Future/Current Space Considerations for Figs and Citrus in my SoCal Yard

[John B]

Well,

This year has been a bust on my fig trees because of the black fig fly. All but one of my figs so far have been infected - 2 in ground and 3 potted trees.

Went and looked at my multi-grafted orange/citrus tree and noticed more Asian citrus psyllids hanging out after getting rid of them couple years ago. Peeked over my neighbors fence and noticed their neglected citrus trees are severely infested. Seems like a matter of time for HLB infection.

So....for all you in Cali, are you still putting up the good fight? I'm at the point where I think I may want to pull them rather then dealing with disease/invasive flies. I would hate to lose years worth or growth on other trees that do not have these current issues.

What are your thoughts?

[K-Rimes]

Bagging of figs works fine if the tree is reasonably sized. You could just stump it and then plan to keep it small after it comes back? I am still going to collect figs and grow them out, but I will put a major focus into size control. Some say there are BFF resistant cultivars, but I am doubtful of that.

HLB, yeah, I'd be considering pulling citrus. Much harder to control as it's the whole tree that suffers not just individual fruits.

[nullzero]

Keep Figs managed in containers. I made mistake of letting 3 fig trees gain mass and be planted in ground. I would say way to go is manage several fig trees in containers and bag all the Figs.

As for citrus, I would go with the same approach. Grow in containers and place netting over the trees to prevent pest infestation.

The other option is finding replacements for the fruits. I feel that passiflora does well with a acidic flavor that mixes well for drinks and dishes which call for citrus. Also other unique replacements like Corryocactus brevistylus which is reportedly has lemon like flavor. Kei apple have citrus like flavors as well.

As for resistant black fig fly type cultivars. I noticed that CdA and Dk Jumbo got hit particularly hard. While Lebanase Red and Sangue Dolce not as much. It may have to do with the larger Figs emitting more scent and being a better target for the fly.

Anyway I am going to cut back hard the inground fig trees. I have nearby Ross sapote and chestnut that would love to get more sun.

[Oolie]

It's a big bummer, especially citrus, but there are quite a few other things you can grow without bagging.

I like passionfruit too, and mangoes and atemoya hybrids are still good choices depending on region.

Guavas are always a hit too, and pomegranate can do some of what citrus could juice wise.

I'd get on the feijoa train, they're extremely carefree, and can be better than figs in many senses, while still not a direct replacement.

[John B]

I have the other plants mentioned except for feijoa. They are a great fruit and plant is very ornamental. I'm sure there are better tasting varieties now, so I may need to research more.

I may bag one to two of the potted figs, but the inground ones are going away. Too much time for me to care for multiple bagged trees at this point in my life. I'm going to reassess citrus after winters harvest.

This was the only fig that has not had maggots in it. Coll de Dama Rimada. It was delicious and one I'll probably keep. Got it from a forum member last year and grows like a weed here.