Hi Frank,

Could you tell us what you shot the video with and how hard is it to post it on U-tube. I'd like to do some videos too but don't have a clue where to start.

Are there any U-tube friendly devices that minimize the steps required to post but still have better than good quality?

My soil which is about three hours West of Frank's is improved SAND but so far I have not experienced nematode problems. I think that is beacuse I heavily mulch deeply (up to 8") and keep high soil moisture, NOT WET! The Nematodes like it on the dry side.

Darkman,

I agree.   I'm about 3 hours south of  FMD on snow white sand and while my neighbors have nematode problems i have none and i credit the 10" of mulch applied a year for that.

Man, that's a beautiful orchard.  Is the upkeep a lot of work?  Makes me want to move back to Lake City, FL. :D  So much new growth on those trees.  Here in Maryland mine have like 6 inches so far.

Charles, I used my iPhone 4. I shot it at a low resolution, to make it easier to upload to YouTube. I recommend using an app called Video Camera Pro which allows you to pause while filming so you don't have to splice together a series of small films.
Uploading to YouTube could not be easier. You can do it from your PC or directly from the iPhone. Perhaps others have further recommendations.


As for upkeep, once the trees are established it is just a matter of mowing around them and trying to keep the birds from taking more than their share of ripe figs. The worst are the mockingbirds.

Very nice indeed.

Frank, Loved the video! I can't wait to see some ripe figs.

Thanks for the video Frank!

I've been wanting to see what a mature Yugoslavian Dark looks like and I was happy to see it in your fig tour :) I look forward to seeing some ripe figs.

My small one is finally starting to show some growth.

GREAT job Frank and beautiful trees. 
Makes me miss living in the south.  Hope I can get mine doing well up here.

Hi Frank,

Well done, a wonderful video!  I most appreciate your narrative throughout the video.  You get an “A” plus for the educational value.  Beautiful healthy looking trees, too.  Thanks for sharing…

Hi Frank.
Thank you for taking the time to post this wonderful video, I was hopping to have a little fig orchard when I move to Florida but we decided to move to The Villages and can only have a couple of trees, now I'm in the process of cutting down my must have list,oh well .
Vito

Frank I hope you will have some ripe ones on 07/05. Very nice orchard you have there.

Frank,

Thanks for the update. The 'Back 40' is looking very good. I like how you have removed the grass and expanded the mulchable area around the trees. Now you can pile a nice thick layer of chips, mulch, ash, castings, etc every year and still mow with ease.

Have you pinched your Vista?

I am interested in seeing a side by side taste comparison of Negronne and VdB. You just might be able to do it.

Jimmy, good to hear from you. You must be as busy as ever.

Thanks for you kind comments but you and I know that half the orchard belongs to you! Your Spring donations are doing incredibly well especially the Native D'Argentile and the Socorro Black.

The Vista is an enigma. Last year it was one of the most aggressive growers and I was sure I'd get some figs. This year growth seems to have plateaued and still not making figs. I haven't pinched it since there are literally hundreds of branches that could be pinched. Patience is a virtue, I am told.

Jimmie, you gotta find some time to drop by once the Alma Twins and the Giant Celeste trees start ripening to help a fellow out from drowning in figs.

Frank,

I certainly will stop by and I will have a fig raft in the form of a gallon basket.

I cannot take any credit for the orchard. It is all your hard work and Mother Nature that produced that awesome orchard. I will have a few more varieties for you.

I may need to follow your lead and sell a tree or two on ebay to support my habit and recoup some expenses.

I have a couple of questions about two trees: 1) Is your Stallion producing a main crop? 2) How many fruits does your Socorro Black have? 3) Which has more?

Jimmie, the Stallion is in it's second year and 7 feet tall with quite a few (dozens?) main crop figs. The Socorro Black was planted this Spring and is 2 feet tall with 4-5 main crop figs.

I have been pulling fig buds off the NdA, in order to make the tree as strong as possible.

The rain has been a blessing and a detriment to this year's fig culture. Better this than a drought.

Frank I think you have had more rain than I. Are you experiencing any splitting and dropping?

Frank, if you still have a copy, you can forward that e-mail to JD I know he'll be interested in it.

Charles, the rain has delayed ripening of all my figs this year. Thank heavens, or they would be but mush. As it is, they are still green and hard, waiting for sun and dry weather.

Email sent.

I enjoyed your video very much, not to mention you've accomplished my dream to have a fig orchard like this. 
  I have a question about some trees show rings, within the bare area.  Are those trees planted in Smart Pots and then planted in the ground?
    There's so much for me to learn.
 
Thanks,  Soni

Thank you Noss, you can always rely on Celeste, Queen of the South.

Thanks, Soni. All my orchard trees are definitely in ground. I surround each one with a 3 foot diameter circular edging filled with compost and then mulched with pine straw. The bare area surrounding the edging is from the roundup I spray every few months. It makes mowing the orchard so much easier

Thank you so much for posting this video! It is very inspirational for those of us just starting out. 

this is a great video that i backed into searching videos. would love an update from Frank sometime

Hopefully, later this month. Thanks

https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home/88493-orchard-update

what a great tour again, thanks again for the time

I noticed you have some trees that are given room to grow and other trees in rows 3 ft apart? Are the latter trial/pilot trees that you intend to move based on results? Or do you plan to keep them that close long term?

Also, would love to hear how the New Jersey Red got flattened by the SUV...LOL

Thanks Nick, yes the hedges serve as a repository for the extras. They are three for good. I harvest figs, cuttings and air layers from them.

As for the the SUV incident... Never let a student driver use your fig orchard to practice parallel parking. LOL.