On 28/07/18 13:38, Nick Maclaren wrote:
We have a fig tree, which is overleafy and underfruiting because I
failed to restrict it when planting it, but that's not the real
problem. It rarely crops because the overwintered figlets almost
always fail to develop, which I suspect is because it isn't against
a wall (we don't have one), and our garden is a bit of a cold trap
in winter (wind more than a frost pocket).

You don't have a wall? Do you live in a hole in the ground?! FWIW, our
fig has been pretty poor this year. Only a few fruits to speak of and
none yet ripe. Although, strangely enough, there's another crop starting
to form now. It is in a SE-facing walled-corner in a 42 or 45 cm pot and
gets very hot, particularly with this year's weather.

Am I onto a complete loser here? If so, I may try in a polytunnel
with draconian root restriction.

Surely a fig is hardy enough anywhere in the UK (outside of Cairngorm
peaks), even in Cambridgeshire! This is interesting, but I can't see it
needing this sort of treatment where you are
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_fig#Overwintering. I really don't
know what a fig requires to fruit well in the UK, but other plants I've
seen this year have good crops on them.

Maybe it's just where I am (south central Hampshire), but both our grape
vines (both outside) have been hopeless this year. Just a few bunches of
grapes, while all around the vineyards are expecting perhaps the biggest
wine production ever. And, if the hot weather holds, one of the finest
vintages.

--

Jeff