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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Can a rootstock advance ripening in figs?
 
 


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Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
The use of fig rootstocks is a world for discovering. Unlike the use of grape rootstocks, well known and tested, with figs there is not information and trials.

It is known that some grape rootstocks can advance ripening, besides other advantages.
I grafted Coll de Dama Negra (a very late variety) on an unknown local variety which I named "Bakio".
Bakio is somewhat dwarf tree, slow growing, and early variety.
It is in an small pot and to my amazement, the figs are turning color now and it is probably that they ripen soon. It is in a similar stage as Ronde de Bordeaux, the earliest variety I have so far.
On own roots, Coll de Dama Negra ripens in mid October here, Ronde de Bordeaux in late August (this year, later)
Moreover, this year figs are two weeks delayed due to a cold spring.

I wonder if rootstock is causing this advance. It is also said that poted figs ripen a bit earlier.
I will see soon if these figs ripen adequately, It could be a false alarm.

The winters are mild here, so the pot was always outdoor, in the same environment as inground and own roots Coll de Damas.

Here a yesterday picture.

[3jvq]
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Axier
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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
That's an interesting concept and I am hoping it's valid. I can't wait to find out the answer.
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Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Yes, if I am right, it is very interesting, but one should be cautious with expectations.
Sometimes figs change color and, before ripening, fall.
I will make sure soon, I cross my fingers...
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Axier
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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Absolutely...I have had that happen more than not this year.
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Tami
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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Very imaginative! Opens up woderful possibilities, extending the  productive zonal range of many figs.
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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Jon,

Looking good and hope they do ripen.
Please keep us informed.
Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Axier, 
I'm sure that the growth such as the vigor and the dwarfing effect can be directly affected by the rootstock for sure. I'm trying now with growing grafted varieties on a vigorous rootstock. 
Usually figs ripen earlier when grown in pots. so time will tell  once you have it in the ground.
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Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Of course, rootstock effect is very important regarding vigor, Coll de Dama is a vigorous grower and grafted on Bakio is of low vigor and slow growing.
On the contrary, past year, I grafted Bakio on an adult and vigorous tree I have in ground, and it grows much more vigorous than on own roots.

Years ago, I had Coll de Dama in a pot (own roots) and I didn't notice an special advance in ripening.
I think that the "pot effect", regarding ripening, is limited.

In any case, you are right that the real test is when it is in the ground. For now, I will see how it ripens in the pot.
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Axier
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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Axier,

What type of grafting have you used? Do you think it matters?
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Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
In this case, chip budding. 
Once the graft is settled, it doesn't matter the graft type used. 
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Axier
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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Axier if that fig is not swelling its just coloring and may stay that way until it either swells and ripens or falls off as i think you stated.

In my area climate figs ripen before inground as the inground plants come out of dormancy later.
Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
You're right Martin, as I said before, anything can happen yet, and it is soon for celebrations. 
But one thing is clear so far, Coll de Dama grows in a very different manner when grafted in this rootstock. 
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Axier
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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
I noticed the quicker growth on my grafts by comparison with the growths from rooted cuttings. I have a panache that I used a less than an inch tip onto a local variety and it  grew 2 feet this season, whereas the others only grew 1/2 foot.   Axier, I love your experiments and pictures.
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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Axier, thanks for starting this interesting thread.  Besides the Bakio you mention, I wonder what other varieties have characteristics suitable for slowing/dwarfing growth of fast growing varieties.  Perhaps Petite Negri is another?  I ask this because I don't have a lot of space but would like to grow several different varieties in the ground.  I suppose another obvious characteristic for any rootstock is lack of FMV symptoms.
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Steve MD zone 7a
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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
I wonder what would happen if you grafted onto RdB, if it can affect early ripening, you could possibly get still a vigorous growth on the CdD with combined earlier ripening, it is nice to think about it if it is possible, I could try a couple grafts as I have an extra RdB I layered for winter safety, and if successful with the graft, may even see some evidence as early as next year for a sneak peak result but wouldn't be able to make a definite claim for at least 5 years I think.
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Luke

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Would you mind linking me to your grafting technique please,
I would like to give it a try also.
Thanks,
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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Axier,that is very interesting for me.
Do you think is possible to graft CdD Negra on Brunswick?
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Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rewton
Axier, thanks for starting this interesting thread.  Besides the Bakio you mention, I wonder what other varieties have characteristics suitable for slowing/dwarfing growth of fast growing varieties.  Perhaps Petite Negri is another?  I ask this because I don't have a lot of space but would like to grow several different varieties in the ground.  I suppose another obvious characteristic for any rootstock is lack of FMV symptoms.


Petite Negri, Dalmatie, maybe Negronne...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luke
Would you mind linking me to your grafting technique please, I would like to give it a try also. Thanks,


http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/english-translation-of-axiers-how-to-graft-an-adult-fig-tree-4504717

Figs are easy for grafting, any technique will make.

This one works fine too:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/simple-stepbystep-grafting-5830743

Quote:
Originally Posted by pako
Axier,that is very interesting for me.
Do you think is possible to graft CdD Negra on Brunswick?


No problem, you can combine whatever variety you want.
I don't know incompatibilities with figs so far.
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Axier
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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Axier
Thanks for posting and starting this discussion. Probably many will experiment by growing the same variety on its own roots and grafted, side by side in the same mixture and pot size to test for earliness. It is of great interest to many.

However, I am amazed at the small size of pot and the plant with such a good crop of healthy fig fruits.
It will be very interesting to know how the productivity of this plant will be affected for next year by carrying to maturity so many fruits this year. Very often when any of my plants have good production, the next year production is very disappointing.
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Rewton

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Axier, any updates on the Bakio-CdDN grafted tree?  Did the figs ripen earlier?
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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
In things other than figs - rootstocks have various affects. Don't know how much applies to figs, as well.

In apples and asian pears the results are interesting. In both, with 3-12 grafts, the results seem more driven by the scion than the rootstock. Grafting a variety that is early to break dormancy onto a variety which is late to break dormancy (with a difference of as much as 8 weeks), the early breaking variety will still break early and the late breaking variety will still be late, and might well be even later than normal. The early breaking variety apparently gets an early start on drawing resources, and more or less continues to hog them. So the question is this: if the rootstock is ready to supply nutrients, does the scion determine when they will ultimately be used? Are they on hold till the scion breaks dormancy? Do not know if a late variety on an early rootstock would respond to the early rootstock, or still be late. I suspect that it would still be late.
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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
Jon, if anyone could do these experiments on figs in the US it would be you, with your years of data.
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Axier

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Rewton, some figs ripened a few days later I took the picture (many days before usual CDD ripening date), three figs are ripening yet, at a similar stage as other inground CDD tree.
I would not dare to draw conclusions, but I think it deserves more trials, I will do it.

Jon, as I said, fig grafting is an unknown, uninvestigated and very interesting matter.
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Axier
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Tam

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Axier: Very nice information, thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam
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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
This is a very interesting thread! Are there any updates about the effect of the rootstock on the ripening time of the grafted variety?
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