Does anyone know what kind of fertilizer to put on fig trees I have four of them in the yard and two are doing good and two aren't and now on the larger ones the leaves are turning brown I have been watering them regular. Maybe too much water I guess I should have done more reaserch on them before I planted them.Also the few figs we have gotten off of them have been small. I would like to revive them if you could help please I am in the Houston area. Thanks.
Fig trees
If the figs haven't been planted long, it's likely just heat stress. The root system isn't developed well enough yet to handle this kind of heat. Figs like water, so it's doubtful you're overwatering them. I have one newly planted that's looking a little sun scorched too and the few figs on it were small this year. It will likely drop it's leaves early because of the heat. Keep them watered and they'll be fine. It will take a couple of years before you get very many figs off them. What variety did you plant? I've got 3 Texas Everbearing and am planning on planting at least 2 other varieties this fall.
Crow
I thank you for your quick reply. I am sorry I don't know the variety I bought 4 of them from a friend who has several huge trees about 3 or 4 years ago they have been in the ground that long and again 2 look good but 2 don't. I will keep watering them as much as possible I live on Lake Houston so I am watering useing that water when I can. I just thought I would put some fertilizer on them to give them a boost. This year has been a struggle for all my small trees between the freezes this winter and the drought and excessive heat and the deer I am almost frustrated. But I will hang in there and keep going............rucky
You didn't mention when they were planted. January is the second best time to plant new trees and shrubs so that they are well established by summer. If they haven't been in the ground long, the root system may not be developed enough to take care of the above ground portion. Adding fertilizer will only make the problem worse as it encourages top growth. Growth that can't be supported by the roots. I would do as Crow suggest: keep it watered.
Hey guys:
Forgive my butting in, but a fellow Texan on another thread, suggested that I might be able to help with figs. I am a Bostonian who lives in Florida. I grow some figs. This has been a very, very good year -- so far.
I fertilize sparingly -- any good commercial fertilizer does the trick. But, and this is important to me, I also feed the plants with Pelletized Dolomite Limestone. The figs love it. But, give the roots a chance to get settled. It takes a couple of years before the plant really puts out.
I can suggest a couple of threads.
1. In Florida Gardening about this year's crop:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/991569/
2. In Recipes, about eating them
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1018587/
You might find them interesting.
And here is a photo of some figs from my "Greek White," -- sitting on a 4 1/2 inch CD. It is the most prolific. It got its name from my Greek neighbor who brought the original cutting over in his suitcase. He calls it, "The White,." -- and was the donor of my cutting.
Be well
d(^_^)b
Hi flyboy,
A good portion of Texas soils are alkaline, ranging from mildly alkaline to highly alkaline. The addition of dolomitic limestone will increase that alkalinity.
Rucky, The first link says not to apply any fertilizer for the first year after planting. There after it suggests using a complete fertilizer. One of the other links warns against using a fertilizer high in nitrogen because that causes the fruit to split. I would suggest you wait until next year to fertilize giving your figs to get established. Then err on the conservative side. Test your soil before adding any supplements. Use a complete fertilizer that contains a moderate amount of nitrogen. You can always add more if needed.
http://www.texasgardener.com/pastissues/marapr08/Figs.html
http://www.plantanswers.com/garden_column/aug04/1.htm
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/homefruit/fig/fig.html
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/fruit/figs/figs.html
http://www.plantanswers.com/figs_parsons.htm
I see where your trees have been in ground for 4 years, so it's probably heat & drought. I wouldn't fertilize them now if they're stressed. It would encourage growth when they're already struggling. The one thing I didn't notice anyone mentioning is nematodes which can affect figs. Here's an excerpt of an A&M article I found very helpful on figs. The whole article can be seen at:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/fruit/figs/figs.html
Soil moisture must be managed carefully because most roots of the fig trees are close to the soil surface and can easily dry out. Figs are very susceptible to soilborne nematodes that feed on small roots and reduce water movement into the tree. For these reasons, apply water to the trees as drought develops. Slight leaf wilting in the afternoon is a good indication of water stress. Mulching with straw or grass clippings helps maintain uniform soil moisture and reduces weed competition for available soil water. Water stress frequently causes premature fruit drop of Texas fig varieties which do not have true seeds. This problem is very common in hot, dry areas when the fig tree is grown in shallow soil and roots are nematode infested. Trees planted in shallow sites are subject to injury or death when the soil is saturated with water. Good water management, including regular irrigation and mulching, helps maintain tree health and vigor and reduces fruit drop.
Crow
Wow thank you all I will read every link and consider it all I am very intrested in keeping these figs going and I thank you all for your help. I have mulched all my trees. Except the citrus I really believe in mulching. But being a newby at growing figs I didn't want to let them die thhank you all again for the help.....rucky
I agree, don't fertilize in this heat. Just water. My fig tree isn't tolerating this heat and I don't water real often. It looks a bit sun-scorched and dropped some leaves.
I've found that a dressing with a couple of inches of well-rotted cow manure does wonders in these hot. sultry days.
It does miracles in keeping the moisture in.
(o_O)
That won't work in triple digit temps, especially if you're on water restrictions like much of Texas is now.
No offense -- but I am glad to live in Florida. Over most of the state you dig your heel into the ground and you get water.
Almost.
Be well.
(o_O)