Bolster fig yield with a second tree
Question: I have a large fig tree that gives me small green figs. I think the problem is not enough water, as you said. I also saw the picture of cuttings to grow another tree. Can I do that or should I buy a second tree? What about pruning?
I would buy another tree. They are not that expensive, and you can get a different type. First you have to figure out which fig you have.
Figs are green when young and turn yellow, off-white, purple, purplish-brown or nearly black. The white or yellow types have a more delicate flavor while the darker ones are usually more robust. One dark one that has been given nice reviews from valley homeowners is Blackjack.
When you prune a fig tree, if you want two crops from it, leave some growth from last year. If not you will have only one crop. You can prune as soon as the leaves drop. Figs can handle any amount of pruning you want to give them.
Bob Morris is a professor emeritus in horticulture with the University of Nevada and can be reached at extremehort@aol.com. Visit his blog at
xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com.