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misslisamham

Reviving an old fig from the roots

misslisamham
10 years ago

With my house I inherited a garden that was neglected for a long time. I was told of a wonderful fig tree that died some years ago, but last year and again now it is coming back from its massive rootstock underground. Last year the shoots suffered from what seemed to be either Fig Mosaic Virus or rust; this year it is fine (so far).

My questions:

1. There are several shoots coming off the rootstock. Should I choose one and cut down the rest, or let a whole flush of them come up and prune back in fall or next year?

2. Should I water them? It's very dry and hot where I am in Northern California (inland Bay Area). Last year I watered the shoots regularly, the first time they had any water during summer in years, and I wonder if that contributed to the disease symptoms they showed. This year I'm not watering yet, and I wonder if that's better for them. They are new shoots, but off really old rootstock. They do droop in serious heat, but otherwise look good.

Thanks!

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