Feeding a fig . . .

[Epicatt2]

I have several fig cultivars in 5 or 7 gal. pots.  The pots are sitting on patio stones to prevent contact with the ground and potential contamination from nematodes, etc. They get plenty of full sun and are watered regularly.

At first I got a mnimal amount of fruit on these cultivars but now three years later next to nothing!

To be honest, they have not been fed much or frequently, so my question is what to feed them with and when and how often?

Prolly wouldn't hurt to place a layer of mulch on top of the soil in their pots, but again, what kind and how much (how deep)?

BTW: these cultivars are: Brown Turkey, LSU Purple, Green Ischia, and Celeste.

All suggestions and advice welcomed . . .

Paul M.
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[mcoambassador]

Based on ASCPete’s info in Ourfigs (who claims you can get 15 figs per gallon, so 75 figs per season from a 5g pot) something like this:

Twice a year add:
0.5 cups Osmocote Plus or other slow-release balanced fert
1 Tbs Epsom salt

Once a year add:
0.25 cups gypsum
1 Tbs Epsom salt
2 Tbs ironite
1/8 tsp borax

In the off season while pushing green growth but not fruiting (here that’s straight through the winter until February or so) dose each with 1-2 teaspoons of Miracle Grow plant food (or other nitrogen heavy soluble fert) every couple weeks, to help them with new green growth. They can put in several feet of growth each season.

Also may be time to up-pot / root prune / refresh your soil mixture. Dial in in your potting mixture - figs won’t fruit with wet feet. So if you’re using potting mix, I’d still mix in ~25% aerating/draining  (like coarse chunky perlite and Autozone calcined clay — and/or all purpose landscape sand - not play sand) to your pots.

[Fygee]

Personally I use Osmocote and Foxfarm's GrowBig with good results. I've also read about fish emulsion producing really good results as well from a decent number of people on OurFigs, YT videos, and local growers.

[elouicious]

good advice here already-

Wood ash is good for figs as well, and cheap and plentiful if you have a fire pit

[K-Rimes]

good advice here already-

Wood ash is good for figs as well, and cheap and plentiful if you have a fire pit

Careful with ash. It is extremely alkaline, which we already struggle with in CA!

My figs are voracious eaters and will take whatever I have on hand. My read is that they're not terribly picky, but I try to start the year with avo citrus slow release, then swap to Jobe's slow release fruit and nut which is lower in N, higher in P. There are some anecdotal reports on the fig forums of this being the way to go. I got a killer breba crop this year with an early dose of the citrus avo, best ever.

[elouicious]

good advice here already-

Wood ash is good for figs as well, and cheap and plentiful if you have a fire pit

Careful with ash. It is extremely alkaline, which we already struggle with in CA!

My figs are voracious eaters and will take whatever I have on hand. My read is that they're not terribly picky, but I try to start the year with avo citrus slow release, then swap to Jobe's slow release fruit and nut which is lower in N, higher in P. There are some anecdotal reports on the fig forums of this being the way to go. I got a killer breba crop this year with an early dose of the citrus avo, best ever.

Good note!

Yes very alkaline, figs can tolerate alkaline conditions but you can go out of range!