If the fig has outgrown its pot, then you could pot it up now - and as the general consensus is that they fruit betterwhen their roots are restricted, then I would just go up a size or two. If this is done carefully it should not affect the crop of fruits, however any that are larger than a pea should be picked off in autumn.

Helen

With regards to the compost, I would advise using John Innes No.2 or No.3, and you can feed it during the growing season with a good general purpose fertiliser.

Helen

There are no hard and fast rules re the pot size, however I would say as large as possible for the space - and ideally no smaller than 45-50cm in diameter.

Helen

Hello, These plants are not quite fully hardy, so we overwinter them in an unheated polytunnel. Therefore, you will not need to keep it under glass, but perhaps keep it on the porch (without the fleece), until it can be planted out.

Helen

Hello there Yes these grow well in pots as they seem to fruit better when the roots are restricted.

Hello, Figs are not evergreen, so it is quite normal for them to be losing their leaves now.

Helen

Hello, 90cm does sound like a bit of a squeeze, but if you try to establish a U-shaped cordon, then you should just about get away with it.

Helen

Hello Tom, We only sell the one fig, which is Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey'. We chose this one because it tends to be hardier here in the UK and reliably produces a good crop of fruit when mature - although I would not expect a decent crop for a few years as it will need time to become established. If you click on the following link it will take you straight to it. http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/fruit/bush/mediterranean/fig/mediterranean-plants/kitchengarden/fruit/fruit-trees/ficus-carica-brown-turkey/classid.1000000029/ I hope this helps. Helen

Crocus Helpdesk

Hello there, Figs are borderline fully hardy, so if you have a sheltered garden or live down south, then your tree should be fine without protection unless the temperatures really drop dramatically. If however your garden is very exposed or cold, then you should move it against a south facing wall if you can and cover it in frost fleece. As for the fruits, as general rule they can produce three crops per year, but it is the little tiny ones that you find tucked into the leaf axils, that are produced late in the year that overwinter and then go on to ripen in their second summer. Ideally you should try to remove all the fruits that are larger than a pea in mid autumn, and this will direct more energy into pushing these into developing next year. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Crocus Helpdesk

Hello Isla, If the fig has only been in the ground for a few years, then it should be quite successful moving it if done correctly, and you may be able to fit it into a really large pot. The best time to move established shrubs is in the autumn when the soil is still warm but the plant isn't in full active growth. Begin by marking a semi-circle around the fig, as wide as the widest branch. Dig a trench along the line of this semi-circle. Use a fork to loosen the soil around the root ball as you go to reduce it's size and weight so that it becomes manageable. When the root ball looks about the right size that you can still move it, but there are still a lot of roots intact, begin to under cut the root ball with a sharp spade to sever the biggest woody roots. Roll up the root ball in sacking or plastic to protect the roots from damage and drying out and move it quickly to its new home. It is important to have the site ready so that you can transplant the fig at once and it isn't left for hours (or worse!) drying out. Remove the sacking and plant it in the new hole, at the depth at which it was previously planted. Firm well, water well and mulch with a good thick layer of well rotted farmyard manure. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Crocus Helpdesk

Thank you for your advice which we have now done. It has grown very well and spread over a wall-how far can we cut it back? Thank you

Crocus Helpdesk

Hello Patricia, As a general rule they can produce three crops per year, but it is the little tiny ones that you find tucked into the leaf axils, that are produced late in the year that overwinter and then go on to ripen in their second summer. If you don't get any ripe fruits this year, then try to remove all the fruits that are larger than a pea in mid autumn, and this will direct more energy into pushing these into developing next year. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

Patricia Ely

Hello again Patricia, These do not really need much pruning, but if it has outgrown the space, then you can remove some of the older wood and thin overcrowded growth in early spring. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor

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