The &*#@ birds discovered my tree!! I'm leaving the figs they have been nibbling on - hopefully they will continue to eat those! LOL  I picked 3 - haven't tried them yet.  I lost track of which ones are brebas and which are main crop.

Just tried one - yummy!

There aren't as many figs on the tree as I was anticipating.  I also didn''t fertilize until late, we had a very cold spring, a lot more rain than last year, not nearly as hot as last year.

There is always next year!!

I'm having problems too, the damn crows are too smart to fool, with cds on a string, plastic owl etc. I might have to execute them with my high powered air rifle!

Got hit by Blue Jays yesterday.

Crazy bird only went after ripe figs leaving the unripe ones untouched!

Howie,
How's the munchkin? 
People that hunt crows use Owl decoys as Crows and Owls have a great hatred for one another. Trying to deter Crows using Owls probably won't help at all and may cause the crows to come in for a closer look and therefore have a better chance of seeing the figs.

Yesterday, I tried the bird tape for the first time. I have a very large area and I spaced 3' strips about every 30 feet and so far today I have not lost one fig! Improved Celeste are ripening every day now. Plus hours ago I picked 2 White Greek, 1 Zembillas Black, 2 Celeste, and 4 Improved Celeste.

I gota get more of this tape!!!!

Ok so I had to ask Dennis - what is Zembillas Black ? Pictures please and description? 

Do you have a link to the tape Dennis?

Pattee, it's an unknown black fig sent to me by Alexis. The figs are long bronze/black figs with a sweet and semi-acidic flavor, red interior. Tasted my first one today but a few more are ripening soon. I'll take some picks later this week. I'm thinking about planting it in my orchard. I'm a big fan of unknowns.

Thank you for the unknown purple fig cuttings Joanne. You surprised me during spring. BTW it is about 2 feet tall.

p.s
Glad you were able to enjoy one fig. Sounds delicious.

Jenny

Jenny - your welcome!!   I am so glad it is growing so well for you!!!!!!!   :)   Has there been any signs of FMV??  I never heard of it until I joined the forum.   The trees leaves were always solid green and looked like fig leaves. lol

I am embarrassed to say my plans for cuttings have not been what I thought they would:(  Between Glenn having health issues on top of his already health issues and getting the puppy  - and of yeah - work - I haven't been able to do what I wanted.

Family tree cuttings for myself are............still in the fridge, along with a bunch of others.

Now that Luce (puppy) is going on 7 months, I think I will hit the cuttings this weekend.  IF we get a late winter (crossing my fingers) we should have at least 3 months of growing after rooting.

There are several different brands of bird tape on the market.  The one I purchased is by Tanglefoot called Repeller Ribbon.  It whisles and flashes light in a gentle breeze.  It also reflect a spectrum of colors.  PLUS when you look at the tape when its still, there is a thousand circle eyes on both sides of the tape.  It looks like a thousand eyes are moving.  I think I got lucky or maybe the birds aren't use to seeing and hearing this stuff.  Here is how I set my strips up:

I got some 8' tall, 2in diameter bamboo poles.  Cut the tape in 36 inch strips.  Wrap the strip around the top of the bamboo and using a heavy duty staple gun,  staple it onto the pole.  I spaced these strips around my orchard and some in the middle. 

So far, it works like a charm.  The slightest breeze make the tape whistle and shake.  For now, the Catbirds, Cardinals and Robins are staying away.  And the catbirds chase other birds out of their territory like mocking birds and brown thrashers.  I'm not sure this tape will work for you but it does for me.  Go to Amazon and search for Tanglefoot Repeller Ribbon.  I like this stuff vs using bird netting which can be pricey if you try to cover an entire orchard and garden.  Good luck!

Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Tanglefoot-Bird-Repeller-Ribbon-300000672/dp/B000VYN6F6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375201092&sr=8-3&keywords=bird+repellent+ribbon