It's a long story, but I may be relocating to Florida.  I want to bring down my containerized fig trees.  I know nothing about any of the pitfalls concerning gardening and growing figs in Florida.

My worries:

1.   Root Knot Nematodes: how do I prevent my trees from this?

2.   High humidity and fungal diseases, bugs, diseases, sucking insect infestations.  Preventions, sprays, etc?

3.   Scorching sun, etc.  Will the fig trees adapt to the high light levels...will I?

4.   Pastrami....will I be able to get a good, Pastrami-on-Rye in the Port St. Lucie area?  My biggest worry!

Florida fig growers....HELP!

Frank

Say it isn't so!!! You're leaving DaBronx for good old sunshine, blue skies and heavenly warm weather!! Wow!! Congrats and happy fig growing there.

"Will the fig trees adapt to the high light levels...will I?"

I don't know the answers to your questions, but the "will I?" made me laugh.  I grew up in Florida and after living in the north for a while and going back visit I REALLY notice the humidity now.  When I lived there I just thought it was normal, but when I go back I realize my sweat does nothing when the air is already soaked with water lol.  

RKN likes HOT DRY organic poor sand.  The solution make your sand in to organic rich soil.  Mulch mulch mulch it is the RKN krptonite as it makes the soil organic rich..cool and moist.  When we bought this land the "soil" was simply pure white sugar sand.  It was just as white as snow and very fine.  It takes time to change but it will.  I get wood chips delivered free from the electric companies line clearing service.  Without those chips I would be in trouble.  

The PH of our native soil is 6.5 but our water is rich in liming materials (bicarbonates) so the figs do great here with no added lime needed though you can apply it if you wish.

Humidity?  Never heard of it:)    only disease is Rust and it is a problem.  Well maybe more of pest.  We have such a long growing season that even if the tree is defoliated it bounces right back.  copper spray. Bugs on the figs are not so bad if you are in a city setting but if you are more rural like I am stink bugs and leaf footed bugs are the devil.  Nothing kills them except bullets.  I don't like spraying poisons so my solution was a flock of ducks and chickens which have reduced the problem by 80%.    

I am a PA farm boy and the heat was my biggest worry which turned out to be a non factor.  We moved here in the winter and adapted to the heat as it arrived in the spring.   The figs will love the heat.  

We have been here since 2004 and it STILL amazes me how fast the plants grow.  The growing season is so long it is like 3 PA summers each year.  

Frank,

I'm relatively close to Port St. Lucie and my experience is that, if you don't try to grow it in the ground, you won't have too much to worry about.  I, long ago, stopped trying to grow in anything but raised beds or containers because the soil is so bad.

In containers, I've had no issues with RKN and except for my Black Mission showing a mild case of rust, no issues on humidity.  I understand a copper solution can help deal with the rust, but also understand that the rust shouldn't effect production, so I just don't treat it. 

The figs love the sunshine, and I moved here from the NorthEast about 20 years ago and consider this "Almost Paradise", so I think you'll enjoy the weather. 

It would be FULL Paradise IF there was a good pastrami sandwich anywhere closer than the Carnegie Deli, but that may be the closest to Port Saint Lucie! 

The pizza isn't as good either, but the figs will be very happy!

Pastrami? Forget it. You will get over that as you adapt to fried mullet, raw oysters, bay scallops, broiled pompano, vine ripe tomatoes, tree ripened citrus, year round fresh vegtables you can grow yourself, and no snow.

Jake,

You've got me sold!  :)

I grew up in Clearwater.  #4 - maybe.  Would MLB really subject their players to Spring Training where the best choice for food is Denny's?  The real problem with things like NY Deli or any ethnic food variation is the demand for authentic versions is low overall and the price support non-existent.  Most people in Florida won't pay for 'the good stuff' - Subway is 'just as good as' the Carnegie Deli (for example).

Learn to enjoy seafood <g>.

Lots to enjoy in FL.  Good luck.

Most people in the area of Florida being discussed are from the Northeast. Not true years ago but today a native Floridian in that area is in the minority. Why would the demand and price support go away with a move to Florida. Must be what I mentioned earlier.

I am in west central Florida and have lived here my entire life (greater than 50 years).  Here is the best answers I can give you...

1.  RKN....not really a problem as long as you mulch and keep the soil highly organic.  I use a lot of mulch (free from the power company tree trimmers...thanks for the tip Wills).  I also use a lot of pine park material when I plant.  A nursery man told me you could also take a plastic 5 gallon bucket, cut the bottom out and then cut in half, making two cyclinders.  Bury this in the ground all of 1 inch and then fill with organic material and plant your tree.  This will force the roots to go down rather than out.  RKN only lives in the top 8-10 inches of soil and requires light. 

2.Pest, etc....we have our share....no doubt...worst for figs is rust which I get towards the end of summer in the high humidity.  It does not hurt the trees and I have sprayed with copper sulfate to help.  If the leaves fall off, I take the opportunity to "pinch" and in a few weeks, the leaves come right back out.  Other bugs are like Wills mentioned.  I don't really find them to be much of a problem.  Ants can be a pest if the figs have open eyes...they go for the sugar.  Plenty of things at Hdepot for these...I find the Bayer product works great and I don't have any problem with them.

3.  Scorching sun.  I have lived here all my life and even I hate August/September.  It is so hot and humid.  Just don't plan on being outside between 11 and 3pm and you will do fine.  I use sunblock with a 50 rating.  If you do get burned, take apple cider vinegar and soak it in a paper towel.  Put this on the sunburn immediately after coming in and realizing you are cooked.  The acid in the vinegar opens up your pores and lets the heat escape that is trapped by the red, closed pores.  Do this a couple of time and you will be fine.  I rarely peel from a burn if you do this.  I fish a lot and the glare from the water will burn worst than the direct sun....be aware.  You will absolutely think you have died and gone to he$$ the first summer.  Hang in there....you blood will thin out and you will get used to it.  Best part is that you don't have to worry about winterizing your figs.  Our growing season is virtually all year long.  I have something growing virtually all year long.  Also, you can sell your snow shovel, snow blower, etc.  They won't work on the beach sand at all.

4.  Pastrami sandwich....good luck...not a good one to be found anywhere I know of.  You might find a local deli that would cater to you. 

Port St. Lucie is a nice place.  Get into fishing...If you have never been shallow salt water fishing, you are missing a treat.  The fish down here put a fight like none other.  A 5# fish of any kind in Florida will pull around a 10# fish from up north by his tale.

Come on down....just don't judge us ....  a lot of transplants say "we don't do it that way back home up North"....that will get you in trouble down here....likely to hear something like "well, that is just the way it is....how long were you staying again?".....

Oh, and one more thing....no state income taxes...thanks to all you wonderful winter visitors from up north....just come visit, enjoy our winters and make double sure you leave all your money at the state border before going back home.....lol....
3.

Frank Go for it. Take all your figs and plants. The figs love the sun. I have been in the south all my life. Try new foods and remember the one you can't find. Cook them for yourself. The same way with friends. Get out and spread your wings. Fly south my friend. Life is too short not to enjoy it. 

Zone 8
South West.

Thank-you for the kind words of encouragement and for the good news about gardening in Florida.

The fig 'problems", will be dealt with.  Your suggestions about controlling RKN were great, and I thought these worms completely infested the soil/sand, whatever, and didn't know they could be controlled by heavy mulching.  Thanks for the tips.  I'm psyched.

Heat and Humidity:  Sweltering is sweltering.  I do it, each summer, in Da Bronx, I could do it in Florida while an alligator chews on my foot.

I will be in culture shock, I'm sure, for quite a while...especially if everybody is ...yech!...pleasant, and says "hello" for no good reason.  What's up with that?  And, all that damn smiling....  How will I manage dealing with being treated in a civil manner, and...without the NYC attitude?  How do I handle being called "Sir"?   Wink, wink : )))))

Sea food...love it, no problems....I'll eat most anything except those awful grits!

No judgements, no expectations...and I'll try to fit in.  But my accent will give me away instantly.  Can't do nuttin' about that. I'm friendly by nature, so I like meeting new people.  I'll do fine.  Besides, who will be able to resist my NYC charm?

Looking forward to my new adventure...but wish I was way younger.  I'm not a fossil yet, but still, I'm no kid either.  Can't wait to go to all the Gun Shows, flea markets, pawn shops, strapping on the feed bag at some "early-bird" specials....doin' some shootin' with my Black Powder guns, growing things that would never grow in NYC, and especially, having a growing season lasting longer than 3 months.

Seriously, the decision to relocate did not come easy.  I did not mention this to the forum members, but, both my parents passed earlier this year, six weeks apart, in Jan. and Feb.  I was primary care-giver for both, for way over 15 years.  I did it all, with very little help.  I'm no martyr, but I did what I had to do, and I was able to allow my 92 year old dad to stay in the house he loved, until one week before he passed.  It wasn't easy.  Now, I need some time for myself.  Can't do the NYC winters anymore, the shoveling, the filth, the people.  Will I miss that special NYC stench?  You bet.  Many years ago, I went to Puerto Rico for a quick, 4-day vacation.  After 4 days, I flew back and landed at LaGuardia Airport, still daydreaming, and with a memory full of all the beautiful sights that PR had to offer.  I stepped into the main terminal, and got a full wiff of stale urine wafting out tof the public bathrooms.  I said to myself...."Ah...I'm back...vacation's over"  I'll get used to a new way of life very quickly.

Frank

enjoy the next chapter frank....i am sure it will very easy to adjust
very jealous!

This sounds exciting. I'm Happy for you and God bless you Frank.

culture shock.. i had one too many of those.. lol

Yep, time to spoil yourself, Frank.  Sounds like you've earned it big time.  Good luck with the transition!

Frank, you'll be fine!  The temps actually get hotter in NYC than they do in South Florida in the summer.  It rarely gets much above 92* F, but it does tend to feel warmer because of the humidity.  But, anywhere in Port St. Lucie is fairly close to the water and usually a good breeze is coming off the ocean.  Once you've gone fishing for Snook, Redfish & Tarpon, not to mention all the great offshore fishing (Dolphin, Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish, Snapper, and much more!) you'll never look back!  The only thing I really miss about being up north is basements! :D

Thank you all for all the good suggestions, and wishes for my happiness as I face a new and different life. 

Initially, I will be staying with some friends of mine who moved down there 17 years ago.   I was down there 18 years ago vacationing with them, before they bought their house.  I stayed in one of those condo complexes that are all over the place.  One night after dinner, I decided to take a long walk to work off some of the spaghetti and meatballs that I just inhaled.  About 100 yards away from the condo, while walking on some dirt road, I heard a unfamiliar sound.  To me, it sounded like a rattlesnake.  I made it back to the condo in record time, flew through the front door, and jumped on the couch.  My friends never stopped laughing, even to this day.

I'll give it a try.  I could always come back to NY.  Planes fly both ways.

Thanks for all.

Frank

Frank, sorry to hear about your parents.  Hold your head high knowing what you did for them.  I just came back from a wedding in Ft. Lauderdale and all I can say is I know I love it down there in April.  Swimming for hours every day.  I would be following you there except I need to know how cold (water and air temperature) it gets during January or the coldest day of the year and how the heat feels in august, even if being close to the ocean.  If there is a constant breeze may be it is not too bad.  I went to Aruba in august a few years ago and it was the windiest place I have ever been but I was in the south and the breeze came from the north and it was so hot I will never go back.

btw- just wondering - are you taking your figs with you down south or is it more economical to donate/sale them and start a new collection down south?
(maybe airlayer few branches from mature trees)

Frank,

How much land are you looking for?  

Fig trees will go with me.  My exotic, South African succulent fat-plant collection, goes with me.  Some clothes, books, hobby equipment, tools, and various pieces of junk, will also go with me.  Truthfully, I could fit all my possessions in the back of a small, paneled van.  If I decide to relocate to Florida, it will probably be in the very early Fall. and if the fig trees are dormant, I may just schlep them down bare root, and replant them in containers once I'm down there.  But that's for the future.  first I'll have to see if I will like the Florida way of life.

WillsC...no land.  I may need to pull up stakes and return to NYC.  My sister will still be up here and I may have to return for unexpected reasons.  You just never know.  I need to be mobile.

I hear that the summer heat and humidity can be brutal, but the winters are mild and pleasant, and not freezing cold.  It will take time to adapt, that I know.  I will have no yard work, so I won't have to deal with clipping hedges, or grass, or keeping up appearances.  I'll just have to water my plants, and get bored.  I will look for work...I hate being idle.  Maybe this Piano Tuner can earn some bucks in Florida.  All possibilities will be explored. 

Thanks for all the condolences, private, and otherwise. 

New attitude, new adventures, new location, new life... Let the games begin.



Frank

Great attitude !!! :-))))

we go often to florida for vacation and/or cruising the caribbean and we meet all kind of people that have moved down south or that are snowbirds
did NOT meet one that didnt love it
 

Frank, here's a couple of facts about Florida that you won't find in wikipedia. 

1. In Florida, The Farther North You Go, The Further South You Get, ie, no one will force feed you grits in Port St. Lucie.
2. All the nuts roll down to Florida, present company excluded, of course...so beware.