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Need wasps to caprify fig tree

We have a huge fig tree that produces hundreds (several thousand?) of figs that never become edible. They grow to what looks like a mature size but have dry, paper-like interiors. I am told we need a wasp to caprify them. I live in Fresno, California, the heart of fig country in the US, but have had no luck locating the needed wasps. Can anyone advise me where to get these wasps and what to do with them if I get them?

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Its more then likely a male capri fig. Does the figs look dry with powdered pollen ? Is it your only edible fig tree you have.

I live in Fresno. That is what Richie said,a male fig tree. Inedible. PM me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clare
We have a huge fig tree that produces hundreds (several thousand?) of figs that never become edible. They grow to what looks like a mature size but have dry, paper-like interiors. I am told we need a wasp to caprify them. I live in Fresno, California, the heart of fig country in the US, but have had no luck locating the needed wasps. Can anyone advise me where to get these wasps and what to do with them if I get them?


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Clare
Thank you for sharing those interesting pictures of your tree.
Could you show us what one of those figs looks like inside ?
Anything similar to this cutaway ?

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Thank you
Francisco
Portugal


If you cut open those figs you will easily see the needed wasps. So now you need some edible varieties to be caprified by the wasps.

Wish i had the wasp. I have 3 large trees i have to dig up because no wasp.

Francisco,
You asked what the inside of my figs look like. They look to me exactly like the picture of the fig cut in half that you posted. I've posted a picture below. So does this mean that the tree is in fact a male fig and the fruit is inedible? ☹️If so, too bad!! Can one graft an edible fig onto an inedible fig? You see I am not quite ready to give up yet!

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  Clare, you most certainly can graft onto a caprifig.   Use its foundation of established roots to jump-start a hesitant grower, and you'll have the benefit of a wasp source close at hand. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clare
Francisco, You asked what the inside of my figs look like. They look to me exactly like the picture of the fig cut in half that you posted. I've posted a picture below. So does this mean that the tree is in fact a male fig and the fruit is inedible? ☹️If so, too bad!! Can one graft an edible fig onto an inedible fig? You see I am not quite ready to give up yet!


Clare,
Congratulations!
No doubt,  your tree is a wild one,... a Caprifig.  And you can do exactly as you suggest... Grafting any type of edible (and non-edible) figs to it. ... you have on your backyard a great 'fig power station' with the valuable option of wasps and pollen at the appropriate time. Next season you could well be tasting a few of the best 'world class figs'. You may start now !
Am sure there will be fellow members close by to help with the hands on grafting aspects, if you so require.
Pollination shall have to be controlled somehow... may be leaving just one secondary branch intact for pollination/wasps and prune all other to become root-stock for edible fig scions.

In my area (same climate averages as yours) we do have Caprifigs everywhere
People may use these wild trees just for root stock and not worrying about pollination, knowing that when required there will be enough insects around to pollinate their figs

Here a few figs grafted on wild root stock and pollinated
The fist two are Smyrna , the third is a Common
Francisco


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