How to Fertilize Fig Trees the Right Way

Рет қаралды 81,618

4 жыл бұрын

I’ve had great results with 4 heavy feedings starting shortly after bud break at intervals of once per week. This year I’m trying 6. That was with a 9-45-15. I can’t say for sure exactly how much each tree has received. However, once my bag of 9-45-15 is gone, I’ll be switching to a 10-5-8. That by my estimation is the right fertilizer ratio for figs. Maybe even a 10-4-12. I’m still undecided. Additionally this year, I will be foliar spraying at one month intervals Dyna-Gro Protekt even into the fall. Which is a 0-0-3 with silica. Literature states some spectacular benefits from silica and anecdotally seems to be worth it in figs. Especially for those of us that have issues with rust. I’m hoping this product will aid in better lignification, cold hardiness and overall plant health. Ph should be around 7 and there’s an argument to be made for something between 7-7.5 for better uptake of magnesium. Lime for the micronutrients is highly recommended and of course make sure all of your bases are covered in terms of micros.
What you don’t want to do:
There’s very little reason to apply nitrogen feedings after you have your desired fruit set. Nitrogen is the main factor in annual shoot production. While necessary, too much will ruin proper lignification and lower fruit quality. You will without any doubt see more cracking in your fruits and I know some will think that’s beautiful, but your fruits will not taste more beautiful. Ideally you want your trees to completely cease growth after achieving your desired fruit set. This is accomplished with ceasing nitrogen and decreasing waterings after fruit set. For some of us that’s nearly impossible. It’s certainly possible in containers, but getting that right is again the most ideal scenario.
Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia
Website & Blog: www.figboss.com/
Social Media:
/ rossraddi
/ rossraddi
The Fruit Talk! Podcast: anchor.fm/rossraddi
Support My Work!
Become a Patron: / rossraddi
Consulting Services: www.figboss.com/consulting
Cuttings & Plants for Sale!
Our Shop: www.figbid.com/Browse?Seller=...
Other important links:
The Ever-expanding Spreadsheet: goo.gl/X6ye9e
Growing Fruit Trees Community: growingfruit.org/
Growing Fig Trees Community: www.ourfigs.com/
2018 Fig Variety Album: photos.app.goo.gl/a9MLNYaf3pq...
2019 Fig Variety Album: photos.app.goo.gl/bSFfDZnVuwS...

Пікірлер: 105

@RossRaddi 4 жыл бұрын

A quick correction.. the right fertilizer ratio is not going to keep your tree in hormonal balance. However, the right ratio is going to give your tree the nutrients it needs without any excess wasted.

@ZE308AC 4 жыл бұрын

Can you feed fertilizer to fig tree plugs?

@666Necropsy 4 жыл бұрын

on the right track. it maybe worth taking samples from a few of your pots for a soil test just to get an idea. its a game changer. what do you have to lose. glad to see your spreading some better information.

@666Necropsy 4 жыл бұрын

the problem with the miracle grow is it doesnt contain enough calcium, magnesium and sulfur. once you figure that out your golden.

@benjamintony2056 3 жыл бұрын

not sure if you guys gives a damn but if you guys are bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the latest movies and series on Instaflixxer. Have been watching with my gf lately =)

@juliojustice3100 3 жыл бұрын

@Benjamin Tony Yea, I've been watching on Instaflixxer for months myself =)

@sandradaeschler6620 4 жыл бұрын

Ross my favorite tree however the "ficus Benjamina" or weeping fig!! I was a horticulturist from New York ( now live in Texas? And during my career had the pleasure of growing and watching 12 of the ficus trees thrive like you said with their fast ,vigorous growth ! They all had their own personality with different shapes with their gorgeous canopies!! Thank you for your love too of the many varieties of the ficus!!

@freyregreg 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks to you, I started my fig collection. You are the best buddy!!

@ryangullin106 4 жыл бұрын

Really direct information, loved it. I’m new to fig trees

@carriekassick7311 3 жыл бұрын

I received a fig tree from a nursery in Ga. I live in Maine and selected one that can grow in my zone. They sent me a stick with roots. I planted, fertilized, watered and added a nutrient appropriate with a fig tree’s ph,. After 6 weeks of nothing I called the nursery and they assured me it was alive because I scraped and saw green top and bottom. Another month has gone by and I have the same brown stick in the ground. I see all these videos and everyone talks about how prolific their figs are and I keep asking for advice but I get no responses. If you have any advice for me I would absolutely be forever grateful! I am completely in the dark here. Thank you!

@abrahamgoesmoo 2 жыл бұрын

Did it ever thrive?

@drea4195 Жыл бұрын

I, too, would like to know if it survived/thrived. Please update us soon!

@carriekassick7311 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for asking, I wish I had some good news but no it didn’t ever thrive. It did live through that first year, just barely. It grew some leaves, not many but I was happy to see some changes, it didn’t grow much but I was still glad it showed any signs of life. I fertilized it before the fall and covered it to protect it from the snow and freezing temps here in Maine. But the second year it just remained stagnant and died. Wish I could’ve grown it and maybe I’ll try it again.

@eyeone2 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ross I have added some silica sand mixed in with soil and been using slow release 8 8 8 fertilizer...thank you for your information specially the PH monitoring process

@666Necropsy 2 жыл бұрын

silica has very high ph. its better to foliar that one.

@CubanMofo 3 ай бұрын

I sprinkle the miracle grow around the trunk and then spray the leaves

@careya Ай бұрын

“Figure out what your plants need instead of giving them a bunch of crap and see what sticks.” 😂 Yeah that’s me. 😂

@Slacktest 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you from South Jersey! :)

@Slacktest 4 жыл бұрын

Do you do local pickup? :)

@jodielynne3687 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your knowledge, I appreciate you.

@DovidM 3 жыл бұрын

When planting in the ground, would you incorporate organic matter only to the depth of one foot given that fig tree roots are mostly close to the surface?

@gospelofthomas77thpearl22 3 жыл бұрын

Rock minerals are the best thing you can use, even in pots. Put the rock dust at the surface & add some organic pelletised fertiliser. The microbes in this will work on the rock dust to release all the nutrients the plant needs.

@MG-tx9yb 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve tried all different types of foliar sprays and fertilizers and one of my best results came from an organic foliar spray called boogie brew tea. The guy that makes it lives near me and he’s obsessed with sourcing the best ingredients and growing the biggest healthiest plants. the year I tried it I got bigger healthier greener leaves and more tomatoes than I’ve ever had before or since. I tried some different products last year and didn’t get near the same results. I’m going to use it again this year. You might want to look into it.

@Nulife23 Жыл бұрын

Did you know that bamboo leaves are high in silica? Yes! I have a desert king growing next to a clump of bamboo and it is very healthy. Alot of great information here! Thankyou

@carlhouck4387 Жыл бұрын

Bamboo is extremely invasive and should be removed at all costs. This plant spreads rapidly and is responsible for the degradation of our native ecosystems, outcompeting our native plants and offsetting the food chain that birds, insects, mammals, and everything in between, depend on.

@KebunHumaira 11 ай бұрын

I have used bamboo leaves for mulsa on any plants they are great for silica and home of trichoderma fungus which control the soil from bad fungus.

@winstonsizemore2997 4 жыл бұрын

So what's the best npk for newly planted fig trees in the ground? Thanks

@rmsine 3 жыл бұрын

Ross, I just received a Panache fig plant. It’s in a 2”x2” pot. I’m concerned that the leaves are. A pale green. Shouldn’t they be a dark green? Please let me know. Thanks

@princepalmer3329 Жыл бұрын

Hi. Thankyou for the info on fertilizing. I have just got my first turky fig tree. I love figs but find them èxpensive from the grocery. I have concentrated seaweed liquid so can i use this? or does it need to be fish emulsion?. I prefer organic on anything that will be ate, although it is expensive, as u said, but my health is very delicate at the moment so worth the extra cash. Also im not sure if im going to grow it in a container as i have found tulips dont grow well in my garden soil( dont know if this is relevant. Fushia grows great.) and its alot for me to learn and remember and to buy the stuff needed to amend the soil. My soil is well draining and very rough it was an old bombsight so has alot of rubble as u can imagine. Loads of top soil was added some years back. What kind of soil in terms of drainage do fig trees like? I have a ph meter like you showed so what number does it need to read?

@cerverg Ай бұрын

Most fig (specific) liquid fertilizers in Europe are something like 3:4:5 or close to that and some Boron

@ngohung49 5 ай бұрын

You're the Master of Figs all kinds 🎉🎉🎉🎉

@lorenesanders119 Жыл бұрын

Appreciate. New trees. No fertilizer used Should I wait until spring. In ground. About 6 ft apart. I have the Chicago fig. Dark purple. So tasty. After listening to you. I feel sorry for my trees. This is mid August in Alabama. Any advise appreciated

@zengrow3098 3 жыл бұрын

Ross the Fig Boss!!! I like it! Did you end up sticking with Raddiculture Gardens? heh... finally tried my first fresh fig from my Black Mission tree. Tasty! I'm going to get a Violetta DB next and I'll try and remember to get on the list for a Black Madeira plant. I'm going to have a couple of containers on my porch now! Don't plan on going crazy like you but a couple fig trees will do me fine haha... stay safe!

4 жыл бұрын

Are you sporting "Birthright Israel" trip by chance? I recall you mentioning an Italian grandfather. What about the compost one can make for figs? Should one go for plant based thermo heat composting or for manure, plants and worms based one? For figs planted outside also acid rain can be a problem if you live in a city area especially an industrial one like Northern Italy parts for example, this can poison the plant and limit the nutrients and their uptake and over time this can add up.

@shoshanae3830 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Ross. There are so many miracle gro formulations out there. Which one are you recommending. Also if you suggest micronutrients that are in certain fertilizers, then you recommend others with micronutrients? By the way, you mentioned Florikan, which is only a brand name. Florikan makes micronutrients only, and other formulations. Could you be more specific please, and not just the vendor name? Thanks

@QualityGardener Жыл бұрын

Interesting philosophy regarding the florikan/osmocote slow release fertilizer. I found 20-20-20 (water sol) to work great for a small collection (3-4) of fig trees in medium sized pots (7 US gallons). This year, I'm moving onto 14 us gallon sized pots (52 liters) and also with a much larger inventory of 25. Using water soluble here will be very tedious, so I'm considering using the control release stuff as it lasts for 3-5 months and wont be flushed out when watered in. Can't say I am a fan of water soluble anymore honestly.

@thegardenguy9160 3 жыл бұрын

Does it matter if the lime is powder or granual?

@dorisagape9768 3 жыл бұрын

Please provide the brand name of the soil tester, I am looking for one that is highly rated and reliable.

@sallyhunting4013 10 ай бұрын

Would you mind showing the brand of bag fertilizers you are using?

@carlbufalo2883 2 жыл бұрын

I had two beautiful chicago hardy in northern il fig trees last year both died.

@gardeninggrandma5247 Ай бұрын

Hi, Ross: I have a potted fig. I noticed one fig on the tree. I gave it some fertilizer in early spring. Is it too late to give it the 4 to 6 applications on fertilizer that you mentioned early in the season? Not sure if it's too late to do that. Thank you.

@derrickwilliams2177 4 жыл бұрын

Good video

@daviddupre376 2 жыл бұрын

I planted a turkey fig and it’s big yay and a celestial one and miracle grow is epsom salt dyed blue yw

@2brownbraids 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you.

@h.roycappel5357 4 жыл бұрын

Do you recommend liquid fertilizer as opposed to solid?

@thatsweirdo6664 4 жыл бұрын

I give my tree the water of my lotus pond Because it has so much nutrients in it

@williamsessums245 7 ай бұрын

Where do you purchase the peters mag cal fertilizer 15-5-15?

@shoshanae3830 2 жыл бұрын

What do you use for trace minerals? I think silica is one but do you use rock dust (Azomite)? Thanks

@t-bone6467 Жыл бұрын

I'm going to use azomite on the container fig trees this growing season here in nj.

@thetobaccoguy1751 4 жыл бұрын

Can't believe you recommend Miracle Grow! Lol. Not that it's a bad product, but you're going to give the organic people a aneurism.

@lazsatori 3 жыл бұрын

What make Miracle Grow so horrible is the billionaire family that owns it...

@thetobaccoguy1751 3 жыл бұрын

@@lazsatori How so? Because the ownners are rich? MG isnt very good because its straight chemical and leaves nothing of value unlike compost, manure, and real fertilizers.

@robertbrawley5048 3 жыл бұрын

Thats what Millennium Gardener uses for his phenomenal growth of h iui s potted cutting 95% urine and 5% household ammonia wix with water 20 to one

@Brisbanesdaddy 2 ай бұрын

Where are you located Ross? Im curious about what varieties can go in ground in NE Ohio close to Canton. Thank you

@RossRaddi 2 ай бұрын

Philadelphia: www.figboss.com/post/a-hardy-fig-tree-starts-with-the-variety

@mssavedin92 6 ай бұрын

What about 24-8-16. Would that work well for the first 6 weeks?

@RossRaddi 5 ай бұрын

Absolutely.

@thatsweirdo6664 4 жыл бұрын

And it seems better in my fig cutting which has done rejuvenation pruning but not working on my 2 year old tree . And it is showing very slow growth why?

@robertbrawley5048 3 жыл бұрын

I plant mine in the ground in pots with cut outs so the roots can grow into the surrounding soil. Figs pears , plums everything Uh, uh uh yeah. I like to promote root growth near to the canopy but alow the roots to grow beyond the canopy to gather moisture to accommodate drought conditions I encounter yearly When I dig up the pots in October November I try to keep the roots grown through the holes in the pots but in some cases ( larger pots) I don't save the excess roots The 8:10 time mark. I wants to fill up my oot with new root growth so I take it i want high phosphorus that the middle number. Bare root trees come to mind they barely have any fine roots . It shocking to see what bare root sellers provide

@sukottoshinobi7313 Жыл бұрын

Not sure why you haven't had any luck with using myco products?! Ectomycorrhizae and Endomycorrhizae are two types of symbiotic relationships which exist between fungi and the roots of higher plants. Ectomycorrhizae, as the name suggests, do not penetrate deep into the plant (the cortical cells). Endomycorrhiza, on the other hand, tends to penetrate deeper (into the cortical cells). Ectomycorrhizae hosts are trees like conifers such as cedrus and pinus. Also found in non-conifers such as beech and oak. Endomycorrhiza symbiosis is common among vascular plants like produce and garden plants. I personally use bio-ag VAM with success! Hope this helps :) Symbiosis is common among vascular plants

@bernardvecchio3704 3 жыл бұрын

I have a Black Genoa Fig. It is about 6 years old, however it hasn't grown that much. It is only about 1 metre high and 1 metre in diameter and the leaves are quite small, compared to my brown turkey fig tree. The first few years i was getting about 60 figs per year, however last year and this year, not so much fruit, maybe 20. i usually fertilise and tip prune late winter. Here in Australia our winters are very mild, no frost or snow. In saying all that the tree seems quite healthy. What am i doing wrong ??

@cyrustaylor9240 4 жыл бұрын

I use Miracle Grow for the first 4-6 weeks after my in ground figs start leafing out. Then switch to high phosphorus Miracle Grow Bloom and pinch. The extra phosphorus encourages blooms, which in this case is the actual figs.

@DrAlbozUSA 4 жыл бұрын

are you related to the boss family, like bagel boss?

@RossRaddi 4 жыл бұрын

Maybe? 😁

@joerappa5278 4 жыл бұрын

Ross, Which kind of Miracle Gro soluable fertilizer are u displaying there? All Purpose MG or Tomato MG? Thanks

@prestonclark6472 3 жыл бұрын

Tomato Miracle Grow. It has higher phosphorus for better fruit and root production.

@jamescowan5975 3 жыл бұрын

Dude you have to change your KZfaq chnnale name to Ross the Fig Boss now...LMAO

@WVRetreat 4 жыл бұрын

Ross, have you tried using Superthrive Liquid Plant Fertilizer on figs?

@RossRaddi 4 жыл бұрын

I have not. A friend swears by it, so I looked into it recently. Seems like there are better products.

@moniquegebeline4350 4 жыл бұрын

Super thrive isn’t fertilizer it’s basically B vitamins. Helps with newly rooted cuttings but as far as delivering nutrients it’s a snake oil

@LittleRapGuy 9 ай бұрын

nice...

@pangea1967 4 жыл бұрын

CALIFORNIA 👍👍👍

@mssavedin92 6 ай бұрын

I just cancelled the osmocote 14-14-14 I ordered earlier today and bought the osmocote. 15-9-12 instead. Sounds closer to the NPK ratio you gave 10-5-12 .I cancelled that one too because it sounds like you feel 6 weeks water soluble is better. So, I cancelled the second amazon order of osmocote 10-5-12. PLEASE RESPOND. Ive sent various replies to other vids regarding this pretty important subject and youre not responding. :(

@DovidM 3 жыл бұрын

You can buy deodorized fish emulsion fertilizer. You can also mix molasses in the bucket you have diluted the fish fertilizer in as the sugar reduces the smell.

@robertbrawley5048 3 жыл бұрын

So the nursery that produce trees for Lowes must over feed potassium to their tree to get those 8 foot fruit trees in a relative small pot that are extremely root bound. That at the 8 minute time mark in your video I'm going to rewind that again to make sure I heard you right. Yep that's what you said " for young tree to fill the pot with roots use 12 45 12 . Way more potassium

@robertbrawley5048 3 жыл бұрын

I thought the nursery secret to grow a huge tree in a tiny pot was the blue fertilizer slow release pellets in the bark mix. So it really over potassium the fertilizer content

@robertbrawley5048 3 жыл бұрын

Yes I'm convinced that the microrizer. Ain't where it's at. There is a fellow that on youtube that used Great White microrizer in tomatoes plant test compared to no microrizer. And the growth rate and fruit count were the same. Same with the quality of the fruit

@wthomas5398 4 жыл бұрын

What about comfey tea

@RossRaddi 4 жыл бұрын

Sounds great. Any idea what the npk is? This video wasn't a great comprehensive look into organic options.

@wthomas5398 4 жыл бұрын

3, 1,5. That is averaged comfrey

@truth-Hurts375 2 жыл бұрын

Nothing beat good old cow dung !!!

@maxrocks00 4 жыл бұрын

ross the voss boss

@AntonioRamirez-ql5fe 9 ай бұрын

How to Fertilize Fig Trees the Right Way

@garyhenderson6504 3 жыл бұрын

Take a look at Miracle Gro TOMATO plant food. It is WAY better for figs than the all-purpose stuff. The NPK is 18-18-21, and for container growing figs, it is wonderful. I add bone meal and fish emulsion to it and use it every 2 weeks. My in-ground figs get it once in the spring and again in mid-summer.

@thatsweirdo6664 4 жыл бұрын

And adding cow dung fertilizer is it all good

@smm72 3 жыл бұрын

I personally only use organic products for my garden. You will get better tasting fruits healthier fruits as well.

@malshansadunsadun4233 4 жыл бұрын

Friend,can I contact you

@caveman7608 Жыл бұрын

I am officially confused, but I guess confused is better then complete ignorance

@sallyhunting4013 10 ай бұрын

Hi my Fig tree is Full grown and planted in a dirt.

@2daughtersfarm 2 ай бұрын

Weather someone is morale apposed to it or not, I didn't start understanding nutrients until I started growing cannabis. I suggest everyone check out those videos for precise nutrient application.

@ismaelchoquehuanca6757 4 жыл бұрын

Habla poco haga cansa tu palabreo

@MichaelMcbratney 3 жыл бұрын

Plants don't know the difference between organic and non-organic N-P-K...

@piosian4914 3 жыл бұрын

NPK fills most of the needs but plants need the micronutrients that are not in lab made fertilizer for maximum benefit. Traces of Copper, more than traces of Iron, many other vital elements.

@shoshanae3830 2 жыл бұрын

Mycorrhizae is what horticulturalists call 'snake oil'. There are so many KINDS of Mycorrhizae out there and guess what??? The roots make their own. So it's really marketing that makes people think they need to ADD it. And you wouldn't know if it was working either. Each and every plant can make a different one, so if you add it, it may not be useful to the plant. Waste of money, actually.