February Is For the Figs
February is the perfect time to Prune figs for both propagation and shaping the fig tree. This time of year the trees are dormant and there isn’t any green growth on them.
It’s very common to have at least 80% germination, but be sure to take several cuttings just in case some don’t make it.
When pruning for shape, we want to remove 3 main types of branches.
The first is any branches that are growing straight down and will be difficult to pick from. These branches can also easily get disease from splash back when it rains which would cause problems for the tree health. These branches can also weigh down the main branch and cause it to snap or break.
The first is any branches that are growing straight down and will be difficult to pick from. These branches can also easily get disease from splash back when it rains which would cause problems for the tree health. These branches can also weigh down the main branch and cause it to snap or break.
We also want to prune any branches that are higher than you can realistically pick from. If you don’t want to get a ladder out for harvesting, you may want to prune long branches back every winter to keep the fruits at a manageable height for harvesting.
The third type of cut is specifically for shape and maximum sunlight for photosynthesis. Many gardeners look for a claw like structure with their fig trees as demonstrated in the picture above. When you prune a branch, the nodes under the cut will send out a lot of new growth that can produce fruit at that height.
You can take propagation cuttings from almost any branch you prune off the tree or from the tips of existing branches. When propagating figs, we are looking for pieces that are at least the size of a pencil or preferably a little thicker and at least 6 inches long. The cuttings can be put in a pot of compost or potting mix and do not require rooting hormone.
Stick at least 1/3-1/2 of the cutting in the soil and pack the soil around it firmly. They don’t need much space at all in the container as the roots do not grow wild like a tomato plant. These cuttings will be ready to transplant into their own container in about 8 weeks.
This is a great way to get “free plants” and make wonderful gifts or even a little extra cash to reinvest in other gardening endeavors. Stay tuned for an update on how these cuttings root , other fig propagation techniques and how we pot them up!