I have 6 year old Desert King fig tree. I have harvested about 40-50 figs each of the last 3 years, all of which are the breba crop. As I understand ...
Knowledgebase
Breba and main crop figs #808452
Asked August 29, 2022, 12:26 AM EDT
I have 6 year old Desert King fig tree. I have harvested about 40-50 figs each of the last 3 years, all of which are the breba crop. As I understand and have observed, the breba crop emerges in the spring on last years growth, and what is referred to as the main crop emerges on current years new growth. None of my main crop figs have matured.
My question is - Should I remove main crop figlets to encourage breba crop figs next year? I have tried to monitor what happens if I do or don't remove the figlets, but my methods have not shown clear results.
I am trying to maximize the production of breba crop, since they will mature. I haven't been able to accurately document if a breba fig will follow at the node where I remove a figlet, or if I don't remove the figlet and it dies or dries up will a breba fig follow in the spring. All new growth may not have figlets.
Also, wondering if it would be wise to prune off branches that do have main crop figlets in the fall or spring with the intent that it would encourage breba production on branches that do not have figlets.
This year I also tried pinching the terminal bud on branches that had small figlets last fall. It stimulated new branches but not figs at the nodes.
Coos CountyOregon
Expert Response
Figs can produce two crops a year the breba (first crop) and then the main crop. Sometimes, due to milder summers and not long enough hot days, a fig tree will only produce the breba crop. The following publication has some pruning information that will help maximize your fig production to get the most of your breba crop.