Recurring complaint of Figless trees?

Dreyenn

Dreyenn

Active member
Good morning, everyone. Attended a Garden & Herb Fair yesterday and today, doing very well my trees have been a hit. I love conversing with people interested in fig trees, they all want to know which is the best for the area or which is my favorite, but I found a recurring issue yesterday for which I had no input to help solve the issue. The complaint is that they have a fig tree, varying age, that never produces figs. The only response I can give is to fertilize and trim when appropriate.

Anyone have some advice on this issue? It's something I haven't experienced but it seemed to be a theme yesterday. Give me some ammo to fire off on this issue please.

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Do you ask them if the tree is located in shade, dappled shade, or direct sunlight? Light and heat are the most important, as they give the plant the queues, time wise, as to when they should start each stage of growth for the season, including fruit production. If most of the plants are growing in ground, then moisture should not be an issue.
 
I agree location can be an issue.
Not enough time in sunlight could have an impact.
They can test the soil, send in a sample to see if there is anything detrimental going on.
Test the ph in that area.
Pruning sometimes does trigger a response.
Last ditch effort they can resort to spanking. lol
But...serious though....it is also supposed to trigger a response.

If nothing then, replace the tree, maybe pot the old one if possible to see how it reacts to pot life.
 
I have yet to see a figless tree and I've grown many dozens of them in pots up here in frozen Canada outside of my igloo. I've had dozens of duplicates that I neglected, by my standards, but anyway, I grew them in shade, didn't up-pot when necessary, etc. Even those set a few figs at least in their 1st year. Might have something to do with the plants they got... some ornamental figs? TC? Do they know? My recommendation would be to stop buying from big box stores and and get trees from reputable fig growers.
 
If the tree is in a pot chances are it lacks enough nutrients to fruit. If it's inground many times the tree that was planted needs a good pruning.
 
I hear the same from the public when at events. My first question is "How many hours of direct sunlight does it receive?" Seems that 8/10 are going to give a very low number. Many people don't plant in consideration for the tree but for how they feel and looks of the property. Im 7b, And I tell them we are on the edge of where a fig can grow decent in the ground, so the owner needs to give it every advantage possible to produce. And location on the property is at the top of that list.
 
I have to be careful in my yard. None of my trees like full direct sunlight all day. My back yard faces south and on the east side of the yard gets absolutely hammered and they hate it over there. But on the west side, they get some shade from the fence later in the day, and every single one of them is much much happier over there. In DFW.
 
I was reading an old fig publication from the 1880s the recommendation for fruitless figs trees (in ground) is to root prune them.
The trees can be in an overly vegetative state and not want to fruit.
 
t_corey89 said:
I have to be careful in my yard. None of my trees like full direct sunlight all day. My back yard faces south and on the east side of the yard gets absolutely hammered and they hate it over there. But on the west side, they get some shade from the fence later in the day, and every single one of them is much much happier over there. In DFW.
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Thats how I role in phoenix, I plant them near the wall or bushes so they get some shade either in the am or afternoon, otherwise they fry in the summer
 
1) light issue as stated above 2) I’d tell them to prune all but 4/5 branches (if it is in bush form) at the beginning of the season. Keep those branches with apical buds and keep removing suckers until June. Don’t cut back the whole tree in the winter (can get too much vegetative growth for some varieties). Protect the tree or some lower branches over winter to avoid significant dieback.
 
Youre right most people tell.me the same. Simply tell them the truth:
1. Fertilize properly and get a soil test
2. Genetics is usually the reason for no fruit. Many people think a fig is a fig and wont know what they have or got a mislabelled fig.
3. Have them buy your varieties to guarantee fruit!

Usually everyone at markets have gotta tell you about the fig tree they grew up with too. I get that alot :)
 
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