Let's have some fun! Win a free Black Madeira fig tree.

The contest is simple: write a short essay on the subject of "Why I NEED a Black Madeira Fig Tree". Needing and wanting are two different things, so don't try to pass off "wanting" as somehow being "needing". Entries can be serious or humorous, and should be one half to one page in length.

Entries can be e-mailed to Encanto Farms Nursery, and may be submitted until the close of the contest on June 30, 2008. I am working on how to judge the entries. I will probably choose the 5 that I think are best, and then have a jury of a few members of the forum pick the best, or post them here and let forums members vote.


I potted up some promising BM cuttings today, so am fairly hopeful that this can be fulfilled. I am not putting an legal mumbo-jumbo in here, because, in the end, the Black Madeira tree will be awarded at my sole discretion, and that decision will be final. The point is to have some fun, not to create some contractual quagmire. 

Enjoy.

Hi Jon,

Are there any limits to the number of entries one can submit? I have three so far and am torn between them. ;-)

Can the entry be in another form other than an essay? Song, poem?

Sue

I'm not singing any entries. I can do poem. I can do multiple entires.

Sue, if you do a song I think you should video it and put it on YouTube. :)

Harvey

As the Cowardly Lion said, "Not no way, not no how!" :-)

Sue

Just Curious (monkey) George here!

.... and the top 5 contenders for a free good-looking/delicious
BM fig twig rooting  from Jon are (a drum roll, please) ... ... ....

George (NJ).
P.S. No, I did not participate, because I already have one :-)
And yes,  the BM is one of those 'them-dog-figs' that are very
hard to make them behave and root from cuttings.

George, I can attest to " 'them-dog-figs' that are very
hard to make them behave and root from cuttings"

I managed to root the BM,  then managed to kill it, but I'm learning, thanks to members like you!
And I didn't participate neither, as you can tell, I ain't very fancy with words.
 
Cecil

Darcy, if I click on your thumbnail image I am taken to an image of adequate size.

In regards to Vista, I assume you are referring to Windows, not the fig which goes by the same name!  You can always go back to XP, here is an interesting article which shows that it is still preferred over Vista.  http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-9986916-56.html?tag=nefd.top.  I wouldn't consider buying a PC with Vista; I have heard too many complaints even from people that work in the PC industry.

Darn i missed the contest (recently registered) perhaps another next year.
Martin

I considered entering, but I really don't need a fig described as challenging to grow (though I would leave it in a pot) in Michigan.  Also I'm up to over a dozen varieties already and I've got my eye on two others (which I hope to get from Jon in the fall).

I even started an entry, got about halfway through and let my wife read through it.  After she stopped laughing she told me if I finished it she'd buy me BM even if I didn't win.

~Chills

Chills,
 
That's funny, I don't care who ya are!
 
Don't keep us in suspense, did ya finish it?
 
Cecil

I'll post a video on u-tube of me singing "I'm a little tea pot" wearing nothing but an appropriately placed fig leaf. Come to think of it, if you give me a Black Madeira cutting I promise NOT to do so.

Who won this contest?  Do the rest of us get to read the winning entry????

I have three quite similar entries, and still need to figure out a winner.

Wow, the suspense is great. :)

A way overdue  BIG  drum roll  (please) ... ... ... .... .... ... ... ... .... ... .... ... .... ... !

Just flip a coin (or 2) / draw lots;  participants 'should' understand....

Jon,

I tried and tried, but just couldn't figure out a way to honestly say I 'needed' a black madeira.  Too bad you didn't say 'want'.  Then I could have entered.  :-)

Elizabeth

Luckily I don't need one as I managed to glean 4 out of my one UCD cutting. Does anyone know the hardiness level of this variety?

I am finally beginning to catch up now that figs are mostly over, and watering is a little less. Speaking engagements are over, plant sales are done for the season. Too many good things, too little time.

I have chosen the following entry as our winner. It is simple, and to the point, but more important is the point that it makes. It was written by someone who has a history of trying different varieties, who has made the investment in adding to the common body of fig knowledge and experience and who wishes to carry on in that tradition by growing and testing the Black Madeira variety. That is a tradition that is very important to me, and that, thankfully, is shared by many members of this forum.

"I have grown figs for 30 something years and about 200 varieties have
been tested here. Many didn't make it due to low production, large open
eyes, winter hardiness, and simply not happy in my environment. At
present, I have 91 varieties and many are still under evaluation. I
don't discard a variety until it has been grown in the open ground for
at least 4 years.

The Black Madeira should be given a trial in my area to see if it is
adapted to long, hot, and humid summers and produce good fruit. If
successful, this would expand the growing range for Southern and
Southeastern growers with similar growing conditions. There is almost
no information on it being grown outside of CA and part of this may be
due to not being available from nurseries and low success on rooting.

In a nut shell, this my reason for needing a Black Madeira; to evaluate
it in my environment."

Congratulations to Jack Rice.

Jon.

I'm honored as I know there were many good people who entered the contest. I will take very good care of it and give it a long trial.

Many thanks,

Jack

FINALLY!!! finally!! finally! (and once more) fffiiinnnaaalllyyy...

A good choice/reason/suspense
(not sure about the suspense part? - that was somewhat cruel!).

My congratulations to you, Mr. Rice; and as Jon says, enjoy!

P.S.
The  Black Madiera is a very good tasting  (and also very good looking)
fig, but it is rather LATE to ripen, at least here in the North East.

Thanks Gorgi,

I have a long fig ripening season starting about June 15 and ending by early Nov. The summers are long, hot, and quite humid at times with many temps of 95-100F, sometimes higher. Hopefully, the Black Madeira will do good in these conditions.

Jack

Jack,
That sounds pretty much exactly like Memphis, TN.  Of course you are only a few hours drive away..... I'll be following your reports with great interest, I'd love to have a Black Madeira some day, if it does well in, as they say, "the dirty south".

Congratulations, Jack.  And best wishes for Black Madeira in NC!!!

Meanwhile, 4 years later......

Wondering how the trial went.

Southeastern fignuts would love an update from Jack or anyone else who grows B. Madeira in hot humid climate.

I just noticed this thread is from '08.. Too bad. I was already thinking of reasons why I needed this fig. ;)

The trial did not go well. The tree, along with several others, got wiped out in a hurricane/tornado a few months later.

Mine in Charlotte is doing fine. Mine is in a huge container and will fruit again this year. I do have a very sick small one as my backup. If it pulls thru, I may plant it in my orchard.

dang, was hoping to see the 4 year old tree....anti-climactic bump

I had a BlM last year and it took off and was growing beautifully, then suddenly crashed and burned for no reason I can discern.  Broke my heart.  I am told that trees with FMV can do that, but this climate is very hot and Herman says trees with FMV do better in the heat like this.

The tree seemed so strong.  :(

noss

In post # 21 Scott had 4 Madeira's he propagated from UCDAVIS all from 1 piece .
He was kind to send me 1 of those plants from the 4 pictured.

As a note it died to soil level in past when i was doing the fig shuffle but it came back and showed pictures last season of ripe fruit from plant here near Chicago that looked as nice as you can imagine.

Black Maderia grows well and seems happy here in central Arizona.  I have had problems with several varieties that don't do well in the intense heat here.  Black Madeira grows right through it.  Here is a photo from this morning of my tree.  I planted it a year ago as an air layer.  My 75 pound dog is sitting next to it for perspective on its size.

that's a beauty.. and plant doesn't look all the bad either. :)

pete

Pete,

Joe--I assume you don't have any critter problems with that sentry on duty? ;-) Great dog, and your tree looks superb as well--congratulations!

Ken,

Noss, mine did the same thing but did not have FMV.  My 2 trees were loaded with figs and then one day both just dried up and died.  That was 2 years ago.  Here are some pictures.  My 2 trees doubled in size that year (2010) so I know I was doing something right but not sure why they committed suicide!  I think they were stressed with a lot of figs and maybe too much heat b/c both died the exact same way and time.  I plan on discussing this issue with the folks at UCD this year.  Last year, I contacted a friend who had a HUGE one for sale.   So, I bought it from him and paid high dollar for it.  It was loaded with figs.  I got some to ripen at the end of the year before it got too cold.  They were darn superb! Today, I have another large another one that's 4yrs old in a huge pot.  No other fig can compare to the flavor and taste of the Black Maderia fig tree! 

Tuscon Ken - in your picture (post #38), I notice a metal plant tag in the lower right corner. Did you make that, or buy it/them?

Ken, I hope you won't mine me responding to Gina's comment. 

Gina, I use to make my own out of old gutters and a Dremel engraver and I may go back to using them because they seem to last longer but time consumming to make.... plus if not cut smoothly...the edges can cut you.  But they reflect light greatly in photos!  I also like the alumnium plant markers on eBay for about $18 buck per 100.  Two problem with them is over time the thin metal wire will break and lime will erode at the alumnium if the tag is laying at soil level.  I started using small riot wraps instead of the thin metal ties and it seems to work better and is also squirrel proof!  Here is a link to them on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TREE-TAGS-PLANT-LABELS-ID-MARKERS-/270617549007?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f021018cf

Dennis,

[QUOTE] I think that small plants can be overwhelmed and killed by trying to ripen
up too much fruit, especially when they are already stressed by other factors
like high heat. [/QUOTE]

This is certainly true for young blueberry plants that set too many fruits. A young plant can die unless you pull off most of them. A very hard thing to do.

[QUOTE=snaglpus]Ken, I hope you won't mine me responding to Gina's comment. 

Gina, I use to make my own out of old gutters and a Dremel engraver and I may go back to using them because they seem to last longer but time consumming to make.... plus if not cut smoothly...the edges can cut you.  But they reflect light greatly in photos!  I also like the alumnium plant markers on eBay for about $18 buck per 100.  Two problem with them is over time the thin metal wire will break and lime will erode at the alumnium if the tag is laying at soil level.  I started using small riot wraps instead of the thin metal ties and it seems to work better and is also squirrel proof!  Here is a link to them on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TREE-TAGS-PLANT-LABELS-ID-MARKERS-/270617549007?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f021018cf

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info. I've been wondering about tags. I've seen those you linked at ebay and was very tempted, but I wondered if the metal was thick enough to last over the years. I don't want to have to re-do labels after a couple years.

The other day I ordered some 30 gauge soft aluminum sheeting that should be here later today. That is about twice as thick as the metal used in pop cans (which is not thick enough for me - you can tear it too easily) but is still supposed to be embossable. I'm hoping I can impress variety names with a pencil or ball point pen. I'll let you know.

That's a real handsome dog, Joe.  What is his name?

The tree is beautiful, nice and stocky and so healthy-looking.  That's great.

Dennis, My little tree was looking good just like yours, but was only beginning to branch out.  I had gotten so excited about having it and how well it was doing and even said something about that in the forum and then, it was dead and it happened so fast.  It didn't get anywhere near getting figs on it that I recall, or if it had, I would have nipped them off because the treelet was so young.  It was early Spring.  I'm glad you were able to get more trees that are larger and doing well for you.  Could you show us pix of the two new ones?  Also, what are "riot wraps"?

Gina,  I'm glad you mentioned what you did about young blueberry bushes.  I did not know they shouldn't bear when young.  Maybe that's why they didn't do much growing last year and so far, this year.  I'll take the berries off of them tomorrow.  May I contact you about pruning and feeding them?  Mine are in pots.

Dan Abadie mentioned that he lost young trees when he let figs stay on them too late in the season and they used their strength putting on new figs rather than in growing stronger.  He now picks off the later figs on his trees.

Thanks All,

noss

[QUOTE]Gina,  I'm glad you mentioned what you did about young blueberry bushes.  I did
not know they shouldn't bear when young.  Maybe that's why they didn't do much
growing last year and so far, this year.  I'll take the berries off of them
tomorrow.  May I contact you about pruning and feeding them?  Mine are in
pots.
[/QUOTE]

There are two reasons to take fruit off young blueberries - one, if they have too many (the branches totally covered with fruits), it can kill them. Some varieties more than others - Misty being one.  Second, fruit in the first couple years takes away from vegetative growth. But if they don't have too much fruit, you can leave some on. I did. Just couldn't remove them all.

If you are in LA, you are probably growing Southern Highbush varieties, as I do. And maybe some rabbiteyes. I also grow them in pots for several reasons. Mine are several years old now, and doing well. I have about 50 of them. It's just the beginning of harvest season now. :)  It's still a bit early in the year for much stem and leaf growth.

I've learned a lot since starting to grow these. Others know more, but I'd be happy to answer any questions I can.

Dennis, the Dremel is a great idea--I've been using an old, dead ball-point pen and just trying to press hard enough to leave an impression. Trouble is, the impression is usually deeper on my finger than on the tag.

they have copper tags for around $32 for 100. little more expensive, but might be more attractive. it says they can be marked with ball point pen.

pete

Re tags. As mentioned, I had ordered some 30 gauge soft aluminum sheeting from a place called whimsie (artsy-craftsy). I got a piece 12 inches by 36 inches for, including fast delivery, for $22. (Ordered Monday morning, arrived Thurs from across the country). Depending on the size I cut my labels, I should be able to get at least 150 or more.

They had a section on their site that this was the stuff they use for plant labels, so I took a chance. It's about twice as thick as soda pop cans, but you can still cut it with scissors. I use an old paper cutter for greater accuracy, straighter edges, and speed. It does curl a little, but is easily straightened.

I've tried soda pop cans but don't like them for several reasons - they are too thin, you can tear them and rip the wire right out of them. They don't lie flat, and the label on the back will always be visible. And they are sharp.

I've also tried the bottoms of disposable cookie sheets/pie pans, which works OK - much easier to work with than soda cans. But if you buy them new they are expensive, and are also too thin IMO. They are about the same 36 gauge as cans. They do lie flat however.

The 30 gauge heavier stuff is also sharp when cut, and if you have kids or grandkids or pets that chew, or if you tend not to be careful working with things, don't get it.  That said, I like the stuff. It's heavier weight, can easily be flattened either with a rolling pin or between pieces of light cardboard, is relatively easy to emboss with a ball point pen. I think these labels will last for years and years which is what I want.

For the wire hole, I fold back the label about a half inch, then use an awl to go through a double layer for greater durability.  I'm not sure that is needed however, but I like how it looks. This is also sharp on the back.

I've used mini blinds for years and love them, but they don't emboss... I know writing on them with pencil can last for years, but I want 'forever'.  And I like to tinker. :)

If I was a sane person, I would've gone with metal labels from ebay.  But I'm not. :)