Well, I never really anticipated getting to pick ripe figs in the hoop in December, however today I did just that.  This morning I picked a small Sal's EL (thanks Vern) and though it was very small, I did get to actually taste fig.   I have just gotten inside after another visit to the hoop and brought back a fair sized, drooping, fairly soft Mary Lane (thanks Jon) lest tonight's low temps (upper teens) do it in. 

Brought it to the house to eat rather than eat it in the hoop like I did the Sal's.  Cut it in half, thick skin, cut in half again, sucked out one colored portion, quite tasty and very sweet.  Sucked out some more then decided to eat the skin which was as crunchy as a lettuce salad.  The skin and thick outer pulp had enough sweetness to make it pleasant enough to eat.   Cut the colored portion out of the last quarter section and ate the last of the skins.  Ate the colored section alone and how sweet it was with no noticeable seeds!  It has been over ten minutes and I can still taste it.  There are a few more than might ripen, it will be interesting to see what happens tonight.  I need to take the high/low thermometer down when I go out to do evening chores.

While gathering fallen fig leaves in the hoop today I noticed that the possible Panachee has swelling figs and pea sized ones on a limb that I hadn't seen before.  They are above my head and were revealed when the leaves dropped.  This tree dropped all the earlier figs just before they were ripe (or else something picked them for me - I only found one on the ground).  These do not have stripes, so as for being a Panachee, it is doubtful though I have never seen one.

Figs trees in a hoop, what a lovely winter enjoyment.  With just a little more work, such as an inner liner, temperatures could be increased a bit more making it more likely for figs to ripen late in the addition that has no heat.  Interestingly enough, those two figs came from trees in the unheated addition.  None ripening from the heated or residual heat side at this time of year.  However, this project is being conducted to test the different 'zone' areas and adding anymore protection would be defeating that test.  So, it will stay the way it is, at least for now. 

I suppose the most effective way to test would be to put the same age and variety of tree in each section and see how they survive and produce.  But with so many varieties to choose from, I basically have only one of each located in what is hopefully the most advantageous for that variety.  Only one duplicate exists in the in ground trees - an Italian Honey.

Have a safe winter everyone.

It is amazing when you get ripe figs in december for sure. I just picked Bataglia green figs today and were very tasty.
It's nice to have a greenhouse. I've been picking Guavas and some citrus from the greenhouse as well.

Be nice to have some for Christmas
Sal

Thanks for the Hoop Report Elizabeth.

Picked two more figs tonight.  Forgot them when I was watering, went back after dark.  One had fallen to the ground.  That must have been the sweet one (almost sickeningly sweet, actually had a bit of an off taste - not rotten, but off).  The other one was dry and tasteless.  Decided I should get them tonight since the temp was supposed to be around twenty again. 

The high/low thermometer showed the low as 21 degrees this morning in the addition where the ripe fig (Mary Lane) came from, 33 degrees in the residual heated North side.  Once I get a layer of plastic over the West door and windows, the North side will not likely fall below 30 degrees all winter.  Too much North wind infiltrates the West end, so eventually it will be closed off and not used except in an urgent situation.  I have zippers that I install in the doorway section of plastic that really helps, especially when ice seals the East door or the wind changes, it's nice to have a backup way to get inside.  One door opens one direction, the other the opposite way, so I use the door that will let in the least amount of cold wind.

Trees in the addition have lost most of their leaves now and some have sustained frost damage to branches.  I still expect to have solid wood for cuttings when all the leaves have dropped and I can find time to get it done.  Trees on the North side are dropping some leaves, but my husband said it still looks a bit like a jungle in there today.  Trees in the heated side drop an occasional leaf and the Unknown Pastilliere in pots are actively putting out new growth.  They had a short chill and dry spell on the North side and after moving to the heated side, got more water and warmth and have apparently decided it is Spring already. 

Fifteen day weather forecast says no daytime temp above 40 degrees and no nights above 30 degrees.  Sounds like Winter is here.