Did you know that frost damage to fig trees is common? The fig needs your help to repair the damage. Read here the best tips on how to recognize frost damage on the fig tree and how to easily eliminate it.
What can I do if my fig tree has suffered frost damage?
You can repair frost damage to the fig tree withpruningCut frozen, brown-dried shoots back to he althy, green wood. The best time is the beginning of June. Thenfertilize the fig tree so that it can regenerate and sprout quickly.
How do I recognize frost damage on the fig tree?
Frost damage to the fig tree (Ficus carica) can be recognized by the fact that the frozen branches arehanging limplyandcolored brown. Cutting a branch revealsdried, yellowish-brown tissue. On the other hand, wood that has been spared from frost damage is juicy green under the bark.
On fig trees north of the Alps, young shoots up to 4 cm in diameter often fall victim to frost damage. The fig will not sprout on the frozen branches, will not grow leaves and will not bear fruit.
Can I save a fig tree with frost damage?
You can save a fig tree with frost damage bypruning. Frozen shoots are not uncommon for a fig tree in Germany if it does not have a frost-free winter. In the worst case, a planted fig can freeze back to the ground and still not be dead. This is how you properly repair frost damage to the fig tree:
- Best time is in June.
- Put on gloves against the poisonous latex.
- Cut back frozen shoots to he althy wood.
- Fertilize the fig tree in the garden with compost and horn shavings; From now on, supply potted figs with liquid fruit tree fertilizer every 2 weeks.
How can I prevent frost damage to the fig tree?
On the fig tree in the garden, extensiveWinter protectionis the best prevention against frost damage. A fig in a bucket is optimally protected from frostbite incool winter quarters. These options have proven to be excellent in practice:
- Cover the fig tree in the bed or on the house wall with winter fleece before the first frost and mulch it with straw or leaves.
- Extra tip: Fertilizing with potassium-rich comfrey manure in August lowers the freezing point in the cell tissue and strengthens winter hardiness.
- Put the potted plant in the frost-free winter quarters with a cool 5° to 8° Celsius.
Tip
Winter-hardy fig varieties put to the test
The Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture wanted to know exactly what the winter hardiness of fig trees is like. In mid-May 2017, six fig varieties were planted on the test site. Since the winter of 2019/2020, the fig trees have no longer received winter protection and still produce good harvest yields. These fig varieties have been proven to be hardy: Brown Turkey, Ronde de Bordeaux, Dalmatie, Doree Bound, Pastiliere and Longue d’Aout.
