Q. I am in Kingman, Arizona, a transplant from Los Angeles. I brought cuttings with me from my fig trees there. Here these figs grow to the size
of a 50 cent piece or larger, and then they ALL fall off. Or they mature to the size
of a quarter and the birds get those. I
get an over-abundance of figs but I never enjoy any of them because of
they fall off. I open the figs up and discover that they are totally dried and
brown in the inside although they are a beautiful green or black or brown
depending on the species.
of a 50 cent piece or larger, and then they ALL fall off. Or they mature to the size
of a quarter and the birds get those. I
get an over-abundance of figs but I never enjoy any of them because of
they fall off. I open the figs up and discover that they are totally dried and
brown in the inside although they are a beautiful green or black or brown
depending on the species.
A. The type of fig should not make any difference. I have
grown many varieties of figs here and have never had a problem with anyone of
them. This is actually a good climate for figs. Kingman is a little bit on the
cold side for figs and you may have some freezing weather at times that may
cause some die back. This past winter was fairly mild and that should not have
happened.
grown many varieties of figs here and have never had a problem with anyone of
them. This is actually a good climate for figs. Kingman is a little bit on the
cold side for figs and you may have some freezing weather at times that may
cause some die back. This past winter was fairly mild and that should not have
happened.
The
major reason for having figs that never mature, dry up on the branches and fall
off, is not enough water when the fruits are developing. Figs should really be
considered an oasis plant like palms. They will be best irrigated if a basin
surrounding the trunk is filled with water each time.
major reason for having figs that never mature, dry up on the branches and fall
off, is not enough water when the fruits are developing. Figs should really be
considered an oasis plant like palms. They will be best irrigated if a basin
surrounding the trunk is filled with water each time.
They
will also benefit from a layer of wood mulch at least 3 to 4 inches deep
covering their roots out to a distance equal to the spread of the tree. Drip
irrigation will work but there has to be enough emitters around the tree and
they must be left on long enough to thoroughly wet the roots to a depth of 2 to
3 feet.
will also benefit from a layer of wood mulch at least 3 to 4 inches deep
covering their roots out to a distance equal to the spread of the tree. Drip
irrigation will work but there has to be enough emitters around the tree and
they must be left on long enough to thoroughly wet the roots to a depth of 2 to
3 feet.
Another
possible reason is the dried fruit beetle which can attack the fruit. These
insects come from old fruit that’s left on the tree or that has fallen on the
ground. It can come from any fruit remaining so sanitation of your Orchard area
is extremely important.
possible reason is the dried fruit beetle which can attack the fruit. These
insects come from old fruit that’s left on the tree or that has fallen on the
ground. It can come from any fruit remaining so sanitation of your Orchard area
is extremely important.
If
you are composting with fruit it is important to make sure the compost totally
covers the fruit or is buried in the compost. Otherwise put any fallen fruit or
fruit remaining on the tree in a container with a lid to prevent this insect
from infesting your fruit.
you are composting with fruit it is important to make sure the compost totally
covers the fruit or is buried in the compost. Otherwise put any fallen fruit or
fruit remaining on the tree in a container with a lid to prevent this insect
from infesting your fruit.
Generally
speaking however I think it is most likely because the tree is not getting
enough water when the fruit is being produced. You can look at my blog and see
if this fits your problem.
speaking however I think it is most likely because the tree is not getting
enough water when the fruit is being produced. You can look at my blog and see
if this fits your problem.