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Help write a guide

Could our esteemed Senior members (And by Senior, I mean fig experience not age... thank you!) all contribute to writing a paper that would cover the basics for a person with no fig and likely little growing experience.  The situation often being a member gifting a freshly rooted fig cutting to a friend or relative. Lets say that the person lives in a cold northern area, since most of us do, and will be keeping the fig in a pot, moving it in for winter and out for summer.

 
What would your "step by step" directions for that person be, other than the obvious of recommending that they become F4F members?
 
All input welcome, it will be great information for some of our newer members as well. It will be a great basic guide that we could print to give to theses people along with there new shinny fig tree.
 
Thank you everyone
 
Scott 
 


Sounds like an interesting idea Scott.    
Maybe start with a table of contents for what you have in mind and see what suggestions come in?
 

The most comprehensive guide would be to email them a link to this forum and another link to Jon's list of links. Ought to cover everything :)

Seriously that is a good idea. I'm not an expert but last summer I did write a brief set of instructions to give to 3 of the friends/family I gave small fig plants to-they appreciated the guide. Would be great for more expert opinions to do so.

I'm not a senior member but I do actually have a guide that I wrote and saved on my computer. I made it for people who I give trees to, just as you are suggesting. As you have learned I'm sure, nobody in Colorado knows a thing about figs. It's basic information for people in a similar climate, enough to get them started and in the paper I suggest looking here for further guidance and tell them to contact me anytime for answers to questions.
I am pretty sure nobody has ever even looked at it. They all contact me with ridiculous questions which I covered in the paper, that is if they even contact me at all. Most of them don't ask any questions, and months or a year later I visit and see my fig trees are still alive but have grown an insignificant amount since I gifted them the tree. Oh well, I sort of look at it as having trees out there in suspended animation. If ever I need a replacement I have a feeling they will not be missed. It doesn't stop me from giving them out though.

On the cover: "Don't Panic"

Step 1: Don't try too hard.

Step 2: Add a post to the F4F forum with a clear title :)

The old Belleclare instructions could be a useful starting point (although I have never found the crushed limestone that they recommend putting over the top of the soil):

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1280331488&postcount=7

I wonder if it would make more sense for one person to write a draft (or start with Calvin's) and then have others chime in on edits and additions.  Another issue is that the instructions will probably be a bit specific to the geographic regions - for example watering, fig shuffle, winter storage, etc practices would be a bit different in the west vs east and mid-atlantic vs new england.

While a short concise instruction set is best for a beginner, I am pretty sure you would never gain a consensus from members senior or rookie on many points. There are many ways to successful root and nurture a fig.  Some of the nastiest discussions on this forum have origin to rooting methods, soil science etc… There are basic principles that I think most agree on concerning moisture and temperature management and such, but it is half comical and half frustrating to watch a discussion on methods that can both work and are 95% the same in principle create such an uproar. I have seen rookie’s root 10 cuttings with 100% on their 1st attempt and argue to no limit that what they followed was the best way ever, even to points that likely had little impact on results. Many folks have probably had experiences like myself where it seems like although I tried to follow exactly the methods that before provided good results only to watch in frustration as I lost rooted cuttings and trying to figure out what I did different. While I appreciate the desire for black and white there is not one black and white and there is a lot of gray swirling about. It may be overwhelming trying to decide on a rooting manner most will likely settle on method that works for them. Culture on growing an established plant is more straight forward. Figs are tough plants and if you lose one there is normally a pretty clear indicator. Just my thoughts but I don’t think you will see one collaborative document that everyone agrees with as we have too many egos and personalities.  But I do hope you come up with another document to reference and debated discussion is good as well just hoping it remains civil and respectful.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rewton
The old Belleclare instructions could be a useful starting point (although I have never found the crushed limestone that they recommend putting over the top of the soil).


Steve, it is also be called limestone screenings. You should be able to find it at a hardscaping supply place or somewhere that carries bulk stone. It's commonly used to make pathways and as a base when laying bricks/pavers. It should be absurdly cheap, I've gotten it for work from the local block company for about $20/ton (maybe 3/4 cubic yard). If you saw my rooting post on Facebook I'm using as 'mulch' on my cuttings with good success.

I thought the idea was for a growing guide for rooted cuttings in a pot that we give our friends or family to get them hooked too, not a rooting guide. Probably a little less divisive :)

I'm glad everyone is engaging in this project, however, we are a little off target.

We are certainly not talking about rooting, I stated an already rooted cutting.

So allow me to rephrase the question.

Lets say that YOU have taken the time and energy to root several cutting, you have babied them along for weeks or months.  You have them up potted, Spring has arrived and you have your babies, these young fig trees hardened off and ready to start on their path of life.  You have kept your favorites and have decided to gift a few of your babies to some friends, or maybe a family member.  You know that the these choice people will love and cherish this gift of life... but they just don't know anything about growing a fig and little about growing in general.  You know you can tell them everything there is to know about figs, everything they need to know be successful, yet there is so much info that they will never remember and may be to embarrassed to ask you again.  So you decide to write a guide, a guide that will not be so in depth that it scares them off yet not so basic that they feel insulted.  A basic guide that will help steer them in the right directions, give them a feeling of confidence in this new endeavor.

After that, it is up to them to check out that website you included on the guide, it is up to them to want to learn more and be more involved.  Yet if that day never comes, you feel confident that the guide you left with them will lead them to enough success to enjoy their new shinny baby fig tree for years to come.


Thank you everyone.

Scott

Calvin, do you mind posting your guide?

Sorry Scott,

I did stray to the rooting topic, I guess this time of year that's were my mind is at.

Quote:
Originally Posted by strudeldog
Sorry Scott,

I did stray to the rooting topic, I guess this time of year that's were my mind is at.


You and me both brother, I just put Chris' Lenora Park cuttings into my moss container.  And have another batch of cuttings that week be joining them next weekend.

What I'm looking for, is for everyone to just through in their 2 cents here and there.  Things that they should do, things they should not do, things to look for, things to be aware of and so on. 

No one person needs to write it all, it should be community effort.

This will benefit countless people and hopefully help bring more people to the forum. 

Scott

Unless the person I am gifting to is really into gardening, I tend to suggest that they buy a commercial potting mix and focus on one that drains well.  If you can tell them a specific store and a specific mix that is probably the best.  Strudeldog, I totally agree with you that we all do things different and many of us have strong opinions which lead to forum debates.  I make my own mix from individual components.  However, Martin (who no longer posts here unfortunately) used miracle-gro and got great results.  So I have told friends that if they can't find Pro-Mix or other high quality mixes that they could try the regular old miracle-gro soil and see how it goes.  Other notes:
- water regularly (check every day) but don't over water
- the more sun the better; full sun is best
- move the container out from the garage when the temps stay above freezing consistently but bring back in if the temps get down in the 30's; once threat of frost is past move to the sunniest spot possible
- In the Fall move into the garage once it drops its leaves (or if there are lows around 30 deg or lower)
- There's also potting up and root pruning but I don't think I've had a friend get to this point with a container fig actually :)

Again, I'm no expert, last year was my first rooting and growing figs. I had a few extra plants of Unk Bryant Dark and Unk Dominick that I gave to friends or family, and the following is what I gave them. Note that the 'name and history' intro could be individualized for each variety. Note this is geared toward northern growers. Knowing a little more now there are a few things I would change or add, probably some advice about a loose well draining potting mix for repotting, maybe root pruning.


Care of your new fig plant

This fig plant is an unknown variety of a dark purple fig that was brought over from Italy many years ago, and has survived well in NYC area since then. Once it is mature, it could survive most winters unprotected with only mild dieback, or covered well to avoid any loss of branches.

This plant has not been hardened off to full sunlight yet. Keep it in partial shade over the next 1-2 weeks, gradually exposing it to full sunlight by an hour or so at a time. The leaves can be 'sunburned' if exposed to full sun too soon; if it happens the leaves will look discolored at first and eventually fall off (don't worry, they will be replaced, and the new leaves that develop in the sun have no issues).

Figs do not like to have wet or soggy potting media. This plant is in a loose, rapid draining media that does not hold much water. They should be watered lightly every day or so when it is hot and/or sunny if it does not rain, more so if the leaves start to 'wilt' a little between waterings. If it rains a lot daily, you might move the pot to a porch to keep it a little dryer.

It is recommended to use a weak fertilizer solution weekly for potted figs - I use Miracle Gro at half the weakest recommended mixture.

I would recommend up-potting the plant into a bigger pot, either later this summer or when dormant over the winter. It could be maintained in a 5 gallon sized pot or bucket at a minimum, or larger pot if desired. While in a pot, should be stored over the winters in an unheated garage or basement and kept above 20 degrees if at all possible.

This can be eventually planted in the ground if desired. If placed in the ground, do not do so for the first 2 years at least. Once planted, it should be covered and insulated in the early winter after the leaves have dropped, and before temps drop below 20-25 degrees.

The plant can be pinched or pruned for branching and shaping of the tree. Any figs that form in the first year should be removed to allow the plant to develop.

Let me know if you have any questions!


Well done Ed!

Now we are moving in the right direction.  Great info, keep it coming everyone. 

If there is something you wish you knew when you first started? Could be a great addition to the guide.

From my perspective and in my experience, the " 'step by step' directions" that you are seeking for the gift recipient would be more productively directed to the gift giver. Why not nurture the rooted cuttings for a year, growing them into healthy one year old trees that are ready to ripen existing fruit for anyone willing to simply water and sun the tree, and then come winter store it in a cool and preferably dim place, and come spring fertilize it?

In my experience, the best fig tree gifts are given with fig fruit in mid growth that will ripen in the next month or two for the recipient, upon good watering and good sunshine. The ripe fruit will then encourage the recipient to seek out care info for it, or it likely won't matter. Most of the care for the next year or two of a great fig tree gift could already be achieved, built-in, by the gift giver. Doing so gives exponentially greater odds for success, which no "step by step" guide could pretend to match.

It's asking a lot, arguably too much, of anyone with limited growing experience to give them a rooted cutting of a fruit tree and then expect them to be able, however willing, to bring it to fruition in subsequent years. Would seem to be a much more likely prospect of success, if the giver provides the first year or two of work for them in advance, and builds in most of the needed work even for the following year or two.

For that next year or two, for the most part, the gift recipients can push the cruise control button and harvest fruit. Then the giver can at any point convey what was done successfully in the growing, and the recipients can carry on from there if they enjoy the fruit enough to want to fully care for the tree going forward.

Regardless, a few simple suggestions can probably get most people started (these are my current preferences and views; others may differ and reasonably so):

1) Pot Size And Quality: It's a tree, so a rather big pot is a good idea, something at least a foot wide or more, and ideally wider than deeper (to maximize root area exposure to air).

2) Growing Medium: For any new potted fig tree grower, one could either research making many types of useful potting mixes from scratch, or simply and far more reasonably buy one of the best pre-mixed potting materials: Pro-Mix or something like it, or even generic potting mix. 

3) Aerated Roots And Moisture With Observant Watering: The Roots power a tree and need access to air in the growing mix as much as they need access to moisture, as much as leaves need access to sunlight. So the growing mix in pots should drain any flow or overload of water while retaining both moisture and air in a spongy springy mix. Observant watering aims for a spongy growing mix, not soggy or constantly swamped and therefore airless. Periodic brief flooding of pots is good to wash out any built up salts but the growing medium should drain well and soon return to a spongy well-aerated state.

(That said, some homemade gravel mixes will not be springy for obvious reasons but they do encapsulate in a hard form the built-in air niches that are characteristic of softer spongy and springy growing mediums that are usually peat-based or bark-based.)

4) Sun And Nutrition/Fertilizer: The tree needs as much sunlight as it can get without wilting badly; it should avoid heavy and steady winds as much as possible to avoid drying and other stress; and it needs some quality nutrition: usually fertilizer in the spring and also in the early and mid growing season in very dilute amounts with each observant watering ideally.

(Also, I smell the growing mix in pots. If it smells sour I add a dressing of lime to sweeten the soil (improving the pH in the way that fig trees like). Happy coincidence that I would rather be around sweet soil, and spongy springy soil, and bright sunlight than the alternatives, and so would figs and their trees.)

How to determine when a fig fruit is ripe enough for the picking is another matter widely written about. Basically if a fig fruit is heavy enough to be drooping on its stem, if it feels heavy and has both swelled and softened, then pick it and see if you like the taste. Experience will soon hint to you whether to pick earlier or later. Ripening time will vary some from cultivar to cultivar, or even year to year, and also within season depending upon the amount of sun and rain and heat. Productivity and time of ripening will also vary by cultivar and by age of the tree and also by the type and quantity of fertilizer including lime provided. Many such variables, it seems to me, go beyond what can be conveyed in gift giving, especially of a rooted cutting. Not that that is a small gift, but it can carry with it many burdens. The more age and experience and durability that can be built in to a gifted fig tree, then the far less information that needs to be conveyed, especially initially, and the far greater chance of that future fig tree and gift recipient's success.

When it comes to fruit tree gifts to novice growers, it's all about the base. The base, the root situation, is the most valuable part. The wood above is also important though secondary. If you can give a tree with a base that is more-or-less set for the next year or two, then you've made theory real. You've eliminated multiple burdens and hurdles. You've taken any step-by-step guide on a piece of paper and created it for real over time in a pot and have essentially projected it into the future tree. It's a lot easier to explain to someone what they are looking at and will be looking at than it is to explain to them theoretically what to do over time in too many ways.

I don't mean to discourage gifting rooted cuttings to novice growers, which might actually be efficient in that many could attempt to learn together, speeding up perhaps the inevitable learning process of trial and error. Quite a lot though would depend on the recipients. I do mean to point out that it could be much easier on the recipients to delay the gift a year. In that case, much more would depend on the already accomplished fact of the year old fruiting tree than on the recipients. That has been my experience at least in gifting trees to friends and family. And also in receiving them, especially when I knew little about viable potting techniques.

And finally for best success in fruiting and growing, I drill holes in the sides of the bottom half of the pots and bury that bottom half of pot in loose soil and mulch. The roots escape the pots to seek further air, water, and nutrition in the ground, and the trees and fruit flourish. I prune the roots with a spade in fall and store the pots in attached garage. This does create a messy pot for storage, which I don't mind. In these pots so far the most productive and earliest ripening types have been Improved Celeste, LSU Purple, and the Mount Etna strains. I expect additional cultivars to match those in the future. Bigger pots that I sit on a cement drive area do not get extra holes, so the size of the tree and crop are more limited. (Self Irrigating Planters would probably be more ideal for this situation.) Of these pots I've found the Mount Etna strains to be most productive so far: Marseilles Black and the like.









Well, here is mine. Take into consideration this is for people who live in about zone 5b. Also, these only go to people who I know have an attached garage to winter them in. I have found that 90% of people go buy a bag of whatever potting soil or use whatever is laying around their house, despite all my coaching.
docx Fig tree care for others..docx     


I would like to thank everyone who participated, I'm going to go thru all of info and suggestions offered.  I will compose a guide with the info posted here and from other sources. I will then post it back into the thread for editing, hopefully it won't take to long to have a product we can agree on the basics and the individual can tailor for the specifics of their area or the area of the person they are gifting the fig to.

Steve, also known as Rewton, you can bagged granular limestone at Home Depot and I am sure in many other places. Just search Granular Limestone on the net. 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Pavestone-40-lb-Granular-Limestone-54810/202842339


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