So very disappointing to read all the comments about the haughty, difficult, and, unpredictable, "Kathleen's Black". 

The varying comments regarding growth, productivity, and cultural provisos are not encouraging...especially for me.  I have absolutely, zero patience.  I've grown the tree for two seasons, and I'm already annoyed with it.  I will however, stick it out for maybe another season or two, then I'm done if she doesn't start behaving.  I'm also at the point that the "K-B" figs - if they ever show up and ripen -  had better be drop-dead delicious!

But, that's how it is.  Nothing is certain, and I hate to give up now.


Frank

Axier, thanks for passing on the comments from Baud about Kathleen's Black and NdC.  His theory about the "effet terroir" would explain a lot of observations many of us have made about this fig.  It must be some combination of soil and climate.  Anecdotal observations from the forum would also seem to suggest that KB generally doesn't fruit well when grown in a container.  My KB cutting was started in July 2012 and I planted it in the ground May 2013.  By August there were several developing figs on every branch.  Not surprisingly they didn't ripen in time but another month of warm weather and many would have.  So I expect it would do well for me next year.  Maybe there is something about the soil and climate around Wash. DC that causes this fig to be more productive than other areas? 

By the way, comments were made about how this fig puts on very vigorous growth but the mother KB tree in Washington DC where Gene used to live is a nicely sized average looking fig tree/bush.  It doesn't have the look of a fig that wants to grow really big.  Then again, maybe the new owners are really careful about pruning it.

DC area might have something that other place doesn't. if you started in july 2012, and it started putting on the figs around may of 2013, that seems to be a typical fig tree behavior. mine was rooted in spring of 2010 by gene h., i got it in oct of 2010. it didn't put on fig 2011. there was no sign of fig during may of 2012 when all the other trees were putting on the figs for a month by that time. i got impatient and gave blooming fert, and started pinching. 

i heard from one of the member that her tree didn't put on the figs for 5 yrs and still going. she tried both container and inground. 

i heard so many reports about figs that doesn't do too well outside of CA. Calvert, Black Madeira, Ischia Black, list goes on. but they all do very well down here in NC. maybe the weather is just warm enough for those trees to grow. i'm sure climate has lot to do with what can happen to a fig tree. this yr was rather miserable and it showed in how poorly the trees did. 

Pete my NdC, Black Maderia, Calvert and Ischia Black had ripe figs this year. I know for a fact what most are doing wrong. I'm gonna say this once so I hope everyone is listening so catch this: Liquid Organic Fertilizer

Any specific brand of liquid organic fertilizer Dennis ?

dennis, yes they all ripen fig in NC, not to my liking, but they did. i'm talking more about some members above mason dixon line. then again, even some above mason dixon line can bring them to put on fig and ripen. i'm changing to granular fertilizers now days. liquid is used during the spring on top of the organic fertilizer to boost the vegetative growth in spring for me.  

cool Pete!

Dennis.....

Fish emulsion (Peeeee-yooooooo!)....smelly stuff.   Any specific recommendations?


Frank

martin, i can afford organic fertilizers.. but fairy dust is clearly outside of my pay grade.. i'll stick with organic fertilizers :) 

I use an organic liquid fertilizer 5-2-3. I think it's call Big Bloom. Three years ago, I started 4 Ischia Black cutting from UCD. Two of them struck and took off and grew.....then they stopped growing. Last year, both grew a little. Then this year, I gave them some Big Bloom. Weeks later and in crappy weather, I got 4 wonderful tasting figs plus 12 inches of new growth. And only gave Big Bloom to my Black Ischia b/c I got tired of looking at the tree and didn't care if it lived or died. Call it what you want, but this is some good fairy dust. Hehehe.

Dennis....

Thanks for the specific formulation and brand name.



Frank

here's pic

Hi Dennis....

I think my local Cannabis-Grower's Supply has that product. I'm almost sure I have seen that distinctive label.   Earthworm Castings and Bat Guano sounds delish!

Thanks for the magic elixir suggestion.



Frank

Dennis ,
Saw that today at Agway , but I thought it was the wrong thing because it wasn't the 5-2-3 analysis you mentioned.
Good to know it is easy to find for a trial.
Thanks for the picture.

Yeap, Kerry....I was wrong. I use this fairy dust too:



Cheers!