The #1 Reason Your Fig Tree Isn't Fruiting & How to Fix it

[@RossRaddi]

For more information on a fig tree that's not producing fruit, check out the the 3 other reasons this could be happening on the Fig Boss blog: www.figboss.com/post/the-4-reasons-why-your-fig-tree-is-not-fruiting

[@Detour4it]

I've had great luck in stimulating fruiting by snapping off the end growth buds on all the branches.

[@FernandoAmoroso-h9l]

Why am I confused? He said do not cut it down low with a chain saw and later says he has great results cutting it down to 10 inches. What am I missing. And "summer pruning," do it or not. Is it me or is he confusing?

[@RossRaddi]

Figs are not summer pruned for the reasons mentioned. Instead, you have to learn to prune them properly with thinning cuts. Do not prune it to 10 inches if you want fruits next season.

[@deathspank9573]

Last year i decided to experiment growing a fig hydroponically. I had a small black genoa cutting that i planted into a 40 litre tub full of scoria, and a 100 litre tub below from which i pump nutrient water in a flood and drain system. The growth in the first year was phenomenal, going from a 30cm cutting to approximately 2 meters tall. No fruit though. It looked like it was thinking about fruiting as there were the 2 buds at various nodes on the larger branches, but they never did anything, the branches just kept getting bigger rapidly. Its just coming into spring here in Australia and my fig is starting to put out new growth. I think i may try this technique to see if i can get it to fruit this year. Fingers crossed.

[@AlexZettt1]

Hey Ross, great explanation as always! I observed that especially many of my inground figs only grow from the lower half to third of the main branches although the wood above has not died back in the winter. The apical buds might've died but the top of the branches are still green inside if I cut them. They just don't do anything anymore. Do you know why that is or what I can do? In any case, thanks for your work!

[@RossRaddi]

There's damage there even though the cambium is green. Eventually, it'll fade to brown and the branches will dieback to the higher bud.

[@ayzie804]

@@RossRaddiInteresting insight! Thank you!

[@matttk421]

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge Ross!!

[@pciny6161]

Hi! Im a beginner gardener enthusiast and I recently got a fig cutting from a friend. I saw your video on things to avoid when growing a fig tree and I have my cutting in a pot inside and I was planning on allow it to grow roots and a lil bigger. I was wondering if u have any advice as you mentioned allowing it to go dormant and also treating it like a outside tree with water and care but keeping it inside?

[@jennifermontgomery7470]

My fig tree is in its first year with a single “trunk”-how (zone 6a, potted fig in 20 gallon pot will be overwintered in the garage) for fig production? I’d like to keep it less than 10’ tall so I can harvest the delicious, sweet, yummy bounty! My thanks for your insight! I just found your summer apical bud pinching video-thank you. I do have some figs on my tree (I can send a pic if that helps) so am concerned what it might do to this year’s crop.

[@RossRaddi]

Feel free to send photos.

[@ofrecentvintage]

Timely video. I was just wondering this about my fig trees. I was thinking, "Shouldn't they have little figlets by now? Is FMV getting them and I can't tell?!" Appreciate this clip. 🙏🏾 Edit: Ah. Might be the cold damage component you mention later in this vid. I had a very early, long warm spell this year that caused my figs to break dormancy early. I had to take them into sunshine. And they were fine for weeks, with even figlets on some, until an unseasonable cold snap came through and killed some of the tender new growth before I could get them back under cover. Maybe they're still in recovery mode. They're only 1-yr old. Never pruned them myself.

[@RossRaddi]

That'll set them way back. You just need to be a bit patient unfortunately.

[@ofrecentvintage]

@@RossRaddi That's ok. I don't mind waiting. I just want them to survive and be healthy as I'm growing them in honor/memory of my Dad. Thanks so much for weighing in. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

[@ThaiTong-xy1ok]

I have been growing fig trees for more than 4 years. My experience fig grows in the pot gave me figs earlier than fig in the ground and lot of fig tree wont have fruit until the third or four years,like CLBC,Burgan unknown,all of the CDD,LSU Scott’s black and many more, after the third year’s they all loaded with fruits.

[@loganwright3423]

I'm a little confused. How do we want to prune to produce the next year? The way it sounded was that both cuts were a problem for production.

[@RossRaddi]

They are. Pruning fig trees is unnecessary and can limit or lessen production. If you must prune, use thinning cuts like I mentioned in the video during the winter. Summer pruning is not something I recommend although it could help bring your tree back into balance.

[@khalildurranai1825]

Hi Ross, is there any difference between winter and dormancy pruning? Thanks

[@RossRaddi]

Yeah. Pruning during dormancy is what I'm referring to. Pruning during the active growing season is different. So summer vs. winter really means pruning during the time their actively growing vs. the time they're dormant.

[@Jesus-is-God-LIVING-WORD]

I just planted in ground my potted 5 year old VDB in Long Island Hempstead, why are some of my leaves turning yellow and dropping? I planted in the middle of my grass lawn in front of my house and it is in full son. It is 3 weeks now in the ground... Is my fig tree dying?

[@graphguy]

Cherry trees. ugh. Last year we had a record crop, I had pruned alot the preceding year. Last year I did no pruning, and the harvest this year was terrible (after birds eating 50%) we had not even a quart basket. PRUNING.

[@jennifermontgomery7470]

I’ll be heading out to 1/3 prune my cherry, nectarine and apricot trees today!

[@della2554]

Please make a video in the winter.

[@RossRaddi]

Featuring what exactly?

[@C3Voyage]

I am so confused. Can you give an example on an actual tree? Right now, in my first year, I'm growing 1 single stem. They're 4-6' tall. I had planned to top during winter to encourage 3 to 4 branches. Now, I'm not sure if I should do pruning during the summer (now). You have some pics of mine I sent to you via email for diagnosis. I appreciate you for it.

[@RossRaddi]

Top it now: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZC2qpyaqtOCp9k - I'll get back to you when I have time, but there's no pictures needed.

[@apiversen]

I have a potted Celeste in its 3rd year. I bought it as a very young tree. It has not produced any fruit yet. It’s a very healthy tree with loads of leaves. I’m in a western suburb of Philly. Curious as to why it’s not fruiting. I’ve done all the right things so far. Any thoughts? Thank you!

[@RossRaddi]

Send me photos. I can't say without seeing your tree.

[@apiversen]

@@RossRaddi thank you! Will do.

[@RedSiloHomestead]

Chicago Cold Hardy Figs (x2), Kentucky Grow Zone 7b, In-ground. Ive had each tree for 4 years, they get totally dropped to ground in the winter and regrow each spring BUT, I have yet to have any fruit on these. I leave them alone, no pruning at all, they get to about 8' tall each year, then winter hits about the mid-end of November. Will pruning help develop fruit or should I start some cuts and move them indoors during the winter to keep winter from "pruning" for me?

[@RossRaddi]

You have the exact problem I'm referring to in this video. Healthy, relatively old, fast growing tree, but no fruits. Protect the tree for one year. It will fruit next year, slow down its growth, and actually be a hardier tree going forward. I've discussed this many times before. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHq2o6Fvm5qoeqs

[@RedSiloHomestead]

@@RossRaddi Thank you! I'll cover them this fall :) New Sub!

[@gvv1mhh]

Ross is right. Protect them and save 3 or 4 limbs. Don’t let them get frost burned. New chutes will come up from those limbs and you’ll get fruit. I’m in Northern Kentucky and I did this last year and I have a bunch of fruit on my CH trees in ground and in pots. Unfortunately the ones in pots have FMV and I’m afraid it’s going to hurt the fruit quality. The ones in ground though are healthy and thriving.

[@jamesbarron1202]

What size organza bags would you recommend for smaller pears like Ayres and Warren? Woodpeckers ruin almost every pear and peach I have each year. Maybe that’ll fool them if they don’t realize a fruit is inside them.

[@RossRaddi]

Man... woodpeckers. That sounds horrible. You could try a net. I don't think an Organza bag will help.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@RossRaddi they destroy my wood home also. I’ve got wood patches everywhere. I used to replace the entire sheet when they’d peck out a hole big enough they can fit inside. They even pull out the fiberglass. That got to be expensive replacing full sheets so now I just patch until I get so many patches it looks horrible and then I’ll replace the whole plywood sheets. Fake owls don’t work. My pear tree is huge. It would take a big expensive net. I found a free one last year and someone beat me to it and then they posted it on Facebook marketplace for sale.

[@gfy2979]

I know youve probably answered this but I live in Zone 6, higher altitude, sometimes bordering on zone 5, sometimes not. Should I cut my fig tree all the way to the ground in the fall or should I try to cover it?

[@gfy2979]

I mean, can I just cut it down and get fruit from restarted growth?

[@RossRaddi]

If you want fruit more reliably, you have to protect every inch of the branches.

[@gfy2979]

@@RossRaddi thanks ross!

[@tiptopgirl4124]

Hi Ross. Brown turkey. 7A. Not producing. Covered with heavy tarp in winter. So I cut it to ground in say March or April….???

[@RossRaddi]

Don't cut it down. You have the exact problem I'm referring to in this video. Healthy, relatively old, fast growing tree, but no fruits. Protect the tree for one year. It will fruit next year, slow down its growth, and actually be a hardier tree going forward.

[@Pc963It]

Two fig trees, 13 years old. Never been able to eat a single fig. They appear very early, like May-June, they look very skinny either with plenty or without watering them. Then, mid-July, they start losing their leaves. Really annoying. Don't know what to do

[@Everythingbrawlstarss]

Good video , fig boss. I’m curious , do you have trouble with Japanese Beatles?

[@RossRaddi]

Not at all.

[@cangel201]

@@RossRaddi Absolutely blessed! Here in Central Virginia it’s war

[@imout671]

My brown turkey has a lot of figs falling off. Heat is in the upper 90s and 100. I water but maybe not enough. I'm not sure

[@RossRaddi]

Not enough water!

[@imout671]

@RossRaddi thank you. Tree is 8ft with 8 trunks. Probably 20 years old. I added more drippers and another fan spray.

[@jackhart1883]

Can you just pinch the last bud on the tops and ends of the branches. Pinching is pruning right just remove the smallest amount of material.

[@RossRaddi]

You can. This may help encourage them to fruit, but it's not a recommendation I make for growers in colder zones due to lignification issues after performing it.

[@williamwaters4506]

Very interesting.

[@shahidashah3319]

I have one fig tree 8 years old 2 years give furit but furit 2 months after foll

[@stephenremo9200]

If you have them in containers it might have bugs eating the roots . Happened to me once took me forever to figure out why 1 tree wasn't growing and looking raggedy

[@dictionaryzzz]

Stress=fruit. I have heard of people beating their trees to induce fruiting. I trench my figs so I got no problems with fruiting since I have to disturb the root system every year.

[@danielg.1707]

My fig tree fruits, but drops them right before ripening for some reason. It does this every year.

[@RossRaddi]

This will help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKKnc4pmfdiEZ6c

[@danielg.1707]

Ok, thank you, I believe I have a male tree, I'm looking into grafting, maybe that will do the trick. 🤞

[@brokenarrow2835]

My trees are loaded with little green figs ,they won't grow or ripen ,I'm in Louisiana.

[@JohnHisal]

Do you ever have issues with the fig tree roots so close to your house?

[@RossRaddi]

No. I just covered this along with 20+ other facts about fig trees most people don't know about on my blog: www.figboss.com/post/20-facts-about-fig-trees-you-probably-didn-t-know

[@libbysmithstudio]

My 1-year-old, 2-foot fig tree has little figs everywhere.

[@ofrecentvintage]

Is it potted by any chance?

[@libbysmithstudio]

@@ofrecentvintage yes. I haven't chosen a spot for it yet.

[@ofrecentvintage]

@@libbysmithstudio I'm heartened to hear that, as all my figs (1-year old also) are potted as well! Wondering if I should transfer them to bigger containers.

[@woodchipgardens9084]

My tree is 5 years old and the same height as i bought it and have never seen fruit.

[@RossRaddi]

Sounds like your tree needs water and mulch.

[@ThaiTong-xy1ok]

@@woodchipgardens9084 May need to be repotted with a bigger pot and give it some fertilizer and water regularly

[@gmmo]

take a cutting or air layer.. check root bug .. give crushed bone mix with vinegar or car battery h2so4 liquid.. lets bone disolve 2 days.. mix 1:10 with water for application every week

[@undefinedannaeriksson7199]

👍👍👍

[@FC2ESWS]

I thought it was lack of phosphorus...

[@RossRaddi]

That's a marketing gimmick. Most soils contain plenty of phosphorus. Way more than what's needed for flowering.

[@khmergreen]

More Sun

[@stephenking4170]

Some ig varieties require more warmth than others. Too heavy shading or just a dud variety for your climate san be a reason for non fruiting. Get rid of it and plant one that fruits straight away

[@tonypatzhox4466]

You have to talk and show how to do it . Just bla bla bla .Make short cut man ,nobody need details