Figs — Part Two

This is part two of a two-week series on growing figs in Georgia. Last week we looked into fruiting and reasons for premature fig drop along with proper fig tree pruning.

This week we cover fig tree fertilization, watering, and pest control. Fig trees do not require rich, fertile soils but do require a complete fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 for optimum growth. Mature trees (over five years old) need only one application of fertilizer in the early spring and then only if branches grew less than one foot the previous year. Trees three years old or younger benefit from fertilizer three times per year-early spring, mid-May, and mid-July.

Note: if trees are producing fruit that are not ripening properly, over-fertilization could be the problem. Remember that excess nitrogen encourages rank growth at the expense of fruit production. Lack of sufficient watering may also contribute to this problem.

As with most crops, one inch of water per week is generally adequate for figs. Yellowing and dropping of leaves may suggest insufficient moisture. Mulching is a good idea and may reduce the need for additional irrigation.

Figs are not immune to pests. In south Georgia, the leading cause of fig tree death is root-knot nematode damage. If trees appear stunted and sickly, dig up a few roots and inspect them. If galls have formed on the roots, this is a positive indicator of the presence of root-knot nematodes.

There is no cure for root-knot nematode infection. Most often, infected trees will eventually die. The best control is prevention. When planting a new tree, choose a site far away from an old garden spot, where nematodes could have been active. Remember-nematodes favor sandy soils.

Other fig pests include birds, who can consume a large part of the crop if not checked. Harvesting on a timely basis will reduce bird damage.

Fig rust is another problem, occurring in late summer. Although usually not fatal, rust weakens the fig tree. Infected leaves turn yellow or brown and fall off. Raised, reddish-brown spots appear on the undersides of leaves. These spots often contain rust spores. Infected leaves should be gathered and removed from the area to avoid reinfection.

Pink blight is a white to pink velvety growth on dead and dying twigs, most often occurring in the interior portions of the fig tree. Infected branches should be removed. Trees pruned to allow good air movement within the canopy of the tree will have little or no pink blight.

Another potential fig problem is souring of the fruit. Souring is caused by insects, which spread yeast. A soured fig will display bubbly, gummy masses, which ooze from the eye of the fruit and exude an offensive, fermented odor. The only control is to grow varieties with a tight or closed eye that prevents insects from entering the fig fruit.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on fig production. Good luck with your figs!

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association Certified Plant Professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture instructor, and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Hwy 26 two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478)954-1507 or timlewis1@windstream.net.

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