Fig trees are an excellent fruit tree for the kitchen garden because they are very easy to grow. They are heat tolerant and can thrive in any soil. But they are most popular for their delicious fruits. Who wouldn't want to pick ripe figs from their own tree? However, your tree may not produce any figs and this can be frustrating. A fig tree does not bear fruit for several reasons and we describe the most common of them in this article.
Fig tree does not bear fruit: What are the most common causes of this?
Planting a fig tree in the garden is worthwhile not only because of the delicious, sweet fruits, but also because of the fragrant foliage, which enriches the garden. But if you are growing a fig tree in your garden that is not bearing fruit, you may be wondering what could be the cause of this problem. Below are some of the most common reasons for this and useful tips on how to boost fig production again.
The tree is too young
One of themost common causesThe reason why a fig tree doesn't bear fruit is simply its age. The fig trees must reach a certain maturity before they can produce fruit. Depending on how old the fig tree was when planted, it can usually take 2 to 3 years for it to bear fruit. A fig tree is considered “mature” from the fifth year onwards and should produce a rich harvest from this point onwards. If the tree is too young, it will use its energy only to grow a strong root system. When the tree is mature, it will produce more figs than you can use.
Fig tree does not bear fruit: lack of sunlight
Fig trees need as much sun as possible to grow healthily, so you should initially place them in a sunny location. But also make sure that each individual branch needs a lot of sun to be able to bear fruit. So check the tree to see if there is any internal shading. If the tree doesn't get enough sunlight, it won't have enough energy to support its growth and fruit production at the same time. Of course, fruiting comes second and the fig tree does not bear fruit.
Affected by fig mosaic virus
A possible cause of your fig tree not bearing fruit may be fig mosaic virus. This disease can cause visible symptoms such as mottled, discolored leaves and misshapen growth.
It is important to note that almost all fig trees are infected with the virus, but not all are severely affected. If your tree shows some visible symptoms and growth and production are affected, you shouldyou a circumcisiontake into consideration.
Remove severely infected shoots to encourage new and healthy growth in their place.
Over-fertilization can be the cause
Another common reason for a fig tree not bearing fruit is too much nitrogen. This can happen if you use a fertilizer that has too high a nitrogen content. This causes the leaves and branches to grow profusely but no fruit production. If you find that your tree is not producing fruit due to over-fertilization, consider using a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content or adding some phosphorus to the soil to balance out the nitrogen.
Watering Problems in Fig Trees
Fruit formation in fig trees occurs precisely when the tree's water requirements are in balance. If a fig tree suffers from overwatering or underwatering, this can cause it to stop bearing fruit. Water stress results in the tree not having the energy necessary to begin fruiting.
If your fig tree is not receiving enough moisture, you should increase the watering. In summer, when the figs ripen, water the tree regularly.
Beware that potted plants require more careful watering as they can dry out quickly in hot weather. Water them daily if temperatures are above 18 and twice daily if temperatures are above 26.
If your plant is getting too much water, you should either reduce watering or improve drainage.
Frost damage can affect fruit production
Fig trees can be severely damaged by extreme cold. A prolonged frost can cause part of the dormant fig tree to die. The roots may survive, but the tree will not produce fruit if it is to regrow new leaves and branches.
A late frost can kill the fruit buds, impairing fruit production and even preventing it altogether. If a spring frost is expected, you should cover the tree to protect the delicate new growth.You can do frost damageThe best way to avoid this is to plant the fig trees in containers and place them in a protected location until the last frost.
