Figs

[Hurraw]

Hey all,

I have a big beautiful fig tree. It's gigantic. The figs are green and FAT. I plan on drying them in my dehydrator. However, every time I look online to see how and when to pick the figs, it says, "YOU MUST WAIT UNTIL THE FIGS FALL FROM THE TREE TO KNOW THEY ARE RIPE." In my two years of living with my gigantic fig tree I have NEVER seen one fig fall to the ground. Any of you have experience with fig trees? Why won't my figs fall to the ground? They have NEVER. About when do they ripen?

Thanks,

Figging frustrated!

[delmar]

I have never had a fig tree but I do have some pear and apple trees. Get yourself a long paint roller pole and take the wire part without the roller and use it to shake the branches gently.

I think you will find that when they are ripe a gentle shake will cause them to fall but will not cause the figs that are not ripe to fall.

[michigan roman]

ive not watched video but sounds appropriate

also notice to right of page more vids

http://youtu.be/l6--QUsDd3o

[Hurraw]

Great. Thanks for the video. That answered my question. Figs do NOT have to fall off of the tree to be ripe.

[MysticTree]

I go with the method of waiting until there is a droplet on the bottom of the fig. Then they are ripe and you don't have to wait for them to fall.

Two other possibilities. One the fig tree has too much root space. The best fruit is obtained when the tree has a restricted root-run.

Two, where you live is such that the figs are unable to ripen in one season. In the UK we must undertake the removal of all fruit that is bigger than a fairly small finger nail in the Autumn otherwise these larger fruit get frosted and prevent the smaller fruit from ripening.

Also, when you say the fruit doesn't fall do you mean it just stays there or is it getting eaten by birds/animals? One more question . . . do you know which variety your fig tree is? Some are much more suited to certain locations than others.

[MysticTree]

your post wasn't there when I started replying. Glad you found the answer :)

[delmar]

Great. Thanks for the video. That answered my question. Figs do NOT have to fall off of the tree to be ripe.The paint roller pole is still a great way to get them down if you can't reach them.

[apb1172]

I have also read that it isn't them falling off the tree so much as they go from sticking straight out from the branch and develop a bit of a droop which causes them to hang more than jut straight out. If that makes any sense...