I finally came across the answer to how to handle figs in norther climes - pinch prune the new growth after 5-6 leaves have been made. This apparently stops the second set of figs from trying to ripen in November and preserves them as the first crop for next year. They will be more likely to over-winter as they are older and hardier than the embryonic figs and new growth that the tree would continue to make if one didn't limit the new growth. At least that is how I understand it and I'm hopeful for next year's crop. However, a WARNING: the sap/latex that the wound bleeds is extremely irritating to the skin (it actually starts to digest the skin), producing hot red welts and even blisters. I have found it to be even more irritating than euphorbia.
I have been puzzling about why my fig tree has not fruited well for several years. There were many dried out immature fruits still on the tree in the spring but very few ripening fruits there at the moment. The first crop we had after moving onto the property was tremendous and I am now wondering if the former owner pinch pruned the tree. Would be very interested to hear input from others, but this theory makes sense to me. The tree is a very vigorous grower and I am going to prune it anyway. Thanks also for the warning about the sap. Margaret
