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Subject: I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm back Replies: 22
Posted By: mgginva Views: 284
 
Devisgro,
send me an email and I'll send you an inventory.

Subject: I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm back Replies: 22
Posted By: mgginva Views: 284
 
thx everyone.
geeez looking around -- Hermann2 left?!?!!!! Why?
I hope the newbies are being helped. I hope there are still some folks left that can offer advise.
Kerry - yep we here in Va bore easily and have a lot of bears
thx Doug
Bob - u r showing your age -- and taste as well - poor ole John T. on the hot seat these days for Scientology (and loosing 5 mil on that stupid movie) and now the gay thing as well. Not that there's anything wrong with it.
Dennis - ouch - I hope u r ok. Let me know if I can help on varieties. 
Steve - thx yea I always lecture folks to HIT THE DARN ANIMAL! oops. The White Madeira is just starting to break dormancy. It's inside now under lights. Send me an email and I'll send my new inventory.
Everyone -- seriously - thx - it's nice to see some old friends are still here. And to the newbies -- welcome. I hope I can help.

Subject: I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm back Replies: 22
Posted By: mgginva Views: 284
 
I managed to miss the bear but not a large Black Locust tree.
thx,
mgg

Subject: 56 acres of RDB in South Africa! Replies: 7
Posted By: mgginva Views: 200
 
My RDB's - I have 3 in my orchard - look a lot like the figs pictured in the second link but not like those in the first link.
I love RDB and intend to add more this Spring.

Subject: Black Marseilles Replies: 13
Posted By: mgginva Views: 315
 
It is a good variety for me.
Along with Norella, Negronne, Ronde de Bordeaux, etc. it is a good solid producer I consider just beneath my top level very dark figs.
Worth planting or potting here in the mid-Atlantic region if you want variety and you want at least several of this type.

Subject: I'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm back Replies: 22
Posted By: mgginva Views: 284
 

Just being silly - but it has been a long time since my last visit and I see a lot -- a lot of my buddies have left. Rats!!

Anyway this year was a real change.
I moved myself, my toys and over 600 trees to 65 acres out in the middle of "almost nowhere".
I am now close to Monticello so I can finally get them a few more historic figs I've collected for them (and me - of course).

Reduced my collection by 42 varieties I decided were just not good for zone 7 here in Virginia. Still evaluating everything else. I add varieties, try them for 5 years or more and burn if they don't perform (can't sell or give away large trees I think are inferior for this area).

Spent 10 weeks recovering from an accident with a bear. Yep no &*^% a friggin bear. 

Am going to sell trees and cuttings on Ebay for the first time at mgginva if anyone wants to check if I'm a crook before they bid.
On that subject I will say this:

I agree with Hermann2 completely on the subject of Ebay sales - i.e. you should only sell what you have actually grown and produced your own crop of figs with. Obviously there are certain exceptions but a lot of past f4f forum fights stemmed from folks "finding" figs they then claimed were exceptional. Some just plucked from parking lots and given names only to be marketed as the next "it" variety.
OK - sorry - enough of the sales stuff.
OOPS - last thing - I will be selling cuttings this year for the last time as I am concentrating on selling trees and figs. I hope to have a website up soon. OK - done.

I hope to be able to spend more time here catching up with those I have not heard from for a while.

Welcome to all the newbies!

Adios mis amigos!
mgg

Subject: Sumacki Cutting Wanted Replies: 2
Posted By: mgginva Views: 183
 
If you can't find one I will start taking cuttings soon (200+ varieties) and I know I have at least a couple Sumacki 1 gallon starts that are dormant. I'll have to check for cuttings - so if you don't get one soon PM me.

Subject: Looking for cuttings Replies: 1
Posted By: mgginva Views: 243
 
I will start to take cuttings very soon and this year I will be selling again. I have 200+ (275??) varieties and I-258 is one of them. If interested PM me.
thx,
mgg

Subject: Brogiotto Nero Replies: 31
Posted By: mgginva Views: 495
 
SAS,
It is productive. In a 15 gallon pot so it is not huge.

Subject: Brogiotto Nero Replies: 31
Posted By: mgginva Views: 495
 
My 2 cents:
Not much splitting
excellent texture and flavor
one of my new favorites.
I have been growing this variety now for 5 years and started 15 of them this year. 10 to sell and 5 for my orchard.
Absolutely worth the effort!!
As not a lot of marketing has been done on this one it is little known. 
My advise;  GET AT LEAST ONE AND GIVE IT A LOT OF ROOM.

thx,
mgg

Subject: I have never seen a fig like this Replies: 14
Posted By: mgginva Views: 516
 
My Florea sometimes has figs that look like this.

Subject: Can You Spell Scam??? Replies: 19
Posted By: mgginva Views: 740
 
I have 2 JT that reverted back and if you want cuttings contact me in the fall.

Subject: Figs in a pot Replies: 6
Posted By: mgginva Views: 301
 
I keep 100% of my trees in pots (currently 275+ varieties / 600 trees) and I experience few problems. The need to water and constantly add mico-nutrients must be paid close attention to or problems will arise but I have kept my figs in pots since 2006 and do not intend to plant any until my plans for a frame work that can protect the trees from the cold are finalized.
Anyway . . . good luck.

Subject: Your Top 10 Hot Figs for 2016 Replies: 70
Posted By: mgginva Views: 3,171
 
As it was excellent last year but dropped all figs the years before I am hopeful it will continue to produce - and if so it will go back on the list. I am adding another one to my orchard this year.

Subject: Your Top 10 Hot Figs for 2016 Replies: 70
Posted By: mgginva Views: 3,171
 
Paul,
OK let's dump Negronne, Rouge de Bordeaux and Sotterley.
thx,
mgg

Subject: Your Top 10 Hot Figs for 2016 Replies: 70
Posted By: mgginva Views: 3,171
 
Pino,
I sell ripe figs exclusively to the highest rated Inn within 500 miles and the top chefs there. They like Ronde de Bordeaux the best followed by Saint Rita and Alma. I supplied them with over 100 varieties last year. They fed Col de Dame Blanch, Noir and Battaglia Green to the Queen of Spain along with assorted Spanish figs. She was very impressed. Anyway I think Battaglia Green deserves a long look as it is my favorite. It came from Folly Castle in Petersburg Virginia but as it was carried by Susan Battaglia to Paradise Nursery and named after her (unfortunate how figs get their names) it carries the handicap of a inappropriate name. It should be the Folly Castle fig as it spent at least decades there (perhaps far longer). I think CdD-B and B. Green are very close taste-wise but B. Green is far more cold hardy.Some of the figs the chefs also rated highly were Cavaliere, Blanch de Deux Saissons, Rouge de Bordeaux (dropped figs the first few years but was very productive and high quality last year), Norella (for a young tree - very good), Negronne, Kathleen's Black and Sotterly (an unknown named by Monticello as it came from the Sotterley Plantation in Maryland.
I totally agree with you about Archipel as it is excellent. 
I'm moving this year (as we speak) but I hope to ripen over 150 varieties for sale and as part of the deal I get rating feed-back from the chefs so if you want you can contact me for results.
Because of this thread there are a few varieties I'll add but results will be at least 4 years out as the first years of production are never up to potential -- in my experience anyway.

Don,
I'm moving currently but if you wait til fall I can help w/ Zing,GN and NdB.
Saying that here as having PM issues. I should get to taste 8 of the 10 you listed as ones you were curious about.

Subject: Your Top 10 Hot Figs for 2016 Replies: 70
Posted By: mgginva Views: 3,171
 
Blanche de Deux Saissons
De la Senyora

Subject: Fig leaf tea Replies: 30
Posted By: mgginva Views: 519
 
I have read and discussed drying with several producers of tea and the prevailing opinion seems to be that a blanket laid out indoors by a sunny window will properly dry the leaves and being inside helps protect them. I have organic leaves in route from Lebanon currently and hope they are as fresh as advertised.

Subject: osborne profillic fig Replies: 27
Posted By: mgginva Views: 447
 
Noss,
I only got one fig from my "Scott's Yellow" as a coon got the rest. It was a very good fig and was very much like the figs from my Scott's Black. I hope to ID the tree this year. And like your's - the figs from my Scott's Black are very good.

Subject: osborne profillic fig Replies: 27
Posted By: mgginva Views: 447
 
Absolutely.

Subject: Starting my preventative rust measures Replies: 27
Posted By: mgginva Views: 556
 
I hate rust.
I consider my operation organic.
Copper is slowly being kicked out of the organic family in countries in Europe, for example.

I want to harvest leaves for tea to treat my diabetes and to allow others to try the tea as well.
I can not do this if the leaves are butt ugly with rust.

BUT - I also can't spray a bunch of copper and then harvest leaves either.
Folks have been claiming copper is a safe and organic treatment for decades but it is not. Well at least it is not completely harmless.
The issue is not a simple one and soil beneficials (bacteria, microorganisms, etc.) can be easily wiped out by copper, for example.

I'm not going to climb up on my soap box on this issue one way or the other (here at least) as I'm not an expert and my level of knowledge on this subject is "mid-level" at best. 
I do know it should be of concern to anyone using copper but whether my level of concern meets other's level of action is the question.
Just please do not buy the hype that copper is a completely safe and organic way to treat rust.

But,
How safe is copper? I don't know. That's the simple answer. 

How toxic is copper?
Should you stop using it? --- I don't know. I have never used it and do not intend to ever do so.
I am concerned about the fact our government does not protect us from ingesting hundreds if not thousands of toxins and doesn't test or plan to test a very very long list of dangerous substances we are exposed to every day. Where does copper land on that list. I don't know.

So,
Please do your homework and please try not to poison your friends and family - at least not on purpose.

Subject: osborne profillic fig Replies: 27
Posted By: mgginva Views: 447
 
It looks like a simple mistake. They happen.
I try extremely hard not to sell any trees that are mis-labelled and I attach a metal tag to the plant and a strong plastic one to the pot but every once in a while someone will tell me I messed up. Last one was a Scott's Yellow I gave to a friend that produced purple figs . . . .ooops . . . 

I'd just ask your friend to replace  - or just keep the one you have as it looks great.

As far as that kind of difference due to climatic factors - - I doubt it.
mgg

Subject: osborne profillic fig Replies: 27
Posted By: mgginva Views: 447
 
DSC_0169.jpeg  DSC_0166.jpeg  DSC_0169.jpeg
I could not find my OP photos but Archipel is a syn. of OP. I think you have a beautiful fig there but not an Osborn Prolific - at least not what we here in the US consider an OP. I have no idea how this post ended up so strange.

Subject: ancient fig? Replies: 33
Posted By: mgginva Views: 1,997
 
Meg,
I collect historic figs to give to the Center For Historic Plants at Monticello. The goul being to have all the figs that Jefferson COULD have had at Monticello.
I had read (on f4f) that the Yellow Neeches was not a good fig flavor-wise but both the trees I have produced the tastiest little yellow figs last year.
I'm swamped currently but if you contact me in April I can help you with cuttings.

Subject: New Member Replies: 31
Posted By: mgginva Views: 296
 
Welcome.

Subject: ancient fig? Replies: 33
Posted By: mgginva Views: 1,997
 
This may not be much help but I've read that Saint Jean is an old one from Roman times, Yellow Neeches can be traced back to Jamestown, VA circa 1604 or so and that Battaglia Green which was from Foley Castle in Petersburg, Va and may be the fig gifted from Jefferson in 1783.
BTW - all three of these are worth adding to any collection.
Welcome to the forum.
mgg
I am starting to collect figs from Israel and am interested in trading.

Subject: Having some trouble with my rooted cuttings - Help Please - Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 177
 
How do you know the condition of the roots? I have seen (many times) a cutting with a lot of leaf growth yet little if any roots.
What is the percentage of perlite in your soil mix? I use 75%.
What is the temperature at the leaves? Bright lights can dry out and burn leaves quickly.
What do you consider your "gnat load"? As soon as I see 1 &^*^%#@ gnat I add gnatrol, nematodes and yellow sticky paper.
Do you spray your cuttings with water?

Subject: Grow your own Saffron. Replies: 16
Posted By: mgginva Views: 455
 
Bob,
I need more info on growing in pots but am interested. Do you have any links for me?
thx
mgg

Subject: Japanese Fig growing techniques - イチジクの栽培 Replies: 7
Posted By: mgginva Views: 541
 
Byron,
Excellent post!!!

Subject: Trade! Hardwood cutting boards for figs Replies: 13
Posted By: mgginva Views: 537
 
Will PM you. Don't see much rift sawn stuff - nice.

Subject: OT member in N Virginia needs help Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 291
 
thx Steve.
A very kind member came over yesterday with his son and they weeded all the pots and moved the pots together for protection from the cold. Still need to move into garage and take cuttings but a huge chunk of work was finished today.

Subject: OT member in N Virginia needs help Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 291
 
Joseph,
You are the best.
Thank you.
BTW - what a great kid.
mgg

Subject: OT member in N Virginia needs help Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 291
 
bump

Subject: OT member in N Virginia needs help Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 291
 
Bill can you resend please?
thx

Subject: OT member in N Virginia needs help Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 291
 
Thanks you all for the intentions.

Steve - any time now I could use the help. thx. I'll PM you.

I still need additional help if anyone's able.
thx.

Subject: OT member in N Virginia needs help Replies: 12
Posted By: mgginva Views: 291
 
I live in Warrenton, VA and am looking for help weeding pots and moving figs into garage. I can trade cuttings or plants. I have over 200 varieties and it is not hard work.
Thank you,
mgg

Subject: OT Queen of Spain Replies: 19
Posted By: mgginva Views: 493
 
Thanks folks.
Sas,
I'm not sure exactly how you expect me to respond to your post. Is this mini lecture on figs 101 to inform me of something you think I don't know but need to?

Jdsfrance, I think some of the chefs are using the figs as an excuse to break out the alcohol. I know they have been experimenting with certain liquors.

Subject: OT Queen of Spain Replies: 19
Posted By: mgginva Views: 493
 
Sas,
All my trees are in pots = 250+ (not counting 1 gallon trees).
As we are still in the process of rating and have several more weeks of "fig season" I'm not publishing results until they are complete.
What are the reasons your figs wouldn't be good enough for a high end restaurant? 
I am waiting on a picture of a dish of uncooked figs where the chef took the less then perfect looking figs and mixed up the pulp and then stuffed some of the bigger figs like Lemon and Texas Blue Giant.

Subject: OT Queen of Spain Replies: 19
Posted By: mgginva Views: 493
 
Rafael,
As an Inn as well they like to have fancy fruit plates in the rooms for VIP's and occasionally they get a person who requires a specific diet.
Sometimes folks request them and the crowd that frequents the Inn, etc. is used to getting what they ask for.

Big figs with not so impressive flavors like Lemon are good for cooking.

They (chefs) help me understand their needs fig-wise and I label every fig I send them and they actually have fig tastings to educate their staff.

Certainly the majority of the figs are served fresh as they can always order figs to cook with.

I can not get anywhere close to the amount of figs they want from me. Their average dinner service is 500 so they can't even put my figs on the menu.

We are just starting our relationship and I will amend my orchard to include more of the types they like for next year. I have a lot of trees in 3 gallon pots that were not up potted this year due to my injury and illness so I can pretty rapidly increase production if I move now.

I am pretty much the only fig supplier in the area unless Ticondaroga Farms gets their orchard back working, but even then my quality and selection will still outshine theirs.

I imagine up where you are figs would be extremely easy to sell.

Subject: Anyone growing Falls Gold?? Replies: 4
Posted By: mgginva Views: 209
 
I thought FG was Alma.

Subject: OT Queen of Spain Replies: 19
Posted By: mgginva Views: 493
 
Steve.
Out closer to my way then yours there is an amazing place that was started years ago in a garage and is now absolutely a must do at least once experience if you are a "foodie".
The place = Inn at Little Washington. I have only eaten there once. It is a $200+ meal without wine. So if you take your sig other and another couple; between the meal, the wine and rooms you can run up a very hefty tab. Well hefty to me anyway.
As our experiment with the chefs etc. rating figs is not over there isn't any sense in "publishing" results. I think we'll have finished soon. 
We can chat at that point as they aren't necessarily looking for the same things we are.

Subject: OT Queen of Spain Replies: 19
Posted By: mgginva Views: 493
 
I just thought I'd share this tidbit as I think it's pretty cool.

I sell all my ripe figs to a very high end restaurant here in the Virginia, Maryland, D.C. area. It is unquestionably the best restaurant on this area of the east coast and on Monday they served my figs to the Queen of Spain. She was impressed that they had such a variety of high end figs.

I have sent them just over a hundred varieties to sample and they rate them so I can more easily decide which varieties to increase and which ones to decrease in my orchard. I hope to have a working grove in a few years that produces a respectable harvest and having an elite corp of distinguished chefs rate my varieties is very helpful. The difference between what they value and what I thought they'd value has been interesting.

I can't wait to send them Battaglia Green and Col de Dame Blanc along with the other dozen or so green/deep red, berry flavored figs. Their order included JH Adriatic this AM. I have a lot of varieties yet to supply them and I'm sure Preto, Black Madeira, etc. will impress. I have way too many varieties to give each one a fair shake this year. There are so many that are just incredible it's a very hard job to pin point which ones I should concentrate on.

Anyway. The friggin Queen of Spain! I hope she liked the Col de Dame Noirs.

Subject: Picture -- MORENA fig Replies: 15
Posted By: mgginva Views: 948
 
I have several Morenas and they are not BT.

Subject: Who said Organza bags worked? Replies: 48
Posted By: mgginva Views: 1,743
 
The green ones work better for me.

Subject: Kathleen's Black Replies: 40
Posted By: mgginva Views: 2,719
 

We seem to be drawing conclusions from tiny data bases again here on the forum. Mine is not in ground so my database has been the source tree which was absolutely loaded with wonderful ripe figs that went on the new owner's pizza and into my bag and my in pot trees. Up until this year I had 4 or 5 of them but sold all but one. I did make a start so I could have a second one. I sell trees locally and this year I had a lot of pressure to sell older trees otherwise I would have kept then for their superior flavor.

Subject: Kathleen's Black Replies: 40
Posted By: mgginva Views: 2,719
 
As I've been to the source tree 2x to take cuttings and seen that it just sits in the front yard of a townhouse in DC unprotected I don't understand why certain folks are having issues with dying back. I wonder if there is a possibility that more then one fig being called Kathleen's Black exisis. I know mine is the true cultivar and that it is a wonderful fig, both breba and main crop.

Subject: Afghanistanica Replies: 39
Posted By: mgginva Views: 4,486
 
Ema,
There are 2 colors. A green one and one that has a silvery tint called Silver Lyre (I think my memory is right on this). I have a couple green ones. I have not seen any fruit nor do I know any one who has. One of the Silver Lyre sold recently on Ebay.

Subject: Is Battagalia Green a late fig? Replies: 6
Posted By: mgginva Views: 353
 
BG is a late variety if . . . see below.
Mine came from source tree which is no longer alive but was at Foley Castle in Petersburg VA. 
To me it is the best fig I have ever tasted. It is one of the berry types like Vas. Sika, JH Adriatic CdDam Blanc, etc.
Mine is about 10 to 12 feet and in a 15 g pot.
It is a slow rooter.
It is slow to put on figs. 
Mine has never had brebas.
I'm in zone 7A and it ripens just fine - but late.
BG is a must have in my opinion.
Mine ripened figs starting 9-8 in 2013 and 9-4 in 2014 - This is about a month after my first crop figs start to ripen on Florea and the other early varieties.
Mine is retired each fall to an unheated garage with windows on 2 sides but no heat.
I hope that helps.

Battaglia Green is a historic fig but those details will have to wait for another time.

Subject: Is Danny's Delight and Desert King the same Fig? Replies: 16
Posted By: mgginva Views: 655
 
No they are not.

Subject: Ideas for potted trees in 7a that produce early figs Replies: 14
Posted By: mgginva Views: 500
 
I have put my ripening list on here for the last 2 years.