Figs: Pruning for Smaller, Larger or More Productive Trees
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- Ross introduces the topic of shaping and pruning fig trees, discussing various pruning goals such as reducing size, promoting growth, and increasing fruit yield. He challenges common misconceptions about pruning and demonstrates techniques for making fig trees smaller or larger, emphasizing the importance of scaffold branches in tree form. Ross advocates for minimal pruning to maximize fruit production and explains the importance of staking branches to open up the tree for better sunlight exposure.
For more on pruning fig trees, check out these very detailed guides: www.figboss.com/post/complete... & www.figboss.com/post/a-compre...
Introduction (0:00):
Ross introduces the topic of shaping, training, and pruning fig trees.
Explanation of pruning goals (0:26):
Discusses the different goals of pruning: reducing size, promoting growth, or increasing fruit yield.
Misconceptions about pruning (0:52):
Challenges common misconceptions about the necessity of pruning fig trees, stating that it's not always necessary and often done incorrectly.
Making a fig tree smaller (1:59):
Demonstrates pruning technique on a Ronde Bordeaux fig tree to reduce its height by cutting out tallest shoots.
Tree vs. bush form (3:35):
Differentiates between bush form and tree form fig trees, emphasizing the importance of scaffold branches in tree form.
Making fig trees larger (5:36):
Advises severe pruning to encourage growth in young fig trees, suggesting cutting them down to stimulate hormone changes.
Importance of minimal pruning for fruit production (7:02):
Advocates for minimal pruning to maximize fruit yield, explaining how excess pruning can reduce fruit production.
Pruning for maximizing fruit production (8:34):
Demonstrates selective pruning on a Brianzolo Rosso fig tree to maximize fruit production by optimizing leaf coverage.
Importance of opening up the tree (10:12):
Explains the importance of staking branches to open up the tree for better sunlight exposure and increased productivity.
Pruning strategy (11:05):
Demonstrates cutting back a branch to stimulate growth without disrupting hormones, explaining potential growth outcomes.
Additional pruning considerations (12:41):
Considers pruning options for different tree varieties, including leaving certain branches for the current fruiting season and planning future pruning.
Discussion on tree growth habits (17:30):
Discusses the growth habits of different fig tree varieties, highlighting the challenges and successes of pruning different types.
Staking for productivity (19:12):
Advocates for staking branches outward to increase productivity, explaining the importance of branch orientation for fruit production.
Pruning for productivity (20:51):
Discusses pruning strategies to increase fig tree productivity, highlighting the trade-off between size and quality of fruits.
Example of fig tree growth (22:31):
Contrasts the growth patterns of different fig tree varieties, emphasizing the importance of pruning to encourage branching.
Lesson on pruning nuance (23:47):
Reflects on the nuanced approach to pruning fig trees, acknowledging the need for individualized techniques based on variety and tree characteristics.
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I feel like this is a gigantic tip.
A lot of people are so excited to prune and prune. I’ve definitely noticed a big difference in the trees that didn’t (need to) get pruned vs those that did.
San Diego, 10B
Bro I appreciate you, you’ve been helping me tremendously your videos are dope. I’m out in sunny southern California growing figs for the first time. Keep it up man people needa hear the stuff you be saying.
Glad to help.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing the information with your fans
That was a good cut in the center. Thats how I do all my trees. I let the main grow one foot or a foot and a half then I let 4 shoots grow one to each side let those grow about the same 1 1/2 foot then I prune those and get my other branches and I keep my tree as so. Good video Ross!
You Shaved !!! Looking Good !!!
Super video; on point and great information.
As always, a wealth of amazing information. Thank you again!!
Just wondering, when you trim the branches do you use any tree wound dressing on them? Thank you!!
I wish I knew this sooner all of my trees I bought from the garden store are trained to be as tall as possible, I bought my LSU Purple tree on clearance where it was like 5 feet tall very rootbound and branching out a little at the very top and it had alot of cold damage on it I was thinking of chopping it like half way down because of how terrible it was trained
Wish you had a camera person to do close-ups for us, looking down on the base, etc. It’s terribly hard to see what’s what at a distance especially with bright sun making shadows. And, thank you for the vids !!
That would be a dream. To actually be able to think and teach freely without having to worry about a camera.
I think what Ross really needs is more land for his trees. 😅
Fyi:) as a Louisiana native, with a mom with a maiden name Hollier, it's pronounced ad Ol-yA or ol'yay 🤗
man your tres haven't wake up yet, here in central ca i have trees with 7 leaves already and some double bumps, just interesting how you get them to produce in such a short season.
Limited to no pruning allows me to harvest main crop 2-4 weeks earlier depending on the alternative style of pruning.
@@RossRaddi yes very interesting how pruning changes the tree hormones
I just planted a 4 foot tall stick straight Violette de Bordeaux fig. Its about 3/4" caliper and just starting to bud.
It's my first fig and I'm not sure what to do on pruning yet. I planted it in a 10 gallon pot for now.
I guess I'll wait and see how it grows, since it's a smaller variety?
I'm in sw Arkansas and we get hot dry July and August.
Added 5 fruit trees and 6 grapevines this year so far.
Hey Ross! This is another great video. I have one variety that I was curious if you had tried or looked into. Hood strawberries
I haven't heard of it!
I want a combo of options 2 & 3. My 4 trees are very young (they'll be 1-year old in June), and I want to make sure I give them the best start for health and productivity as possible. I have a C's Red Edible (supposedly from Portugal), Fignomenal, Panache and Chicago Hardy (actually looks the worst, surprisingly). Zone 6 a/b
When they're young, rejuvenation pruning or #2 will do wonders.
Gotta protect them the winter after pruning that hard though.
@@RossRaddi Thank you for the advice! They're potted. So I protected them by bringing them under darkness & cool cover (30 - 50 degrees F) once they went dormant, dropped leaves and temps were low, in the 20s (before approaching 15 degrees). Plan to do the same next winter. I got all my winter prep & care steps from your videos and website. I appreciate all you share! 🙏🏾🌿🫶🏾
You make the best fig pruning videos. I wish I found them earlier in my fig growing experience but better late than never. I just planted a Rond de Bordeaux cutting directly in the ground and it has already split its growth into two shoots each about 6 inches in length. I want a tree form (zone 10a Florida) so should I go ahead and remove one of the shoots so it grows vertically until I’m ready to summer prune at the height I want my first scaffold or should I let both shoots grow as they are this first season? I don’t want to damage the plant being so young but I also don’t want to waste growth that I plan to eventually remove anyway. Thanks!
Let it be this year. It'll help it establish quicker. Hopefully you don't have bad RKN levels in your soil.
Why are the figs trees planted too close??? Aren’t the roots invasive n outstretched
Ross is a fig Professor 🧑🏫 👏
Thanks Ross! Quick question, is there a way we can get notified when you have a specific cutting / plant in stock?
There was an option for it. I took it out I think because there's a limit on the number of notification emails wix can send with my current plan.
Ross, it looks like your trees are spaced 4ft apart and rows also 4ft spacing.. Is that right? Gives me a bit more hope for more varieties in my small urban back yard.
2 ft on center here.
You don't need to use stakes to spread out branches!!! Just tie some jute twine to your branch and then tie the other end to a trunk. SO EASY! DONE!
Do you grow Roxburgh fig trees ever?
Thanks for everything you do Ross! I am very interested in getting one of your fig tree varieties. I dont know if you have developed any yet but when you do i want one.
I have a stupid question. Can I have bush and tree form at the same time? I transplanted/relocated my Chicago hardy last year to a more shady location, and I know the fig can tolerate the shade. The area has limited space. I also have a pear tree about 5 feet away from the fig, and it's against a fence. I cut the branch toward the fence wall not long ago, and they are rooting right now. A way to say it's alive in zone 6b near 6a without covering the whole thing but the base. I plan to cut another branch beside a flower bed(right side). I can't get any sunlight if I don't cut that part. I have two branches left, one in the center and one on the left side. Do I need to cut the left-size branch to make a tree form or save it for a bush form? This is only 2nd year, so a decision is important.
Bush form all the way! I trained my fig tree to be a tree form with two trunks years back. It was beautiful. But it completely died 2 years later after a really crazy temp swing in winter in zone 7a. Bush form is more resilient!
@@slamrock17 right… There is no promise that the weather will get worse next year
In zone 7 or below, bush form is best. I've had to restart a few trees into bushes because the single "tree" trunk took damage from the cold.
@@RossRaddi Thanks
@@slamrock17 thanks
Hi , is there any danger of planting fig trees close to the home, perhaps roots damaging the foundation?
No.
@@RossRaddi Thanks,
I want Fig.tree