Acclimating or Hardening Off the Fig Tree
Although Fig trees love sun, they need to be acclimatized to a full sunny and hot environment. A slow transition to outdoor environment is recommended.
All plants grown in greenhouses or grown under white lighting conditions, as well as Fig Trees coming out of dormancy in the spring, must be carefully hardened off before permanently placing them outdoors. This is very important and will avoid stress, damage, especially when the plants will be placed in very sunny and hot locations.
Acclimating plants refers to the process of gradually introducing them to their new environment, whether that is a new home, garden, or greenhouse. This process is important because it helps the plants to adjust to their new surroundings and reduces the risk of shock or stress.
If you purchased your Fig tree in early spring and hasn’t been acclimatized yet, please follow the following guide/recommendation. Follow similar guidelines when bringing your Fig tree outdoors in the spring to break dormancy.
- Fig tree should be placed in sheltered location that is protected from strong winds, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures.
- Start with 3-4 hours mid-day in the first day (shade only)
- Bring the Fig tree indoors in the evening
- Gradually increase the outdoor time by 1-2 hours every day but still bring the Fig tree inside every night
- Water regularly to ensure the soil and the roots don’t dry out
- After 4-5 days start exposing your Fig tree to morning sun only for 1 hour and slowly start increasing this time
- Move it to the shade
- After about 1-2 weeks, your Fig tree should be ready for the outdoors as long as temperatures stay in the upper teens (Celsius)
- Monitor the outdoor temperature daily and ensure you monitor the forecast as well
- Monitor your Fig tree daily for 1-2 weeks just to ensure no leaf discoloration or other changes occur.
- If you observe any changes, bring the Fig tree in the shade and maybe indoors and allow for warmer weather.
Please keep in mind that these are only general guide recommendations and may require adjustments based on your location, weather, daytime and nighttime temperatures, as well as other factors.