Why didn't I know about this site earlier? I've been a member of GardenWeb for years

I live in WV and have just gotten the fig bug, having obtained two Hardy Chicago rootings last year and being able to taste a handful of fruit from them this year... Love em!

I'd really like to get a couple more varieties. I posted in GW seeking cuttings or young rootlings. I'm also going to paste in what I put there to see if anyone is interested. I'm really excited to read more on F4F. My grandmother raised figs when I was a kid, but until last year I hadn't tried them out. I grow so many unusual things and seek out the weird and hardy. If anyone else is in WV, I'd love to see what you grow.

Thanks ,
Chris


Below is my GW posting:
I have Chicago, but now that I've given them a try, I'd like to get a couple other varieties that also taste good.
I'm open to different varieties, but have some interest in Celeste, Ronde de Bordeaux, brown Turkey...
I'm looking for rooted or fresh cuttings. I have lots of stuff like hardy cacti, hardy agaves, semps, sedums, basjoo banana, epiphyllums, adeniums, dragons tongue tradescantia. I even have hardy kiwi that can be cut, both male and female. Never know... There may be something's else that you're looking for, just ask. I really do need to update my plant lists

Thanks gang,
Chris
Chrishware @ aol.com

Chris,

    You hit the right place. Browse the threads and you will learn an enormous amount in a short time - - very steep learning curve. Good luck.

Chris, welcome to the mad house. We're all lunatics for figs but we're lovable! Hardy Kiwi you say???
We'll have to talk.

Welcome!  Search on the varieties you're interested in, pay most attention to people in your climate zone.  Enjoy your journey.

Welcome to the forum Chris.  Now you get to see if you have any self control or not.

goss

Goss, LMAO. I failed that test by the way.

Welcome to the forum.  

Chris, welcome to the forum.

Thank you guys,
Thanks goss.... And it will be difficult. I work in a small elementary school with big windows, have a large cellar, and a garage! So, when fall comes, I stick plants everywhere! My only plant I don't move anymore is Audrey, my giant philodendron (named after Little Shop of Horrors) I used to bring her home every summer in a pickup, but now I just drive over and water her every couple weeks during the summer.
I get my students into plants too. Each year I start a new unusual plant with the third graders that will follow them through fifth and then go home with them. In the past I've done adeniums, epiphyllum, succulents, etc.

Really looking forward to this forum,
Thanks,
Chris

Welcome, Chris.  You're gonna love it here.  =)

Nice to meet you Chris! Welcome and enjoy the forum!

Welcome to the forum Chris.  You will have a blast learning about figs, and things exotic, on this forum.  A little more action here than on the Garden Web. 

Also, including your climate zone would be helpful.  That will tell us at a glance about what fig varieties might do well in your area and what to recommend.


                    *****************************************************************************************************************

Since you like to grow other exotic-type plants, may I suggest, for classroom growing:

1.  Cyphostemma juttae...which makes huge prehistoric-looking leaves that feel like plastic, and a huge caudex/trunk.  tough as nails, and requires no care when dormant.  Needs full sun, heat, grow like Adenium.
2.  "Sea Grape" (Coccoloba uvifera)...from seeds it's easy.  Another exotic, native to Florida beaches, with thick leathery leaves, red veins, and, the size/shape of a round, paper plate.  Full sun, heat, easy.
3.  Amorphophallus konjac-"Devil's Tongue"/"Corpse Flower"...Easily, one of the strangest-looking plants.  Aroid family.  Makes a huge, underground tuber, that throws up an umbrella-shaped, rack of leaves above a thick, spotted stalk.  When old enough, a very tall, enormous, aroid-type flower grows on top of a 4-6 ft. stem.  When the purple spotted, alien, flower opens, it emits a putrid stench that smells like 'decomp'... and attracts flies. Not for the faint-of-heart.  Totally disgusting.  The kids will love it...

*****************************************************************************************************************************

Back to figs:

'Celeste' can drop/abort figs if stressed
'Brown Turkey' can be very insipid, and generally, not worth the effort to grow it
'Hardy Chicago'-excellent variety, great flavor.

You will find many other varieties that you will want to grow and taste.  Some varieties will be a little more difficult to find, but with some luck, you'll be able to get some cuttings, rooted layers, etc. from forum members.

Ask a lot of questions.  You'll be an expert by this time next year.  And....have fun.


Frank

Welocome Chris! You will meet and interact with all kinds of fignatics here on this site and be able to gather a ton of good information. Raising baby fig trees from dormant cuttings sounds like a good school plant project as well!

Welcome Chris ! It's great that you involve the children at school . Enjoy the ride here and happy figging .

Start Here.

Be welcome this is a great group of people.