Hi All,

Apparently, the trees have a connection to the forum.  If you threaten to cut down or throw away a slow growing tree, you will scare your tree into putting on new growth and (in some cases) get it to produce figs.  I noticed this first with Verdal Longue and Armenian.  I smack talked them before I left for a few weeks.  When I came back... new growth and even a few figs on VL.  Then, yesterday I mentioned how poorly my Osborne Prolific was doing in a post.  Today... new growth.

So, Marseillaise Black, you're on the chopping block you slow growing, rusty, P.O.S.  

I hope this works.  I'll let you guys know how it goes.

~james

p.s. someone remind me to dig up my Asian pears next spring.

You tell'em James! 

p.s. dig up your Asian pears next spring.

Hey James....

Do me a favor, and put the WHAMMY on my 'Marseilles Black' also, while you're at it.  I have no room for catatonic fig trees.  For almost two months, the treelet sits there, and thinks that it's a statue!

HEY!!!...'MB-VS'  DO SOMETHING!  SHOW SOME SIGNS OF LIFE!.....


Patiently waiting for something...anything....

Frank

A tree of any kind will do what it must to survive.  I had a stagnant Panachee for 4 years, and Jon told me to douse it with water, let it sit for 2 hours, then put miracle grow on it.  When I lifted the pot to take it to the hose for the dousing ritual, I could hardly touch the pot!  It was HOT!

Now the tree is in the shade, and the treatment worked!  Every day, new leaves!!

Please don't give up.  Just make sure the conditions for growth are right.
Suzi

walk softly and carry sharp pruners...(kudos to Pres. Roosevelt)

Suzi,

I on'tday lanpay to igday it outay (I hope they don't read pig latin)

My trees are planted in the ground in a 20X15' pattern.  MBVS is at the end of my second row.  All of the trees around it are putting on new growth.  From my days of growing in containers (and several hundred repots/root-prunings), I know roots of different varieties grow at remarkably different rates.  I assume MBVS has slow growing roots.  Next year, I will increase the depth of the mulch to 5-6 inches to see if it helps.

~james

I don't know what the problem is with your Marseilles Black VS, mine is still very young and growing very nicely. I just noticed that it has a couple small figs on it and this is it's first year. I'm guessing you put yours in ground recently and your tree is working on producing roots first. I'm also guessing that the smack talk will help to get it moving for you. It is a funny phenomenom, but I have seen it happen with various plants too.

James, no comprende!  :-)
Suzi

i occationally break off leaf here and there.. break off branch now and then.. cut off new growth on the bottom.. you know.. keep the tree in check.. let him know who the boss is.. and i carry big knife. if i feel really bad, i carry 10" kitchen knife. :)

LOL Pete.  I'll put on some steel toed boots the next time I go out there.

Barry, this is its third year in the ground.  I think it was about two years old when it went in.  Osborne Prolific has about the same timeline.  It went into the ground about 3 months before MBVS.  There are several others with similar timelines.  Some are slower growing than others.  Interestingly, I notice more rust on the slower growing trees than on the more vigorous growers.

Suzi, me no comprende either.

~james

EDIT: Pete, I'm still laughing.

Suzi,

Move your response to the other thread. Please
I posted on the wrong thread and I since deleted it.

Sorry about that James.

Thanks

What other thread?
Suzi

Would be nice if you could post a link or something.

Suzi,

Here you go,
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Cajun-Fig-Fest-5977346

Thanks for some possible explanations regarding the comatose growth of my Marseilles Black-VS...perhaps all the growth is below the soil, and is going into a big, healthy root system.  Hope to see some big changes next season.

Thanks for the comments.

Frank

I would be suspicous about what might be in the soil at that location, Marseilles VS is a very strong grower. Maybe give it a shot of fertilizer early next spring or kick it real hard.

A couple years back I "accidently" dropped a car jack on my lemon tree and it's been giving great lemons ever since.

tmc, my grandpa got so mad at his non-bearing lemon tree, he girdled the whole trunk, and it got the picture and started abundantly bearing.

Barry, I'm amazed at what a strong grower Marseille VS Black is!  I recently got some rooted cuttings from Marius, and wow!  They are leafing out like crazy!!

Good luck with yours!  I think it will get the message!
Suzi

I put about a gallon of Cotton burr compost around the base of a young fig tree that had grown very slow for several years.  That year the tree really took off with new growth.  My Grandfather used to to spread cow manure under his trees and he had some good bearing trees.

My oversite, my Marseilles VS Black actually has a fig ripening on it!! I missed it because it is lined up tightly with other trees and was in the back. I am stunned to see this!