Q. My fig tree produced
almost no fruit and no new growth last year.
The leaves looked burned on their perimeter. Any recommendations?
almost no fruit and no new growth last year.
The leaves looked burned on their perimeter. Any recommendations?
A. This sounds like a water issue; not enough water applied
or not watering often enough or both. Water and nitrogen fertilizer is what
pushes new growth. They work together.
or not watering often enough or both. Water and nitrogen fertilizer is what
pushes new growth. They work together.
Fig
trees could be considered desert adapted plants (Mediterranean actually). Lack
of enough water is a common problem when growing figs here. I see this a lot with
figs grown using drip irrigation.
trees could be considered desert adapted plants (Mediterranean actually). Lack
of enough water is a common problem when growing figs here. I see this a lot with
figs grown using drip irrigation.
 |
| Figs grown in Las Vegas raady for the Farmers Market |
The
amount of water depends on the size of the plant. Generally, productive figs that
have been pruned correctly will require about 30 gallons of water once a week
at this time of year. This amount will be applied twice a week around May 1 or
when temperatures approach 100F.
amount of water depends on the size of the plant. Generally, productive figs that
have been pruned correctly will require about 30 gallons of water once a week
at this time of year. This amount will be applied twice a week around May 1 or
when temperatures approach 100F.
Cover
the soil with wood chips to a depth of 3 to 4 inches (minimum) and extend it to
a distance of at least 3 feet in all directions from the trunk. This will help
reduce fruit drop.
the soil with wood chips to a depth of 3 to 4 inches (minimum) and extend it to
a distance of at least 3 feet in all directions from the trunk. This will help
reduce fruit drop.
If
the tree is irrigated with drip irrigation, increase the number of emitters or
increase the number of minutes, until you approach the volume of water I am
recommending.
the tree is irrigated with drip irrigation, increase the number of emitters or
increase the number of minutes, until you approach the volume of water I am
recommending.
 |
| Kadota figs grown in Las Vegas |
Flood
the area under the tree with water from a hose now and capture this water in a 6
foot diameter basin or moat around the tree. This should help flush any
possible salts that may have accumulated in the watered area and get the tree
off to a good start.
the area under the tree with water from a hose now and capture this water in a 6
foot diameter basin or moat around the tree. This should help flush any
possible salts that may have accumulated in the watered area and get the tree
off to a good start.
Rock
mulch is not a good idea for figs. There is no reason why you cannot have a
bountiful crop with nearly any variety of fig in this climate. They all do well
here when they are managed correctly.
mulch is not a good idea for figs. There is no reason why you cannot have a
bountiful crop with nearly any variety of fig in this climate. They all do well
here when they are managed correctly.