How to prune potted figs

time

Pruning can be done in early spring, after all frosts have passed, and in some cooler areas, summer pruning is also required.

Key Points

Cut off all frostbitten branches, reduce 2-3 branches on each main branch, and keep one bud. In summer, leave 5-6 leaves and pinch off the top. In addition, branches that cross over with normal branches should also be cut off.

method

Open-heart pruning method

After planting, leave 3-4 buds at the base of the main trunk of the fig seedling before pruning. In the same year, select 3 main branches growing in different directions, and make sure they are separated at an angle. In addition, remember to control the length of the main branches to about 40cm. In summer, those branches that grow too much need to be topped off, and in winter, the fruit-bearing branches need to be pruned to remove the weak ones and keep the strong ones. Another point is that as for the extension branches of these three main branches, it is best to prune them back every year to ensure that the crown size is appropriate.

Main trunk horizontal ring pruning

Allow it to grow naturally in the first year after planting. In winter, prune the branches in a circular pattern from bottom to top, leaving about 10 branches for pruning. After the branches have grown longer, tie them up to make them horizontal. Remember to thin out those branches that are too dense and overlapping, and keep the main trunk extension branches growing upward to 1-1.2cm high. After the third year of fruiting, the horizontal fruiting branches have formed a complete ring around the main trunk from bottom to top. They are pruned every year to renew and maintain the beautiful tree shape.

To master the pruning of figs, you must not only master these methods, but also understand the fruit-bearing habits of figs, so that pruning can be easy.