Pruning a Fig Tree in the Summer to DOUBLE Production

[@beachbum4691]

That was so helpful I'm just gonna subscribe :) The points that got me were > "pinching" changes the hormonal settings from grow taller to produce fruit, (no one else has come up with that one) and second, reinforcing "the significance of the two bumps or two dots" at least one of which has to be a fig :) ., I'm lucky: I live in Perth Western Australia and my latitude transposed to the Northern hemisphere would be in line with Tijuana in Mexico or Marrakesh in Morocco, so we get absolutely no frost at sea level :) very sincere thanks Ross :) /// John :)

[@tammyohlsson7966]

Brilliant, you really are a gift to all of us! Blessings!

[@Everythingbrawlstarss]

Good video, fig boss. I pinched my figs yesterday 👍🏻

[@daveaz9962]

Hope you can someday move to a warmer & dryer climate. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on any flavor differences. I’m always amazed at the number of fig trees that can grow that far north. Going to pinch some of my figs tomorrow. Thanks!

[@RossRaddi]

I've tasted figs from much better climates than my own. They're amazing. I get somewhat close to the quality here. Especially if they ripen in July and I have no doubt someone can replicate the quality here or do one better with the help of a greenhouse.

[@stevedagro8748]

Hey Ross,I really got alot out of your river pruning video. I totally get it. I think you covered this but my celeste tree has 8-10 main type trunks after removing at least that many more but havw 3-5 shoots that are growing straight up and are lanky and probably 8-9ft tall. Will pruning the apical buds cause/promote branching and thickening of stem? Also what about newly acquired potted trees that are 3-4’ tall and single stem with no branching. Will this method of pruning help in shaping the young tree?

[@RossRaddi]

That's wonderful. I always find it amazing that you can learn something different from each tree.

[@RossRaddi]

I always use this technique for training. There's no better method. Especially if the fruit set is low and the tree is allowed to freely grow.

[@gsawnv]

Hey Ross. I have a 25 year old tree that was left on its own for a few years and it is now easily 20+ feet tall. How much can I safely cut back? It is full of fruit now (July/Oregon).

[@shakeishagray-mj5gf]

I have the same issue with a tree on my property in North Carolina. It's huge and I want to get it down to a manageable size without damaging it.

[@kayakesq]

Well explained. Thank you. I wonder if the apical buds are best for grafting onto trees that are not so productive.

[@ayzie804]

Hey Ross, quick question. Say, I want a straight trunk but also nice branching/scaffolds at certain points of the trunk. Do fig trees develop a new apical bud next season at the point where I removed the „old“ apical bud? In other words. Can I stop the straight lined growth for a season and let it continue next season from a newly formed tip in the same direction in a straight line to form a straight trunk? Thanks as always!

[@Batchat2352]

First frost is october 11 here. I have smith, blakc mission, LDA, eaubonne and a few others who are mid to early season I pinched them 2-4 weeks ago and are now branching out nicely some have 4-5 inch of growth per new branch. I pinched my LSU champagne and verdolino top today. Verdolino started branching out with 3 branches at 10-12 inches i topped it out today at 16inch at the main trunk. They were all cuttings back in december. You think im going to get a great main crop from these trees in year 1? My cuttings grew from early march til mid mai in my grow tent

[@suziebattista6394]

I pruned my “big boy” in early March… here we are, 6/2 & there isn’t 1 fig yet!! I’m worried

[@RossRaddi]

Probably because it was pruned too much! Excessive winter pruning changes the hormones in fig trees and causes them to want to grow the next year and not fruit. This video will help your tremendously: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqiqf3Woi72FY6csi=U0JhdhK4t98Pfuad

[@georgipatraka1837]

I was gifted a Bordeaux tree, it's tall about 4 feet, single main trunk, but very few branches. Can I just cut the stem to 3 feet? I don't know what to do?

[@timelder43361]

If you pinch of the apical bud will it continue to grow the next year or is it permanently done?

[@overthelimitp4275]

Ross . I'm in Ne Ala , with 54in of annual rainfall . Would it help to install a 10ft sq ground cloth to divert the rain ?

[@RossRaddi]

Diverting rain could certainly help. Not exactly sure what you mean by ground cloth.

[@overthelimitp4275]

A tarp under the tree . It rains alot here . 54 inches a yr.

[@danacarbone9405]

Please forgive me if you have already answered this question but any suggestions to get my vigorous fig plant to produce figs it has not produced One in 10 years! I tried fertilizing, snippng off the tops, protecting it all the way through winter etc! I don't know what variety is but it is from a plant that did produce figs for sure. It's from a cutting that I took from a producing fig tree. I can send a photograph of how it is right now in the beginning of June in zone 6A, if anyone would be interested in sending me any suggestions!

[@RossRaddi]

This is always a hormone problem. Send me pictures of your tree.

[@danacarbone9405]

Thank you so much I sent a photo and information on what I did on one of your web pages with a good photo of the recent growth of the Fig tree that never ever ever ever ever gives any figs

[@CraftEccentricity]

My figs are loaded with fruit, can I still do this while its fruiting?

[@RossRaddi]

If they're still growing.

[@causeforchrist4730]

Ross, I planted two fig trees in the ground on Memorial Day Weekend, and they have a lot of leaves that are turning yellow and brown. I used composted manure as a soil amendment. Could the manure be turning the leaves brown? I'm watering less in the ground, but perhaps too often. I'm in Arizona, and it's over 100 degrees here already. These trees were doing great in pots prior to planting in the ground. Any advice or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you! :)

[@RossRaddi]

Manure has a lot of nitrogen, but usually yellowing leaves is an indication of not enough or too much water.

[@RossRaddi]

In Arizona, it's almost always not enough water. How established was the tree prior to planting?

[@causeforchrist4730]

@RossRaddi I bought the trees in February of this year and planted them in the ground on 05.25. I tried to find a way to attach photos, but I guess there is no option to do so. Im not letting any more than 3 days to pass before watering. In most cases, I've been watering every other day. I thought I may be overwatering, or the composted manure may be burning the leaves. Thanks, Maria

[@RossRaddi]

@@causeforchrist4730 3 days is probably not often enough in 90-100 degree heat.

[@RossRaddi]

contact me on my blog if you want me to send photos.

[@Iz0pen]

At the end of winter I planted huge root balls of Chicago Hardy that had been cut back to about ten inch stalks. New shoots are coming up fast now should I thin them and can they produce fruit on this years growth? They were fruiting before the heavy rejuvenation prune. Thanks appreciate any help 🙏 I’m in CT zone 6 and they’re getting 10-11 hours of sun a day

[@RossRaddi]

It's possible. Especially with that many hours of sunlight. Thin the new shoots to no more than 5.

[@Iz0pen]

@@RossRaddi thank you very much, great channel👍👍👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@G-J3]

Thank you for the helpful information. I have a question, I have a fignomenal fig tree that is 2 years old (in March) and is 1' 20" tall, it's planted in a container and I raise it indoors with a grow lamp. It hasn't produced any fruit yet, am I doing anything wrong?

[@RossRaddi]

Growing fig trees indoors is difficult. You need really good grow lights for production. Can you put it outside during the summer?

[@G-J3]

​@@RossRaddi it's Really hot and humid here in the Texas zone 8b. What kind of grow lamp would you recommend?

[@debbiestead9042]

Where in Philly area ate you? I'd love if you could come give my trees a look if your ever in Conshohocken area

[@mariaelenabello]

I’m in Cleveland Ohio I can never find Fresh natural Figs Does anybody know where I can get them?

[@cotto22]

Hey Ross, can you pinch the apical top of a branch when the same branch already has fruit on It below the apical?

[@RossRaddi]

Absolutely. What's important is that the branch is growing vigorously and has larger leaves than the rest of the tree.

[@tiqlatpalasar]

Hi Ross. I see you have planted figs in the ground. How to you protect them from winter? I am in Pittsburgh so probably same zone as you. This is my first time growing figs. Any tips for me?

[@Iz0pen]

He’s got a video on that. Good luck👍

[@RossRaddi]

You gotta protect them at least the first year after planting. Or the first year after a hard prune or major winter damage. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2PTmH55pNWmqqMsi=fOlYGe18VFqFJ9-c

[@tiqlatpalasar]

@@RossRaddi Thanks man.

[@gianfrancopaladino961]

Does this work for potted figs as well?

[@RossRaddi]

Only if your trees are growing very quickly. I use this technique on potted trees for training. Typically, not for increasing production.

[@RossRaddi]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZC2qpyaqtOCp9ksi=3TBqPwv2vVyosoP9

[@gianfrancopaladino961]

Okay thanks!

[@petergraves9006]

Hey ross i got 47 varieties started from cuttings I have TP in 5g & 15g potts and are single steming them just wondering when to pinch as some are getting 20 30 inches plus high. Id also like to know if theres any downside to keeping them shorter than higher id prefer shorter plants, less tipping over in the wind Thanks

[@danacarbone9405]

Greetings I live in zone 6A and always my figs die back to the ground and come up vigorously in the spring. I have one fig tree that has never put on a single fig it has very very vigorous growth and I've tried fertilizing them pinching all the ends like you're doing here. I will try just pinching the ends where it has the large leaves like you are explaining here. I've had this fig tree for 10 years and it's never produced one single fig! Even though it is very vigorous and its growth every late spring. Would appreciate any suggestions and how to get it to produce some figs! One year I kept 100 w light bulb and of course covered it in plastic and it made it through the winter even below zero here. It still did not produce figs the following year even though growth started from previous stems that I saved because I had them covered and heated all the winter. Thanks for any suggestions I sure need them!

[@RossRaddi]

Pinching won't help much. You have to protect your fig tree for at least one growing season. Otherwise, it may never fruit.

[@danacarbone9405]

@@RossRaddi thank you for getting back to me but what do you mean protect my fig tree for one season???

[@danacarbone9405]

@@RossRaddi Like I said it's vigorous every year but not a single fig last year I fertilized it with osmocote all around it actually put it in the ground around the drip line and I've done other things but zero figs just vigorous growth

[@Iz0pen]

@@danacarbone9405 I think he means protect it from winter so it doesn’t die back but it sounds like you did that one year? I’d keep doing the light bulb so it doesn’t die back but I am a beginner so good luck

[@huibeddow2993]

Move the trees to a location where they can get a lot of sun？

[@cmt6136]

is it possible for fig trees to yield if the medium I use are only mixture of peat and coir?

[@bobborlog1677]

Sure just feed it

[@RossRaddi]

Absolutely.

[@timo23]

I never use my fingers when I pinch one off.. Too messy 😅

[@danacarbone9405]

Ross did you get to see my photo I sent to you on your website for figs?? the tree is very vigorous in growth even right now . I know you probably have hundreds of requests for help like mine! what email can I send to you a photo of my fig tree???? Like I have said, I have tried everything I know to get it to produce but still not ONE fig in 10 years

[@lexistarlight3450]

Please speed it up.

[@lexistarlight3450]

Need to get to the point quicker