Bob F wrote:
David Farber wrote:
We've had a fig tree that was here when we moved into our house four
years ago. The long and short of it is that every year the tree gets
full of figs but they never get very soft. We've cut a few open and
they are as tough as leather. Our soil here has a lot of sand in it
but the apple trees on either side of the fig tree do quite well.
They are watered on a drip system every other day for 30 minutes. The
area is quite shady and with the frequent fog, even in the summer
time, I'm wondering if that could be affecting things.
Here are some photos:
http://webpages.charter.net/mrfixite...Fig-branch.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/mrfixite...ig-closeup.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/mrfixite...s/Fig-tree.jpg

Can any of you share some wisdom on how to help these figs ripen?

Thanks for your reply.

My fig tree here in Seattle has many green figs like yours. I have to
look carefully to find a ripe fig. It would probably do better in a
more sunny location. I think the ripening process happens over a few
days, then the fig falls or gets eaten by critters. So I have to keep
a close eye on the whole tree to get a few figs a year. I've had 3
great ones so far this summer.
If you search about figs, you will probably see descriptionsw of a
wasp that is necessary in the ripening process. Interesting reading.

Hi Bob,

Thanks for that info. I did not know that there had to be a wasp involved in
the process.
http://www.cloudbridge.org/wp-conten...eNotesNo19.pdf

Also, I think the shady area and thick canopy are not helping much.

--
David Farber
Los Osos, CA