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Listenstohorses

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Farmer Seed and nursery is offering this fig tree saying it is hardy zone 5-10 and grows 6-8' tall. Anyone know anything about it?
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Zone 6, south central Missouri ...wishing for yummy figs that grow well here.

Have Desert King, Celeste, Amber, and Alma?... plus one unknown variety I got from my father in CA
OttawanZ5

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Try it and let us know.
Just don't listen to those ----------
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Ottawan-Z5a, Canada
BexleyRabbit

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
They are inferring that figs are mentioned in The Bible, not that this particular variety is the actual one in the The Bible. No one knows which varieties of figs they were.
Listenstohorses

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Correct, I don't think they claim it is Original fig...But any ideas what it might be? I do plan to order one as their clain hardy in my zone. But I would not have the experience to identify it
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Zone 6, south central Missouri ...wishing for yummy figs that grow well here.

Have Desert King, Celeste, Amber, and Alma?... plus one unknown variety I got from my father in CA
BexleyRabbit

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Listenstohorses
Correct, I don't think they claim it is Original fig...But any ideas what it might be? I do plan to order one as their clain hardy in my zone. But I would not have the experience to identify it


I maybe wrong but what I also meant was that they could be selling a number a varieties under the banner of 'The Biblical Fig''. If their labels have a description, it should narrow it down. If the label is lacking a detailed description, then they are labelling any figs they have to hand as 'Biblical'.

I have lost faith in the largest nursery chain in Sydney (Flower Power). Early spring, I went to buy a White Adriatic as per the label attached to a bunch of good looking trees. When I was about to pay, I noticed that the price bar-code sticker said it was actually a White Genoa. Turns out they were all like that and their excuse was "we ran out of White Genoa tags". I advised them to get a marker and alter the labels.

A week later they remained unchanged.

This season, I have been anxiously waiting for my Black Genoa to fruit. Turns out it is actually a White Genoa.

Now that is truly Biblical, my tree mysteriously changed variety!

And yes, it was purchased from the same chain two years ago.
jdsfrance

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Hi Listentohorses, they say the tree is cold hardy; but do they say if it will fruit for you in zone 5 ... Two different problems ...
If you have space go for it, but to me it doesn't mean that you'll be eating figs from that tree ...
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Climate from -25°C to + 35°C
Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here
Listenstohorses

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Jdsfrance, now that is helpful. I hadn't thought of that! The tree is $8 and the catalog has several plants I want reasonably priced. They have weeping willow for $1.50, red painted daisy, and mosquito shoo geranium to help around the house...worth a try.
They do admit that their cold hardy banana is ornamental .... they claim the fig "ripens in July and is very sweet, delicious, good sized, firm and meaty. Often bear the first year."here no variety stated just (ficus)
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Zone 6, south central Missouri ...wishing for yummy figs that grow well here.

Have Desert King, Celeste, Amber, and Alma?... plus one unknown variety I got from my father in CA
bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
fig in itself is a biblical fruit. only thing is bible doesn't mention exactly which cultivar that fig/s was/were. 
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Pete
Durham, NC
Zone 7b

"don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill
"the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher

***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
robertharper

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Listentohorses,

Even Desert King is cold hardy to zone 5, if covered, and it's owner understands the figs needs.

One of the biggest problems we have with our hobby of figs, is the miss-labeling of figs with large companies who sell them.

To a lot of companies, a fig is a fig. I have lost count of how many times I heard people tell me they waited for five years and their fig keeps dying to the ground. Or, "Why is it I never get more then a couple of figs from my plant?". Or, ""My fig is loaded with figs every year. But, they never ripen. Why?.

If you stay with Figs 4 Fun and read the post, you will understand why a lot of people want to only buy from members of this forum.

The best fig a person can have is the one already growing well in your neighborhood. Locate it, and ask the owner for cuttings. The second best thing is to buy from a member of this forum.

These are people who care about and know figs. They probably hate miss labeled fig plants more then any one else. Not to mention companies who are miss leading in their advertising.
 

Bob @ T. Pine
DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
I bought my first fig from Gurney's nursery online.  It was labeled as Italian Honey.  At the same time, a member here also purchased that tree.  When the figs ripened, they were dark and delish.  So, I took photos and posted them here.  Turns out we both got Violette De Bordeaux on accident!  That was a happy day, plus Gurney's refunded my money for selling me the wrong fig!  If your nursery is selling Bible Fig Trees, I guess they covered all their mistakes!!

I never did get an Italian Honey.  Maybe someday!!

Just for fun, if you want to see what the Bible says about figs, check this!

I love putting words in that Bible search!  You can prove just about anything!

Suzi
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Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!"  Wish List:  I wish all of you happy fig collecting!  My wishes have been fulfilled!
Listenstohorses

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
I have a Deseet King I bought years ago and managed to keep it alive, till this Winter I am afraid. The "winter vortex" may have gotten it. It was loaded with figs, not very tasty figs, last spring. Second crop didn't ripen. I should have propitiated it but didn't. It is potted under my south facing deck on cement slab house sits on. Very sheltered but crazy cold for long time this year.
Any ideas as why not bety tasty?
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Zone 6, south central Missouri ...wishing for yummy figs that grow well here.

Have Desert King, Celeste, Amber, and Alma?... plus one unknown variety I got from my father in CA
Listenstohorses

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
I also have an unknown variety that I keep in the house to keep it safe. No figs ever even though the parent tree had outstanding figs in CA. I did propagate it. It is tiny and the tiny baby grew 3fwetup or more in the ground...figure I lost that too. Any idea why no figs there?
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Zone 6, south central Missouri ...wishing for yummy figs that grow well here.

Have Desert King, Celeste, Amber, and Alma?... plus one unknown variety I got from my father in CA
timmy2green

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
It's kinda misleading to say a fig grows in zone 5. If you plant any young fig tree in ground with no protection here I'm pretty sure it's a goner. I've never tried but that's because I know it gets -50 with windchill and the ground hard freezes all winter.
Yes they grow in zone 5 with proper protection but not naturally. I've never seen a tree in ground without protection, especially a young one.
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Saratoga, NY - Zone 5a
Wish List: Sbayi, Poona, Panevino Dark, Lebanese Red, Sumaki, Raspberry Latte, Negretta, Italian 258, De La Reina MP.
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