Fun Times!

[newnandawg]

Its that time of the year for me and maybe you too. For those who may have just started growing fig trees in pots, this
post is for you.

Root Pruning and up potting/re-potting.

I generally do this in early spring around the last of March in my area. Since the temps have been so mild and most of my
potted trees stored in the garage have already leafed out, I am doing it a little early this year.


10 gallon tree to be root pruned and re-potted in same pot.



root ball to be pruned.


My tool of choice is the saw-all. Fast, efficient and not much labor involved.


what I remove from each side and bottom


pruning completed



ingredients I am using this year. first time to use the clay balls. have been using the oil dry from Tractor Supply. Also changed
from ProMix to FoxFarm Ocean Forest. Trying to prevent hydrophobic soil

[TorontoJoe]

I'm curious - Do you find that root pruning affects the crop produced for that season?

[TorontoJoe]

Thanks Pete. I'm trying to work out a strategy to keep the trees producing well. Hearing that root pruning would affect the current years crop....I thought that perhaps a good plan would be to maintain 2 of each variety and alternating pruning pruning years... from what you're telling me, I think it might be a good idea. Of course it means I need twice the space....

[AscPete]

You're welcome.
Fig roots typically start to grow a few weeks before bud break...
If you do a light root prune or scoring to cut long circling roots early it shouldn't noticeably impact your season, but the amount of pruning is somewhat "trial and error" based on the size and density of your root-ball.

[newnandawg]

Pete, thanks for chiming in.

[cjccmc]

Looking good Mike, glad you're having nice spring weather. Lifting all those plants and bags should give you a pair of linebacker sized "guns" in no time at all

[newnandawg]

My guns are worn out Conrad. LoL

[eboone]

Mike what ratio do you use for your mix? I see no perlite other than that in the fox farm mix. How much of the fertilizers per gallon?

[newnandawg]

Ed, the ratio is about 70-20-10 (Foxfarm, pine bark, expanded clay balls). Only perlite is whats in the Foxfarm. I use one cup of lime and Espoma per five gallons

[AscPete]

Mike, newnandawg ,
Thanks for sharing the photos and info on root pruning, its one of the most important and often overlooked part of successful container / potted fig culture.

[WillsC]

Looks like a lot of work.

[NativeSun]

Thanks Mike!

[don_sanders]

I might have to get a reciprocating saw next year. I only had a handful to do this year so I used a hand saw. It was a lot harder to cut through the roots than I thought it would be.