Fertilizers and Feed Schedule for Fig Trees, 2021.

[AscPete]

IMO, Ficus carica L. Feed Schedules are required for maintaining healthy, productive growth of Potted Fig Trees, 6 - 15 figs per fruiting branch. The following is a single graphic of Feed Schedules using simple combinations of Granular and Water Soluble Fertilizers. Included are Granular Synthetic, CRF (Controlled Release Fertilizer), Granular Organic and Water Soluble (concentrate), all have been trialed over the past 9 years based on plant nutrient requirements and (my) 'best' gardening practice.

• Base Fertilizer provide initial Nutrient 'Charge', Microbes and some initial Calcium.
• Dolemite Limestone Provides added Calcium, Magnesium and some Micro-nutrients.
• Supplement provides added NPK and Micro-nutrients for Ficus carica L. Stage I growth, first 2 months.
• Feed Fertilizers provide Macro and Micro-nutrients for vegetative and fruit growth, several also provide SecondaryMacro-nutrients (Ca, Mg, S).

Fig tree nutrition and Feed schedules... https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...-feed-schedule
Fig tree nutrition... https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...40#post1032340

[MJFIGS]

Very informative, thank you.

I also use Jobes fruits and citrus in my base mix, with great results.

[AscPete]

Thanks for commenting.
Jobes Fruit and Nuts or Fruit and Citrus at 3-5-5 NPK are more than adequate for both Base and 'general' Fertilizer.
Jobes also has a good variety / selection of Microbes.

[Salvatore]

Thank you for all you do, very well done and with pictures too. Awesome!

[AscPete]

You’ Welcome.
Just sharing the info picked up since started growing Figs.

Adequate Fertilizing, Pruning and Water are needed for healthy productive Potted Fig trees...

[MJFIGS]

Also, remember to keep an eye on the fertilizer section in Walmarts and local garden stores around mid to late September, these will be heavily discounted.

[MASS FIGS]

I’m the guy walking out with 150 lbs of plant tone in September/October

[AscPete]

Thanks.

I’ve picked up Tomato-tone the last few years, but this year will be a bust, none on the shelves of my local stores...

It’s easy checking discounts and inventory online it’s a simple search ‘Walmart Fertilizer’ then check local stores...

[MASS FIGS]

All I use is Plant Tone with some extra oyster shell. Probably about 1 cup every 4-6 weeks. I prefer it over the other Espoma product because it’s slightly higher in nitrogen so I don’t find I need to be adding more beyond that.

Hard to really compare to other people using the type of growing medium you have because I am using compost+perlite only mix which is not something most people approve of. The results have been excellent but I am noticing the shrinkage and mediocre water retention will be a longer term issue for the larger trees.

Whether I’m root pruning or uppotting, I will be using peat next year to make up for the shrinkage and improve water/ nutrient retention/release. So I might actually up my usage and follow something closer to what you’re doing.

Thanks for the post!

[AscPete]

You’re welcome.

Thanks for commenting and sharing your info.

I’m currently stocked with Tomato-tone. But have always used Garden-tone supplemented with MG All Purpose for Added N and micros.

[Newbie2figs]

Man this is great!!

Thank you so much!!
Mario
9aTx

[AscPete]

You're welcome.

[ETXfigger]

Thank you so much for the info! I’ve also found that using Dr. Earth for a good base fertilizer works really good. Either the “fruit tree fertilizer” (5-5-2) or the “tomato and vegetable” (4-6-3)for the stage of the growth has worked for me great! Generally feed that once a month with a good watering.

[AscPete]

You're welcome.
I also like Dr Earth's products but the Tomato NPK ratio is 'off', too little K (Potassium), the All Purpose Life 5-5-5 and Premium Gold 4-4-4 have a much better 1:1:1 ratio...

[PacNorWreck]

AscPete I was going to send you a PM with this product but looks like you have that turned off, hopefully you don’t mind me posting here. I just found a product, for those interested, it’s a 2-1-2 liquid soluble fertilizer, which can be a part of one’s fertilizing regime.

it’s called grow 2-1-2 by West Coast Horticulture. It’s also interesting for being organic and also a liquid soluble fertilizer, meaning the nutrients are immediately available to plants.

[AscPete]

Thanks for commenting.
I prefer to have discussions on the open forum due to an increased work schedule with less free time for detailed PMs...

Its a 4-Part water soluble Fertilizer for Cannabis... NPK, Micronutrients, Calcium and Magnesium, 2-NPK for $51.00, 1-Micros for $51.00 - 1-Ca for $61.00 per gallon,
Total of $214.00 for the 4 gallons to make 256 gallons of nutrient solution less Magnesium (Epsom Salt?)

WCH 4-Part Fertilizer... https://westcoasthorticulture.com/product/grow-2-1-2/
WCH Rates... https://westcoasthorticulture.com/fertilizer-use-rates/

Peters 20-20-20 is $58.00 to make 2,500 gallons at similar feed rate ~ 200ppm N... https://www.domyown.com/peters-profe...r-p-11449.html
Peters 20-10-20 is $81.00 to make 2,500 gallons at similar feed rate ~200ppm N... https://www.domyown.com/peters-profe...0-p-17037.html
Peters is only missing a Calcium Source?, a 40lb bag of Gypsum - $14.00

[WVMJack]

We have been using the Fruit and Berry since we can also use it for all of our other fruit trees, good stuff on figs. https://www.hyrbrix.com/fruit-and-berry

[WVMJack]

So Pete, how are you measuring the success of your fertilizing schedule? Typically in other fruits like apples you can to keep it simple just see how many inches of new growth you get, like 6-8 inches is good growth in zone 6 as an example. Its harder in figs, the slow growers vs the highly vigorous, your BM might only grow 6 inches while your more vigorous fig trees might put on 3 feet of new growth. Since we are actually just looking for flowers to eat is it a good measure of how many figs were set, of course adjusted for vigorous level of the tree, like BM might not be very vigorous in new growth length but will put a fig at every new node while some more vigorous growers only set a percentage of nodes. Some people just like green leaves, even though most of us are not eating the leaves

[AscPete]

Thanks for commenting.
Pruned to 3 Fruiting Branches per 3 - 5 Scaffold Branches in 5 Gallon buckets I usually set 60 - over 100 Figs minimum. Due to my short season early Figs ripen fully, midseason Figs only ripen some of the total set. Along with Fertilization Pruning and adequate water for uninterrupted early growth are required for production and to prevent dropping breba figs.
Previous Topic... https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...s-what-and-how

BTW, for Ficus carica the better NPK ratios in order of preference are 2-1-3, 1-1-2, 1-1-1 due to the higher amount of K. The Hyrbrix Fruit and Berry @ 6-8-9 NPK is a good ratio, but have not seen a listing on the Fertilizer Database, the Guaranteed and Heavy Metal Analysis... https://agr.wa.gov/departments/pesti...oduct-database

[thedrpepperdude]

Wow, great post Pete. This is some very good info. This is my first year growing figs and this feed schedule will really help me out. Thanks for including pics of all of the products also.
Are you able to put any plants in the ground where you live or are they all in pots? Would you change the feed or schedule for a in ground plant? Thanks again for the info!!!
thedrpepperdude (Paul)

[AscPete]

You're welcome.

The in-ground figs don't produce well due to an even shorter growing season, they rarely ripen, the fig trees are potted in 5-gallon buckets.
Yes, for in-ground trees in healthy garden soils usually only additional Nitrogen is required, I use the 24-8-16 Water Soluble Supplement for most in-ground plants at bud break with layered compost and cover crops (Clover and Winter Rye)...
Soil Tests are recommended to get a better idea as to what nutrients are required or are in excess, but 1:1:1 NPK ratios are generally recommended for in-ground fig trees, up to 10-10-10 NPK.

[Joshawa]

man, this is too professional....

[Joshawa]

by the way, do the trees need fertilizer during ripening process?

[Joshawa]

thanks for the quick reply.
so...bone meal will be good enough?

[AscPete]

No, Espoma Bone Meal is 4-12-0 NPK plus 12% Ca (Calcium)
Fig trees need lots more K (Potassium) than P (Phosphorus), though the Ca (Calcium) is OK, from the OP... https://www.ourfigs.com/filedata/fetch?photoid=1039356
The NPK ratio for 'Hydroponic' Culture is approximately 2:1:4, Bone Meal is a 1:3:0 NPK ratio.

[Joshawa]

thanks, Pete.
I will try to find something accordingly.

[habutti]

This is absolutely great information. Thank you very much for taking the time to put this together and share it with the group. I guess we adjust accordingly when using our fish, blood/bone meal supplements? Also do you add any beneficial microbes to your potted plants? If so what do you recommend?

[AscPete]

You're welcome.
Yes you would adjust to get similar amounts of nutrients with the individual Organic Ingredients...

The beneficial Microbes are in the Organic Granular Fertilizers, Tomato-tone now actually only has microbes (bacteria) to breakdown the fertilizer ingredients...
Beneficial Mycorrhizae are available in Dr. Earth, Jobes and Espoma Starter Plus granular Organic Fertilizers...

... https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...424#post406424
"... https://www.researchgate.net/publica...6_fig_genotype
Beneficial Fig Endomycorrhizae Species;
3) Glomus etunicatum
*4) Glomus intraradices
*5) Glomus macrocarpium
*6) Glomus caledonium
*7) Glomus margarita
8) Glomus clarium ..."

[Salvatore]

Hey Pete, Found Jack's 20-10-20,, 25lbs. for $73:00 free shipping in usa. https://thelandscaperstore.com/produ...9e545c81&_ss=r

[AscPete]

Thanks for sharing that info...
Don't forget to include a source for additional Calcium and Magnesium (Ca & Mg).

[bkkchris]

AscPete Are you still recommending Ironite 1-0-1 every 3 months along with the Limestone (Gypsum)/Epson? And for coco/peat mixes, still recommending 50/50 Limestone/Gypsum rather than one or the other?

Also did I see that Espoma Garden-Tone also only has microbes (no mycho)? I always bounce between either that or Dr. Earth Premium Gold depending on what's cheapest, but that might sway me to stick with Dr. Earth.

[AscPete]

Ironite 1-0-1, 4.5% Iron is no longer available... https://www.ourfigs.com/filedata/fet...114849&thumb=1
I plan on using the Micros in the Supplement and or a separate source, there are some Micros in Gypsum and Limestone. Yes to Gypsum and Dolemite Limestone (along with Epsom Salt) depending on your location and pH of water supply, the Gypsum is more water soluble and readily available in greater relative percentage.

Yes, currently only Beneficial Bacteria in Garden-tone and Tomato-tone... https://3c9sm1yzqy518hwx3f6o4c64-wpe...ysis_Chart.gif
I still have some stock of Dr. Earth Life 5-5-5 but the expiration date is this year (2021)...

[minacio]

AscPete Is there anything wrong with using Ironite with 20% iron?

[AscPete]

minacio ,
There is nothing wrong with using the New Formula "Ironite 1-0-1 20% Iron", except that it does not have all the added Micro-nutrients of "Ironite1-0-1 4.5% Iron"

Ironite 20% = N, K, Ca, S, Fe, Trace Zn ( @ 0.0031%)
Ironite 4.5% = N, K, Ca, S, B, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn ( @ 0.100%)

You can use the New Formula for Iron (Fe) at 25% (1/4) the application rate of the old formula (4.5% Iron) or ~ 1 Tbsp (one Tablespoon for 5 gallons of Mix)

[WVMJack]

How would this fit in since Ironite isnt available anymore. AMLeo MegaIron plus micros

https://www.amleo.com/florikan-meg-iron-v-micronutrient-mix/p/FLKMIV

[AscPete]

It should work, but it also provides added Ca, S and Mg which is already in my schedule.

I’m looking at the Mittleider micro mix which is only micro-nutrients... https://www.trueleafmarket.com/produ...nt=40608958600

[Drfig]

Thanks pete

[AscPete]

You’re welcome.

[TNJed]

I love the Jobe’s All Purpose. I wasn’t using it earlier in the season and growth wasn’t great. I began putting ~1 TB per gal of pot size every 2 wks or so and can tell a difference. I just mix it around so it falls through the mulch a bit. This is in addition to weekly Miracle-Gro and periodic Alaska Fish.

[AscPete]

BTW, if you are doing weekly feeds of M-G AP you could add 1/4 - 1/2 tsp Epsom Salt / Gallon of solution to meet the Magnesium (Mg) requirements.

[TNJed]

Thanks Pete. I wasn’t sure about micros in Alaska. I’ve been putting gypsum in all my new or up potted figs this season so hopefully they are covered. I probably do need to add some Epsom to those that haven’t changed pots this year.

[AscPete]

TNJed ,
You’re welcome.

Contrary to lots of misinformation there are much more plant micronutrients and percentages in M-G All Purpose water soluble than in the Alaska Fish 5-1-1, which is actually both macro and micro nutrient deficient...

A comparison from the Fertilizer Database shoving Guaranteed Analysis and Heavy Metal Analysis, (some Heavy metals are also plant nutrients)... https://www.ourfigs.com/filedata/fetch?photoid=1035234

[minacio]

@AcePete

https://www.ourfigs.com/filedata/fetch?photoid=1035234

How are you getting these additional elements that aren't even listed on the product labels? It's pretty damn fascinating!

[AscPete]

From the Commercial Fertilizer Database... https://agr.wa.gov/departments/pesti...oduct-database

Can be searched by Product or Company name. Guaranteed Analysis and Heavy Metal Analysis are Required for commercial Fertilizers in the USA.

[minacio]

Thank you sir!

[habutti]

Now that's an eye opener for me. I was under the impression that the Alaska Fish was a more complete solution. Thanks for the info, you live and you learn.

[AscPete]

You’re welcome.

The Alaska Fish 5-1-1 is mostly NPK, higher relative percentage of N and some trace Zn (Zinc).

Miracle-Gro is comparatively complete only missing Ca and Mg which can be sourced from Dolemite Limestone, Gypsum and Epsom Salt.

[minacio]

I’ve been trying Miracle-Gro Performance Organic, which includes Calcium. Their 1lb box, “Blooms” is more like an AP fertilizer, 8-8-8 with 8.7% calcium. https://www.miraclegro.com/en-us/pro...lant-nutrition

I also include Epsom salt into the mix when I water/feed. Only thing it doesn’t have is perhaps enough of the trace minerals, which I’m apparently lacking in my feeding schedule, but Ironite 20% (I guess) has been working. And yes, I also added Lime at the beginning of the growing season to help with my two main problems I was having, low pH and not enough calcium. I’ve been having some decent figs this year.

[AscPete]

Thanks for sharing your info...

[GuyA]

Great information thank you, I use also use a ratio of 3-1 of epsom salt and organic azalea food, sprinkle on top of the soil. I water it in with two gallons of water soluble fertilizer (Miracle Grow) and a splash of Alaskan Fish liquid. Being a newbie any info helps. My only serious question is do I stop this schedule, being in Zone 9A, when do the trees go into dormancy?

[AscPete]

You're welcome.
Just curious, how much 3-1 ratio Fertilizer for how much volume of potting mix? Thanks.

There are a few Florida growers that can answer your questions about season length and some recommend the Jacks (20-20-20) with some added Calcium source as being more than adequate.

[GuyA]

The 3-1 ratio is in an 8oz cup. Holly Tone one part to 3 part epsom salt put a pinch or two on the soil before doing the water soluble application. Once every two weeks I will probably stop by Halloween.

[AscPete]

GuyA ,
When growing in ground it’s recommended to get an initial Soil Test to see the available and or deficient nutrients. Inexpensive Soil tests are usually offered by the Agricultural Extensions of the States’ Land Grant universities. The amount of Mg seems excessive (3:1 ratio to Holly-tone) but the actual application rate, amount applied is crucial. Good luck.

[Wisner]

AscPete, how do you feel about time release fertilizers such as Osmocote? I use Osmocote Plus along with a few other fertilizers and it makes fertilizing simpler for me.

[AscPete]

Timed release fertilizers (CRF - Controlled Release fertilizers) like Omocote Plus (15-9-12 NPK with Micronutrients) work well.
but I prefer the Miracle-Gro Shaken'Feed with 10-5-15 NPK Ratio. The 2-1-3 ratio (more K) works better for 'Full Cycle' growth and production of mature trees.
IMO and experience, 2-1-3 ratio only needs some added water soluble N during the 'growing' (Stage I) season along with added Ca and Mg,
only some added Ca and Mg during the 'fruiting' (Stage II) season.

[toolie1]

I was wondering about dyna gro. Seems like it has all the nutrients necessary for the container plants but it seems like it is not popular with figgers. Is it because it is inferrier or is it too expensive ? Seems easy to mix and easy to use.
Just wondering

[Citicodays]

I use dyna gro, with good success. I believe AscPete would say you need to add extra lime and magnesium, which is easy to do.👍🏻

[AscPete]

There are several growers that use Dyna-Gro 9-3-6. I don't use it myself, IMO its adequate but still needs added Ca and Mg (and increased K) for healthier Fig tree growth.
You could purchase a granular water soluble concentrate at a much lower cost per gallon of nutrient solution, for example;

Peters 20-20-20 is $58.00 (25 lbs) to make 2,500 gallons at similar feed rate ~ 200 ppm N... https://www.domyown.com/peters-profe...r-p-11449.html
Dyna-Gro 9-3-6 is $76.00 (1 gallon) to make ~ 512 gallons at similar feed rate ~ 200 ppm N... https://www.greenhousemegastore.com/...iage-pro-9-3-6

NPK ppm;
Peter's 20-20-20;.. 203 - 89 - 169 ... @ ~ 1 tsp/gal
DynaGro 9-3-6;..... 204 - 30 - 113 ... @ 1-1/2 tsp/gal

[toolie1]

Pete
Thanks for the help
I have wondered about the comparison of dyna gro to peters ever since I started growing figs
Still have half gallon of dyna gro but will also try peters