So, I get into bed last night and we both start reading our books before we go to sleep as usual. I start talking about figs and then I hear it.... Lets talk about something else. What else is there? Haha, I'm obsessed, what can I say! Can anyone else relate? Any stories, experiences, etc. would be appreciated.

-Little John

I get excited when I discover a new fig and start talking about it. no one responds back to me, I share your obsession...

I've pretty much stopped talking about figs to friends and family. All I get are 'rolling eyes' and even some hostility. Their loss! :-)

Sue

When I talk about figs and/or my goldfinches all I get is the rolling eyes.
At least I'm consistant, my wife just talks and talks and talks..lol lol

Jerry

I get the same reaction(rolled eyes). Once my oldest son(31) was here and saw me looking at F4F website-he laughed and asked me what is fun about figs? Like Sue said, their loss!

Ya know, now that I think about it, the comment I get a LOT that most irritates me is "What are you going to do with all those figs?" said with total dismay.

That's not really the point anyway is it? It's the journey, not the destination! :-)

Sue

I get the rolled eyes also, i used to talk about them at the dinner table not anymore.
What i was hearing in the past when package arrived at door "not another fig plant" Course no one complained when someone who i wont mention mailed me some Bourdain sour dough bread on more than 1 occasion.
I must add that i thought i made good sourdough bread until i tasted the real deal from San Fran.

It's the fig thing, They'll never understand.

Martin,
When I get a package at the door it's like my family is taking wagers, Is it another fig tree or another liquor bottle?

But even the haters want a taste when the time comes.

If the wife is not happy with me, the figs or the fishing get the blamed as I spend too much time on them. However when it comes to ripe figs, my wife & son will ask anymore or how come so little today after eating at least 25 or more?? With salmon, why bring back so many. When I checked the freezer, I will be lucky to find 5. The rest given away to their friends. Born loser!!!

My wife may complain about the figs and other plants, but secretly I think
she is happy that she does not need to worry about me being in a bar or
strip joint.
She was a little upset at me when I spent $250.00 on a pair of Goldfinches, but was very happy when I gave her $600.00 for some birds I sold.

We can't win, so I don't even try.
Just when I think I got her rules figired out, she goes and changes them!! lol

Jerry

Oh boy, I'm so glad I've got company. So many things that were said really resonate with me. Like the package at the door...what more figs!? Yea, I can't wait until I get more producing fruit, then there will be the...honey are there any more ripe figs in the greenhouse? Ahhh, the journey continues!

-Little John

My wife favorite phrase lately has been, "you've another package of sticks" that came in the mail. Then she looks at me and give me that certain smile that says, "it's OK". Love that women.

Little John we all share two things on this forum the passion for figs and most of our family and friends are sick of hearing about figs lol. But like paully said when theres ripe figs they all want a taste.

 Hey Little John
  I feel for you,I get the same reaction your not alone.They will never understand. Its a passion (or sickness)Just remember in one ear and out the other
          Paul

LOL;
Yeah, my friends and my kids roll their eyes and ask "what are you going to DO with all those figs? 

Worse, I am a widower now and courting a widow.  I have her thinking hard about this, and last week I had to tell her that the next time she saw me I would have two big Walmart plastic boxes full of cuttings on the floor in front of my East patio door.  She took a deep breath and finally said "Well, if I have to dust behind them you will have to move them for me".  I took that to mean she would put up with my fig habit.  Now, those canaries I was planning to buy----maybe I had better not spring that on her just yet.

Just remember guys, first comes the lady, then the kids and THEN the figs.  If you keep them in that order, and let them know it,  little can go wrong.
Ox

You guys are all to funny yet very sincere about what happens with the spouse and family.
I forgot to add when at the market store i have been eyeing the jar of fig preserves that cost 4.99 .
I had picked up the jar several times in past when she was next to me and seen this and i would put it back saying they want to much for this.
Well i did it again and i said "maybe next time i will try it", now sadly she hates figs along with my son and its just me and my daughter but even she tires of me talking about them and is not home alot to enjoy them when they are ripe at that moment.
Anyhoot when i said maybe next time about that jar of fig preserves she picked up the jar put it in the cart and said go ahead enjoy them you never know if there is a next time.
What a Gal i married 20 something years ago.
So in short main reason i only have about 15 or so selective plants cause its just me basically me eating them and not much room in garage for storage and soon all will start producing hence me thinning out plants little by little to have the very best to my likeing .
Course my heart always says i have room for 1 or 2 more and my consious says "forget about it"

Happy New year to all.
I am new to the world of figs.
My mentor  H2  a great person in Southern  New Jersey.
I just read an article by John Bowden PhD, CNS  on Natural Rx
Foods that boost the LAGGING LIBIDO
Among the standard foods such as Almonds, Chocolate, Chili Peppers, Oysters the all mighty FIG.
They are high in amino acids and are believed to increase sexual stamima.
Plus, they'er sensual, juicy, and sweet--perfect for "food forplay."

In animal studies nutmeg has the same effect on mating behavior as Viagra.

So folks put some nutmeg on your figs and have fun.

Al
Southern New Jersey

Now Al that's just too funny. Welcome to the site where a good sense of humor is always a plus. Have you acquired your first 100 trees yet? Watch out because it can happen.

Gene,

That was funny but I had to quickly remove my comment.
I didn't think it was appropriate.

HI Gene:

I am not far from the mark. I found an unknown fig in Egg Harbor Twp. this summer and asked the home owner if i could have some cuttings.
He said cut the whole thing down and take it away, so i did.
I have given several cutting to Herman and other folks i have met that are intereted in fig's.
I currently have a great number of 5+ foot leaders winterizing 3' under a large pile of wood chips which i have had for 6 yrs. Since i have never done anything like this in the past i will not know until spiring if they survived.
To protetct some i placed them in 6" pvc pipe with some damp paper towles,and taped the ends. Others are in covered with plastic to keep the chips from direrct contact. Than i covered some in just chips. I placed a large sheet of rubber pond lining over the top. "If you have nothing to loose by trying and everything to gain if succesful do it , do it now"
I run the chips in my chipper to make a great mulch.

Al
zone 6a Burlington County NJ

Wonder how nutmeg tastes on figs?

My wife has her own obsession.  A couple years back she "made a life change" and lost 140# then went on to become a personal trainer.  She rolls her eyes as I talk about plants and I ignore her prattling on about fitness and "clients".  She spends more on workout-wear and equipment than I do on my figs, so there is rarely a moment where she is upset about my spending (though my tax preparer doesn't allow me to deduct for my hobby like my wife gets to for hers....though my other interest is tax deductable)

She gets to use the cold storage room 8 months a year to store her training equipment, and I get it for dormant figs and other plants this time of the year.  She does get on me to go down and get things for her if she needs them as she doesn't have the time to move 10-15 potted figs to reach for something she didn't think she would need during the winter. 

She always gets at least half of the first couple figs and enjoys them as much as I do, when they are producing.  She just doesn't have the patience to do the work fresh figs require in Michigan.  (She also loves picking kiwis, raspberries, blackberries, currants and all the other goodies I have planted in our little yard.  She also enjoys the bragging at work when she brings in samples for her co-workers)

~Chills

Oxankl
What Al is saying that after you enjoy the effects of nutmeg (on fig), you would not care for the taste of nutmeg on figs.

Sitting here grinning, Ottawan; I understood very well what Al was saying.  I just wondered if I would have to hold my nose while I ate the fig with nutmeg, and how many would I need.  And do I have to wait for fig season?  Will dried figs work?
Ox