On Wed, 18 May 2011 11:04:30 +0100, Charlie Pridham
wrote:

In article ,
says...

I have a fig tree that I have been growing for two years after buying it
as a shrub in a nursery. Its 'brown turkey' as I recall.

It thirved through last summer, then when Winter hit in the UK it lost
all its leaves.
When Spring came it started growing again but the only leaves that have
come back are on the new growth at the tips.

If it continues to do this its going to look a little odd.

I have seen figs in the UK with many thousands of leaves, growing in pub
gardens and the like.
I wonder if this is normal behaviour? It seems healthy and even sprouted
a fig this year. Its about 5ft tall. I wanted to keep it in the
greenhosue for a few years to bulk up, before letting it out in the
gasrden permanantly. If it repeats this behaviour its going to be tall
and lanky but with leaves only on the top and my greenhouse is going to
need a roof extension
I have put it outside in the sun when warm thinking it might be lackinmg
sunlight, but no perceivable action yet.

Any advice please?





Figs are almost always deciduous in the UK, they can be pruned in such a
way as to make a bushier less leggy plant

After the 2009-10 winter I thought my pot grown fig was dead. I cut
it back to about 18 inches. It sent out lots of new shoots last
summer. Now it is shooting agin (starting at the tips) and has at
least 5 figs, about grape size. I have high hopes of some fruit this
year.
Figs fruit on 2 year old wood, not on new growth.
As Charlie says, it is usual for it to lose its leaves in winter in
UK.


Pam in Bristol