Fig Tree care

RoyH · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject: Fig Tree care

Hi all, I’ve just been re-potting / pruning a couple of Fig trees for some friends of mine & I'm a tad concerned that they may suffer from the cold temps of my garage. They have both been house in conservatories, which i assume are quite cold at night, so maybe my garage isn’t too bad. It say's in the reading i have studied that 15c or above is safest for them, any advice would be appreciated, but i will be trying to get them back to their owners ASAP as I don’t want them to suffer from the cold?

here's a couple of pictures of the trees before and after: -

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj122/yorky_2008/beforefront2.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj122/yorky_2008/finishedfront24-3- 082.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj122/yorky_2008/beforefront1.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj122/yorky_2008/frontafter1.jpg

Gazza · White Belt Joined: 25 Jun 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Essex

Hi Roy,

They look great Very Happy

emorrin · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:41 am Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

15 C is a bit on the cold side but they should be all right in this temperature range for short term. One thing you want to be careful about is drastic temperature changes, as this may cause leaf drop to occur. If they are healthy, the leave will grow back without any problems. These look like older specimens so they might not bounce back as quick as a younger tree. Also, you just did a re pot so that adds extra stress on the trees.

I would mist them down a couple of times a day so they get at least some humidity. They should be ok.

RoyH · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

thanks for the advice emorrin, but they are in a much colder climate than 15c at the moment as we have had frost at night, so now I'm panicking!

emorrin · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

Roy,

I wouldn't panic just yet, neither would I leave them out in that cold of a temperature too long. I leave my ficus bonsais indoors all year round as they are accustomed to fluorescent lighting. If I were to bring them outside in full sun, leaf burn would probably result since they are not used to that intensity of light. I would need to gradually introduce them to sun light so they can adjust. If it was cold enough to frost outside then I would probably bring them indoors if possible and leave them in one spot. Since they are in a garage, the temperature should be warmer than outside, even if unheated. Since you said they have been housed in conservatories, then they might not have problems at all. This is assuming that the conservatory is unheated. They may be used to the cooler temps and day/night temp changes. They don't like drastic change but are resilient if gradually subjected to change. For the most part, if you leave them in one spot with warm enough temps, water them enough, and ensure they get enough light, you should never have a problem with them. It is when they are moved around, the changes in light intensity, temp, etc. causing them to loose their leaves.

RoyH · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

Many thanks again Emorrin, you have put my mind at ease.

They have stayed in the garage, so not exposed to the frost at night.
The owners are a 100 mile round trip away or i would have taken them back, but we meet once per month at our koi club meeting, so that's when i will be returning them. Thanks again for the advice.

Stymie · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:43 pm Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

I'm worried about the low temperatures Roy. Can you not put them somewhere a little warmer. It will not be for long.
If they must be in the garage, I wouldn't mist them. That will reduce the temperature still further as it evaporates.

RoyH · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

Hi Don, i haven't been misting them, but i cant think of anywhere warmer to house them??

emorrin · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

Roy,

Don is right, misting should only be done if they are in optimal temperatures (15C to 32 C). They love humidity and daily misting combined with a humidity tray makes them real happy. Putting them somewhere a little warmer would be a safe bet. If you do, just make sure to not put them anywhere where the temp change will be drastic over a short period. For example, take them from the garage where it is 7 C then put them straight into the kitchen where is it 22 C. If you have a cool basement then maybe you can put them there then move them to the kitchen in a day or two. Get the idea?

RoyH · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: Re: Fig Tree care

Hi Emorrin, i may move them into my pond filter house tomorrow, which stays around 14c at night as my pond is heated by a gas boiler which is housed in the filter house.
Its a tad restricted for space, but i will try and sort something out.