NATURE ATTRACTION – Savor sweet dark mahogany fruit with rich red flesh with this 2 pc Hardy ‘Chicago’ Fig. Perhaps the most cold hardy fig ever discovered they will yield large amounts of fruit in the garden or dwarfed in containers. This long-lived plant is a must have heirloom.
KEY TIPS – High yielding delicious fruit will form on both old and new wood every year from mid-summer to late fall as far north Zone 5! In many cases you will get fruit the first season! Otherwise count on it early year two.
SHELF LIFE – Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot.
PLANT Preparation- Cut away any yellow or brown leaves or broken stems that may have occurred. This grooming is completely normal and will take place as the plant grows. Branching out will rapidly follow any pruning.
POTTED PLANTS- Repot the plants into larger 12 inch pots separately. You can transplant gradually one pot size per year up to 20 inches in diameter.
Soil- If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden soil for adequate moisture retentiveness. In containers use bagged potting mixes for houseplants that will drain well. Most garden centers carry various brand names with perlite, vermiculite, soil and sand.
GARDEN PREPARATION - Plant in garden after the night temperatures stay above 45 degrees spacing about 6 feet. Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and about 5-6 inches deep. Place them in their holes. Pack soil firmly around root ball. Water in well.
PLANTING SPACING – If planting into the garden space them at least 6 feet apart. If planting into a container allow for adequate air ventilation on deck or patio.
PLANT HEIGHT AND WIDTH – This variety will grow 2-3 feet per year up to maximum of 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide in the garden. In pots they grow according to pot size. Easy pickings!
Water- Water the plants thoroughly letting the excess water drain through the bottom of the pot. Be sure to keep excess water out of any tray underneath pot. Keep moist, during the spring and summer repeating twice a week all summer long. Water less in winter allowing the soil to dry a little.
FERTILIZER- To promote more flowers and fruit use a well balanced fertilizer like Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food (M7503) twice a month April through October. In winter there is no need to fertilize.
LIGHTING- Full sun is best outside in summer. Otherwise a half a day of sun is sufficient. In the winter they are dormant.
Blooming – Buds form on branch tips spring through summer. Flowers do not form.
FRUITING – Fruiting will occur on both new and old wood mid-summer to late fall. In many cases you will get fruit the first season! Otherwise count on it early year two.
TEMPERATURE ZONE 5 to 11- These are hardy down to about minus 10 Fº in garden and positive 10 Fº in large pots.
WINTER SEASON – They are deciduous dropping leaves. Wood remains.
PRUNING – The best time to prune is early spring after the winter rest. They can take a light or hard pruning because fruit forms on both new and old wood.
HARVESTING – Pick figs when showing good color. Do not let over ripen on tree. Remove tough portion of stems from each fig and run under water.
