Little potted figs don’t seem to be a problem popping the fig tree out. But if you got a big, heavy potted fig can you tell if it is due for root pruning without taking it out of the pot?
Usually when I see the roots coming out of the drain holes, I get the box knife and do some root pruning. Just kidding, with fig roots it’s usually the hand cutters and hatchet, not the lil box knife.
Taking them.out of the pot is easy in the winter.
But its when they need really fequent watering
not figs but i take out my potted citrus every 2 years and cut out 1/3rd of the root ball and replant in new soil. has done the trick so far. keeps them growing well.
3 Likes
It only needs repotting when the vigor drops lower than desired. Prune the top hard every year and when it doesn’t grow back as much as it did, then repotting and root pruning may restore the vigor. But try more fertilizer and water first,
Another condition that warrants repotting is if the media collapses/shrinks and becomes anaerobic.
4 Likes
@fruitnut What size pots do you grow your figs in, and how many figs does an average tree typically produce for you in that size.
I was growing in 25 gallon fabric pots in a greenhouse with a long season. Mostly that was to produce cuttings to root. Typically, those would produce about 100 figs. I liked them to stop growing in late summer so that the wood fully lignified before pruning. With a media that was about 50 % course pine bark and 50 % promix HP., they grew and produced well with no root pruning and no circling roots for 5-7 years. Some could have gone 10 years.
1 Like