so the space is extremely limited. i know i have too many duplicates. how many duplicates do you keep? i'm thinking one main tree per varieties, then take air layer every year to make sure i have back up. then if the tree does well next spring, give away the back up. of course, some varieties, i do want duplicates not for back up, but for more fig production. that might be more managable then what i'm doing now..

i like to have three to rotate which i get cuttings from. having only one i would lose my breba and that will not do.

Pete
You are doing it the right way. You can air-layer or take cutting in fall for safe-keeping in case the tree is lost during winter. One thing you will soon start doing is to get rid of the non-keeper types like everyone else.

Bullet i know a sure way you can gain some space  !

Martin,

I like my light figs... LOL

Pete,

I was thinking something completely different when I read your topic.  I'm considering going double decker in my south facing windows to be able to fit more fig cuttings in direct sunlight.  All it takes is a shelf attached in each window.

I recently stole the suction cup holders from the shower. Each one holds two cuttings and so far my wife hasn't complained about the shampoo on the shower floor. Gives them maximum light on the south facing window, keeps them out of reach of curious kids (2 and 11 months) and I can double stack.

Interesting puzzle.

I am leaning towards one main plant (or 2 if exceptional) and one newbie from an airlayer (per variety) you could give or trade when the new airlayer grows next year.

I defintely need to pay attention to which varieties produce in 2013- quantity and quality in coastal NJ, so I can free up spots as I try new ones.

No offense to anyone but the dark figs are better!

There are worse hobbies! LOL

john,

dark ones have more intense taste.. but light ones have that special taste also. so far, i only tasted only handful of different figs so i'm not all that informed. but i know anything is better than the BT i had from supermarket. i would really hate to grow tree for 2 yrs and get rid of it. i'm trying to be as selective as possible. try not to get everything under the sun.. but i keep collecting the figs. time investment is the greatest cost in this hobby. well.. soil and containers too.

So, how long would you grow a fig to see if it is a "keeper"?

i would keep the tree for at least 3 yrs from the first time it put on the fig. every year, the trees i have improved on taste. i'm sure at some point, it will no longer improve and will be at its best. i think 3 yr is good enough before deciding to get rid of it. for me Kathleen's Black is on probation. i'll see if the taste truly improve in next two yrs. Paradiso Gene improved in taste 10 fold over one year.

Pete,
I was being a wiseguy. LOL
in general, I prefer the darks but have had some nice light figs too. If you have friends over and stuff the figs w cheese (or whatever) as appetizers, the light and dark together look more appetizing.

Once I truly run out of space, not for a couple years, it may (I hope) be easier to get rid of some varieties.
Plenty of time to evaluate.

Let it be known!  I prefer green out, and red in!  But the nutty yellow ones..... YIKES!

Suzi  Some of those darks are boring.............

i used to play pipes with a shriner band back when i was in high school. i used to hang around with a sergeant from 5th group SF who was in WWII, korea, and vietnam war. he used to tell me "all ..... are good .....". i just replace "...." with "figs".

You got it right Pete

barry, 

you mean he's got it right :) he was 68 back then and was teaching wind surfing, and skiing to 20 year old girls. he definitely got it right. 

I am planting in hedge rows to save space. might hill up some land and and start planting up as well.

My name is dave and im a Figaholic.