Here’s a short discussion of fertilizer products containing appropriate proportions of major- and micro-nutrients for fruits of warmer climates. If missing from your soil or water supply, you might also need to supplement with S, Mg, and Ca. The first product is an easy to use liquid, the second a powder for home gardeners, and the third a powder sold in 25-lb bags for large cultivation projects. I have tailored the application frequency for perennial fruit trees of warmer climates, resulting in longer periods between applications than those listed on the product labels. Of course, the manufacturers would like you to purchase their products more often.
Important note: never put herbicide in a hose-end sprayer or container that you use for fertilizer.
Disclaimer: I don’t sell these products nor have any financial interest in the manufacturers.
- FOLIAGE PRO 9-3-6 (32 fl.oz. size)
This is an easy to use product, although you’ll pay a bit extra for it per dosage.
Application: Pour the liquid into a hose-end sprayer, set the rate to 1 teaspoon per gallon, spray your fig plants, pour the remaining liquid back in the bottle. You’re done.
Treat fig plants about every two months while foliage is present. Treat Citrus and other evergreens quarterly.
I don’t recommend Foliage Pro for other types of fertilizer applications because the cost per dosage is excessive.
- MIRACLE-GRO 24-8-16 (4.25 lb size)
This is a high-concentration product which can provide cost savings per dosage. A double-ended measuring spoon is included in the package.
a. Foliar spray.
Before using the product the first time, put a measured amount of water in your hose-end sprayer using the marked lines on the canister. Set the spray rate to 1 fl.oz. per gallon. Next, spray your plants as if you have fertilizer in the canister. Now check the markings on the canister to see how much liquid was disbursed (a subtraction calculation).
For actual treatment, put the amount of water discovered above into the canister of the hose-end sprayer. For each fl.oz. of water in the canister, add 1/2 teaspoon of the product to the water, then stir. Set the spray rate to 1 fl.oz. per gallon and spray your fig plants. Treat the fig plants about every two months while foliage is present. Treat Citrus and other evergreens quarterly.
b. Hand watering with a bucket.
Add 1 tbsp of product for each gallon of water in the bucket. Pour solution into potted plants until it reaches the rim, or pour 5 to 20 gallons of solution to in-ground trees depending on tree size. Treat the fig plants about every two months while foliage is present. Treat Citrus and other evergreens quarterly.
c. Hose wand with 15:1 siphon (venturi) injector in hose line and injection tube in 5-gallon bucket.
Put 1.5 gallons of water in the bucket, then mix in 1.4 cups of the product. Water the base of the fig plants, avoiding foliage. Put a lid on the bucket to save any leftover solution. Treat fig plants about every two months while foliage is present. Treat Citrus and other evergreens quarterly.
d. Small EZ-Flo system.
Begin with an empty 3/4 gallon EZ-FLO. Add 1 packet plus 3/4 gallon of water. 1 packet contains 500 g (1.1 lbs) of fertilizer, about 600 ml (2.5 cups).
Set the injection rate to 1:800 for figs, 1:500 for Citrus. Fertigate at this rate the entire growing season or year.
- PETERS 24-8-16 (25 lb size)
This product is similar to Miracle-Gro 24-8-16, but it does contain sulfur and thus there is typically no need for supplemental S.
All information below is for feeding every time you water.
a. EZ-Flo systems.
Start with an empty canister. Add fertilizer and then fill the canister with water and agitate.
3/4 gallon system – add 3 cups fertilizer, use 1:1100 for figs, 1:650 for Citrus.
1.75 gallon system – add 10 cups fertilizer, use 1:1500 for figs, 1:900 for Citrus.
2.5 gallon system – add 1 gallon fertilizer, use 1:1800 for figs, 1:1000 for Citrus.
b. Dosatron systems.
5-gallon “Dosacart” – add 1.5 gallon fertilizer + 4 gal. water, use 1:1600 for figs, 1:900 for Citrus.
Clear 15-gal. Barrel – add 1 25-lb bag + 10 gal. water, use 1:1500 for figs, 1:900 for Citrus.
Clear 50-gal. Barrel – add 5 25-lb bags + 40 gal. water, use 1:1800 for figs, 1:1000 for Citrus.
