Hi everyone.

I have planted two "Desert King" figs now, and both of them have died.

Both had good care, so do you think it's the climate here (hot and humid) or just bad luck?

Is this fig variety worth a third try?

Best wishes to all.

John

North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

I have a nice size king in a 20 gal pot.over 6 ft high. herman told me it should remain in the pot forever in our area.

Hi Northeastnewbie, and thanks for your reply.

What do you think about the quality of the fruit?

What I am wondering is whether I should order yet another Desert King (Raintree Nursury sells them), or whether there are better varieties and it's not worth the effort given the cost/benefit.

If Desert Kings are great figs (great taste; productive; etc.) it would be worthwhile, but if there are better varieties I might just use the space for a different variety.

Wouldn't be great if you could taste the fig first, and then decide which ones you want to grow?

So that's why I was wondering what everyone thought about the Desert King.

All of our figs are in ground, and we are Zone 7 also, so that might explain the two "Dead" Kings, given Herman's advice on this.  It may be too cold here in North Georgia for this variety, in which case, I will definately try another variety.

Thank you my friend.

Best wishes.

John

North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

John, that is strange that both died.  I got 1 Desert King in ground growing fine and 3 or 4 in containers growing well.  However, when I lived in Marietta, everything that I planted in the ground died!  I talked to a farmer and he told me that there is a parasite in the soil causing the problem.  I don't know how much truth there is to that but this guy was a fruit farmer.  Therefore you might want to get your soil tested.  hope this helps,  cheers,

Hi Dennis.  Were you in Marietta during the drought?  We had trouble keeping anything newly transplanted alive during that time.

Both of the Desert Kings were small size also (one gallon) to start with, that didn't help I am sure.

But it could just be coincidence that both of them died.

I could get the soil tested, but everything else (including over 50 varieties of figs) is growing like a weed, so I'm certain it's not a soil problem or it would effect the other plants, and that is definately not the case.  Quite the contrary.

We probably have some of the best, healthiest soil in North Georgia, as we have spent a ton of money hauling in peat moss and other high quality organic matter to improve the red clay.  We also ordered quite a bit of healthy soil organisms (beneficial fungi and bacteria) from Fungi Perfecti and also healthy parasitic soil nematodes, all to create healthy soil life.  It seems to be working great, some I'm sure our soil is good.

I probably just got unlucky twice.  They say lighting never strikes twice, but I know that is not true either.

What do you think of the flavor and productivity of your Desert Kings Dennis?

Also, I was still thinking about that great setup you have, and now with the new underground watering system you going to install.  Outstanding and impressive.

Hope you are well my friend.

John

North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

John if the tree was not given to me I would not have it. I prefer main crop figs to breba only trees. The fig wasp is not here to pollinate the main crop. It is strickly a west coast tree in my mind.

I had fruits in three occasion,off my Desert King.
John:
:The Breba fruits are large sweet and flavorfull.
The problem is how to keep the fruits buds from freezing during winter,because they are formed in the Fall.
In my climate,is impossible to keep fruits buds alive if the tree is inground,as the buds are more sensitive to cold than,the tree itself.
If frozen breba will fall out,and the tree will be fruitless,except a few main crop fruits,that manage to persist,but they will taste like cardboard,when ripe!
Of course every 5 years or so,there might be an unusual warm winter and Spring,and the Desert King might keep the buds and grow them to maturity,even if inground.
If you really want one:keep it in a large pot.or a medium pot,but bury it when you take it out in the Spring.
Also you will have to ,protect it in April,and May,by covering it with a blanchet or something,if frost is announced.

Hi Herman and Northeastnewbie.

It sounds like there are much better varieties for here on the East Coast, especially since we are planning to have all of our trees in ground.

This is very helpful, thank you very much.

And now that gives me a spot in the orchard to fill, so this is good news, being able to shop for another new fig, just not another Desert King.

Thank you, and very best wishes to all.

John

As Dr. Frankenstein said: "It's Alive!!!"

Much to my surprise, when I went to take out the Desert King, I found a little new growth in the roots and around the bottom of the base.  It sure looked dead, but there was a little life still in it.

It still came out though, as I am now convincing this fig is not ideal for this climate.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.

I always find it difficult to take out a fig, but sometimes you have to.  There are too many good varieties available to waste space on those that won't do well in your climate.

Best wishes to all.

John

North Georgia Piedmont
Zone 7b

Adriano has a King fig and I "assume" it is a Desert King.
It is huge and loaded with figs during the growing season.

I tried the fig at his place once or twice and it was quite tasty.
Large and juicy.

He lives near Toronto, On. and he ties it up and bends it down and covers it during the Winter.

Everytime I go there I learn something from him. I say there's no question to its' hardiness.