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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Goofed on Dormant Figs? Solutions?
 
 


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AndyInNYC

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I brought my figs in several weeks ago - we've had a slew of snow already in NJ.

Unfortunately it looks like my basement is too warm.  And like Goldilocks, my shed is too cold and my garage is too crowded.

Looking at the pictures I have new growth on my (mostly) in the dark in the basement plants.

What should I do?  Too cold to bring outside and there really isn't any other viable storage area.

Andrew

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RichinNJ

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
IMHO Put them next to a window or under a florescent light. We have had 100's of hours below 35 so I would think they have reached the required amount of time dormant.
JackHNVA

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
You get leaf drop if you chill them down now, young plants so will loose some needed energy in the spring, but will likely survive. If some are still in bud vs leaves, can move to a cooler place in the basement, if you have a bulkhead access to the basement they tend to be colder. The leafed ones maybe best brought into the house into a sunny room and babied.
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Looking for dark sweet types from Azores and southern Spain (figs, not women), 2014 goal is to acquire Kathleen Black
saxonfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Hi Andy. It happens. It looks like you're just gonna have to let 'em grow indoors now. Like Rich mentioned above, the best thing to do now is to give them as much light as possible until spring. Just keep a close eye on them. They could lose one or two of those first leaves if they get too much light right after being in the dark basement. They should adjust pretty quickly though and just start growing for you.

You'll also want to be real careful when you do start putting them back outside. Even though you might be able to give them some nice bright artificial light or keep them in front of a window through the winter, this is still a greatly reduced amount of light compared to real, direct, sunlight. So just transition them slowly over a period of a couple of weeks or so. Start them in a shady spot outdoors and then every other day or so give them a little more sun until the leaves are fully "hardened off". You'll be able to tell if you've given them too much sun because the leaves will start showing signs of sun burn/scald. 

It may be a little hassle to baby them until it's warm enough to transition them back outside. But look at the bright side. You'll have a great head-start on growth for when spring does come :-) ! 

Hope this helps.
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Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N 
I'm fruitnut on ebay.
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Surround it with 100 W equivalent CFLs or get an HID setup.  Put ice on the soil for the rest of them.
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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
JackHNVA

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 

20/30 G barrel and one of these works wonders in a small shed or garage for those single digit nights:

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/k-and-h-ultimate-pail-heater/E000343/
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Zone 7
Celeste, White Marseilles, Beer's Black, Green Greek, White Italy one unknown, Chicago hardy, White Naples, Portuguese Black, Italian Honey.Black Bethleham, Sal's C, Several unknowns.

Looking for dark sweet types from Azores and southern Spain (figs, not women), 2014 goal is to acquire Kathleen Black
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