Can Fig Trees Be Grown in a Screen Enclosure?
Fig trees provide a tasty treat that can be eaten ripe right off of the branch. They are relatively simple trees to grow with few diseases and no outrageous requirements. They can be grown outdoors in warm climates or can be used as a portable porch tree in cooler ones. Growing in a screened-in enclosure is possible as long as the fig receives all of the nutrients it needs.
The common fig (Ficus carica) is a tall fruit tree that produces sweet, dark-colored fruits that are excellent fresh or dried. It originally developed in Western Asia and the Mediterranean and has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years. At full maturity, it can be 10 to 30 feet tall with an equal spread. It is a self-pollinating fruit with small, non-showy, green flowers that develop into fruits twice a year. The first crop is called "breba" and occurs in the spring on the previous year's growth. The second, and main crop, happens in the late summer into fall and develops on new growth areas.
The common fig is considered a borderline temperate plant. It is a low-chill fruit, requiring just 300 hours of temperatures under 45 degrees Fahrenheit during dormancy in order to blossom in the spring. It is rated for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 10; however, it may need protection from very cold times falling below 15 degrees Fahrenheit in zones 6 through 8. The "Brown Turkey" and "Chicago Hardy" varieties are both rated as extra hardy and can do well without protection in those zones. The fig prefers well-drained soil in full sun.
To grow a fig within a screen enclosure, it will have to be planted in a pot. Planting in the ground is a risky practice within a closed room because of the fig's aggressive root system. The roots could easily take advantage of weak areas in your floor and pull up tiles or crack cement. Figs in pots must be pruned vigorously in order to control their size. They should be planted in a very heavy pot that is at least three times the size of the root ball. Because the fig can grow quite large very quickly, the pot must be heavy enough to keep the tree from tipping over.
Since figs often need to be moved, protected with plastic or relocating during unusually cold nights, keeping one in a screen enclosure is a good idea, particularly during dormancy. The primary pests for figs are gophers, so planting within a screen enclosure will also keep this nuisance at bay. The main considerations are soil conditions, sunlight and size. Be aggressive with pruning to keep the plant small enough to remain in a pot. Fertilize soil with a nitrogen fertilizer each year -- the California Rare Fruit Growers organization recommends this for trees whose branches grew less than a foot in the past year -- and completely replace the soil with fresh soil every three years. Sunlight is a major concern in a screen enclosure; figs need full sun and may not be able to get adequate light in a screen room. If leaves on a well-watered fig start to wilt, it may need to be moved outdoors to receive more sunlight.
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