When do fig trees produce fruit

Answer: Figs do not require pollination to produce fruit. Figs produce fruit parthenocarpically, which means they produce seedless fruit without the process of pollination, fertilization and embryo and seed formation.

The reason the fruit on your tree is not ripening is a matter of the tree's age. As a fig tree grows, it automatically produces the green fig-shaped structures at the base of almost every leaf. Growing period - The fruiting cycle is days. Some varieties produce one crop per year, others two. Trees have been known to live as long as years. Growing conditions - Fig thrives best in areas of moderate relative humidity and can be grown at higher elevations in areas of low rainfall.

Fig requires some dry months particularly at the flowering and fruiting periods and requires some winter chilling. They are light demanding plants and will grow best with eight hours or more of direct sunlight. Fig can grow in virtually any soil type but prefer a sandy-clay loam within a pH range of 6.

A soil depth of Figs can also grow in rocky areas from sea level to 1, meters. Growing behaviour - Figs are a shallow fibrous rooted species, although depending on location, the roots may spread laterally and vertically. Figs may have single stemmed tree like growth or multi-stemmed shrub like growth and often send up suckers from the base of the tree and spreading root system.

Fig wood is weak and decays rapidly. The leaves emerge in late spring and in our climate drop shortly after the first frost in late autumn. Fig fruit is borne on the spring new growth. Fruit - Fruits generally ripen from August - October depending on cultivar and climate.

Some trees produce what is called a breba which are fig fruits that develop in the spring on the previous year's shoot growth, followed by the main fig crop that develops on the current year's shoot growth and ripens in late summer or fall. In cold climates the breba crop is often destroyed by spring frosts. The fig contains more naturally occurring varieties than any other tree crop. Cold Hardy Fig Cultivars - Although often considered a Mediterranean plant there are many figs that have been cultivated to withstand cold climates in some cases withstanding winter lows of C.

Young figs are more sensitive to cold winters than larger figs so it's best to over winter young plants perhaps even grow on in a pot until a good root system has established especially if you are growing fig on the limits of the climatic conditions they are accustomed to.

According to some sources, figs less than two to five years old are likely to die back to the ground during very cold winters. Very wet winter soils make a fig more likely to perish. Good site selection and soil preparation along with a generous winter mulch can go a long way to prevent this. It's possible that one of the hardiest figs on the planet was developed here in Bulgaria. A cultivar named 'Michurinska 10' is commonly grown here at altitudes above m elevation in areas that receive extreme winters lows of below C.

The fruits are small but numerous and sweet when ripe which can be from early as late August through to early October.

In a hot dry summer like we have had this year, the fruits can be left on the tree to dry and keep well into the winter. Picking them ripe, splitting them in two and leaving in the car, parked in the sun for a few days is also very effective.

The hot long summers here ensure a good reliable crop from these plants each year. From time to time when we have a very cold winter, the top growth dies back but in the spring new growth arises from the base of the plant and can produce a good crop of figs that same summer.

We're also growing 'Izmir' a Turkish cultivar. We grow a range of hardy fig cultivars from our bionursery. You can find more info on our hardy cultivars below. For a list of other cultivars suitable for growing in temperate climates with cold winters, see here.

Figs can be successfully grown in pots and this will moderate the plant size. For container grown plants, replace most of the soil in the tub every three years and keep the sides of the tub shaded to prevent overheating in sunlight. In areas with short less than days between frosts , cool summers, espalier trees against a south-facing, light-colored wall to take advantage of the reflected heat.

In coastal climates, grow in the warmest location, against a sunny wall or in a heat trap. Fig Root Invasiveness - Fig tree roots generally are very invasive, although much depends on the cultivar, its planting location, and the overall soil quality. Most fig trees, if they are planted in optimal conditions, spread their roots far and wide and sometimes the roots can choke out other plants and can damage sidewalks, driveways and other objects in their paths.

Fig trees usually do best on the outskirts of a garden or surrounded by plenty of open space. In order to minimize root invasion some growers will plant trees in pots or build underground retaining walls to keep the roots structured.

Celeste or Malta fig trees typically keep their root systems more or less contained, larger trees such as the brown turkey fig trees have more of a tendency to dominate a space. You may also need to use fertilizer to supplement certain nutrients, especially if you have poor soil in your yard.

The best way to determine how to proceed with fertilizer is by getting a soil test. For more information, check out my article on how to do a soil test.

They also suggest using half as much fertilizer for a tree in an area where it is likely to suffer cold damage. Finally, remember that it is possible to over fertilize your fig trees. For example, too much nitrogen can prevent your tree from producing fruit.

For more information, check out my article on over fertilizing , and my article on low-nitrogen fertilizers. Pruning is recommended for young fig trees. Prune your fig trees in the winter, and make sure to do so before March. When pruning, wear gloves for protection, since sap from cut branches can irritate your skin. For more information on pruning figs, check out this article from the Permaculture Research Institute on growing figs. You can also espalier your fig tree using a trellis.

For more information on trellises, check out my article on how tall a trellis should be. Now you have a good idea of when figs are mature enough to produce fruit, along with what time of the year to expect fruit. You also know a bit more about how to take care of them and avoid problems that can affect your harvest. I hope you found this article helpful — if so, please share it with someone who can use the information. If you have other types of fruit trees, you might want to check out my article on when a pear tree bears fruit , my article on when a cherry tree bears fruit , and my article on when a peach tree bears fruit.

You can learn about dwarf fruit trees, which are easier to maintain and harvest from, in my article here. Hi, I'm Jon. Let's solve your gardening problems, spend more time growing, and get the best harvest every year! Some vines tolerate shade, while others thrive in full sun all day. There are even some sun-loving vines with dazzling flowers to add beauty to your home. So, what are some vine Some cacti take up lots of space and make a statement in your home.

Others stay small but spread out to cover a large area. So, what are some cacti you can keep as house plants? It could be normal: Figs drop their leaves in reaction to winter. Abrupt environmental changes also upset them, so if you move the plant, get it used to its new environment slowly. Place it in its new home for just a few hours per day. Leaf drop can also be a sign of pests or improper watering. Lack of water, or too much of it, may also cause yellowing. Fig trees are self-fruiting or parthenocarpic, meaning you can successfully grow a single tree.

They will produce fruit without pollination or fertilization. Unfortunately, no. Figs will stop ripening once you pick the fruit. This makes it critical you time harvest to when your fresh figs have ripened.

It also means though you need to watch carefully and prevent scavenging squirrels or deer from stealing the fruit. Container grown plants experience the same insect infestations as other indoor or greenhouse-grown plants: aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. Fig trees grown outside are susceptible to root-knot nematode, especially those grown in the South.

An espaliered tree is a great option for figs, especially if you are working with limited space. Growing a fig tree in an espaliered manner against a wall is also beneficial in areas with colder climates. The fig appears in the Bible early and often — first as a garment for Adam and Eve when they discover shame. Later, in the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus is hungry and comes across a fig tree with no fruit, he gives it a curse that is literally withering. There are more than varieties of figs, and each has its own species of wasp that helps pollinate it.

You probably eat bits of fig wasp when you bite into a ripe fig. One variety, the strangler fig, does as its name implies.