Flat-bottomed figs...
Written by Brian Inglis, Queensland, Australia
This is the material
I start with to produce quick results with figs. This plant
was grown from seed and is about 6 - 12 months old. Note
that at the base it is shaped like an onion with the roots
mostly coming from the bottom. This results in a horrible
reverse taper. Note: These pictures are shown larger than life.
In order to achieve
the optimum results, I want a plant that will have a fat
trunk with lots of taper and an excellent nebari). It is
necessary to cut the base off at the widest point. No roots
- treat it like a cutting.
This is the same
plant a couple of months later. Already a perfect nebari
is in the making. Roots were trimmed to the same length.
Six to twelve months later and
several root prunings later, it will look like this. There
are no down-growing roots and a good nebari is in the making.
Back into a 4" pot
for 6 months.
This photo taken
Jul 98.
This pic is smaller than life.
After being in a 6" pot instead
of a 4" pot for 4 months, roots spread and not pruned and
then planted in a SHALLOW styro box for 3 months.......
March 99, 8 months after
being potted in the styro box and 5 months after the
previous photo. The nebari measures 7" or
18cm across. Note how the roots on both sides have
increased in size.