The Bavarian fig is considered to be extremely robust and easy to care for, which has made it very popular. Their fruits also ripen under Central European climatic conditions. However, they make the cutting measures more difficult, so they have to be coordinated with the season.
When and how should you cut the Bavarian fig?
Bavaria figs should be cut in early spring, between mid-February and early March. Pay attention to fruit sets, shorten main shoots to a maximum of 20 cm, leave at least five strong branches, and remove older branches and dead wood. Thinning and derivation ensure optimal growth form and better fruit ripeness.
Time
Pruning for espalier and shrub forms is done in early spring. When the right time has come depends on the respective region, because the weather plays a big role. Bavarian figs are generally cut between mid-February and early March. If there are prolonged periods of frost afterwards, the shrub can be damaged. Therefore, if the weather is suboptimal, you should wait a bit.
Special information
When pruning in spring, you have to pay attention to the fruit sets, because these form on the previous year's shoots. Therefore, it is common practice to cut figs immediately after harvesting. This takes place from July to August, with a second generation of fruit emerging between October and November. However, don't delay too long before pruning your fig tree, because new fruit sets will develop in the last third of the young shoot tips in autumn.
Cutting measures
Pruning figs requires some knowledge of growth. Figs are usually grown in a bush shape because this growth habit makes care and harvesting easier. While the cutting frequency is high for younger specimens, established trees require less attention. Regular pruning supports the development of good branches in young plants. Old trees sprout with new vigor after removing crossing or dead branches.
Basic cutting rules:
- Short the main shoots to a maximum of 20 centimeters
- leave at least five strong branches
- regularly cut older branches at the base
- Spare autumn shoots with fruit sets
Clean
Remove all branches with frost damage. You can determine whether a branch is frozen by scratching the bark. If the wood appears dry and yellow, the shoot may give way. You can cut the dead wood back into the living tissue or remove it completely. If this specimen grows unfavorably, we recommend cutting it off at the astring.
Blending
All strong-growing fig branches that disturb the inside of the crown and grow too densely are completely removed with pruning shears (€38.00 at Amazon). This will ensure that the fruits receive enough light. Cut off every second or third side shoot that arises at the end of the respective main shoot. This also ensures better light penetration into the crown.
Deduce
You promote optimal growth by diverting the tip of the main shoots onto an outward-facing side shoot. If they are too long, shorten it except for one eye. Alternatively, if the main branch is growing in a good direction, you can reduce it by a few centimeters.
Tip
The same principle applies to the Bavarian fig as to apple trees. The airier and looser the crown appears, the better and more evenly the fruits ripen.
