With all the moaning and complaining I've been subjecting you all to lately, I thought I'd better show you something good that's come out of all this rain.
The fig tree is figging.
The fig tree has figged before, but that was a sad sad story... I pointed out the lovely half grown figs to the boys, and Felix took it upon himself to help mummy and pick them for dinner. I was close to crying over those figs.
So this year, I am not saying anything to either of the boys. There are quite a few little fig buds on the tree, maybe 7 or 8, and as long as they don't get Felixed, I have high hopes for them.
The one thing I am a little worried about however, is the fig tree itself. A few months ago, you might remember that I told you about my "dwarf" fig tree... well, I reread the plastic tag on little Black Genoa, and it's no dwarf.
My non dwarf fig tree is planted in an area of relatively limited growth potential. That is, my neighbours are not going to love having my fig invade their garden.
Hmm... good luck little figs.
8 comments:
My fig is figging too ... must be the weather! ;-) It's a White Adriatic, I grew a Black Genoa a few years back and pulled it out when the roots were heading at a rate of knots for the slab on which the house is built.
This one is supposedly a dwarf, although dwarf is relative as are dwarf Avocados ... relative to the 10 to 20 metres high they usually grow. It's in a 300 litre wicking bed made from a black bin I bought from Bunnings, whether it decides to remain restricted only time will tell. Just today I chopped off the leader to encourage side branches (laterals) which were beginning to pop out anyway along with the baby figs.
Given that figs are deciduous, you have only to wield your trusty secateurs to keep it at the size you want. If you can erect a sturdy frame for an espalier, you can do that too. Whichever way you go, you will be in for some heavy lopping. Figs are enthusiastic growers.
Later on when there's spare wood, you could start another tree and put that into a big pot and that is supposed to keep it a bit smaller. Fig roots are keen to seek out water (look out any broken or cracked waste pipes) and just generally invasive.
Meanwhile, let's hope BG remains Felix-less ;-)
It would figure that my most successful fruit tree is going to be a pain in the butt! It's got a fair way to go yet though, but you are right, it's already grown a couple of feet this year. I have read that it only fruits on new growth, so that's another encouragement to prune it back hard.
I'll prune like a champion and if it needs to come out, it can come out. Easy come, easy go :)
Is the White Adriatic a smaller variety? The tree I mean, not the fruit.
Elaine is right - you are in for some hefty lopping - but it's fun. Also if you lop enthusiastically it means you'll always be able to pick your figs rather than look at them way up in the sky :) I have one fig that I lop and one that is beyond lopping and the giant from Jack and the beanstalk probably lives up in it for all I know, eating figs.
Yes, I can imagine that it's fun, once you've started it's probably pretty hard to stop! I'll have to look up how to prune it too, it would be nice for it to retain a good shape. I tend to just chop a bit haphazardly - you should see the boys' haircuts!
Ali I have no idea to what heights the different varieties of Figs grow. They grow as high as you can reach with your loppers ;-)
Lol, in our case that's not spectacularly high Elaine!
Hmmmm, I was contemplating buying a fig tree this coming year, but I may have just changed my mind. My garden is not big at the best of times and I don't want it to be taken over by a rampant fig. I suppose the key to successful fig-growing is to choose a container sturdy enough to keep it in check. I've heard that an antique water-trough made from lead would be ideal (though I'm not sure if the tree would ingest any of the lead).
Oh no Mark, I don't want to put you off the purchase of a lovely fig tree. I will keep mine well under control and let you know how it goes. And if it encourages you all at, mine has been fruiting since it was knee high. And my knees don't exactly reach any great heights.
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