Fig close node spacing?

General Fruit Growing
1

I have a Hardy Chicago fig from EL that’s 2 years old, and this season it has grown with very close node spacing (see pics). Maybe 1/4-1/2" spacing. I noticed it early on (in May) in the new growth, so I supplemented with slow and fast release fertilizer regimens (10-10-10 slow and MG fast), but to no avail. Anyone have any idea what else could be causing close node spacing, or should I just be more aggressive with N?

The fig was uppotted this spring in a 50/50 promix HP/pine bark mix, with a handful of dolomite. I checked pH after potting and it was 5.5-6.5, but I rarely trust those pH kits. I also uppotted a brown turkey in the same soil mix with slow release fertilizer, and it grew nicely all season, 1-2" node spacing.

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adding N will certainly increase node spacing, but too much can hurt productivity.

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Agreed. I’m actually happy with the productivity of the fig from a fruit production perspective. It definitely wasn’t over-fertilized to start with, and was still exhibiting close node spacing (which is why I added N in the first place). All of my N additions have been at or below the “recommended” dosage this season, since generally figs don’t need a lot of N.

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Looks like a good thing to me. Cause is mostly variety IME. But it can be related to growing conditions.

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