I'm trying to update my fig inventory. I think I can say with reasonable certainty who survived winter and who did not so I am going through, composting some, updating labels, and taking updated pics to show progress of the surviving trees. Lots more to do tomorrow.

This is Shih Berdy. She gave me a breba early in the season but didn't hold it. Young, small tree so not a shocker. But look at all these main crop figs on such a small plant. This tree really wants to reproduce. Shame they won't ripen in my climate. I am looking forward to this tree maturing.
 

Another tree I have been excited about is Madeleine of 2 Seasons - I got this tree last year from raintree nursery and this is her first year bearing fruit. Four brebas, one I tried a few days ago but needed more time. I tried another today but I proved myself to be impatient, again. Needed a 1-3 more days. It was tasteless without much sugar, more time wouldn't have changed that much. I expect these things from a young tree. But it had nice seed crunch, which I like, and the skin was soft. I hope it improves enough to be worth keeping over the years.
 

This is the breba I harvested today - not ready. Sadie came in to sniff it as I was photographing it. Not posed, and when I told her to leave it she did. She's obedient. Just curious. 
 

 

 

I just like this picture. This is an unknown spanish fig. The pups posed themselves. It was a relaxing evening. I'm so glad we moved. I love sitting on this covered porch, listening to the birds, watching the dogs chase vermin in the yard. Gotta love terriers. My puppy eats the mice...
 

Hope everyone is having a good summer

Hi everyone! We've been i-n-s-a-n-e-l-y busy over here getting settled into our new home. It's spring now so I'm busy running around feeding and weeding and throwing the ball for the pups :)

The pups were part of why we've been so busy. We got a new bundle of trouble which I mentioned on an earlier thread. Our spring has been crazy wet so there has been a big spike in cases of giardia throughout the PNW - my poor little guy wasn't spared. That has been awful. Violet needed surgery on her knee and the rehab has been all consuming. Then Sadie didn't want to be left out so she broke her tooth and developed an abscess that required surgery. This last winter/spring has been brutal on my sanity.

Then winter started to give way to spring so I brought out all my figs from the shed. Sadly the winter was also cruel on my garden. I knew I lost a few figs but as spring marches on I'm realizing my figgy death rate was higher than I hoped. Many of my youngsters in 1 gallon pots didn't make it. Even a few in 3-5 gallon pots were lost. We didn't get much snow but we got a more cold snaps than usual and they lasted longer than usual. Even though I moved them, it wasn't enough. I even lost some established in-ground (non fig) bushes and trees. I am going to rectify this by building a high tunnel (hoop house) type greenhouse. I don't want a repeat of this next winter/spring :( 

So that's the latest. I'm starting this post on a bummer note, so here's some pics of the positives:

I have some brebas! (for those who don't remember - in the PNW brebas are what we're after)

This is the resident DK fig loaded with brebas.
    

 

And of course my negronne is giving me a handful. I think there are 5 on this tree this year. Every year gets better.
 

 

This year I got a couple of new contestants to the game. Here is Madeleine of 2 Seasons (from Raintree nursery) with 5-6 large brebas.
 

 

This little youngster, Shih Berdy, is feeling ambitious and giving me 2 brebas. It's a small plant still so they may abort, but it will still get an A for effort.
 

 

And finally Lyndhurst White
 

Almost forgot one - Italian Honey
 

I think that about covers it. I'm going to lick my wounds and slowly try to replace what was lost and try to do a better job this winter so spring isn't so bitter sweet next year. Cruising ebay for cuttings for a little retail therapy ;)

Hope all has been well with you all!

It's warm and sunny out! It's actually in the 60's! I'm doing a bit outside today and I walked the yard to see what's happening with the trees. I have brebas forming on the following trees:

Negronne
Chicago Hardy
Vern's BT
BT
Atreano
Gene's Vashon
Osborne Prolific
Italian Honey
Desert King
Maybe Ischia Green
Maybe Adriatic

All my trees are youngsters so they don't have many as of now.

I was the most surprised by Chicago Hardy. I hadn't heard of this tree being known for brebas.

Question: How big or how old do you require the trees to get before you allow them to grow the fruit they try to put on? I have some that were cuttings last year and are trying to give me brebas now. Allow or deny?

Chicago Hardy breba

Color me excited!!

We went to the NW Flower and Garden show here in Seattle. I go every year and manage to buy a thing or three every time we go. This year it was a big purchase - a greenhouse! WOOHOO!!

20% off and free shipping! Local company. Got the house, the shelving, a heater, and a greenhouse temp regulator. 

It's a good thing my husband loves me. He did like the 20% off. I was waiting for this show to make a purchase cause I know there are deals to be had.

The picture is bigger than the one I got. I wish I could get a bigger one we don't have the space. The one pictured is 8 x 8 feet, I purchased a 6 x 4. So cut the pictured one in half and bring in the width a smidge and that's what I'll have. 

I came home today from a weekend away from home and my cuttings leafed out nicely in the two days I was gone. They seem happy.

So my new and latest question: How many leaves do they need to form to be considered 'safe' to live without their cup covering them? This little guy's leaves are smashing into the sides of the cup.