have had problems stripping leaves causing sun damage to the stems of the plants. We won’t be doing that anymore. As the leaves stop photosynthesizing in the center they yellow and drop on their own. Removing leaves does reduce photosynthesis. But it also slows transpiration. So in pots maybe there is a case for some reduction in leaves.
 
GoodFriendMike said:
Figs do not need direct sun to ripen.
They may ripen a lighter color in the shade.
And will have a slightly different taste.
But will ripen.
With Capri. The figs is the shade are sometimes better for the little wasp.
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Do you have excess pollen figs each year? We won’t have any on our caprifigs this year but would like to do some pollination if possible.
 
As Mike said above, figs (fruit) don't need the sun to ripen. They will ripen fine, but, as Mike said, they may have a different color and, maybe, a slightly different taste.

What's important is that figs (trees) get plenty of sun. Fruit trees need plenty of sunlight for photosynthesis, the process that converts light into energy for growth and fruit production. That energy makes them healthier, with stronger branches, and with more fruit. Sunlight makes fruit sweeter and bigger, too.

As long as some part of the tree, like the top part, will get plenty of direct sunlight for 8+ hours, all fruit, shaded by leaves or not, will benefit from the received energy from photosynthesis and will be big and sweet. If the whole tree is in part shade or shade, it will bear less fruit, of smaller size and worse quality (less sweet and flavorful).
 
Fig Gazer said:
LOTS OF BFF in breba and main crops of both male and female figs ,don't see much flying around after oct. would not be suprised to see BFF pupa in male figs that over winter the wasp ? (are they Mamme?) can not memorize all those names .
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Mamme is the over winter crop. I have not seen anyone post about them being in that crop.
I may need to start another thread some point about it.
As to not take away from this thread. :)
 
I think the trees need their share of sun to grow well enough to produce good figs that will ripen. And figs will certainly ripen better in warmer temps... But, even if it's sunny but too cool they don't ripen as well... but direct sun on the figs... doesn't seem to be a huge factor. I have loads of figs that ripen, shaded and buried down below

My favorite form is also open vase but that's to get more sun on the tree, not the figs themselves. This is advice I got from the owner of an orchard with over 4500 acres of apples.
 
GoodFriendMike said:
Mamme is the over winter crop. I have not seen anyone post about them being in that crop.
I may need to start another thread some point about it.
As to not take away from this thread. :)
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GoodFriendMike : i will cut some open on a waspy BFF infested area and see whats inside and report back ,will take a while before i can do the inspection .
 
TorontoJoe said:
I think the trees need their share of sun to grow well enough to produce good figs that will ripen. And figs will certainly ripen better in warmer temps... But, even if it's sunny but too cool they don't ripen as well... but direct sun on the figs... doesn't seem to be a huge factor. I have loads of figs that ripen, shaded and buried down below

My favorite form is also open vase but that's to get more sun on the tree, not the figs themselves. This is advice I got from the owner of an orchard with over 4500 acres of apples.
Click to expand...
Sun is energy, heat is metabolism. Both are very important for figs.
 
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