Question for the fig growers

[canadianplant]

I managed to find 2 figs labeled "hardy fig tree; zone 6". IF the picture on the tag is a proper representation of the plant, then im pretty sure its " brown turkey". I want to try it to see if i can get some of it to survive. The best odds I see is to plant it really close to my foundation, however I am aware of how invasive and massive the roots can get, at least in the plants "proper" growing zone. Im wondering if ill have the same problem here?

Last year, i planted an unknown fig and the botton 2 inches of the trunk is alive. There is lots of green but no root shoots or anything yet. Im wondering on if and when I can expect shoots up here? Things are still a bit behind but catching up fast.....

This is where I want to plant one:


These are 2 others. The one on the left is the brown turkey, and the one on the right is one my neighbor gave me. It was apparently grafted, but something broke it off, and the leaves it has now differ from the one he top grafted. Could maybe use some fert?



This is the one that was planted last year. Again, the bottom main trunk and 2 branches are alive, but nothing growing yet



Thanks

[sidpook]

I have several varieties of figs here in New Jersey. They are pretty prevalent here with all the Italians in the area. I have brown turkey and black mission fig trees. Every good Italian home has them, lol. That being said....
1.) They seem to like to be potted for a few years before you put them int he ground to let their roots get strong and thick.
2.) We don't wrap them here, but you probably will in your zone???
3.) I get two fruit yields a year, but cut the early ones back in June to have a bigger crop in August.
4.) I only ever fed them fertilizer when in pots when they were young. Once int he ground no fertilizer usually required.

Good Luck!
mike

[canadianplant]

Thanks Mike

Ive read they rather like being rootbound, and are usually planted with pavement slabs to restrict root growth for better fruiting. You saying they would like to be potted for a few years makes a lot of sense.

I would have to wrap it and use deep mulch. The snow does a rather good job of insulating as well. I was thinking of wrapping it sortve like most people do with basjoo... The main thing im worried about are the roots, especially if planted as close as indicated in the first picture...

[sidpook]

Thanks Mike

Ive read they rather like being rootbound, and are usually planted with pavement slabs to restrict root growth for better fruiting. You saying they would like to be potted for a few years makes a lot of sense.

I would have to wrap it and use deep mulch. The snow does a rather good job of insulating as well. I was thinking of wrapping it sortve like most people do with basjoo... The main thing im worried about are the roots, especially if planted as close as indicated in the first picture...

I know in the past all the older Italians used to wrap them in burlap and tar paper and then cover them with plastic.

[miketropic]

there are some at my local greenhouse they call "chicago hardy figs" been thinking of getting one to try.

[canadianplant]

Chicago hardy comes back from the roots in th chicago are with a bit of.protection. Cameron has a few

[Cameron_z6a_N.S.]

"Hardy Chicago" has been a great cultivar for me. My plants are budding slowly.

Jesse, I'd plant those figs as close to the foundation as possible. If they survive (and thrive) and the roots do end up being invasive, you could always just end up leaving the plants unprotected during the winter to kill them, and have rooted cuttings ready to try in other locations.

[canadianplant]

Thats what I was thinking as well. I planted one away from the house, and am going to keep the one indoors. I want to take some cuttings, but there is no semi hard or hardwood, its all green and apparently cuttings from green wood (in regards to figs) dont take too well. Im hoping to get some more, I have a feeling theyll be 50% off in a few weeks. Here is where its planted: