When Do Fig Trees Blossom? A Guide to the Unique Fig Flowering Process
If you have ever tried to grow fig trees, you may have noticed something strange: they don’t seem to have any flowers before they start to bear fruit. This makes many gardeners wonder when fig trees actually bloom.
The answer lies in understanding the unique reproductive anatomy and flowering habits of the fig tree. Unlike most fruit trees the fig has its flowers contained inside the fleshy structure we eat. Continue reading to learn more about how fig trees flower and the timing of their bloom seasons.
What is a Fig Flower?
When we eat a fig fruit, we are actually consuming an inverted flower with multiple tiny flowers blooming inside. These closed, female flowers line the inner walls of the hollow fig structure. Once pollinated by fig wasps, they mature into seeds, which give figs their unique crunchy texture.
So rather than traditional showy blooms, the fig “flower” is actually each individual fruit structure that holds hundreds of fertile flowers within. The pear-shaped syconium fruit swells as the flowers develop, eventually ripening into the soft, sweet figs we love to eat.
When Do Fig Trees Bloom?
Since the fig’s flowers reside inside the fruits, their bloom period corresponds directly with fruit production.
In tropical and subtropical climates, figs can produce two crops per year. The main fig flowering happens in spring, as new growth emerges. A second, smaller crop may bloom in late summer on late-season shoots. These then overwinter and mature the following spring.
The specific fig bloom times vary slightly by variety, but generally follow this pattern:
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Early spring – Flowers emerge with new leaf growth as temperatures warm.
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Spring to summer – Pollinated syconium flowers develop into the main fig crop.
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Summer to fall – A second bloom initiates on new late summer shoots.
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Following spring – Late shoots from last season mature into a small secondary fig crop called the breba crop.
Figs grown in pots can be overwintered indoors in colder zones to get a head start on spring flowering by several weeks compared to in-ground trees.
How Do Fig Flowers Get Pollinated?
Here’s another unusual fact about fig trees – most common edible fig varieties do not require pollination to produce fruit. Their flowers are capable of self-pollinating within the syconium without any external pollinators.
However, a few specialty fig types do need pollination to successfully trigger seed and fruit formation. This pollination is carried out by a tiny species of fig wasp, Blastophaga psenes.
The wasp’s lifecycle revolves around the fig tree. The females deposit eggs and pollen into certain male syconium flowers. This allows new wasps to hatch and emerge. The pollen they carry then pollinates the remaining female flowers, which develop into the edible fig fruits.
So while most figs self-pollinate, some do require fig wasps for cross-pollination between trees. Fortunately, most commercial orchards contain both types to support this mutualistic relationship.
Time From Fig Flowering to Fruit Harvest
After the hidden fig flowers bloom inside the syconium, how long before you can pick ripe figs? On average:
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8-10 weeks for the main early summer fig crop.
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4-6 weeks for the secondary breba crop that ripens the following spring.
However, depending on variety and climate, figs can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 16 weeks post-bloom to reach maturity. The fastest times are seen in hot climates and with early ripening fig cultivars. The longest waits occur with late season types in cooler regions.
Look for figs to begin ripening once they plump up and change from green to deep purple, brown, yellow, or other variety-dependent colors.
Tips for Getting Your Fig Tree to Bloom
These tips will help your fig tree produce more figs if it isn’t flowering or fruiting well:
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Provide at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Prune conservatively in late winter to avoid removing potential flowering wood.
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Fertilize in early spring with a formula low in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus.
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Water regularly, but avoid overwatering soaked soil.
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Protect trees from late spring frosts below 28°F.
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Grow figs in USDA zones 8-10 for optimal flowering and fruiting.
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Select rapid-ripening varieties to produce figs faster.
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For best results, plant trees in the ground rather than containers.
With the right growing conditions for your climate, proper tree care, and a bit of patience, your fig tree will reward you with a bountiful, sweet fig harvest in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fig Tree Blooms
Here are quick answers to some other common questions about the unique flowering habits and pollination needs of fig trees:
How often do fig trees bloom?
- Twice per year in tropical climates – spring and late summer. Only once in summer where winters are cold.
Do fig trees need pollination to bloom?
- Most common varieties self-pollinate but some need fig wasp cross-pollination to trigger flowering.
When can I tell if a fig bloom is pollinated?
- Signs include withered male flowers, small holes from emerging wasps, and dead male flowers inside syconium.
Should I remove fig fruits or flowers?
- No, fig flowers are inside the structure we eat so don’t remove developing figs or fruit.
What temperature is too cold for fig tree blooming?
- Prolonged cold below 15°F can damage flower buds. Protect trees when temperatures drop below 25°F.
How can I get my potted fig tree to bloom well?
- Maximize sunlight, limit pruning, and overwinter containers in a sheltered spot to encourage prolific fig tree flowering.
Enjoying the Sweet Fig Harvest
Even though fig flowers can’t be seen, the beloved fig fruits we know and love are made during a special, protected blooming process. You can give fig trees the conditions they need for a good harvest now that you know how they flower and make fruit. Soon, you’ll be able to pick figs right off the tree and enjoy their honey-like sweetness. Take a bite of a warm fig straight from your own tree. It will change the way you think about these ancient and interesting fruits.
How to plant fig trees
Now, lets get to the fun part: planting your fig tree!
You can grow fig trees in two ways: From cuttings or young trees bought from a nursery. You can grow figs from seed, but it takes a lot of patience. Fig seeds are tiny, and it can take several years for a seed-grown tree to bear fruit.
If you know someone with a healthy fig tree, ask for a cutting. Youll need a piece of a young branch, about 8-10 inches long.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, then plant it in a pot with moist soil. Keep the cutting in a warm, sunny spot and water it regularly. In a few weeks, you should see roots starting to form.
Air layering is another method of propagating fig trees. It involves wrapping moist soil around a branch to propagate it in the “air. ” After 1-3 months, cut off your air layer to have an identical clone of your Mother fig tree.
My dad brought a fig cutting all the way from Missouri when he moved here to Georgia. He planted it and how has a massive fig tree outside his home just a few years later.
Caring for fig trees
Watering is crucial, especially during the first year as the tree gets established. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. You can keep your fig tree happy and healthy by giving it a lot of water early in the growing season, before the fruit sets. After the fruit sets, you can cut back on the amount of water a lot.
Yellowing or browning leaves are often the sign of too much or, in very few cases, too little water.
Soil temperature also plays a big part. When the soil is cold, water less, and when it is warm, water more often.
Feeding your fig tree can also help boost its growth if your soil is depleted of nutrients and organic matter.
You can apply a balanced fertilizer or compost around the base of the tree before your tree sets fruit. You can also add some nitrogen to the soil before the fruits appear.
If your tree is in a container, it may benefit from a liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
By adding mulch around the base of your tree, you can keep the soil warm and moist all the time.
Pruning is essential for keeping your fig tree healthy and productive and for maximum sunlight exposure. The best time to prune is during dormancy before new growth begins. Usually, this is after the leaves have fallen off and the sap flow is very low or has stopped at the roots.
Start by removing any dead or diseased branches. Then, thin out the canopy to allow light and air to reach the inner branches. If your tree is getting too tall, you can also trim the top branches to keep it manageable.
Running has helped out fig trees almost double in size each year!
When Do Fig Trees Bloom?
FAQ
What time of year do fig trees bloom?
Fig trees typically bloom in the spring. Southern Living says that the flowers are there at this time. They are usually green and may not be very noticeable.
Why is my fig tree not blooming?
A: The main reason a fig tree isn’t fruiting is too much or improper pruning causing your fig tree to favor growth, not flowering.
Do all figs have wasps inside?
No, not all figs contain dead wasps inside.
What month do figs produce fruit?
I grow them in containers, so they require frequent watering through the summer. The main crop are formed by July and begin ripening in late August. The fruit doesn’t open until one of the figs grows three or four times its original size, which takes about two days. It’s ready to eat two or three days after that. Sep 12, 2022.
When do fig trees bloom?
Since fig tree flowers reside inside the fruit, the bloom time corresponds with fruit production. In warm climates, figs can produce two crops per year. The main fig bloom period is in spring on shoots from the previous year’s growth.
Why do fig trees bloom?
So rather than traditional blooms, the fig’s “flower” is actually each individual fruit structure that holds these fertile flowers within. Since fig tree flowers reside inside the fruit, the bloom time corresponds with fruit production. In warm climates, figs can produce two crops per year.
Do figs Bloom?
Figs are an unusual fruit in several ways. They must ripen on the tree, some require a specific wasp for pollination and the flowers are inside the fruit. Although they do bloom, the flowers are insignificant and you won’t actually see them as you do those of most fruit trees.
Do fig trees have blossoms?
Q: I was told by a friend that fig trees have no blossoms from which the fruit comes and it is the only fruit of which that is so. Q: Do figs really have flowers? A: Yes, but they make fruit in a way that is different from any other plant. We all know that “normal” fruits (apple, pear, peach, etc) have flowers in spring.
When do fig trees bloom in Georgia?
Fig trees in Georgia usually bloom in the late spring or early summer months. The specific timing may vary depending on the region within the state and the prevailing weather conditions. In general, fig trees begin to produce blooms between April and May. Georgia’s warm and humid climate is conducive to fig tree growth and flowering.
When do fig trees bloom in New Jersey?
Fig trees in New Jersey typically bloom in the late spring or early summer months. The exact timing may vary depending on the specific microclimate within the state and the prevailing weather conditions. In general, fig trees begin to produce blooms between May and June.