Hello -

I have been a reader on the forum for a while but never posted anything.  I live in Indiana (zone 6b) and got interested in figs last year while browsing through a nursery in FL.  I came across a fig tree and didn't even know what it was.  I just loved the leaves!  I promptly bought it and brought it back with me to Indiana.  My husband, on the other hand, knew exactly what it was.  He grew up in Albania, where figs are very prevalent.  

Fast forward to this year, and I now have about 2 dozen young fig trees growing in pots!  I guess so is the story with so many folks on the forum!

Anyway, just wanted to thank all the members who post such great topics.  I've had a chance to educate myself here and continue to sift through and read topics to find out more.  There are not many books on figs (in English) but who needs books when you have such great information here!  Thanks to all!

Don't know how much I'll post.  I'm a bit of an introvert, so it took some time for me even to make this introduction - but I'll continue to enjoy reading your posts!

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome aboard, enjoyed your introduction, especially the fact that you now have 12 figs trees in pots!
That is wonderful, you will have to share pictures.  Thanks for sharing.

Welcome to the forum! I am an introvert myself, but really enjoy this forum and find myself posting more often than anticipated. We are both in zone 6b, and would love to help you if I can. Thanks, Bill.

Welcome!!! Nice to have you.

Nice intro!

Welcome!

Welcome!  What varieties are your 12 trees?  We obey a variant of Moore's law here.  The number of plants doubles every 4 months  ;)

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your figs.
The Albania connection is a great plus!
I am sure, a few jewels of all colors and shapes are still hidden over there !

Francisco
Portugal

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Bill - Thanks so much for offering to help.  It's nice to have someone else in the same zone!  At least around Indy, when you say "fig" no one seems to know what you're talking about.  I was surprised to find some Hardy Chicago fig trees at a grocery store in town.  I bought one, then through the summer kept looking at the rest that were still unpurchased and brought home two more!  Guess not a very popular plant around here.

Francisco - 
Yes - I'm hoping one of these days to get a cutting from my husband's childhood fig tree back in Berat.  His family still owns the house and it's still there. 


So far, my collection of figs includes Celeste (pretty sure - ripped off tag last year before I knew what an addiction this was going to be!)  Der Grossen Graz, Green Genoa, Hardy Chicago, JH Adriatic, Little Miss Figgy, LSU Purple, Maltese Falcon, Marseilles Black VS, Vasilika Sika (Vasile's), Violette de Bordeaux AF.

My family and I moved into a reclaimed 1940's dairy barn last year.  It has about 3.5 acres.  Cool place - but it sets back in the woods a bit.  My problem is finding enough light for these guys.  I've been spending a lot of time with husband opening up some spots in the yard to sun, so we'll see how many more I end up getting!

Welcome to the forum! Also, would love to see pictures when you can post them.

Don't have many photos yet, but here is fruit from the unknown. Celeste, right?
My husband said I picked it too early. I don't have many figs yet, so I'm impatient! It was pretty bland, but it was the first fig for the tree- so maybe to be expected?

Here's a look at the inside.

Welcome aboard. Your homestead sounds awesome! 

Get your hubby a chainsaw. I'm sure you will be able to open up some sunny areas for your "Fig orchard"

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

In case anyone is interested in old barns...

This is a photo I took of the house in the spring.

Welcome to the forum.
Re your Celeste, I was skeptical about it a couple of years ago, and kept describing the fruit as just sweet, but as the tree ages the fruit keeps getting better. This year my four year old tree in pot produced top tasting figs, that could compete with many of my other exotic names.
If your tree is ripening its fruit without dropping it, then it's a great sign that you have a good strain.

Great news! Yes, I was getting a bit worried when I heard dropping fruit is a concern for Celeste. This tree only had a handful of figs, but all reached ripeness just fine. Keeping fingers crossed for better tasting fruit to come!