figs cause irritation...

[Greenthumb18]

I've been pruning a few of my fig trees the past week, and i had these blisters and these red spots form on my arm, i couldnt figure out why i was getting this. But i just came across an article that said the sap from the figs which looks like milk, can cause an irration on the skin and to always wear long sleeves when pruning or harvesting figs. My arm looks better now but now that i know what the sap is capable of i will try to not let it happen again.

Be careful handling your fig trees !!

 

[HiDelight]

I can see how this can happen ..I had noticed that sap feeling pretty caustic !!! you are right ..and I will be more careful pruning now after reading this so thanks for sharing and I hope you heal up fast that sounds uncomfortable!!!

 

[Greenthumb18]

I can see how this can happen ..I had noticed that sap feeling pretty caustic !!! you are right ..and I will be more careful pruning now after reading this so thanks for sharing and I hope you heal up fast that sounds uncomfortable!!!

Thanks HiDelight!! it looks like its finally fading away. I'm glad this post will help others to be more cautious of the fig's sap.

 

[HiDelight]

it is so wierd how things like this work I mean the figs are fine but some of the sap oozes from the end when you pick it ...and I bet since I always just eat the entire first fig right from the tree ..I have eaten some sap

then you can use the leaves with out any problems at all ..but that ooze that comes from pruning or right at the sight where you pick your leaves is really strange ..

kind of reminds me of when people who can eat and enjoy mangos but the stuff in the skin of the mango can cause a rash that sounds just like yours!

I was thinking maybe calamine lotion ..the old school remedy for rashes like that

how do you choose when you prune you tree and how big is yours..what type is it ..questions questions but I really would love to know!

mine are a mature one about 12 ft tall and maybe 15 in diameter it gets three crops on it and the first crop ripens now but then the second is cruel to me it gets almost to full sized then our weather turns and they all die the third crop never gets beyond the size of a marble ..I know they are hearty figs of some sort (I am going to take a picture and post it later) I also have a smaller one that was a "rescue" fig damaged by a frost and purchased for almost nothing! it is about 5ft tall now and shaped perfectly

the last time I pruned it I ended up with no crop the following year that was sad ..so I need some advice it is lanky and too wide for the small garden it inhabits

help?? ideas?? advice???

 

[Greenthumb18]

it is so wierd how things like this work I mean the figs are fine but some of the sap oozes from the end when you pick it ...and I bet since I always just eat the entire first fig right from the tree ..I have eaten some sap

then you can use the leaves with out any problems at all ..but that ooze that comes from pruning or right at the sight where you pick your leaves is really strange ..

kind of reminds me of when people who can eat and enjoy mangos but the stuff in the skin of the mango can cause a rash that sounds just like yours!

I was thinking maybe calamine lotion ..the old school remedy for rashes like that

how do you choose when you prune you tree and how big is yours..what type is it ..questions questions but I really would love to know!

mine are a mature one about 12 ft tall and maybe 15 in diameter it gets three crops on it and the first crop ripens now but then the second is cruel to me it gets almost to full sized then our weather turns and they all die the third crop never gets beyond the size of a marble ..I know they are hearty figs of some sort (I am going to take a picture and post it later) I also have a smaller one that was a "rescue" fig damaged by a frost and purchased for almost nothing! it is about 5ft tall now and shaped perfectly

the last time I pruned it I ended up with no crop the following year that was sad ..so I need some advice it is lanky and too wide for the small garden it inhabits

help?? ideas?? advice???

The reason i pruned my tree was because it has gotten so big that it was shading part of my vegetable garden so i pruned some branches to let more light through. That fig tree is about 9 to 10 ft tall. I have another 6 or so trees about the same size more or less, theirs a white fig i have and a purple skined red flesh type fig.

What i usually do is just let the tree grow once you spot tiny figs growing you could prune the non fruiting branches and leave the fruiting ones in place.

I hope this helps!!

 

[HiDelight]

you have lots of figs! how cool is that anyway?

if I am understanding you then I should prune this in the early summer when the figs show up? instead of in the fall?

 

[Greenthumb18]

you have lots of figs! how cool is that anyway?

if I am understanding you then I should prune this in the early summer when the figs show up? instead of in the fall?

Yep, and if i get a bumper crop of figs this year i'm making Fig Jam !!!!!!!!

Well you could prune out the non fruiting branches whenever you want no matter how big the figs are on the fruiting branches. But i think its better to do it in the early summer. I have to look into this, i dont think figs willl produce again on branches that already produced.

I'll let you know!!

 

[obsessed]

I just bought a tiny celeste fig tree. I was going to wait until Nov to transplant as it is so freakin hot here. What do you think?

 

[Greenthumb18]

I just bought a tiny celeste fig tree. I was going to wait until Nov to transplant as it is so freakin hot here. What do you think?

Cool that celeste variety is a red fleshed fig, i must say i do enjoy both white fleshed and red fleshed but somehow i like the white fleshed a little better their usually sweeter.

Oh i would plant it now for sure, figs like the heat just keep an eye for them and water as needed. You could of transplanted them in Nov too if you wanted.

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi there!

I have two youngish fig trees & one has minute fruit which have just appeared so I have been looking for info on their needs & pruning. Here are some articles I had saved.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2005/sep/18/shopping.gardens

http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/acatalog/Figs.html?gclid=CMDOyrntpZwCFUQA4wodSCKKjg
**** SCROLL DOWN THROUGH ALL THE PHOTOS OF VARIETIES UNTIL
YOU GET TO THE STUNNING LOOKING "FIG PANACHEE"
I HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE....!

http://www.readsnursery.co.uk/reads-fruit-training.html
**** THIS SHOWS PRUNING DIAGRAMS. This nursery has one of the best reputations for fruit-trees in the UK 7 has been in buisness since the 1840's......! Interestingly they are also extremely good value!

I hope this helps a bit -- Remember that they are UK sites so adjust for your area.

Have a great weekend!

:rose Hattie :rose