--- some progress from paradise, cuttings, seedlings, SIP

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greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1392225054	Reply with quote #1

So, I mentioned a few times that my modified treatment of cuttings is basically came down to 2 steps: 1. rooting in a paper towel 2. planting them in 1 gal pots after 1/2" roots appear and keeping outside in a shade under a cup until some leaves show up. No sun hardening necessary and I had 0% loss this year! I cover the soil surface with the orchid fine pine bark. This prevent gnats to enter and water to evaporate. I water from the bottom in a deep dish about once every 2 weeks. The weather has been very cooperative this year. No frost, day temp: 80F, night: 55F. The unk. fig in the square pot I got from my neighbor. It is a very nice black fig, might try this year. The leaves look very interesting. The SIP grows very well but I cannot keep it in a good shape inside the house, the air is too dry. Enjoy! Attached Images p1.JPG (250.81 KB, 49 views) p2.JPG (265.38 KB, 48 views) p3.JPG (345.90 KB, 52 views) p4.JPG (203.96 KB, 47 views) p5.JPG (205.62 KB, 47 views) p6.JPG (181.82 KB, 44 views) __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1392225857	Reply with quote #2

Very nice! Thanks for the update. Where do you get orchid fine pine bark? __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1392226177	Reply with quote #3

I get the bark at a local small nursery. They sell some uncommon things. Surprisingly, it is not very pricy. I think I paid $16 for a large bag last year, it lasts for a long time. I mix the bark with the soil and cover the surface. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

greg88

Registered:1359498953
Posts: 800

Posted 1392226671	Reply with quote #4

What is your soil mix in the pot? __________________ Greg North West Arkanasas Zone 6b Wish list: any SPECTACULAR cold hardy figs, and/or perhaps a Niagra Bl., Laradek EBT, Kathleen's Bl, Hunt, a great UNK or anything anyone wants me to have???

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1392233396	Reply with quote #5

Very nice! So once the leaves appear, so you remove the cup and place in direct sun? Also, what is the black sealer you're using for the tips? __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1392234115	Reply with quote #6

I couldn't find anything like that at Home Depot. May have to check out some local nurseries. Could play sand be used as a top dressing to help prevent evaporation and gnats? I think I've heard of that before. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1392239357	Reply with quote #7

@greg88 I attached a photo of a soil mix that I made yesterday. It is approximately 10% coarse perlite, 10% fine bark, 5% pumice, and 75% potting soil (all on photos) that has a high percent of shredded wood particles. The mixture is very porous and light. Actually, I discovered that what goes into the mix does not matter that much. It just needs to be porous so the roots have air. @FiggyFrank I remove the cup first, let the leaves grow a bit. By the time they are the size of a dollar bill, they are hardened enough that you can place the pots in direct sun (like that unknown in a square pot). The leaves become very hard and thick over time. Initially, you want to try the partial shade to be on a safe side. @DallasFigs I attached a photo of the bark bag. Yes, I cannot find this at my local HD too. Try the smaller stores/nurseries that deal with orchids, they definitely have a finer bark. I tried a few pots with some play sand too but didn't like it too much. It seems it is too compact and prevents the air to freely flow. Those figs were the slowest growers for me, unfortunately. On a good side, I didn't have any gnats in those pots. In general, the fig roots do not like to be disturbed and overwatered. If you let the figs be, the nature will take care of the rest. Attached Images soilMix.JPG (148.84 KB, 26 views) soilBag.JPG (214.18 KB, 28 views) soilLabel.JPG (102.31 KB, 28 views) pumice.JPG (153.13 KB, 28 views) perlite_bag.JPG (173.79 KB, 30 views) perliteLoose.JPG (134.90 KB, 27 views) bark.JPG (162.67 KB, 29 views) __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1392250323	Reply with quote #8

I just searched in my area for a different source of the small bark and found a number of places that sell Landscape Materials. For example, like this one: http://www.ofwolfinbargerinc.com They have all we need plus more. James, see if you have anything like that near you. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

blueboy1977

Registered:1375760370
Posts: 459

Posted 1392261266	Reply with quote #9

Is that orchid bark pine bark? If so I need to find a source for that stuff. I found a hydroponic store near by that can order all kinds of stuff but I didn't see any orchid bark in the catalog. They had a bag of perlite but it's not the coarse like you have. I'm sick of sifting!!! SICK!!!!! __________________ Rob Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx Growing: Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1392262545	Reply with quote #10

Yes, it is a pine bark. That particular bag was of a superb quality, very clean and homogeneous. I got the coarse perlite from a hydroponic store too. Ask them to order, it will last forever. If you mix the bark with the soil a lot, you may consider adding some lime but I didn't add any. I figured they will have to be uppotted in 2 months or so and I will lime then. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

BuzzardsBayFigs

Registered:1363743247
Posts: 73

Posted 1392265983	Reply with quote #11

This may help some one that needs some pine bark. I go to HD and buy the large bags of landscape pine bark for about $3. per bag and put them in the shedder side of a small Chipper/shedder with a pillow case catching the small bits and pieces. Richard Zone 6a MA.

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