Newbie Woes AGAIN

[FigHappy]

I had my 1 and 2 year old figs in 1 gallon containers., Before the snow came I covered them up with a bedspread, because I had left them outside. We had 9" in sNM. While they were covered a RAT? ate all the bark off half or more of them. So this is the part I was looking for advice or opinions; so I put some glue traps near the figs, sorry animal lovers, and then cut all the stalks off the other figs. Then I sprayed pruning sealer on what was left in the pots hoping the tar smell would keep the varmiints away. So now I have to root the cuttings. Its just like starting all over again. I was wondering if the figs in the pots might come back or not. ? This is almost funny because I have encountered almost every set back possible with trying to grow figs from the get go!! Still forging on though, Thanks, See less

[Tonycm]

The figs in the pots should come back as long as their roots are intact and there is a dormant bud, which I've found there is 99% of the time. I don't know how cold it gets there but if the temps go too low the roots can freeze killing the whole tree. You should put them in a garage or some other building if possible. If you don't have a building you can sink the pots in the ground and mulch them well for cold protection.

[Sarahkt]

Sounds like you need a Rat Assassin. Sorry for your woes! Yeah, if they have any undamaged buds left they will come back...

My come-back miracle last rooting season was a White Adriatic cutting, which molded and got whittled to increasingly less until it had maybe half a node left. Still alive, and now doing well!

[HarveyC]

I'm busy enough with my own challenges, LOL

[Sarahkt]

Hey Harvey! That moldy White Adriatic cutting I bought from you on eBay last winter, actually. (It was one of my early rooting attempts and the moldiness is entirely due to my ignorant overwatering followed by fond neglect.) The fact that I mistreated it for almost a year and it's still alive and well rooted with half a node to its name, speaks to the quality of the cutting! lol.

[HarveyC]

Cuttings are usually very resilient and forgiving (unless they cost a lot of money it seems, LOL)!

So far this season I've got 1 rat and 5 mice. The only damage so far was that a mouse had dug some soil out of one of my pots. I just bought a "Rat Zapper" to give a try as one more method to try to keep them at bay.

[eboone]

I would not rely on the glue traps alone - I would put out poison and snap traps baited with peanut butter as well. No mercy.

[Taverna78]

They will regrow. I had to cut my very large trees to ground level and they regrow even faster. So many roots with not much to feed. So will come back quickly. If you have bird feeder around bait traps with peanut butter and bird seed. Work for me every time.

[Rewton]

I've had good luck with mothballs as a repellent. I also have two cats that patrol the back yard.

[FigHappy]

Thanks everyone, I feel somewhat relieved and hopeful. I will incorporate all your suggestions!

[Erick]

Like everyone else is saying they will probably be just fine. The cold and wind on the pots would be my biggest worry. If something doesn't make it and its not rare I'm sure their will be alot of extras this spring.