Q. We planted a fig tree two years ago in the Anthem/Henderson area. We’ve had few purple figs in the last two years. Unfortunately they don’t grow any bigger than inch in diameter, they’re dry/not moist and taste like like cotton.
A. Most likely the tree is not getting enough water or not watered frequently enough. Water requirement varies with the size of the tree but a tree about ten feet tall might require about 30- 45 gallons at every watering. The amount of water during each watering does not change so don’t change the number of minutes. Instead change the frequency of watering or the number of times per week you are watering.
This time of year we are watering three times a week. The tree will benefit from a four inch layer of wood mulch applied to the soil under the canopy. To deliver this amount of water if it is not on drip you will require a four inch basin constructed around the trunk about four feet in diameter. Try this first but I have not a seen a fig growing here yet that has not performed well provided it is getting enough water.