Fig Trees in Pots: The #1 Mistake I See Way Too Often

The video discusses the common mistake of inconsistent soil moisture when growing fig trees in pots, emphasizing that underwatering is often a bigger issue than overwatering. It recommends using a drip irrigation system with an automatic timer to ensure consistent watering, especially during hot weather. Additionally, the video highlights the symptoms and consequences of both underwatering and overwatering on fig tree health.
Check out the companion guide to watering fig trees on the Fig Boss blog. Related: Fig Tree Watering | How Much Water, When to Water & Why Excess Water Leads to Watered-Down Figs! - www.figboss.com/post/fig-tree...
Introduction (0:00):
Introduction to the topic of fig trees in pots and the common mistake of inconsistent soil moisture.
Common Issues (0:33):
Effects of inconsistent soil moisture, including yellowing leaves and overall tree health problems.
Importance of Consistency (1:07):
Emphasis on the need for daily watering during heatwaves, especially when temperatures are over 90°F.
Watering Solution (2:13):
Recommendation of using drip irrigation lines with automatic timers for consistent watering.
Fertilizing (2:45):
Mention of fertilizing at the beginning of the year to cover the whole season.
Overwatering Problems (3:14):
Discussion on overwatering, its slower degradation process, and its symptoms such as unhealthy soil and browning leaves.
Overwatering Symptoms (4:19):
Detailed symptoms of overwatering including anaerobic soil conditions and tree health decline.
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Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia

[@formidableflora5951]

Paused video to run out and water figs... That said, my figs are looking their best ever thanks to your videos.

[@RossRaddi]

That is awesome!

[@irishfruitandberries9059]

Spot on Ross. I chronically under watered for years thinking figs can handle dry periods because they grow in arid desert like climates.

[@mofomoco]

Another banger Ross. I have 2/3 of my sensitive trees on drip everyday and the last 1/3 will get it this weekend. In Phoenix, my figs in pots or in ground love the daily water.

[@Detour4it]

In florida, Im watering every morning (early) and "light" spray in the evening. POP! What-a-fig-tree!!

[@careya]

I’ve been wondering why my fig trees look so lackluster. I’ll give this a try.

[@Omoloya1]

Thank you for this video, Ross!!!!❤🎉❤

[@user-qm4xf4ob4t]

Thanks for all you do!

[@Abbasshahsso]

Nice tips,most of my figs are potted,here heat wave is around 43degrees Celsius night 28degree s Celsius kind of baking both plants&humans ,it’s very unexpected hot weather here both humans &plants needs lots of water throughout the day,the leaves were big indicator s that water is required more than normal.So morning,afternoon wash (shower ) &by 7 all water dry than give them full water to quench their thirst &care about the figs which were ripening many new were emerging too.Though leaves are burnt but regular watering keep them healthy.Extra care is required in such cases. Thanks 🎉.

[@cdinaz]

I lost two of my 4 fig trees last year in phoenix, I think the nursery pots got too hot - we had 30 consecutive days of 110+. This year we replaced them, put up shade cloth, went to whiskey barrel planters with a wicking system and they look so much happier and are fruiting pretty well. I was afraid to over-water so I'm glad I watched this.

[@jennifermontgomery7470]

New to your channel Ross-so thankful for your vast knowledge and the fact you are willing to share! I like in Spokane Washington-zone 6b, summer highs in the 110+ region-winter lows -16 or so-crazy growing climate. I especially appreciate your insights on winterizing! Many thanks for all you do!

[@CalamityCannon]

I'm find it reassuring when my instincts track with an expert's! Currently traveling and trusted a week's watering (of only my two outdoor potted trees; I can manage all the other plants) to a pet sitter. Leaving simple-but-accurate-enough instructions took some thought! Glad to hear I left the right info, considering I'm new this season to fig tree ownership

[@hopeitgrows2892]

I like this sort of "back to basics" advice video 🙌🌿

[@RossRaddi]

Agreed. I did a lot of them last year. It definitely helped a lot of people.

[@NYHunter27]

Please make a video on the irrigation system for fig trees. I’m in the market for one as I live in the Georgia piedmont and it’s brutally hot here this year with no rain! Thanks, brother!

[@graphguy]

I live in the sierra foothills of Northern California. I water June- September 3 times a day. Then I keep a close eye so I am not splitting figs.

[@weitang1196]

The pictures I sent you in the email show the top of the fig not growing, and it's not because of overwatering or underwatering. I gave them the same water, fertilizer, etc. I see all other figs grow well, but not the one in the picture. The weird part is that the top of the fig stops growing and only happens on this spot.

[@Abbasshahsso]

Over here no rain heatwaves in June we water potted trees three times a day whole of June .Monsoon is expected in July than water needs will be reduced.

[@edslim718]

Heck yeah great video Ross. I couldnt agree more. I am in the middle of figuring out a strange thing that's happening here. In Dallas, we've been hitting 100 every day for over a week. And I have to water every single day. But not because the soil is dry. Well it starts getting dry very quickly in my smaller pots, but the 15 gal pots arent dry. I move the mulch and the soil has moisture, but the plant is drooping looking super sad. I give it a nice watering, and bam within five minutes, it's back up and happy looking. So maybe the soil isnt moist enough? But you would think that drought resistant trees like figs would be fine in mild moisture, but nope, not mine. The mild moisture soil in 100 + deg = very sad looking plants. Soak them, and they're real happy. I have some wild before and after pictures. Still trying to figure this out...

[@RossRaddi]

Yeah. If the whole plant droops then perks back up after watering, you needed more. If just the top leaves are drooping, that could be humidity shock.

[@edslim718]

@@RossRaddi Yeah that aligns with what I'm seeing. I should have mentioned that they normally stop drooping after the crazy strong sun goes off of them. Not at the start of the season, but now yes. And it isnt every variety I have. I wonder if I'm learning which ones can handle that hot texas sun better than others. But I mean hey, if they perk back up after some water, then they can all handle the heat. I have so many "experiments" running at the same time. Big year to learn. As always, thanks a TON for all the knowledge you've shared...I have figs all over the place, even on my first year plants.

[@DreamReleases]

All fig varieties are not the same. If one has multiple varieties watering all in the same fashion may or may not work. Are all your trees of the same species or variety? There are some that do not prefer constant wet feet.

[@edslim718]

Thanks - I appreciate the info. I have a ton to learn. I am definitely noticing what you're saying. It's going to take a while to learn. No I have a bunch of different varieties (around ~35), and yeah they all seem to be just a bit different from each other (and similar to each other).

[@edslim718]

@@DreamReleasesone that is particularly difficult is my Smith tree. Do you know if that one doesn’t do well in pots or doesn’t like moist soil?

[@telasims233]

I'm new to figs and most of our questions are in your prior videos, I remember you posting, if your tree gets dry, leaves are damaged, YOU CANNOT REPAIR THAT!! I'm in middle Georgia and it hasn't rained here in JUNE... So I'm outside twice a day... My grass is dead, trees are still fruiting and looking good.. lil advice goes a long way.. thanks Buddy 💗

[@RossRaddi]

Unfortunately you can't! But you can grow new healthy leaves assuming your fruit set is not too heavy.

[@madfishinskillz]

I'm in GA as well, I didn't water for a day and nearly killed a handful of plants and did kill a nice pitcher plant I had. Gotta water daily!

[@telasims233]

@@madfishinskillz IKR I'm in Milledgeville, Middle Georgia, and we've had like zero rain this month.. I've been WATERING my ass off!! Morning and night and mid day, I check to see if any are dropping.. I follow Ross and I remembered him saying, if they dry out, we can't fix that, then it's just hoping for new growth.. I'm glad I recently retired. Working full time, they would have all been starving for water.. wish you luck.. what part of Ga are you in?

[@2003cd]

Very new to figs. I’ve learned so much from your channel. Questions: living in Minnesota can I plant a chicago hardy in ground? Where would I get cuttings to try and root. Only have 2 small yearling trees right now. Thanks for all you do.

[@RossRaddi]

With protection. I would!

[@AlexZettt1]

Hey Ross, thanks for speaking about this important topic! Is fruit dropping with potted figs at this time of the year in a similar climate to your's also a sure sign of underwatering or could it also hint to too much water? And I am curious, is your potting medium always moist with that irrigation? Does it ever dry up at the surface of your pots at least for a few hours a day in summer? Cheers from Berlin! Alex

[@RossRaddi]

I use 100% mushroom compost nowadays. It's easy, good and cheap here. If your fruits are dropping, the most likely cause is a lack of water.

[@graphguy]

Can I clip and propagate in the 94F 15% summer?

[@RossRaddi]

In 100% shade. Use the rooting method that combines the direct potting method and fig pop method.

[@graphguy]

@@RossRaddi ok... great! It looks like your don't stock cuttings this time of the year. I keep on eye on your stock. - thx!

[@suziebattista6394]

Hi Ross .. so appreciate your great advice & generously sharing . My question .. I bought a 3’ tree last Fall(‘23)… put in ground, protected but now appears dead. How long should I give it to “come back”. It has no leaves or buds …

[@RossRaddi]

2-4 months after frost. Send me photos. Did you do the scratch test?

[@suziebattista6394]

Thank you ! I scratched & it’s all dried, brown.. trying to send a picture ..

[@pswanberg1]

You gotta double bag potted figs in the summer. Those cloth bags just lose too much moisture, especially because they're black.

[@9hank]

I see you are using the blue spot spitter. Why did you choose this one and how often a day and for how long do you water? What is the amount of water you are giving your trees a day during the summer months? I'm on the shore in Connecticut. and my trees are exposed to mostly mid-morning to mid-afternoon sun. I just started figs this year and I am learning so much from watching you. Thanks for the video.

[@RossRaddi]

The blue ones release a wider spray of water. Otherwise, there's no difference. Just adjust the duration.

[@RossRaddi]

1/4 to 1/2 gallon of water every day per 5 gallons of soil.

[@RegularJohntv]

My trees suffered because I didn’t recognize when I needed to start watering every day. They look kinda crappy right now.

[@WesTheGrower]

Happens to all of us, I’m there right now. Trees are finally starting to bounce back after multiple 90 degree days while I was out of town.

[@Moonlight76876]

" we fertilize them at the beginning of season " What kind of fertilizer do you use ? Thanks Ross.

[@RossRaddi]

Slow release: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baG3onmlf8qfi9E

[@roccoconte2960]

Good video Ross very informative. But I do remember you saying that figs come from a dry climate and schould not need to be watered very often this was 5/6years ago.

[@RossRaddi]

In ground trees are very different than potted trees. You know this, Rocco.

[@edslim718]

@@RossRaddi Hey even my inground trees need water every day when it's over 100. They quickly go from sad to happy when watered. Sure they might live longer than a potted plant in drought, but I dont just want them to live. I want them happy. I have this fight with my lebanese uncles almost every time we talk about figs. Fine, the 100 yr old trees in lebanon might never need water. But not my four yr old inground trees.

[@jamesbarron1202]

What is that bush in the background (far right) with the lavender flowers? I raise honeybees and I’m always looking for summer blooming trees and shrubs to plant on my farm. Food gets scarce for them here in our hot dry Texas climate during summer. A lot of trees in your climate can’t take our drought. I lost 2 big pecan trees to last year’s drought and 2 more this year to a tornado. I was without electricity and water for a week. Tore up my roof, tore the roof off my barn, broke my telephone pole which fell on my AC unit and also broke it. I still don’t have AC. I don’t use it anyway. Can’t afford the electric bills. Triple digits forecast everyday here.

[@RossRaddi]

If you want food for honeybees, oregano, salvia, verbena bonariensis, rudbeckia, catmint, Russian sage all have a very long blooming period. The whole mint family does too: hyssop, catnip, mountain mint, agastache, nepeta, etc... For the fall plant asters, goldenrod and sedum.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@RossRaddi I don’t plant anything short like that because of weeding and mowing. I want big trees and shrubs I can mow around with my tractor. Trees give much more food per acre because they grow tall and wide, instead of just wide like wildflower’s. Grasshoppers are insane here and the pasture has to be mowed often to help keep down their numbers. I’d like to plant wildflowers also but I have to mow so often they can’t survive. The birds can get the grasshoppers easier in low grass. They’re stripping my figs really bad now. I spray everything that’s already finished blooming with Talstar or Tempo SC insecticide. I can’t spray my figs until I harvest them. I planted over 100 seedling flowering trees this year. I grow most myself from seed. I have around 30 Black Gum trees in pots I’ll plant this fall along with some others I’m growing. Any idea what that flowering bush is in your vid?

[@karenandriancontainergardening]

Hey Ross. I guess I am under watering mine because I do it regularly but my fig tree leaves are changing color and dropping.

[@RossRaddi]

Send me photos if you want confirmation.

[@AM-lz2jr]

Underwatering is a serious issue. The symptoms look like undernutrition. So when you fertilize and then it goes dry again, you do wven more damage with fertilizer burn.

[@ddubsr5886]

How is this possible when in the Mediterranean it is hot and rains heavy but infrequent but your saying water twice a day consistently

[@RictusGrin2006]

It's due to the pot being the tree's entire world, versus in-ground trees being able to root down to a limestone bedrock where moisture accumulates. I was in France and Italy this year as the feral fig trees were waking up, and they grow in some amazing places when not cultivated. It's all about the soil volume.

[@RossRaddi]

The information in this video is about potted fig trees. Take my advice. I've grown literally 1000s of fig trees in pots.

[@bwiz6514]

Ross fledged the nest!

[@edslim718]

oh haha - I didnt even realize that. Good call. Congrats Ross

[@firstname7769]

Homie moved out? The yard got small all of a sudden 😅

[@edslim718]

HAHA

[@GregorySchwab]

I like the video but disagree with the statement about fertilizing just once at the beginning of the season. Fig trees in containers need regular fertilizer throughout the growing season. And the type of fertilizer needs to shift during the season.

[@RossRaddi]

Slow release fertilizers like Osmocote, Classicote, and Florikan can cover nutrient needs the entire growing season. I've seen no evidence to support a change in nutrients at different times of the year. Bloom fertilizers are a marketing gimmick.

[@GregorySchwab]

@@RossRaddi I'm not talking about bloom fertilizers specifically. I'm curious how much of the type of slow-feed fertilizers you would use for a fig tree. The quantities listed on the label. Do you also find they have sufficient micronutrients (since the growing media in containers has so little)? Thanks!

[@kevindeegan141]

Nice Delco accent

[@flouserve]

Hello, the link is my fig trees, they are watered daily, but the water is not thrown away since it falls into a plate, which acts as a watering measure, once full the irrigation valve closes. As for the heat this year, it is currently lower than last 2023 where the figs were cooked on the branches.Say that this is Spain in its central area near Madrid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fV6UeGCYaKitjJY

[@marcm6259]

Downsized? Your house and yard look half the size as your other videos.

[@edslim718]

Hahah three people called this out. WOW