• washing machine tub (...)
    the myriad of perforations allow soil moisture in
    and prevent large roots escaping

    This sounds interesting, but will it not lead to one big entangled root-ball inside the washing machine tub?

  • Eventually I presume,
    but,
    if the roots are left to grow unrestricted the Fig tree will put most of its effort
    into expanding the root system and comparatively little into fruit production.

    If you've seen wild/untended fig tress around the Mediterranean,
    you'll have seen Figs apparently growing on sheer rock faces with impressive root systems, like giant Bonsai, reaching into clefts in the rocks.
    The average UK garden has much more and better soil and year round rain,
    while the Fig has developped to survive in poor soils with extended arid periods.

    A Fig planted in the UK is in survival mode despite being in a broadly benign to supportive
    environment.
    Old school gardeners used to use paving slabs dug into the ground to create a root-restricting 'box'. I'm guessing there are still some of these in Stately Homes or National Trust properties.

  • I see.
    Thanks for elaborating!

  • Great advice, especially @mespilus. A quick scan of eBay shows drums generally get repurposed as fire pits but I’ll drop down the tip and see if I can slip them some cash. Thanks.

    We planted a Fremontodendron at the weekend which will hopefully train up the front of the house. Dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers from spring through autumn apparently, looking forward to next year.

  • expanding the root system

    Their roots are fucking militant, so not great if your garden happens to be near a building or someone else's garden.

  • This is good to know. Ours is only a tiddler but will be a monster I’m sure. Will definitely look into the drum patio slab scenario

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