I've got a leggy fig, about 5 foot tall in a very large terracotta pot. I only want it for the foliage so fruit isn't an issue. How and when can I prune it?
Verdun suggested a short while ago that figs can best be pruned in the winter, when the sap is not rising - this cuts down on the 'bleeding' of the latex. I plan to follow his advice with my fig.
Hopefully Verdun will see this question
“I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh
It's survived in a sheltered spot for five years odd, so I think it's safe. I will prune in Dec as you advise, think I'll bite the bullet and cut it right back. Any further advice appreciated, I also have a standard Hibiscus, which I bring into the conservatory. Last year's serious pruning worked a treat, loads of flowers this summer
No I don't know what I'm doing. It was about two feet tall when I bought it, so it's a bit older than five. I've tried to load a pic but I just get a blank page turn up.
It currently has no leaves but the ends of some of the branches have green tips.
I have colder winters than most of the UK and have had very severe winters for the last 5 years. My fig in a pot has had all its top growth frozen to bits for several years on the run so it's a while since I've had any figs to eat and I was about to throw it out until I discovered new shoots at the base in June. It is now in the ground in the greenhouse and doing very well. I have had to remove several spare stems in order to fan train the rest against the back wall.
I think it would be fairly safe to prune yours right back if your really want to but it would perhaps be better to cut the stems back by half in order to encourage new stems from the base and from higher up to promote a bushier plant.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast. "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
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Verdun suggested a short while ago that figs can best be pruned in the winter, when the sap is not rising - this cuts down on the 'bleeding' of the latex. I plan to follow his advice with my fig.
Hopefully Verdun will see this question
Many thanks Dove, I did prune it a bit last year but I think it really needs a good seeing to.
I'm in Plymouth, which is quite mild. What would you say is the best month to prune?
It's survived in a sheltered spot for five years odd, so I think it's safe. I will prune in Dec as you advise, think I'll bite the bullet and cut it right back. Any further advice appreciated, I also have a standard Hibiscus, which I bring into the conservatory. Last year's serious pruning worked a treat, loads of flowers this summer
The words 'cut it right back' strike terror in my heart, unless you don't really mean that or you know what you're doing!
It's only five years old, can it really have got out of hand? Prune carefully!
No I don't know what I'm doing. It was about two feet tall when I bought it, so it's a bit older than five. I've tried to load a pic but I just get a blank page turn up.
It currently has no leaves but the ends of some of the branches have green tips.
I have colder winters than most of the UK and have had very severe winters for the last 5 years. My fig in a pot has had all its top growth frozen to bits for several years on the run so it's a while since I've had any figs to eat and I was about to throw it out until I discovered new shoots at the base in June. It is now in the ground in the greenhouse and doing very well. I have had to remove several spare stems in order to fan train the rest against the back wall.
I think it would be fairly safe to prune yours right back if your really want to but it would perhaps be better to cut the stems back by half in order to encourage new stems from the base and from higher up to promote a bushier plant.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw