I was out taking a drive and came across this little beauty.  I don’t know what to do with it yet, but I was thinking of getting an airlayer and bringing it home to make my other figs better. What are your thoughts?                                  
   
 
 

Hi andreas,
Don't cut those figs as they are of no use to you yet, but will help the next crop that will be of use to you and your figs .
If you're not looking into breeding fig trees, go ahead but .
But this is not the better time to do it, IMO . I would do the airlayer in June or July (perhaps May at your location) .
If there are root-shoots, I would try to take some.
Or simply take cuttings with no figs, as nevertheless, the rooting cuttings won't have the roots to keep those figs up and alive.
I would try to find the caprifigs with the more figs. If this is the one in your neck of the woods, then take cuttings on that one .

What I would do, is take branches in June or when the wasp is actively seeking new figs in your climate and put those in bottles of water in a shady spot under your fig trees.
The wasp would then be released directly near your figs at the right time for the pollination and if the branches root, you'll have caprifigs for you at the same time.

Of course, it all depends on your access to that tree. If you don't have easy access to that tree later in the year, then take the opportunity you have now, and do it now .
Good luck !

That is a nice tree, Andreas!
The branches are thick and healthy and if you take any cuttings, they will root readily. An air layer would be even better! You can choose a branch with figlets for an AL now and when the roots are there, you will have a little tree with figs and wasps. I have done this with my caprifig and the little guy puts out new figs constantly. It almost didn't notice a separation from the mother tree.
Good luck!

Very cool! So that is the mammoni crop, if my understanding of fig sex is correct?

The tree Andreas found is in fact a Caprifig with a nice crop of Mamme caprifigs or the winter figs.
These figs are full of wasp larvae or pupa through their metamorphosis.

The buds for the next crop of Profichi may already be seen in same wood as those Mamme but in much greater quantity... worth to check

With a friendly Nature,  in about 60 days those wasps will be ready... the Profichi will grow up to a receptive status and 'call thousands of them' to 'come in' and get them caprificated. The old Mamme will soften, become yellowish and rot falling to the ground

I agree with Igor.. best move is to select a nice healthy branch now, with 5 or 6 or more Mamme fruit and do a generous air layer,.. take good care of it, let it go through Feb/March/ and by the end of April cut it. You may have a new tree with enough Profichis to caprificate all figs on your yard around June.

Been suggesting this same move as the quickest way to take an active Caprifig home at least in California.

Kelby, the Mammoni crop will show up (just a few)  later in Summer, after the Profichi..

Good luck Andreas
Francisco
Portugal

thanks for the info and help guys!!!
i will follow your suggestions