Figs Not Ripening

Q. We have two fig trees loaded with figs. Problem is they are not ripening. What is our problem or do they take a long time to ripen?

A. Most of the main crop of figs is still green in June and have developed to maturity. If the tree is getting plenty of water, the figs should be enlarging rapidly. If the figs are not enlarging, then the tree is not getting enough water.

Figs that produce fruit need a lot of water so that the fruit will enlarge. If you don't give the tree enough water the fruit will stay small and fall from the tree, hard as rocks.

Fig Fruits Drying Usually Lack of Water to the Tree

Q. This is the first year my seven year old Black Mission Fig is “behaving” strangely. The fruit came on, some even started to ripen, and now they are shriveling on the tree. The tree looks perfect and so do the leaves. I did read your article on figs but ours always seems to be treated the same, year in and out.