Dear Helen: In the spring I bought several heathers in one-gallon pots. When I unpotted them I noticed a thick mass of roots had entirely filled the pots. I left the roots intact and planted in fertile, humusy soil, which I听kept watered in the dry weather. They have all died. What could have happened?
D.G.
I鈥檝e noticed over the years that many, if not most, gardeners fear to fiddle with the roots of newly purchased plants prior to planting. But it is crucial to detangle roots, observed to be jumbled up or doing laps around the root ball before planting. I always cut the roots back as well. This gives them a fresh start for venturing into new soil conditions.
Even when a purchased plant is not overgrown with a bunched tangle of roots I still straighten them out and trim them back before planting.
I try to avoid buying overgrown, root-bound plants whenever possible. I prefer small starter plants to larger specimens. They settle in and take off much more easily. For example, I听buy heathers in 10-centimetre wide pots. Every one of these small heathers that I鈥檝e planted has thrived and grown wonderfully well in my garden, while several bought in larger pots have, like yours, withered away.
听
Dear Helen: My fig tree sets fruit only in July, resulting in numerous hard figs that never ripen.
C.C.
In our climate, figs ripen in August on growth produced in the previous year. New growth, produced in the current year, also forms figs, but (usually) too late to ripen.
Your fig issue is most likely the result of pruning. If the previous year鈥檚 growth is pruned away, the new stems will yield only this second (鈥渕ain鈥�) crop of unripe figs. It鈥檚 the previous year鈥檚 branches that produce the first (鈥渂reba鈥�) crop that ripens reliably in August.
To prune for the breba crop, find and cut back all the branches that have borne the summer crop of figs. Do this either right after harvesting has finished, or early the following spring. Leave short stubs to yield new growth for future fruit bearing.
In your case, the small, hard, unripe figs are likely on new branches, which should be left to bear an August crop next year. Just thin as necessary, for an uncrowded plant, in March. Once your tree begins yielding a breba crop, follow the above routine for summer bearing figs.
The second, 鈥渕ain鈥� crop does ripen in some locations and in some years. Sunny, hot, sheltered sites favour main crop ripening, as do certain varieties. Osborne Prolific and Ronde de Bordeaux are said to most reliably ripen a main crop each year.
Figs for Life on Denman Island grows more than 100 varieties of hardy fig trees. They are particularly enthused over Ronde de听Bordeaux. This beautiful fig is听featured on the home page of听their website: FigsForLife.ca.
There is more information from another source, in听North Saanich: FruitTreesandMore.com.
听
GARDEN EVENTS
Floral arts. The Mid Island Floral Art Club meets Thursday, Sept. 8, at 2:15 p.m. in St. Stephens United Church Hall, 150听Village Way in Qualicum Beach. The afternoon鈥檚 demonstration will be an 鈥淎ll Inclusive Design Workshop.鈥� More information at 250-757-8969.
听
Fall show. The View Royal Garden Club鈥檚 fall show is on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. in a new location at the Esquimalt United Church鈥檚 Wheeley Hall, 500 Admirals Rd. The show will feature flower, vegetable and fruit exhibits as well as sales of plants, garden items and baked goods. Admission of $5 includes door prize tickets and refreshments, served from 1听to 2:45.
听
Dahlia show. The Victoria Dahlia Society will be presenting its 70th annual show on Saturday, Sept. 10, 1 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 11, 11听a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Prospect Lake Community Hall, 5358 Sparton Rd. There will be over 700 blooms on display. Admission is free.
