Lack of water or Capri fig???

Author

Comment

figarita

Registered:1241321882
Posts: 129

Posted 1404491213	Reply with quote #1

I got this fig from a friend 2 years ago. It was a sucker from her tree. Last year had 1-2 figs but they dropped. This year it was the first fig who made figs and had quite a few. I was looking forward to taste them. I was away from home since mid May and when i came back part of the figs looked like they are going to ripe. They are squishy and when I open some up they are dry inside. The tree is about 4-5' tall and is in a 15 gal pot with drip irrigation (I install it before I left). Is this lack of water or is this a Capri fig ? __________________ Pat Menlo Park , CA zone 9

donpaid

Registered:1388952715
Posts: 216

Posted 1404492227	Reply with quote #2

Looks like a caprifig. Considering it's located in drought stricken California, it might be a little bit thirsty too. But it definitely seems to be a caprifig, judging by the squishiness and appearance on the inside of the fruit. Thanks for sharing!

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1404492755	Reply with quote #3

it is a Capri, dry feel is very normal...here's an example of really dry type...

figarita

Registered:1241321882
Posts: 129

Posted 1404504018	Reply with quote #4

If my friend's fig is a common fig tree ( I ate figs from it) how come a sucker (mine) from it be a capri fig? If indeed is a capti fig what do I do with it? Get rid of it? I did not see any fig wasps around here. __________________ Pat Menlo Park , CA zone 9

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1404529832	Reply with quote #5

Pat, maybe you are in a zone that Wasps would survive. You can introduce them to your area if there aren't any... Structurally though the fig, you are holding opened, has male flowers at Ostiole level and female flowers deeper where you see bigger rounds (seeds). Now, the question is, are those seeds fertilized. In order to find out you need to wash the seeds off of pulp and keep them in a glass of water to see if they sink. 1.- If they sink, that means they are fertile , meaning you have Wasps in the air. 2.- If they don't sink, then you have non-fertile seeds (empty ones), no Wasps in the air. 3.- you could chew seeds and if you notice there is something in them and nutty flavor then they , for sure, are fertile. Most crunch comes from empty seeds. From what I have notice in Los Angeles...whichever fig has a Purple lining between the Skin and Meat those have been pollinated by wasps...but experts elsewhere don't necessarily agree with my own last findings. Would be interesting to see how your's are...

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1404532762	Reply with quote #6

This will show better with Male flowers, that carry Pollin and Female flowers that have fertile seeds AND Wasps and Wasp Larvae in between them.

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,061

Posted 1404554351	Reply with quote #7

Pat, You may well have a late Caprifig in your garden. And if that is true, that's good news. In his book, Gustav Eisen spoke of this late Caprifig producing good Profichi fruit during the month of July, i.e., One Month later that most of the Caprifigs in the Central Valley These late pollinator figs were common in the San Francisco Bay area. (your area I believe). It will be required to caprificate Smyrna, San Pedro and other types growing in the areas around the Bay. So, if I may say so, keep it as it will be of good value. Francisco

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1404556413	Reply with quote #8

Maybe your friend mistakenly thought it was a sucker, but really it was a caprifig that grew at the base of the plant from seed __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1404569618	Reply with quote #9

Hi figarita, Are all figs like that ? Did you sample five at least ? If so then a caprifig at least in the etymology of the word: "Figs to feed the goats" or inedible figs be the tree a male or female . This can happen if the figtree of your friend was grafted - so the root-shoot came from the root-stock and not from the strain of the figtree producing the figs you saw . I wouldn't keep it because it could fool you in the future if you forget ... But for now for eating figs from that tree, the only way is grafting . So as I said, I would discard and make an airlayer (high in the canopy to get the right strain) of the tree of your friend, or go through cuttings ... The choice is yours . Just my two cents ... Those leaves could be decorative if you don't target fruit production ... __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1404572953	Reply with quote #10

Pat, I would keep the one you already have and get another cutting from the Mother Tree where fruits were hanging. Start a new tree from the cutting from which you ate the fruit. jd... might be right about the tree being grafted. Francisco has given us very valuable info about the late season Capri... Now you have all the info you need to decide. Good luch ;)

figarita

Registered:1241321882
Posts: 129

Posted 1404582768	Reply with quote #11

This morning I wanted to do Aaron's experiment with the seeds. I cut one fig open and looked with a magnifying glass and to my surprise I saw a tiny black ant looking bug on my finger. I went back to the figs and saw another 3 on the the figs. The one on my finger did not has wings but the other 3 on the figs have wings. Are these fig wasps? __________________ Pat Menlo Park , CA zone 9

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,061

Posted 1404591463	Reply with quote #12

Hello Pat ! You are absolutely tight! The tiny inoffensive creatures you saw on that fig are female winged fig wasps which in your area come out of the fig with pollen to caprificate or pollinate all surrounding figs, making them: Better - Bigger - Sweeter - Crunchy and enhancing their colors, just like the figs in the pictures I am attaching to this thread.. With such Caprifig in your yard you shall be able to ripen the famous Smyrna varieties considered by many as the best world figs. In your area the Caprifig you have provides these wasps (pollinators) now, in July.. Please keep that tree and look very well after it Francisco

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1404608253	Reply with quote #13

Yeah... Those are the hard working Angels... Congrats Pat ;)

figarita

Registered:1241321882
Posts: 129

Posted 1404672198	Reply with quote #14

I am very, very happy to see the fig wasps. I have 5-6 young fig trees around this fig tree so I am looking forward to see and taste the figs on them. This is the first year when i see the fig wasps since I move to this house about 10 years ago . I thought I do not have them. When I moved here the house had a fig tree who made figs and never ripe, they remain hard on the tree even during the winter. I did not know anything about fig trees and after a few years of frustration that i can not eat figs I joined this forum and find out that i have a capri fig. I looked for fig wasps and did not find any at that time so I cut the tree down. Francisco those figs look soooo good. Makes my mouth watery. Thanks everyone. __________________ Pat Menlo Park , CA zone 9

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1404674800	Reply with quote #15

It will probably grow back :) __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,061

Posted 1404675884	Reply with quote #16

Hello Pat Me too, I am also very happy for you. Tell me, those 5 or 6 varieties you have around the Caprifig what varieties are they ? If you have some available space and to take full advantage of your Pollinator fig, I think you should plan to bring some additional figs, this time a few of excellent Smyrna varieties, like Zidi, Bournabat, Kalamata, Marabout.. etc.., all these are excellent, super figs. Unfortunately I cannot send cuttings to the US,, otherwise I would do it and send you all the varieties shown on those pictures. May be some members chime in with a few interesting ideas...to help you to start and utilize this asset! Good luck Francisco

figarita

Registered:1241321882
Posts: 129

Posted 1404710810	Reply with quote #17

Thank you Francisco, for the info. I do not know anybody who might have these varieties but i will keep an eye on them. The varieties I have around that capri fig tree are 4 unknown and a Lampiera. Out of these, only 3 of them have some young figs on them. The other fig trees just started to show fig buds on them. What's the size of a fig, a fig wasp can enter? __________________ Pat Menlo Park , CA zone 9

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,061

Posted 1404723696	Reply with quote #18

Hi Pat, As your unk figs grow keep in touch sending pics of leaves and fruit which when ripe could tell a lot regarding its identity. Lampeira being a San Pedro will give you brebas, probably by now and the main crop follows (in fact it should already show on the tree in current growth, on the axils of leaves. These Lampeira main crop figs MUST receive pollination foam wasps. In my trees, pollination is done through the course of June...so I think that in your climate they could well be going now through this process. Lampeira (black) crops overlap.. you have those big ripe brebas on 2013 wood and on the side, nice clusters of small main crop figs ready for pollination. Hope your wasps will find them and help to ripen these very sweet and flavored figs in September. (see pics) The size of the figs when receptive for pollination varies..As an average I may say that starting from 1/2 inch in round, the majority of the Smyrna and San Pedro varieties are ready to be visited by the wasp. The insect will also pollinate all other Common figs in the area, if receptive. As regards to the new Smyrna varieties search the forum for the correct timing to obtain cuttings from the good sources, USDA,Encanto farms, Trees of Joy, etc.. here is a link that may give you some guidance - http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/services.htm?modecode=53-06-20-00 I am sure other members will also assist you on this issue. Francisco Wasps entering black Smyrna figs. Lampeira Preta showing ripe brebas and surrounding 'green' main crop figs

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Modal title

Insert Code

Please paste your code into the box below: