Q. After
reading your suggestions I have a feeling the problem could be not enough
water. What do you think? I have been watering three times a week
for 1 1/2 hours (8 gal. each hour) for a total of 12 gallons each time. I took
a picture of the fig tree so you could get an idea on the size of the tree.
As you can see the tree is mulched.
reading your suggestions I have a feeling the problem could be not enough
water. What do you think? I have been watering three times a week
for 1 1/2 hours (8 gal. each hour) for a total of 12 gallons each time. I took
a picture of the fig tree so you could get an idea on the size of the tree.
As you can see the tree is mulched.
 |
| Readers fig tree |
A. A very reliable indicator that a fig is not getting
enough water is poor fruit development. Fig is a very resilient plant when it
comes to water and can withstand fairly droughty conditions. But one of the
first things a fig will do when water is limiting is hold back on fruit
production or produce fruit that is not “juicy” because that requires lots of
water.
enough water is poor fruit development. Fig is a very resilient plant when it
comes to water and can withstand fairly droughty conditions. But one of the
first things a fig will do when water is limiting is hold back on fruit
production or produce fruit that is not “juicy” because that requires lots of
water.
.JPG) |
| Figs produced along the Brown older wood. This is the first crop produced on the wood from last year. This is called the Briba crop. |
Fig fruit will be small and tough if not enough water is applied. When
water is withheld even further then you will see the results in growth. At this
point fruit production is no longer in the picture much but rapid and wild
growth will be curtailed. Figs need new growth for fruit production. The more
growth it has, the more fruit it will produce on this new growth. New growth
becomes the source of fruit production this year and early fruit production
(Briba crop) next year. Once fruit production is over you can pull back on
watering but it needs plenty of water when fruit is being produced.
water is withheld even further then you will see the results in growth. At this
point fruit production is no longer in the picture much but rapid and wild
growth will be curtailed. Figs need new growth for fruit production. The more
growth it has, the more fruit it will produce on this new growth. New growth
becomes the source of fruit production this year and early fruit production
(Briba crop) next year. Once fruit production is over you can pull back on
watering but it needs plenty of water when fruit is being produced.
.jpeg) |
| Figure leaf yellowing and leaf drop can be a sign you need to give more water |
It is hard for me to tell if your watering is adequate or
not. The frequency, three times a week, sure seems enough. The quantity of 12
gallons each time sure sounds enough for a small tree like that. Without going
down to the roots somehow and seeing if the soil is moist or not we are just
guessing. Mulching helps but a small amount of mulch around the trunks a couple
of feet in all directions and an inch thick will not be enough most likely. I
like to put down mulch at least four inches in depth and have it out as much as
the edge of the canopy (where the growth stops) to be effective.
not. The frequency, three times a week, sure seems enough. The quantity of 12
gallons each time sure sounds enough for a small tree like that. Without going
down to the roots somehow and seeing if the soil is moist or not we are just
guessing. Mulching helps but a small amount of mulch around the trunks a couple
of feet in all directions and an inch thick will not be enough most likely. I
like to put down mulch at least four inches in depth and have it out as much as
the edge of the canopy (where the growth stops) to be effective.
But the proof is in the pudding. If fruits are not swelling
up to a good size and full of water my guess is that something is keeping the
water from getting to the fruit from the roots. Either not enough is applied or
often enough or there is something stopping the water from getting to the fruit
such as root damage, trunk or limb damage, disease or insect problems.
up to a good size and full of water my guess is that something is keeping the
water from getting to the fruit from the roots. Either not enough is applied or
often enough or there is something stopping the water from getting to the fruit
such as root damage, trunk or limb damage, disease or insect problems.