Growing Figs on Gabriola Island

Growing Figs

Fig trees are semi-tropical in origin.  They thrive in areas where winter temperatures do not drop below -10 degrees C.

DESERT KING FIG TREE

Today we planted a Desert King Fig Tree.  The Desert Fig comes from a fig tree found in 1930,near Madera, California.  This is a fast growing tree.  In spring we will need to pinch back the terminal buds to prevent it from rising up to rapidly. This fig tree produces Brebas  of average size, "melting in the mouth and very sugared".  At complete maturity the skin color changes from light green to pale yellow. It is earlier than most breba varieties by about two weeks.  Desert King is one of the most productive breba producers.  This tree also produces a main crop, piriform and flattened with a dark strawberry pulp.  This tree was highly recommended for its exceptional early crop with numerous brebas and the excellent resistance to cold.  This variety prefers only light occasional pruning.

GENERAL FIG TREE INFORMATION

Figs are self-pollinating, so you need only one plant to produce fruit.  If you have room plant several.  Mature fig trees can grow to be 15 to 30 feet tall.  Choose early, mid and late types to extend your harvest time from summer into fall.  Some types of fig trees produce bonus fruit early in the season, called a “breba” crop, as well as the main crop. 

Figs can vary in size, shape, time of harvest, texture, and flavor.  They can be violet, yellow, purple, black, green or brown.

Plant where you have the most sun and shelter.  During the first year, as plants become established water regularly and mulch.  Once established, figs can be very drought tolerant.  Fertilize with a food such as Espoma-Citrus-tone 5-2-6 in late winter and early spring.  You can add used coffee grounds and chopped banana peelings to the soil in the spring and compost all year long for overall health.  Full sun is the key for an abundant harvest and the sweetest fruit.  When fruit is developing it is important to water regularly.

When the fruit starts to swell apply a high potash liquid fertilizer feed such as tomato fertilizer weekly.

Check daily, and pick just as they ripen.  It’s time to pick the figs once they are fully colored, slightly soft and the stalks start to bend.  A ripe fig will hang or droop from the branch and will be soft when you squeeze it.  Look for drops of nectar appearing at the base of the fruit, but don’t pick to early.  The figs won’t ripen further.  Eat soon after picking as figs don’t keep well.  Dried figs are equally nutritious; if you have a bumper crop then dry some of the fruit in a hot press or drying cupboard.  If you turn them daily they will be preserved in 6 to 8 days.

Clean up the fallen fruit and leaves in autumn to discourage pests and disease.  In September, remove any fruit larger than small pea size.  The remaining tiny embryo fruit towards the ends of the shoots will over-winter and, providing they have protection from icy blasts, will ripen the following year.

All pruning should take place when while the tree is dormant in say February or March.  Avoid heavy pruning.  Start your fig tree winter care by pruning your tree.  Prune away any branches that are weak, diseased or crossing other branches.  Fig sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when pruning trees.  Place a thick layer of mulch on the ground over the roots.  The fig tree will regrow from its roots if winter-killed.

Few insects and diseases affect figs.  Birds are the most annoying pests.  To deter birds from eating the fruit, hang reflective tape. Some people grow figs tall and let the birds get the tall, hard to reach figs.  The only way to prevent loss of the crop is to cover the plants with netting.  Remove the netting after fruiting.

If your figs grow vigorously but develop few fruit, do not fertilize for six months.