Summer (Rivers) Pruning Fig Trees for Increased & Timed Harvests

Rivers pruning is a type of pruning mentioned in Pons' book. "The Fig Trees of the Baleric Islands." He describes a form of pinching that commercial growers use to increase production and to time harvests for a second main crop late in the season. I've even accomplished the technique here, so I know it works, but it's not for everyone. You need a long growing season, but this is cash money for anyone trying to extend their harvest or to avoid monsoon season in the South.

Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia
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[ANoteToSelf]

I did this this year in SoCal. It was a lot of fun to see how fast the fruit grew! They are so big already! Definitely pinching every year.

[jedd.]

Starting to pick up whiteflies and click beetles on the young fig trees! Look at for these little buggers. They are also in my blackberry bushes. As you pinch your fig trees check for pests. I use 1 oz Neem oil add 1 oz Dawn Blue liquid dish soap to 1 gallon of water and make sure you SPRAY under the leaf. Good luck and thanks Ross!

[judah]

Thank you! I love your videos. I live in zone 10 a in Florida so I’m looking forward to seeing how this works with our longer growing season.

[MauroVelez]

Post'n vid of exactly what I'm pondering. I'm going to start pinching RN!

[dawnb.]

Thanks Ross 💚 I can't wait to order that book! I gotta ask, have you thought about writing your own book? That would be awesome!! I'd buy it

[roccoconte]

very interesting video Ross, i just always pinch.

[robertlacey-fq]

Hi Ross, I live in the SE of the UK, and this winter period we have had low's of -6 degs f. All my plants have been protected with a layer of felt underlay plus a wrapping of bubblewrap/ and bark mulch and straw on the roots, plus a top cover of a bucket for rain deflection. My main question is can I leave these coverings on until the late frosts have gone, which can run into early May, it looks likely to be an early spring here going by the weather patterns, and i'm concerned about air circulation. My allotment is quite exposed to wind, although I do protect them where I can. Figs I find in this country grow better on mature trees, and unless I can provide a poly tunnel situation/greenhouse, which I can't because of site restrictions, I'm always going to struggle, but I shall carry on trying. Any tips would be helpful. Cheers.

[Caramelnapkin]

This man is so beautiful everytime I see him I forget to breathe

[michaelf]

What’s your opinion on pinching first year trees? Cuttings from last winter are 2-2.5 feet tall at this point. Part of me is anxious to try the new fruit, but another part of me is saying it won’t be top notch anyway so should let it grow taller.

[Mrturk]

Can you get figs on the New Years green growth then by pinching the branch, is that what your saying?

[karenwindspirit]

My grandfather came from Italy as a child. As far as I can remember he had 3 fig trees in NJ he would wrap them every yr for winter months and place a bushel basket over the top. After he died we tried to wrap them too..but when we unwrapped them in spring they were slimy and dead. Not sure if we wrapped them too tight or what happened.

[RollTheWindowsUp_WISAD]

So I have a long dry hot season (🇮🇱)
My top buds are struggling to put out new growth as the leaf burns up. 🔥 would pinching benefit Me since my tree is putting a this energy into shooting out new leafs that in return never make it past their fist day?

[MetaView]

Some rabbits ate all the leaves off my 1 ft tall fig. Is there still hope? Will it sprout leaves again?