I've decided to try training my future in-ground trees as stepovers, since it seems like it would be much easier to protect them for the winter. My first candidate is my Hardy Chicago, which I think is currently big enough to put in ground:

So, the questions:
1. Can I just bend the two stems to horizontal, or is it a better idea to start with a single stem pruned to induce branches?
2. If I bend the stems, should I do it now or at the end of the season? If training horizontal will negatively impact fruit production this season, I'd be pretty sad and tempted to wait until the end of the season.
3. From what I can gather from the Japanese stepover fig description, the verticals are trained ~8 inches apart on alternating sides along the length of the horizontal cordon with a ~3 ft spacing between vertical branches perpendicular to the horizontal cordons. I take this to mean I should plant ~4 feet away from the south wall of my house so I have space to walk between the tree and the house to pick the figs. Does that sound right?
So, the questions:
1. Can I just bend the two stems to horizontal, or is it a better idea to start with a single stem pruned to induce branches?
2. If I bend the stems, should I do it now or at the end of the season? If training horizontal will negatively impact fruit production this season, I'd be pretty sad and tempted to wait until the end of the season.
3. From what I can gather from the Japanese stepover fig description, the verticals are trained ~8 inches apart on alternating sides along the length of the horizontal cordon with a ~3 ft spacing between vertical branches perpendicular to the horizontal cordons. I take this to mean I should plant ~4 feet away from the south wall of my house so I have space to walk between the tree and the house to pick the figs. Does that sound right?
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