Expert: nick mccann - 5/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: I was given a turkey fig tree that is potted. I live in Vancouver BC and winters often have below zero temperatures so I was told to bring it indoors so that the roots don't freeze. It has had leaves (unhealthy ones) all winter, and even grew fruit at one point. I'm wondering if I can prune the tree and put it outdoors now that it is spring. We still have lower temperatures around the 5 degree C (41F ??) range.
I'm thinking that it might drop its leaves going from 21 to 5-17 degree weather. I just don't want to kill it!!

ANSWER: Hi Chantelle, You are absolutely right to know enough not to shock it, and bring it out in one step; it needs to be "hardened", that is , brought out gradually. Begin by bringing it out for a couple of hours a day and placing it in a protected area where the sun is directly on it; move it back in after its brief stay and then gradually over the next month, extend its stay outside, until you can finally keep it out for the Summer. In the Fall, you will transition it back inside in the same manner; this will prevent the tree from stressing due to an abrupt change in temperature. Figs are pretty resilient, so even if it does shed its leaves, it will soon grow new ones. Nick

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Just another question about the pruning. It' gotten a few longer branches over the wonter that I would love to trim to encourage bushier growth. Is it ok to do this?

Answer
....sure!..and then take  one of the smaller branchs you prune off and put it in a container of moist vermiculite or even fine gravel; put the container in a warm location outside where it is out of direct sun, cover it with a baggy, and just keep an eye on it, (in case it begins to dry out), you don't want the medium wet, just kept damp. In about a month you will have roots, and can move it to its own container with soil...When you prune, be careful not to cut into the main trunk. Nick