Good day! Finally, the swimming pool is gone! Here are a few pictures of my new fig deck! I am so happy. This project started April 7th and finally ended last night. This new deck will house some of my prize figs. The deck is 34 x 16. I can't wait till I get home and start moving my figs to their new home. Some of my trees are still in the garage!!!!!

Rafed, now I can show you some of my baby figs! More photos are on the way!

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cheers!

Congrats Dennis,  It looks great.

I had a dream a few nights ago that I built a fig deck/greenhouse.  It was elevated for a hydroponic system and the drains went through the floor back into the reservoirs hidden underneath.  It was super cool and in the middle of a field that I have not found IRL, yet.

That's beautiful Dennis !! Love the gate at the steps. Looking forward to seeing the pics with figs in that perfect place.

You know you have an addiction when....Haha. This deck looks amazing! Nice work!

James, my future project is going to be to completly house my 254 large container trees inside a 34 x 55 greenhouse with a complete elevated hydorponic system.  I got the inspriation to do that based on the post started by Pete a fews ago.  It's gonna cost me around $12,000 for the greenhouse.  It's gonna be one of the largest greenhouses that only has figs!

HOW BOUT THOSE FIGS!!!!!!!!!!

It would be neat if you find a way to winterize the whole deck so there's no need to shuffle. Since it's elevated though, not sure how feasible that is.

Dennis, I believe you really like your figs!

I am happy with the final results.  However, I do need to stain it and protect it.  Presently, the materials cost me $3200.  The labor was $1600 (I gave the guys a $150 dollar cash tip).  I sold the swimming pool.  The person that bought it removed it for $500.  So, this fig investment cost me...

Materials  $3200
Labor       $1600
Pool        ($ 500)
----------------------
TOTAL      $4300

It's going to be a great fig party this year!

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely lovely.

Your next project should be to replace the house with an even larger deck!

Just kidding of course. That sure is a nice structure.

GO FIGS!!!

It seems as though you and I are headed in the same direction... I'm just six or seven steps behind.

talk about being green with envy.. i need something like that with some sort of cover system for the winter. and few heaters. that would make nice hole in the wall to get drunk all night long... 

Dennis, that looks like a perfect place to have a "Figfest." You wouldn't have to look for  a place to hold it like you
did last year. LOL

Maybe you can just inclose the fig deck with a dome, maybe your house too.

Congrats Dennis, you got a very understanding wife. In fact just after 6am today my friend called to ask whether he can use my name
and tell his wife that he bought a boat together with me. He says he is hounded by his wife citing he is spending his retirement savings
like no tomorrow. His wife is currently overseas. He did the same & bought a house close to the river & got a brand new 4x4(2 in a year)
while his wife was overseas. He is a fishing nut. Fishes almost every day in his retirement.

Dennis, that's going to be a first-class fig enclosure.....sweet!!

VERY nice!

That is very nice:)  With all the plants, pots,  water did you think about composite decking instead of wood?  Probably would have added a lot of cost though.  

Very nice, Dennis!
What wood have they used, do you know?

Nice deck for them figs. Big enough to have a party on it too.

Amazing job Dennis. I'm thinking you're going to be spending quite a bit of time there with your trees. And why not it's just beautiful.

WOW! Looks great. Well done! Your fig trees will surely thank you this season ;) 

Congrats, Dennis!  What a treat.

Thanks for all the kind words.  I am happy with the results.

Yes, this would be a great place for a fig fess.  This is where I wanted to hold one.  Before I continue with my comments, let me publicly apologize again to Gloria.  I hi-jacked her Southeastern fig post last year.  We exchanged PMs.  I apologized and politely removed my comments from her thread.  So, Gloria, again, I apologize.  Please forgive me.  I am a good person.  I don't want any hard feeling to come between us.  I hope we can be friends or even "besties"!

This year, I am unable to attend Gloria's event.  I already have another committment elsewhere. 

Last year when I first planned to have a fig fess, I planned it at my neighboorood club house.  I really wanted at my place but my property wasn't ready to hold it.  Now, it is.  The top or 3 level of the deck is completely covered with embossed lighting and ceiling fans.

I seriously thought about enclosing this deck, but the wife said no!  She said we should use the 30 acres of land and relocate some trees there.  Right now, I have 5 trees planted on the 30 arcres.

Mike, I am planning a fig fess at my place the summer of 2015.  I've already been contacted by the media in my area for a story.  One of my friends is a reporter.  She's a hoot!  Also, a friend and owner of a magazine wants to place a write up about figs and the event in his magazine.  Plus a few nurseries want to be a part of it.  But there is much more planning to do including a surprise.  I want everyone to see some of my rare large trees like Black Ischia, Black Maderia, Strawberry, Pastiliere, Celeste, Lyndhurst White, and others.

The deck is made of pressure treated pine.  There are french drains all around the deck to keep the water flowing outward towards the low end.  I also placed a double housed homemade backup drain in the center containing 2 type of rocks and a garden hose.  The hose can be connected to a pump to remove standing water quickly if necessary.

Hello Dennis.
That is absolutely beautiful. May you enjoy it for many many years to come!!!
Vito

what a beautiful work, I can imagine fresh woodwork smell...my favorite thang. Waterproof it, ASAP with Shellack  :)

What a wonderful fig deck! My back yard is angled and small, I'd have to buy out the neighbor's house to do something like that.
You're rocking it now, good job!

Spectacular!

This is dedication to the hobby! Looks amazing! I have a small deck that houses my 'orchard' but it came with the house.

Congrats, Dennis! 

It's beautiful!  Have you already "outgrown" it?   :)

Nice deck. Curious. When you have a chance Dennis, please post photos of the drains: French and Homemade. It will be invaluable as well as it will crystallize the plan an execution for the deck. Seriously, 6 acres per tree? How far is the property from your home? Interested to read about that fig project when it happens. How much for a half acre? Ok, round it to one a acre but you have to ship it to Tallahassee. I have a coupon code for free shipping...EARTHDAY14.

Wow !!! Great job Dennis Norhayati

Very nice, you'll have many wonderful hours of enjoyment on your new deck.

Hi snaglpus,

Is there a basement under that deck ? It would be handy to do the shuffle by getting the pot upstairs and then downstairs with the elevator ...
Where is the elevator button for lifting the pots ?

:P  - you can always try to make it better ...

Nice job :)
Did you consider the total weight of the pots ? Will the terrace handle it ?

that's an awesome idea. have basement to store the figs, and some sort of elevator to bring them up... no more carrying the pot around. amazing.. 

Nice!

My deck is made is 2x8 and 2x6 lumber. It's connected to the main deck and can support my trees. Pete, I do use my basement to winterize some trees. The basement is my son's apartment for now. But he will be moving out next year. JD, I'm not planting 1 tree per 6 acres. I've only planted 5 trees on the property about 10' from each other. I can plant more....I just haven't done that yet. The land is not legally mine. The owner said the land is too much for him to manage by himself. So, he lets me use it until he decides when to divide some up to give me in writing. Our agreement is written and recorded. The property is only 5 miles from my house. Here's a rough sketch of my home made backup drain. The bucket (black) has tiny hole drilled all around the sides and top. It is filled half-way with large chunks of gravel (brown). Then I added a plastic food container (purple) with lid and drill hole all around it. Then added larger chunks of rocks (red) inside the container. Cut a hole for the garden hose on top, close the lid. Place the container on top of the gravel then continue filling up the bucket with gravel. The hose connects to my pump which is 12V. It's a clear water pump and I only use it when the French drain isn't working fast enough. The pump can remove 55 gallons of water in 2 mins. [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/imagejpg1_zps1d19432f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/imagejpg1_zps1d19432f.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Here's a pic of a french drain. It's just a 4" flex hose full of hose surrounded by shipping popcorn all wrapped in plastic mesh. [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/imagejpg1_zpsec2b1a00.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/imagejpg1_zpsec2b1a00.jpg[/IMG][/URL] cheers,

Looks totally wonderful!!  And Dennis no worries, defiantly no hard feelings just wish we could have worked out a date where you could come, need Charlotte's #1 fig guy... ha went to a place Harvey was sweet enough to find for me the sold Pro Mix and who's card did they give me as a big fig guy in the area? LOL I was like "Oh I know Snaglpus " I will look forward to a Fig Deck Fest...but don't get so many that there isn't room for people..

Dennis
Nice setting...all you need is couple of rocking chair to enjoy the fig trees...
Mark

All those figs, a new deck, a yard, a job - you think he has time to sit and enjoy them???

Thanks Gloria!  Now you're my BFF!  HA!

I'm in Hi-Tech Garden Supply every week!  It's on my way home from work and easy to pop in and chat.  Its where I get my big boom liquid fertilizers.  The manager, Steve, told me that Harvey called looking for Pro-Mix.  They now carry both varieties of Pro-Mix.  They use to only carry the BX....now they have both.  I sold Steve and his employee a tree last year.  Steve said a lady came in talking about me, Snaglpus.  I told Steve it had to be you because you were the only friend on the forum that I know in this area.  Steve's a good guy.  I've learned a lot from him at HTG.  I gave him a couple of jars of my Drunken Fig Jam and he loved it!

Say, HTG prices are pretty high but they are the place in town that carries Pro-Mix.  Figs grow very well in Pro-Mix.  Make sure to mulch your trees heavily or they could dry out fast on a 90+ sunny day.  If you really like Pro-Mix--Keep an eye open at Big Lots.  Last year, Big Lots had 8 bales of Pro-Mix.  On that day, everything was 75% off.  I got each bale for $7 bucks!!!  I bought them all!   I still got 5 bales in my shed!  I mix it with Daddy Pete's Potting mix.  Which is another great potting mix.  Let me know if you want so UPM.  I have a source for that too!  It's great for rooted cuttings.  Whenever I see a good deal on something, I usually buy it all!

Ed, my wife already gave me the comment about spending too much time working on figs.  So, this afternoon, I will be clearing off the top deck and cleaning it up for her.....after I finish moving all my figs out of the garage.  HA!

You are a real energizer bunny, Dennis. I hope you can make it to the Northeast fig meeting this year (if there is one ...?)

Congrats Dennis! I'm building a 2x4 deck for my pots! LOL

So what are you going to do to prevent that deck from getting stained?

LOL, Dennis, I just saw your post about Steve letting you know I was scoping the place out to find Gloria some ProMix HP.  It was a challenge I could not pass up after she said nobody had it around there.  I had a nice chat with Steve but what's this idea he promotes that a cloner is the best method of rooting figs?  After my chat with him I ended up buying one online and tried it for some quince and ended up in total failure. Seems to be a popular method for MJ growers, though.

ok

Harvey, what's up man? The reason Steve was promoting buying a cloner is because it works! He's a salesman. Last year, he showed me a few fig tree with these ginormous leaves. I asked about the tree and he told me the cuttings came from a friend of his. He showed me the cloner and I asked him to prove to me that the cloner works. I gave him some old moldy Nero 600m cuttings plus some Pleasant Gee cuttings and Trianon France fig cuttings. Guess what? In 20 days all rooted including all 6 of the moldy Nero 600m cuttings!!!!! I asked Steve how? Then he shared with me how they did it. Do you need more proof? Here are 2 pictures of my 2 cloners. Those on top leafed out and rooted in 30 days. They need to be potted up now, but I don't have the time to do it at the moment. Both cloners are under grow lights. [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/imagejpg1_zpsb0cbc149.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/imagejpg1_zpsb0cbc149.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/imagejpg1_zps0ad2aa62.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/imagejpg1_zps0ad2aa62.jpg[/IMG][/URL] This method is really the same method as rooting in water, BUT backed with a lot science! In the past, I tried rooting in water and when I forget the change the water, the cuttings would die. Well, with the cloner, the water is airrated. Plus has a teaspoon of Rapid Start root stimulator and 5ml of hydrogen periodize every 3 days. THAT"S IT!!!! I like this cloner idea so much that...I build one! Now, I have 3! Now the neat thing about the cloner is NO GNATS!!!!! A few years ago, Martin (I think it was Martin) bought a bucket cloner. He tested it and reported back that it did not work. I'm not sure what he did or did not do, but I know now that this thing works!!!! Now, the cloner has a pump inside and if ran continous in a hot area can heat the water up. Well, guess what, Steve sold me a timer that allow you to run the pump every 15 minutes then off for 15 minutes. This keeps the water from getting too hot. Me? I don't have this problem. My gargare is insulated. No more rooting in bags or moss or dirt! It's hydroponics for me from now on!

OH!  I forgot to id those trees in the pictures. 

In the first picture there are nothting but "Majic" fig cuttings.  They were on eBay about 2 months ago from the ladies in Seattle.  I don't think the figs are Desert King!  I wanted them so time will tell! 

In the second picture, in the cloner, there are a variety of cuttings.  This cloner is a 64 cutting cloner.  At the moment, the cloner has 62 cuttings.  I'm testing some green cuttings and at the moment they are working fine.  Each cutting has 6 nodes.  The cuttings here are:

Black Greek DJ
Col de Dam Noir GH
Dom cuttings
Carini
Bourjassotte Grise HC
Bissirri 1
Bissirri 2
Bissirri 3
Nordland MN
Pat's Fig
Black Spanish MN
Salce
Acciano
Magic
Pleasant Gee
and a few others

Those potted up in small pots are:
Col de Dame Noir
Nero 600m -- there are six in the photo!
Steve's fig
Pleasant Gee
Hardy Jersery
Trianon Fig France

Chris's Purlple Portuguese -- the one with the yellow leaves---this was sent to me from a forum member last week--THANKS JD!!!

In the first picture, there is a dead dried up grape vine that I got from Lowes.  I gave it some Grow Big liquid fertilizer and water and stuck it under my grow lights.  As you can see, it came back to life.  I got it for free at lowes.

Thank you for the information on the cloner, I had been wondering about something like that!  Yes, pretty easy to build, and lots of plans on the interweb.

Very nice deck, it will be a joy to peruse with coffee in the mornings.  

Great info, Dennis!  I had not heard about the use of hydrogen peroxide.  Do you change your water at all or just keep adding hydrogen peroxide?

I still laugh at how we got around to this....because Gloria said ProMix was not available in her area. :)

How much of the cuttings are under the rubber stopper?  I'm surprised you can leave what looks like 4-6" out and they don't dry out before roots form.  Is the room humid?

BTW, what brand is it?  Do you have photos of the ones you made yourself?  Some of the plans on the net are mister (or fogger) only and some are sprayer only and some use both.  Since yours is working I'd love to know the brands and procedures you're using.

Thanks!

WOW Dennis.... Absolutely gorgeous.... Good luck with your new venture into hydroponics my friend