Observe and respond accordingly to your trees environment. Remove the tree from the pot, and cut back approximately half the roots to a healthy ball. This fig tree care guide gives you everything you need to successfully plant, grow, and maintain your fig tree for years to come. A standard ficus or fig tree (Ficus species) is one that has been grown in a pot and trained to create a classic "ball on a stick" look. Be patient! How to Grow Potted Fig Trees. There are also many great resources online. Water regularly; do not let the compost dry out. It will stress the tree and the figs will fall off (nobody likes stress, even fig trees!). While people in warmer climates typically grow the trees in the ground – think of the burlap-wrapped ones you see in many Greek or Italian neighborhoods – it’s also possible for those living in cooler climates, where the subtropical plant does not grow, to enjoy the tree by putting them in pots. Repeat the oil treatment one week later for spider mites, once every two weeks for two months for scale. Alternate between a high potassium fertiliser such as tomato food and a general-purpose fertiliser. If you compost, mix some of the screened compost into the container along with a quality potting soil to … Use a mixture of one part indoor potting soil, one part vermiculite, one part compost and one part builder’s sand. Obviously, call me – 845-309-0836. In areas with cold winter temperatures, it’s best to move the tree undercover where it will be protected from frost and snow. Water well during summer. Fig Tree Basics. Lay the pot on its side and remove the pot. They do not flower, but you will see small figs develop in the late spring. Prune the roots of potted fig trees every 3 to 4 years. Keep your potted fig tree in full sun during the summer. She specializes in writing about home improvement, self-sufficient lifestyles and gardening. Note: If your trees leaves begin to yellow, chances are it is being over-watered. That plant will be lighter and easier to move, especially if stems also are pruned. During hot summer weather, your fig tree may need more frequent watering, possibly even daily. Luckily for you, I’ve provided one years’ worth of fertilizer to get you started. Don’t pick your figs too early. Try not to plant in a black or dark-colored pot because it will attract the sun’s rays and possibly overheat the roots. Now that I’ve piqued your curiosity let’s talk all things you need to know to plant and take care of a fig tree. Use a light, friable but not overly rich potting soil mix for growing potted fig trees. It’s easier for the soil to slowly absorb the melted snow and you’ll have less water … Set it in an unheated garage or basement and allow it to go dormant for the winter months. This is necessary because you are reducing the amount of roots so the amount of top growth must be reduced as well. With potted fig trees, that’s not necessary. Pruning Fig Trees In Pots. In the fall, a few weeks before first frost. Steps for Container Planting: For a small fig tree or cutting, choose a planting container that is at least 12" to 14" in diameter and fill it with a quality potting soil. Once the fruits appear in early summer, you can encourage them to flourish with an application of liquid tomato fertiliser each fortnight until they begin to ripen. To eliminate either pest, mix 2 tablespoons of pure neem oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons of mild dish detergent with 1 gallon of water. This is great news for gardeners because it means we can keep them over the winter even if we don’t have a bright, hot greenhouse. Fertilize your fig tree with a slow-release organic fertilizer. Once the figs appear, apply liquid tomato fertiliser every two to three weeks during the growing season, until they start to ripen. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Here’s what you need to know about planting figs, fig tree care and growing a fig tree indoors or outdoors in a pot. Fig Tree Leaf Care. Put the fig tree in a sunny spot in your yard, and keep well watered. Prune off about one-fourth of the roots that are growing at the outside of the root ball. I’ll share information, resources, photos and videos regularly and would love for you to share pictures of your trees! Taking it back to that 6th grade science class lesson on photosynthesis – plants get most of their nutrients from the sun! Container grown figs need regular watering and feeding. Add some fresh soil on top after returning the root ball to the pot. Yes, yes and oh, yes! Pot fig trees in plastic, clay or wooden planters. The mature wood of some figs is hardy down to -10°C (14°F) or more. This will give your potted fig tree time to harden off the newer growth which will be stimulated by the cutting process. Water fig trees when the soil is dry an inch below the surface. Move indoors in late fall before freezing weather sets in for good. All Rights Reserved. Lightly prune the tree after the growing season to keep it pot-sized. Add some fresh soil on top after returning the root ball to the pot. They go dormant during winter so there is no need to find a sunny spot for them in your house or greenhouse during freezing weather. Since fiddle leaf fig trees can be potted at any time throughout the year, you can keep them indoors and enjoy their lush appearance for many years. Most of the flavor and sugars develop in the last 24 hours or so. Fig trees are a popular tree to grow potted in the home rather than planted in the ground. Fig trees grown in containers need to be fertilized with a high nitrogen fertilizer every four weeks in the spring and early summer. You want the fig tree to go dormant, as it’s a critical part of the growing cycle. Try not to plant in a black or dark-colored pot because it will attract the sun’s rays and possibly overheat the roots. Misting is a must! An adult fig tree should be transplanted into a 15- to 20-gallon container. The fertilizer I recommend is Osmocote Plus slow release, which can be purchased at any big box store. Winterizing a fig tree in a container starts with allowing the tree to lose its leaves. You can always transplant the tree in later years as it outgrows the container. Position your fig tree outdoors in a warm, sunny spot that is sheltered from strong wind. Winter protection. Don’t fertilize in winter, and water only sparingly, when the leafless tree is indoors. Don’t worry – one or two frosts will not kill your tree. Now, the fun part! Remember seeing grandparents or neighbors wrapping their fig trees in burlap or tarp? Fig trees grown in containers may be ideal for your limited space or limited opportunity situation. Put the fig tree in a sunny spot in your yard, and keep well watered. Next the branches need to be wrapped in heavy fabric such as carpet padding, canvas or blankets. Growing fig trees in containers is a great opportunity for urban gardeners to grow some of their own fruit! They grow very well and even produce figs without a lot of special attention. Remove about one-fourth of the branches of the fig tree at the same time that you prune the roots. A hard frost will not harm the tree, but it will kill the opening buds and delay growth. Prune  in late winter, usually March or April, before budding, or in late fall, around Halloween, or once the tree is done fruiting. Bring your dormant tree into a cool garage or unheated basement. First, choose a fig tree variety that grows well in your climate and self-pollinates. Do not use clay pot, they break and dry out the soil quickly. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →. Most varieties I sell are friendly to the northeast and ripen in time for mid- to late-summer. If you have grown your fig tree in a pot it is important that you start pruning right after the fruit has ripened. The more branches, the more figs. You should not bring a fig tree into your house for the winter, or into a greenhouse. If you’re a beginner gardener and want to learn how to grow and care for these plants, then you’ve come to the right place. Half whiskey barrels are ideal, but any container large enough to accommodate the root ball plus some growing space is fine. Apply the mulch out to the rim of the pot, and make sure it’s around three inches deep. Use a light, friable but not overly rich potting soil mix for growing potted fig trees. This is necessary because you are reducing the amount of … You Can take information from our article How to grow Fig tree in a container, Fig varieties, Pests and diseases fig tree, Propagation Fig tree, figs care. Fig trees are not heavy feeders, but they require fertilization once or twice a year. Successful crop? The temperature should be between 10 and 40 degrees. We have all the lowdown on fiddle leaf fig trees right here! You can grow a fig tree in an unheated greenhouse during the summer months as long as it has adequate ventilation. Potted fig trees need ‘root pruning’ approximately every two years if they are growing well. Move figs growing in pots into a sunny location, outdoors, once there is no danger of frost. These are not ready for picking. After planting your fig tree in its container, water it well, then add a layer of mulch. A container suitable for planting fig trees in pots should be large. As long as the potting soil is loose, well-drained and the pot has a drainage hole, it is hard to over water potted fig trees. Stemming back to biblical times, figs were one of the first foods consumed by people and one of the first foods cultivated. Your plant should be brought indoors around the middle of November, once all of the leaves have fallen off. A hard frost will not harm the tree, but it will kill the opening buds and delay growth. Make sure that the container you use has an adequate drainage hole in it. Prune as necessary to maintain a size and shape you can work with. Branches should be pruned by 1/3. Fig trees root readily, and where cuttings or stems come into contact with the ground, they will begin to put out roots. Fig trees need to be kept warm if they are to survive. Prune off about one-fourth of the roots that are growing at the outside of the root ball. This will ensure that your fig tree gets good drainage and enough, but not too much, nutrients. While they’re dormant, they don’t need light or much heat. While you don't need to add fertilizer to the fig tree's soil mixture, you can add a complete, slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of each growing season -- 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per 1 gallon of soil in your container, or according to the directions on the fertilizer's packaging. They will need to be watered more frequently during the hot summer months than during the dormant period in winter. As long as the potting soil is loose, well-drained and the pot has a drainage hole, it is hard to over water potted fig trees. The history of the fig tree is long and deeply-rooted. Care for a potted fig tree by using well-drained potting soil, watering it regularly and fertilizing the tree every month during its growing season. Choose a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus (the second number on the label) or one that is formulated for fruits and vegetables. Don’t worry – … The mulch will keep the soil from drying out too quickly. Dig around the outsi… Secondly, how do you care for a potted fig tree? An organic fertilizer such as compost and mulch will help retain moisture as well. The only one to avoid turning into a standard ficus, … Famartin CC BY-SA 4.0. In summer, depending on how hot it is outside, you may need to water twice a day. Potted fig trees make wonderful focal points in gardens and on decks/verandas.Trees can be stored outside once the last hard frost has occurred, so typically late April or early May, just like annual flowers. In spring, it’s best to water fig trees every other day. During spring and summer feed every week. In autumn, when the leaves start to turn and fall (ideally before the … When grown outdoors, the Common Fig tree will get the necessary water from rain and underground sources. Simply put fertilizer on top of the soil and work it in about a half inch or so in the spring time. How to Care for Potted Fig Trees. Your plant should be brought indoors around the middle of November, once all of the leaves have fallen off. “Another option, since you have to root-prune and repot the plant every year or two to provide room for new roots to grow,” says Lee, “is to take the plant out of the pot, hack back the roots, and put the remaining root ball into a plastic bag, loosely tied. Keep the potted fig tree in full sun during the summer, then bring it into a place that does not freeze when the leaves drop in autumn. Leaves are vital to your plant growing big and strong. Please do! During hot summer weather, your fig tree may need more frequent watering, possibly even daily. Placing the pot on casters makes for ease of movement if the tree needs to be moved … The health of your fiddle leaf fig tree’s leaves are SO important. However, do water your fig tree if you notice signs of stress because its water requirements can differ based on the weather or the soil nutrients. Easy Because Figs go Dormant Fig trees are deciduous and drop their leaves after first frost. Wrap the root ball in a plastic bag and keep the tree in a cool dark place for the winter (ideal temperature range is 0-10°C / 32 to 50° F ). © 2018 The Potted Fig | All Rights Reserved | Developed by. When the danger of frost has passed, you can bring your tree outdoors. Photo via Wikimedia Commons. One forum is www.ourfigs.com and there are several Facebook groups, What the Fig and Northern Fig Growers are two of my favorites. Pruning should be done during the winter months when the tree is dormant. This is typically in the middle of summer. Choose a pot which is about 5cm larger each time. The same goes for your potted tree. You don’t necessarily need full sun all day; three-quarters of a day will work too. Table of Contents. It will do this in the fall at … However, the tips that carry the embryonic fruit are vulnerable to frost and a … Nevertheless, it’s good to give these trees some extra love when winter winds blow in. Remove about one-fourth of the branches of the fig tree at the same time that you prune the roots. Follow the instructions on the label and do not over-fertilize, as you’ll have an unhappy tree on your hands. The more you prune your tree, the more branching you will get. Rather than hauling water to the fig trees, you can simply pack a bit of snow onto the top of the planters wherever you are storing them for the winter. A good sign that they are fully ripe is that they’ll begin to feel soft to the touch and droop a tiny bit. Figs are one of the least complicated fruits to grow and the trees suffer few disease or pest problems. In early spring the tree will appreciate a feed with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser followed by a mulch of well-rotted manure or compost. Potted trees should be watered weekly. Where you make a cut, you’ll soon see growth of two or three branches from that cut.