Hey Gang!

It's been a while since I last posted. . . and this seems like a 'bummer' day on the Forum :(

I first must apologize for "Falling off the face of the Fig Earth"!  I was Hot & Heavy for this Forum for the several months after I first "discovered" it last year, but a new job and other changes led me away from regular reading/posting.

Still, I would read a few topics when I'd wander over from Jon's Varieties page. Surprisingly my love and interest in figs and "exotic" fruits & vegetables has only grown (Pun Intended)!

I must also admit I've gloriously killed nearly ALL cuttings I have acquired through trade/purchase/friendship on this Forum but I chalk it up to the Learning Experience and still enjoyed the process of trying! If you sent me cuttings - sorry, I tried my best!!! We still have some to nurture that are past the "infancy" stage :)

Reasons I felt I'd post:

#1 - I signed up for the 2nd Annual Fig Fiesta in San Diego- YAY! Just a few weeks away! Earlier this week I got the itch to contact Jon and visit Encanto Farms Nursery to pick up a few fine specimen Figs. I had wanted to get down there in the Spring but it didn't happen and I missed his whole spring cuttings sale and everything! So  eventually I got down there, reserved my seat for the Party in person and we had some spirited Fig Talk! I am excited to be attending because I just barely missed the 1st one last September and STILL regret it - Haha!

#2 - I began a renewed interest in reading this Forum again with the Fiesta coming up and getting up-to-date on the Fig World. . .

Only to find members blowing up this Forum with a lot of Personal Garbage!!! Spill-over from public and private conversations - just plain ugly!!! But who needs preaching to the choir? You've all lived it :( Very sad to see people leaving.

I wish we could all remember what 'Mom' taught us:

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"

2 cents: This Forum is a Valuable Collective Resource that none of us 100% owns (Jon if anyone, he set it up & maintains it) and it contains a lot of experienced folks' information and insight through history archives and in real-time. Imagine if tomorrow the Figs4Fun website was COMPLETELY GONE!?!?!? No Forum!?!? No Varieties Section!?!? What a Waste that would be!

It's awful to watch this Forum abused for personal/egotistical reasons. Even if only a fraction of the 4,000+ members are actively posting and responding - many more look on and gain from this Forum in various immeasurable ways also.

When I myself joined, I couldn't believe the Friendship and Graciousness I encountered with every member that I contacted or contacted me. I was/am thoroughly convinced that Fig People are Great People! "Great" in the sense of friendly, caring, respectful, helpful, sharing, giving - all the best qualities. And I believe all those wonderful things are still very much here and intact if everyone just gets back to the fact that Figs Are For Fun (Figs4Fun, right!?)

With so many problems already in Our World to deal with, why needlessly add more, right?

Peace & Love!

See you at the Fiesta! 

'Keep Growing!'

Dave C. & Family, Temecula, CA - Zone 9b

Here are some Figs for those still reading:

Today's edible "Harvest" from our little Paradise. . .

(from left) Flanders, Peter's Honey, Kadota

Taste:

Flanders = Melon like honeydew mixed with cantaloupe, sweet and maple-y with hint of nut perhaps (walnut?), not much crunch and fairly thin skin.

Peter's Honey = Watermelon with some honey sweetness!!! I laughed out loud! My wife tried it too and she also said "Watermelon!" Juicy with some crunch and medium-thin skin. Watermelon in a Fig, I still can't believe it! :)

Kadota = A day or two away from ripe so not very juicy but had hints of light-melon, a nice crunch and fairly thick skin.

Its great to see that you are back. I am limiting my time on the computer. It can be addictive doing so much research...LOL On the F4fun forum it can get ugly at times....we need to avoid personal attacks. On the Fig Fiesta, will see if I can make it. Hopefully I can carpool with somone.

Well said, welcome back Dave. I had a long time away from when I joined in '09, and when I came back I had a new email address and couldn't remember my password here. No way to retrieve it, so I just set up a new user name. It is great to be back, and as Armando mentioned, it's addictive being here. I like to check in at least a few times a day. Still more positives than negative interactions here for me, plenty of good folks left. Definatly hate to lose people I enjoy seeing around though...

Mike in Hanover, VA

Nice figs and detailed descriptions Dave!

I'll trade ya my maybe rooted Tena for a couple cuttings of Peter's honey... or you could be a sweetie and air layer it for me.  We'll meet for the trade on the backroad from here to Temecula!  Soccer Season?  I'm kinda the opposite of Martin.  I just love the honey figs!!

Suzi 

Hey Dave,

I didn't know all your cuttings died. Come over this weekend and help me bud graft my apple trees and I'll give you a couple fig trees. Or just come over and drink beer and I'll give you a couple fig trees.

I found some more figs I need.
Thanks for the review.

Doug

Good to hear from you Armando, Mike, Pino, Suzi, Paul, & Doug! 

Armando,
It would be great if you can make it to the Fiesta - it's going to be a fun get-together & it's about time we speak "Fig" in person!

Suzi,
I'll get to work on that Peter's Honey air-layer
I've had success doing that with Black Mission & Brown Turkey - wish me luck!
Black Mission air-layer:
 
Brown Turkey air-layer:
 

Paul,
Threaten me with a good time why don't ya?! :)
I've been wanting to learn grafting from an "expert" Garden-Tinkerer like yourself, plus I've heard a lot of good things about this "beer" you speak of!
Side question: Did you come up with the Dozen Figs that are worthy of going in-ground at your house? If you have some spots still open hopefully I can donate to the cause; I have some container-stricken trees that deserve to get planted.


So check out this Praying Mantis hanging out on the fig (sorry blurry!)
I've never seen one this color before - Cool! The kids named it "Ninja" though it didn't hang around long!
  

Keep Growing my Friends,

Very cool Mantis!! Lost mine to a rain storn that knocked over the plant he liked to hang out on. Very cool color!! Glad your back !