HarveyC
Registered:1212433117 Posts: 3,294
Posted 1401692774
Reply with quote
#51
I believe they are grown from cuttings, they are fairly good-sized trees that are branched out.
__________________Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14
http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics
ascpete
Registered:1336096379 Posts: 1,942
Posted 1401709507
Reply with quote
#52
Harvey, The posted pictures of Burnt Ridge Olympian trees seem to be from cuttings, but the small "1 gallon" tree that I received in April seemed to be a dormant Tissue Culture plant. .
HarveyC
Registered:1212433117 Posts: 3,294
Posted 1401714455
Reply with quote
#53
Wow, I'd guess they ordered some TC plants when they saw they were going to run out of their regular inventory. Mine was ordered February 9th.
__________________Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14
http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics
snaglpus
Registered:1244258188 Posts: 4,072
Posted 1401714979
Reply with quote
#54
Mine are 2'+ tall. I got 6 of them. Ordered them last year.
__________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a
JohnnieB
Registered:1365275627 Posts: 155
Posted 1401972040
Reply with quote
#55
The 2 trees I purchased from Burnt Ridge are definitely cuttings and were about 18 inches tall with just a main trunk. They are now branching out nicely.
__________________ Wish List:St. Rita,LdA, and any unknown heirlooms
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1402944190
Reply with quote
#56
My TC plant which I received in April has grown very vigorously in the ground for me. It has grown just about twice as fast as the VDB ordered at the same time. I just noticed some baby figlets on mine this morning!
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
needaclone
Registered:1346812939 Posts: 604
Posted 1402947187
Reply with quote
#57
Yeehova, Can you tell for sure if they're baby figlets or baby branches? If they're figlets, that's great! The talk about tissue culture plants not maturing and producing fruit after a certain number of years and a minimum height had me worried. Jim
__________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1402950496
Reply with quote
#58
Jim, They are definitely figlets, but just at the very beginning stages. I am amazed at the growth which is outpacing some of my cuttings. I only had it in a pot for a week or so and then planted it directly into the ground where it gets sunshine about 11 hours a day this time of year. I have also been watering it very generously almost everyday and gave it some 10-10-10 about a month ago. It seems to love heat and water. I will take a picture tonight after I get home if I remember. Brian
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
needaclone
Registered:1346812939 Posts: 604
Posted 1402969251
Reply with quote
#60
Yeehova, That's really great. I got an Olympian from Wellsping in April but I am sorry to say that I didn't pot it up right away, ignored it, and generally just kept it alive but not thriving. So right now it is worse off than when I got it, but now it's potted, fertilized and all set to take off. It is wonderful to see how well yours did in such a short time, and it is good to see those figlets. I have to admit that all the talk about not getting figs for years contributed to my neglecting it the way I did. Jim
__________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1402970915
Reply with quote
#61
So......Yeehova's tree has set some figlets. That's good to know, and the photos dispel some of the speculation that these tissue-cultured trees would remain in a juvenile stage and not produce figs. Seeing is believing. Hopefully in 70 + days, we will get to see some 'Olympian' figs. Good luck with this fig tree. Thanks for the very informative photos. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1405279420
Reply with quote
#62
Updated pics
Attached Images
14052794658840.jpg (67.19 KB, 92 views)
14052794925401.jpg (118.08 KB, 92 views)
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1405281849
Reply with quote
#63
Yeehova- Thanks for posting updated photos of the Olympian figs. I wish you well with your trees. Can't wait to see more photos as the figs begin to ripen. My Olympian trees are growing at an astonishing rate, but because of the very cold spring season we just had, I will pinch any figlets that will form this year. They will not have enough time to ripen. I will bet that next season, I will have some figs...and this from trees that started out 6" tall with stems about 1/8" in diameter. If you can, will you post some photos of mature leaves to show the typical shape and size? Many thanks. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
figgary
Registered:1387147322 Posts: 834
Posted 1405282313
Reply with quote
#64
I also got an Olympian TC plant from Wellspring April 10th. It is now in a 2 gallon pot, about 1'- 1 1/2' tall, and is just starting to show figlets. I will pinch them and let the plant get bigger, and look forward to tasting next year.
__________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross
rcantor
Registered:1309799312 Posts: 5,727
Posted 1405290664
Reply with quote
#65
Gary, I'd leave one fig on, at least. Your tree is big enough and your climate warm enough that you could probably ripen a few.
__________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
figgary
Registered:1387147322 Posts: 834
Posted 1405296093
Reply with quote
#66
You are probably right, Bob. It would be nice to try it. I'll leave a couple.
__________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1405339523
Reply with quote
#68
Yeehova- Thanks for the pictures. Yep. I got me some Olympian fig trees...now verified, by your leaf photos. So far this newly discovered variety is meeting our expectations. I haven't read any complaints yet. So far with this kind of documented performance, how bad can the figs possibly be? I'm anticipating good things. The figs would have to taste like real dreck for me to dump this variety....keeping in mind that for the first few seasons, the figs will not be in their prime. @ Gary- I do hope you will at least get to see a few of your Olympian figs ripen, especially since you have such a long, (I'm envious) growing season. It would be nice to get some of your opinions. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
JohnnieB
Registered:1365275627 Posts: 155
Posted 1405439717
Reply with quote
#69
Mine here in 5B in upstate NY have a few figlets on them. I am really hoping they ripen this season. I thought I had read somewhere that this strain was slow to develop but mine are growing and producing at a great rate.
__________________ Wish List:St. Rita,LdA, and any unknown heirlooms
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1405471618
Reply with quote
#70
Hi Johnnie B- Conjecture has it that Tissue-Cultured trees (not the strain), may be slow to reach the fig production stage, but so far, especially after reading all of these above, postings, I have doubts that this speculation is even remotely true. My Olympian trees are already starting to show small figlets, and the trees are just a few months old! I bought them last April.... However, I will pull off the figs. I'd rather have a stronger root system and branch structure instead of letting figs draw away limited energy reserves. The cold weather will once again be here in a few months and I want these trees going into the stressful, winter storage, with a good dose of "Umph". Next season, I'm sure I will get some figs off of my trees. Good luck with your Olympian. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
JohnnieB
Registered:1365275627 Posts: 155
Posted 1405687244
Reply with quote
#71
Frank I am only planning on letting a few figs stay on the trees just to get an idea of what's to come. My trees will never be stored in my shed again as I lost about 30 trees this past winter. They shall live in my attached garage that rarely goes below 35 degrees.
__________________ Wish List:St. Rita,LdA, and any unknown heirlooms
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1405689724
Reply with quote
#72
Johnnie B- Thanks for the latest update, and I think you are wise to stick your figs into the garage area, when winter comes again....especially in Zone 5b....which is not exactly fig territory. I have just nipped off all the little figlets that were forming on my Olympian trees. As my trees continue to grow taller each day, and I am thinking about braiding the stems on all five of my Olympians, so I can continue growing them in one pot, to save space. I'll probably give this same treatment to my tissue-cultured "Black Mission", also because of space-saving considerations. Actually, I am looking forward to next season. I'll be having, I'm sure, some figs off the Olympians, as will you, and other growers. For this, I'm happy. Thanks, Wellspring Gdns! (I guess these t-c Olympian trees have definitely, by-passed stalling in some juvenile, "fig limbo"....and, went right into the production-phase of their growth cycle). Continued good luck with your trees, and happy growing. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
smithmal
Registered:1402603486 Posts: 75
Posted 1406122935
Reply with quote
#73
Any idea of the ripening time for the Olympian? Getting mine from WellSpring as well. Thanks.
__________________ Malcolm - MD - Zone 6BVarieties growing (Received 2014): Beale, Col de Dame Blanc, Danny's Delight, Desert King, JH Adriatic, Lemon , Longue d'Aout, Marseilles Black VS, Olympian, Ronde de Bordeaux, Strawberry Verte, Vista, UCR-184-15s, Violette de Bordeaux, White King
Tam
Registered:1365478628 Posts: 1,084
Posted 1406123960
Reply with quote
#74
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
Best,
Tam
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1406124610
Reply with quote
#75
Malcom- Descriptions suggest that this is a "short-season" fig that will do well in cooler climates. Once the tree reaches maturity, after a few seasons, I'm sure you will be able to get properly ripened figs in Zone-6B. Pinching also helps trees to set and ripen main-crop figs, earlier. Honestly, I think only a few members have grown this newer variety for very long, so most of the posted information is scant. My guess is that it will be next year when photos and critiques will start to be posted on the forum, and ripening will probably start in early August. As posted, I had to nip off main-crop figs which started to form on trees that were purchased earlier this past spring....and since my spring was very cold, I got my trees out onto my back deck, later than usual. I'm very sure I will have some figs by next season. Good luck with your trees. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
smithmal
Registered:1402603486 Posts: 75
Posted 1406128489
Reply with quote
#76
Frank, Thanks for the response. I'm surprised that more is not known about this variety. I would bet that Denny McGaughy , the originator of the variety, would know this. Evidently he got cuttings of this variety in 2003 and sent it off for DNA analysis in 2009. Does anyone know if he is active on this forum? Thanks.
__________________ Malcolm - MD - Zone 6BVarieties growing (Received 2014): Beale, Col de Dame Blanc, Danny's Delight, Desert King, JH Adriatic, Lemon , Longue d'Aout, Marseilles Black VS, Olympian, Ronde de Bordeaux, Strawberry Verte, Vista, UCR-184-15s, Violette de Bordeaux, White King
Ampersand
Registered:1389979527 Posts: 728
Posted 1406128826
Reply with quote
#77
Malcolm, my understanding is that this variety has only been available for 2 years tops. I suspect all the plant available at the moment are TC so it may be a bit until anyone knows for certain.
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1406133419
Reply with quote
#78
Jon may be the only person that has had any contact with Dennis McGaughy. It would be nice if Mr. McGaughy could contact either Jon or write something on this forum regarding this newly discovered fig variety. We will probably have to just sit back and wait for all us Olympian growers to start posting about their trees. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
HarveyC
Registered:1212433117 Posts: 3,294
Posted 1406138274
· Edited
Reply with quote
#79
Quote:
Originally Posted by BronxFigs Hi Johnnie B- Conjecture has it that Tissue-Cultured trees (not the strain), may be slow to reach the fig production stage, but so far, especially after reading all of these above, postings, I have doubts that this speculation is even remotely true. My Olympian trees are already starting to show small figlets, and the trees are just a few months old! I bought them last April.... However, I will pull off the figs. I'd rather have a stronger root system and branch structure instead of letting figs draw away limited energy reserves. The cold weather will once again be here in a few months and I want these trees going into the stressful, winter storage, with a good dose of "Umph". Next season, I'm sure I will get some figs off of my trees. Good luck with your Olympian. Frank
Frank, this isn't simply conjecture. When I met with a professional breeder earlier this year he indicated that sometimes a fig will sometimes revert to a juvenile state when propagated through tissue culture. This breeder has worked in fig breeding for about 40 years and was largely responsible for the Sequoia and Sierra varieties being released and I had mentioned to him that my Sierra was slow to fruit. I had obtained my tree (as well as those handed over to Jon) from a now defunct nursery (owner died) that used tissue culture propagation. The tree at Wolfskill has been productive and was not started via tissue culture. My Sequoia tree obtained from the same nursery did not encounter the same delay in fruiting. The advantages of tissue culture are mostly the ability to start large numbers of plants once the line gets established (may be more than a year for that to happen). Tissue culture propagation in itself does not eliminate FMV but can be part of the process where that is attempted (not always successful).
__________________Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14
http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1406143832
Reply with quote
#80
Thanks for the information. I learned something once again, from members of this forum. If one suspects that their t-c trees have reverted, and are stalled in some pre-adolescent limbo, is there anything that we could do (culturally) for these 'Peter Pans', who refuse to grow up, to give them a strong, botanical urge to start producing figs? I would prefer my trees to be a little randy. I would hope that when a company claims that their t-c fig trees are "virus-free" that these claims are in fact, true. In any event, the group of t-c trees that I have purchased from Florida Hill, and Wellspring Gdns. so far, seem to robust, healthy, and show no symptoms of FMD/V... I only have the Wellspring Gdns. trees for a few months. We'll see what happens in the coming years. The Florida Hill trees are still "clean" after three seasons. Trees from both sources have not been a disappointment. Again, thanks for the additional information. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
HarveyC
Registered:1212433117 Posts: 3,294
Posted 1406144613
Reply with quote
#81
According to the same fig breeder, a juvenile tree needs to be 4'-5' tall before it will fruit. It's the same for a seedling as a tissue culture tree that has reverted. He removes all side branches so that the tree will get tall as quickly as possible, sometimes in 8 months. The tree will never fruit below that level (unless side branches are allowed to get 4-5' long). So an airlayer at the top would probably be warranted. Glad your TC trees are working out great!
__________________Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14
http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1406150942
Reply with quote
#82
Thanks Harvey- It seems that the t-c "Olympian" has already started to produce some figs. I suspect that next season, I will also see some figs on my t-c "Black Mission". However, now I know what to do if my trees decide to go back into childhood. Just a few questions: 1. Once these t-c trees do start to produce figs, can they revert, and go backwards? (Is this even possible)? 2. Once they reach bearing age, will they always stay at bearing age? I think "no" to the first question and 'yes" to the second...but, I've been wrong before. So I'm asking. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
HarveyC
Registered:1212433117 Posts: 3,294
Posted 1406179173
Reply with quote
#83
Frank, you are correct, yes and no.
__________________Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14
http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics
JohnnieB
Registered:1365275627 Posts: 155
Posted 1406715232
Reply with quote
#84
I haven't seen it mentioned or possibly missed it, but does anyone know if this tree produces a breba crop?
__________________ Wish List:St. Rita,LdA, and any unknown heirlooms
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1406717152
Reply with quote
#85
Johnnie B... I think the only growers who could answer that question would be those who have grown "Olympia" for more than a few years. The majority of us have bought new trees, this season, and haven't gotten any ripened figs yet. I suspect within the next two growing seasons, there will be a lot more information posted about this relatively "new" fig variety, but for now...we just don't know. I certainly couldn't even guess. I would suspect that some growers might eventually be harvesting 2 crops of figs off this variety. (A shout-out to snaglpus-Dennis.... how about it Dennis? Do you think it's a 2-crop variety?). Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
smithmal
Registered:1402603486 Posts: 75
Posted 1406731601
Reply with quote
#86
A word to the wise regrading initial potting and maintenance of TC type figs from Wellspring... I should have known better, but TC fig plants obtained from Wellspring need to be gradually hardened off. I immediately potted mine up and put it out in full sun and saw significant stress on them the next day. I'm so used to obtaining plants from F4F members which originate from cuttings that have been meticulously maintained for 3-4 months and already hardened off, I didn't even think twice about putting TC plants out in full sun. I would have been helpful if Wellspring mentioned this in the packaging by adding a brief insert regarding care and maintenance. They are now back to shade and will hopefully bounce back with gusto. smithmal
__________________ Malcolm - MD - Zone 6BVarieties growing (Received 2014): Beale, Col de Dame Blanc, Danny's Delight, Desert King, JH Adriatic, Lemon , Longue d'Aout, Marseilles Black VS, Olympian, Ronde de Bordeaux, Strawberry Verte, Vista, UCR-184-15s, Violette de Bordeaux, White King
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1407110661
Reply with quote
#87
Pics of interest.
Attached Images
14071106971220.jpg (86.66 KB, 64 views)
14071107151651.jpg (240.37 KB, 65 views)
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
waynea
Registered:1362316304 Posts: 1,886
Posted 1407112577
Reply with quote
#88
Nice pics Yeehova.
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1408403033
Reply with quote
#89
I have one fig that has started to turn a bit yellow and get larger. Shouldn't be long until I'm posting a picture of a ripe Olympian.
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
HarveyC
Registered:1212433117 Posts: 3,294
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1408449013
Reply with quote
#91
Nice to hear that it has a good flavor. I must have missed this post.
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1410042625
Reply with quote
#93
Thanks for posting some photos of ripe figs. Even though the initial critiques are less than glowing - as far the flavor and fig-size is concerned - I am hopeful that these figs will get better as the trees start to mature, and hit their stride after 2-3 years. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
snaglpus
Registered:1244258188 Posts: 4,072
Posted 1410049967
Reply with quote
#94
Frank mine are dropping. We also got a rain. I think this fig will take years to develop. Time will tell.
__________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1410051486
Reply with quote
#95
Thanks, Dennis.... : (( Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1410191933
Reply with quote
#96
I just picked another one because of all the rain we have been having. This one had several ants crawling on it and was ripening to a reddish color instead of a purple brown. It tasted much sweeter than the previous one and had hints of fruitiness. I think this is going to be a winner after it matures a bit. I didnt take pictures since I assumed it was going to be a dud. The last two are still very green and will take at least a couple of weeks. The growth of this TC fig has really surprised me. It is almost twice the height of a VDB purchased with it. The VDB also hasn't even hinted at producing any figs while the olympian has grown about 10 or so even if I will only be able to taste half of them. It has produced a foot tall side shoot which I am thinking of potting up.
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
BronxFigs
Registered:1333154764 Posts: 1,864
Posted 1410211708
Reply with quote
#97
Dennis- Re: reply #94....Can you expand upon your opinion? Are your Olympians not performing well? Why did you state that it will ..."take years for this fig to develop"? Are your trees stuck in some juvenile state? I think I remember (in another thread) your observation that your Olympian fig trees are developing slowly, which seems to be in direct contrast to most of the comments made by other growers. My trees have already set figs only after just a few months, and I'm pretty sure I'll get a small crop of figs, next season. You, and others are far more experienced growers than I, so I'm curious about your opinions and comments, especially about this newer variety. Are your trees grounded, or containerized...etc? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this variety will turn out to be a decent, if not great, fig. Frank
__________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1410798300
Reply with quote
#98
The last of my Olympians have fallen without ripening. I did trim the leaves off of the shoot at the base and repotted it. I will be looking forward to next year.
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame
waynea
Registered:1362316304 Posts: 1,886
Posted 1410808663
Reply with quote
#99
Hopefully next year will be a successful year and you will get an abundance of ripe Olypians. Good luck Brian.
Yeehova
Registered:1396914416 Posts: 210
Posted 1410885161
Reply with quote
#100
Thanks! I am still hoping for a couple more reports before the season is over.
__________________Brian Wish list: Col de Dame