Fig tree propagation?

[Rickcin]

We live in SW Virginia and I’m growing a fig tree from a cutting taken 6 or 8 weeks ago.

Do I leave it in the pot in the basement by a window for the winter or would it be safer to plant it in the ground?

With either option, when would I do for this and what would be needed as far as watering?

It’s nealy impossible to find figs in the local food stores so I’m trying to grow my own!

[NYC refugee]

I was trying to rid myself of an overgrown, never-pruned, full of borers monster of a fig tree. I tried pruning, blah blah, ended up hacking the last nasty branches off and on a whim, stuck one in a small pot of dirt and left it on the driveway over winter. Well, guess what? It survived, and started to grow this spring. So I gave it a slightly larger pot and a little more attention and if it comes back next spring, I'm going to get it a real pot and keep it going.

I'm in Southern DE, too, and left it right out there to get snowed on. That's all the water it got, though it was a rainy, and I mean really rainy, spring.

Depending on the type, I'd be leery of putting it in the ground as the one here had roots like a tree and was going to devour my shed. I still have a monstrous stump to try to get rid of, which is still putting up shoots. I've also heard with fig trees that more roots = less fruits, so grow them in a pot.

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Rickcin

We live in SW Virginia and I’m growing a fig tree from a cutting taken 6 or 8 weeks ago.

Do I leave it in the pot in the basement by a window for the winter or would it be safer to plant it in the ground?

With either option, when would I do for this and what would be needed as far as watering?

It’s nealy impossible to find figs in the local food stores so I’m trying to grow my own!

Lost of people keep figs in containers. Generally, you leave it out and let the first frost wack it so it loses its leaves. That puts it into winter dormancy. Then you can put it in an unheated garage or shed where the temp is an even 32 or slightly above. Water it slightly about once per week so that it does not dry out. Once Spring is back and the threat of frosts has gone, bring it back outside.

You could keep it by a basement window, but then it will not go dormant. Then it will grow during the winter and the branches will be curvy and pale.

Or you could bury the pot in the ground and cover the plant with burlap and leaves.

[Rickcin]

Based on the two responses, it might be best to just plant it in the yard in 2 or 3 weeks ?

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Rickcin

Based on the two responses, it might be best to just plant it in the yard in 2 or 3 weeks ?

You could.

But ... I would heavily mulch it, ring it with mesh, and then fill it with leaves to protect it during the Winter. Yours is a very juvenile fig and thus very vulnerable to cold, especially in SW Virginia. Figs are originally from the Middle East and need time to grow and adjust to cold.

No unheated garage to use?

[Rickcin]

Originally Posted by Moth

You could.

But ... I would heavily mulch it, ring it with mesh, and then fill it with leaves to protect it during the Winter. Yours is a very juvenile fig and thus very vulnerable to cold, especially in SW Virginia. Figs are originally from the Middle East and need time to grow and adjust to cold.

No unheated garage to use?

I do have an unseated full basement, so would it be better in the dark going dormant or by the windows getting sun?

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Rickcin

I do have an unseated full basement, so would it be better in the dark going dormant or by the windows getting sun?

What temperature?

I have a 3 foot fig in a pot that I put in my unheated basement in a closet. However, the average temp is around 55 to 60 degrees. It does not go dormant and grows twisty, pale branches. It's too warm and I do not have a garage or shed at all. This winter I will bury it in the ground and wrap it.

Given your choices, I would go with the window and sun. Maybe put an extra plant light on it.

When you bring it back out in the spring, put it in the shade for at least a week or the sun will torch it.

[Rickcin]

Originally Posted by Moth

What temperature?

I have a 3 foot fig in a pot that I put in my unheated basement in a closet. However, the average temp is around 55 to 60 degrees. It does not go dormant and grows twisty, pale branches. It's too warm and I do not have a garage or shed at all. This winter I will bury it in the ground and wrap it.

Given your choices, I would go with the window and sun. Maybe put an extra plant light on it.

When you bring it back out in the spring, put it in the shade for at least a week or the sun will torch it.

The basement probably averages in the low 50’s with no windows at one end so I could either place it by a window or in complete darkness?

I also have a shed that’s obviously not insulated, what would be my best choice?

[Moth]

Originally Posted by Rickcin

The basement probably averages in the low 50’s with no windows at one end so I could either place it by a window or in complete darkness?

I also have a shed that’s obviously not insulated, what would be my best choice?

Considering its youth, I might go with the window plus plant light.

Check this site out. Lots of expertise:

https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home