Caring for a fig tree is very easy if you prune it frequently. During the first two years, the fig tree should be pruned regularly to establish a pattern for your fig tree to grow. When the fig tree pattern is well established, do a little pruning. Do it in the next period to form a perfect fig tree.
Step
Method 1 of 2: First Step
Step 1. Decide when you should start trimming
Some sources recommend pruning the fig tree after the grafting process. Other sources suggest that fig trees should be pruned at the end of the first active season.
- Prune the tree after you graft the fig tree. Basically you are training to concentrate energy on your fig tree. As a result, in the last growing season, the fig tree will be stronger and better in growth.
- On the other hand, there are some bad risks to the fig tree if you prune too much on the fig tree after the grafting process. If you get a fig tree that is sturdy and strong, it will avoid damage. However, if you have a fig tree that is slightly weak, pruning the fig tree after grafting will interfere with the growth of your fig tree.
- In general, if you are sure of the sturdiness of the fig tree you are getting, you should prune the fig tree immediately after the grafting process. On the other hand, if you are unsure of a fig tree's sturdiness, it is best to prune it at the end of the first active season.
Step 2. Prune the fig tree back in half
During the first pruning, you should remove any remnants of your fig tree stalk. This is an important stage for practicing fig pruning. By cutting many parts of the fig tree, it shows that you are focused on producing strong fig tree roots.
- As a result, the fig tree will grow strong and sturdy over a long period of time.
- By doing this, the fig tree will grow horizontally (horizontally).
Step 3. Prune the fig tree stalks that bear fruit the following winter
At the start of the second season after planting, choose 4-6 strong stalks. After selecting a strong stalk you are advised to prune the remaining stalks that you did not select. This process will produce good fruit and will also maintain the height of your fig tree.
- At the beginning of the growth of a fig tree after grafting, most of the fruit will grow on the old stalk, or on the stalk that has produced fruit before. The strength of the stems has decreased, so you should increase growth on the new fruiting stalks by pruning the old stalks.
- Choose 4-6 strong stalks, but you also have to make sure that the distance between the stalks is far from each other. These stalks should be spaced apart so that the stalks can grow to a diameter of 7.6-10 cm without being close to each other.
- Avoid fruit stalks that are close to each other. If that happens, then the stalk will not grow perfectly.
- After that prune the new stems that grow.
Method 2 of 2: Part Two
Step 1. Do pruning in winter
After the fig tree reaches its third season, or third winter, pruning frequently during the winter, as the fig tree does not grow well during this time. Do it as often as possible until the winter is over.
- Pruning during the winter can reduce damage during the early stages of growth, but it also causes the leaves on the fig tree to drop, making the stalk more visible.
- You should do this pruning until early spring. But this pruning must be done before the fig tree shows signs of new growth.
Step 2. Remove the suction that is growing at the base of the tree
A sucker is a stalk that grows at the base or root of a fig tree. The sucker looks like a part of the tree itself, but the sucker doesn't actually grow from the fig tree you plant.
- The suction comes from the results of the efforts of trees that will grow. But if the sucker is allowed to grow, it will produce a stalk that is not strong.
- The suction must be removed. If you don't remove the sucker, the suction will drain energy from the fig tree which will weaken the fig tree.
- Similarly, the lateral stalks must be removed if they grow in the ground. These stalks can also drain energy from the fig tree as suckers do.
Step 3. Prune off dead and weak stalks
If part of your fig tree shows signs of disease. You must remove the part to prevent the disease from spreading to all parts of the fig tree. You should also prune any dead stems.
If one of the fruiting stalks starts to break down, you will need to prune it and select a new stem to produce a fruiting stalk the following winter
Step 4. Prune stems that are not producing fruit
The growth of unfruitful stalks can be seen during the previous growing season. This stalk must be pruned to direct the energy from the fig tree to produce fruit on the other stalks.
Step 5. Cut the bottom of the secondary stalk
Secondary stalk is a stalk that grows from the main stalk that produces fruit. Do not prune all these secondary stalks. You should trim any stems that grow less than a 45-degree angle from the main stem.
- The secondary stalk grows at a smaller angle to the main stalk which can grow too close to the trunk of the fig tree. This position can cause problems for the fig tree. These stalks will usually produce weak fruit even though they have drained the energy of the fig tree.
- Remove the newly growing secondary stalk in the same way.
Step 6. Consider trimming the main stalk
You can trim the main fruiting stalk to about a third or a quarter of the length of the stalk. Doing this will make the energy supply more centralized.
- As a result, you will get stronger, bigger and fresher fruit.
- While you don't want to prune the tree too much, most fig trees that grow are strong trees and can be stronger and sturdier than ever once you've trimmed the stems you don't need.
- If you have a large fig tree that you haven't pruned in years, you can trim the main stem about two-thirds of the way through without damaging the fig tree.
- If you are not sure how many stalks to trim and think how low the fig tree is to make the perfect fig tree. You may not be able to pinpoint the exact height of your estimate, at least it's a good starting point because you can predict the exact size for the perfect fig tree.
Step 7. Pull out new growth over the summer
Allow five or six leaves to grow on new stems during the summer. Once other leaves have started to grow, use your fingers to pluck the leaves from the fig stems.
If you don't have a fig tree that produces edible fruit, this step is not very important. The main purpose of this step is to direct the necessary energy to the foliage. By plucking another leaf, you can direct energy to the leaf of your choice. With the energy that goes to the leaves, more energy will be obtained to produce fruit
Step 8. Remove potentially harmful fruit in the fall
Check your fig plants during the fall. If you see large fruit that is failing to ripen, you should remove it and throw it away.
- You only need pea-sized fruit on a fig stalk. This fruit is in the embryonic stage and will not drain energy.
- Most fig trees bear fruit during early summer and late summer. Thus, fruits that were not ripe in the fall would not grow more mature.
- As with most other methods of pruning, pluck figs that will not ripen to maturity, only to direct the energy to other areas of the fig tree for more profit. This is especially important in the fall, as the tree stores energy and is ready to rest in the fall. Uprooting unripe fruit can allow the tree to store more energy, so the fig tree will stand firm in the winter.
Suggestion
- Regularly trim the stalks. If you prune a fig tree again after the first pruning, the organs on the fig tree will rot and disease will enter through these points. Regularly trimming the stalks can prevent this from happening.
- Use sharp objects. Prune with clean hands on small stalks and use large scissors or a saw to trim thick stalks. Make sure that the equipment you use is cleaned first. Because if the tool is dirty, it will spread the disease when you do the pruning.
