Marcantonio's post a few days ago got me to wondering about *my* Negronne. I have never seen Breba's on them in the past two years and don't expect to here in zone 6a (NW Ark).
My original plant is at least 3 years old now. It died to the ground (my plastic wrap offered zero protection--bad idea) the winter of 06 - 07. Came back strong enough last year that it produced two ripe figs and I was able to air layer six nice-sized daughter plants from it last summer.
Three of those I potted & put in the greenhouse for the winter. Of the 3, Two were 3' long & spindly with a few leaves at the top which persisted throughout the winter. (A few nights in the teens & Many nights in the 20's--but I did not track gr'house temps). Am thinking that being a little higher up in the greenhouse was a little warmer. # 3 was a foot long cutting which went dormant / no leaves. Well here's the deal. They've been in the ground for the past month & lo & behold the two spindly trees are putting out figs with *all* their new growth. #3 looks great but no figgies yet.
It is the same deal with the original Negronne--pruned to 4 1- inch thick stalks and heavily mulched with straw for the winter. Coming back strong, but no figs yet.
So what is the deal with Chill Hours, anyways?
Thanks.