The Tropical Fruit Forum

Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: Daintree on October 24, 2016, 03:49:10 PM

Title: Do fig trees require a dormant period?
Post by: Daintree on October 24, 2016, 03:49:10 PM
So, I have a 5 year old Peter's Honey fig tree in a 25 gallon container.
Every fall, it drops it's leaves, and I bring it into the "citrus" side of my greenhouse for the winter.  Then in the spring, it wakes up and I put it back outside again.  The citrus house never freezes, but the temps drop tot he 40's at night during the winter, and in the 50's to 60's during the day.

However, this fall when I moved it inside (we have had two light freezes already, so the leaves dropped), it has decided to put on a flush of new leaves, and I have baby figs coming on.

Does it HAVE to have a dormant period?  I don't want to kill it, but I also don't want to move it outside again if I don't have to, since it is heavy and I have to tip it through the door.  Looking online, it says it is good for zones 6-10, needs 0-150 hours of chill time (like THAT'S a big help...), and mature trees are hardy to 15 degrees. We go below 15 degrees routinely.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Carolyn
Title: Re: Do fig trees require a dormant period?
Post by: greenman62 on October 24, 2016, 03:59:11 PM
this might help...
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/chill-requirements-for-different-fig-varieties-7305112 (http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/chill-requirements-for-different-fig-varieties-7305112)

i have 4 varietie of fig
last winter it hit 32F for like an hour 1 night.
My Pomegranites didnt flower this year at all.
but all 4 figs produced.
Title: Re: Do fig trees require a dormant period?
Post by: behlgarden on October 24, 2016, 04:32:39 PM
I got a question on dormancy of Figs too. I have a 1-yr seedling that grew 12 feet and even fruited. I grafted few top varieties on it. Now I want to move it to another location. What should I do? want until it goes dormant? If so, what other things should I be looking to do to ensure it lives and survives. How deep and wide I need to dig the roots out? Should I pot first OR simply relocate?
Title: Re: Do fig trees require a dormant period?
Post by: Daintree on October 24, 2016, 09:28:28 PM
Thanks Greenmail, the fig forum thread made me feel better.  I am just going to let it do its thing and not worry.
Title: Re: Do fig trees require a dormant period?
Post by: greenman62 on October 26, 2016, 12:08:49 PM
Thanks Greenmail, the fig forum thread made me feel better.  I am just going to let it do its thing and not worry.
sure.
hope if works out for you. ive got 3 figs fruiting now
one tree gave me a few in early summer (breba crop) and its been giving me fruit for over a month
and still going.
They are great to fill in the gaps of other fruit trees as far as timing etc...

I got a question on dormancy of Figs too. I have a 1-yr seedling that grew 12 feet and even fruited. I grafted few top varieties on it. Now I want to move it to another location. What should I do? want until it goes dormant? If so, what other things should I be looking to do to ensure it lives and survives. How deep and wide I need to dig the roots out? Should I pot first OR simply relocate?

you would probably do better also asking at this group
those guys are fig experts.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com (http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com)

Personally, i would relocate, instead of moving it more than needed.
and yeah, move when dormant.
i would prune it back hard, but obviously keeping your varieties
but, the guys on the forum know more than me.