Rupert wrote:
I have had a potted fig for many years. This year 2 figs and they were
superb (the first ever, apart from fruitlets) . How do I make it more
productive in West Yorkshire?
No I will *not* move it to Devon or Cornwall.

Some tips which may increase yield of ripe fruit...

As you have been advised a fig grown in this country only fruits once
per year (rather than maybe 3 times/year in some warmer climates). In my
experience that isn't quite true. I think you may expect 1-2 lots of
fruit, but the point is that only one of these has a reasonable chance
of ripening in our climate as our season is just too short, and it is
the fruit which has begun to develop the previous year (which
overwinters as "embryos") which has the best chance of ripening.
However, in order to achieve this, you should protect the embryo figs
against frost (e.g. by wrapping the plant in horticultural fleece if
frost is forecast or bringing the plant under cover). However, the ripe
figs that I have enjoyed off my plant have always been from current
season's fruit (but this is on a warm patio facing due south, so sun
exposure is max). I'm hopeful, therefore, that I might enjoy two lots of
ripe fruit in a season if I treat my plant right.

Other things to watch for.

Careful watering I think is critical. I find they are quite thirsty -
particularly, I guess, if you grow them in conditions of full sun where
you're likely to get most ripe fruit. Make sure that the pot doesn't dry
out - if it does, the plant may drop its fruit which will obviously
reduce your crop of sweet ripe figs, which is what you're after. I lined
the terracotta pot that I keep mine in with plastic to reduce water
loss. It might be an idea to use one of those watering spikes...

Feeding. Advice I've read (and sometimes followed) is to feed weekly
during the summer, alternating feeds of balanced liquid feed with one
high in potash (e.g. one sold as tomato food).

Prune to increase fruiting. Recommendation is to pinch out growing tip
after 4-5 leaves have formed. Just keep pinching them out.

I hope this is all right. I've never had a huge crop, but the odd one or
two have been sweet as honey. Last year I came back from holiday in late
July to find one which was just the sweetest fruit I have ever eaten.
Sadly this year there have been none (but then I pollarded it early in
the season, so didn't expect anything).

Good luck.