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Subject: Bag Rooting Techniques Replies: 108
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 4,084
 
Great tutorial. I was doing something very similar, but lazier. You've motivated me to adopt some of your improvements.

I'd also add that rooting "hormone" is mostly antifungal powder and if you're careful about preventing mold then you don't need it, at least not with figs.

Subject: DIY heat mats Replies: 19
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 506
 
I'm under the impression, just impression I've never experimented with them, that most of the energy going into LEDs goes into light and very little into heat. That's why they're so efficient. So maybe for this purpose you'd want to avoid the LEDs?

Subject: Is this possible ? Replies: 20
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 414
 
Kkk,

Wow flat looks like something I want to try if I had a limited number of cuttings. The cuttings may be smaller or at least have smaller root systems but you could get 3+/ cutting? It's almost like laying a branch down and burying it while still attached to the tree.

Subject: Is this possible ? Replies: 20
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 414
 
First I just realized, after looking at that last picture that I need to clarify that I'm using slightly wooded cuttings that have lost their leaves. It's fall here. If I did this with green leafy cuttings I expect they'd do poorly.

Pacifica,
I haven't used fertilizer on them yet. I just know after last year's experience that it would have been a good idea. The cuttings grew 2-4 sets of leaves and then stalled if they weren't put in a soil mix shortly after. This year I'll wait until there's a few sets of leaves and then experiment with frequency and concentration. I expect to have at least 20 cuttings as a low estimate.

I wouldn't fertilize until after a set or two of leaves were completely leafed out but I'm trying a new variety this year and I imagine different varieties will have slightly different preferences. I want to add some nutrients before the growth stalls b/c getting them going again cost a lot of growth... at last that's my impression when I compare the stalled ones to the healthiest... don't add fertilizer at the first signs of roots. My gut tells me that's too early. I believe that keeping cuttings as dry as you can without killing them and as hungry as you can without starving them makes them grow roots to search for water and nutrients.

I don't know what I'll use for fertilizer yet. I still have a little time to think/research about it. If they were outside I could use a 2-5% urine solution. I think early on nitrogen is what they're looking for. Or maybe a weak compost tea? I'm open to suggestion.

Oh and as to perlite drying out. It's definitely an issue but I don't out the cuts in a south facing window. They're not heated from below. I pack the perlite pretty well. No forced air heat blowing on them... oh yeah last year i put the cups into Ziploc or Turkey basting bags and sealed them shut to create a humidity dome like environment. Once they leafed out well I had to remove them and stay on top of watering. I think with perlite and lots of drain holes it's hard to over water. Try putting the drain holes in your cups on the side instead of the bottom. This will leave a small reservoir of water in the bottom of the cup.

Subject: Is this possible ? Replies: 20
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 414
 
I've only done this with two unknown varieties so far. One purple and one a larger white. Maybe they're an easy to root variety but I get 80+% success with a great deal of neglect.

I cut all the branches down to 6-8". Then I put them in a zip lock bag with a barely moist paper towel. Then I leave them somewhere that's about 75° f.

Every few days I check them. If there's mold I add a cap full of HO. I'll blow fresh CO2 into the bag every time I check them and then reseal inflated.

Last year i had a serious mold problem. I through out the worst and wiped the rest down with HO. They rooted and grew fine.

I already have leaf buds growing on the cuts this way now. When they start showing the signs of roots I stick them in 100% perlite in clear well drained cups and put them on a warm window sill. Last year my only issue with this was the earliest planted ones got off to a slow start once transplanted. I believe they went to ling without nutrients. They eventually took off but ended the season half the size of the latter ones. This year I'll try to prevent that with a weak organic fertilizer every few waterings.

Now if I only had 5 cuttings of something hard to get I wouldn't do it this way but last year I had 60 and this year I have 40 and most of them get gifted away. I have no room for them yet.

I didn't use rooting hormones, lights, soil/less mix, and I didn't wound the cuttings at all.

So yes I think almost anything is possible.

Subject: Rooting cuttings, second attempt.... Replies: 14
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 237
 
I had mold issues in a Ziploc last year but cleaned the cuttings with hydrogen peroxide and they rooted and took off. For later cuttings I wrapped the root end of the cutting in paper towels that were slightly moist with a hydrogen peroxide water solution. I still got mold but it didn't happen as quickly. I think I could have gotten it a little dryer in there and there would have been less mold and happier cuts.

Some grew roots in the Ziploc some did not. They were all transferred to clear cups in 100% perlite where all rooted after sitting in a cool place and molding all winter in the Ziploc.

95% rooted approx but only 80% seemed vigorous enough to keep. I blame the mold and the fact that I kept them in perlite longer than I should have.

Subject: Potting mix experiment- Semi-Gritty and Pro-mix combo Replies: 152
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 16,018
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichinNJ
Right now I'm working with peat moss, composted fir bark and a few other organic and non-organic components after researching several name brand recipes like Promix, MG, Foxfarm and others


Looking forward to hearing what works best for you, I'm in your region so I'd be curious about where you found the compared bark.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ejp3
Hortsu, well said.  Will you be marching against monsanto May 24?


Ed,
Just wanted you add that in my opinion depriving these corporations of our dollars, while difficult, is the most effective form of protest.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
For those that don't know here's some highlights to Michael Taylor's resume.

Quote:
Michael R Taylor:
  • Taylor started off as a partner at the law firm that represented Monsanto on GBH issues (artificial growth hormones that make cows give more milk).
  • Then, as the FDA’s deputy commissioner for policy, he wrote the FDA’s rBGH labelling guidelines – the ones that insisted there was no difference between rGBH and regular milk.
  • He also deleted references to problems with GMO foods, over the objection of staff scientists.
  • Then he spent a few years working directly for Monsanto.
  • And now? Barak Obama brought him back to the FDA to oversee Monsanto again, as his food safety issues czar!


source:http://redgreenandblue.org/2012/02/02/monsanto-employees-in-the-halls-of-government-part-2/

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ejp3
Hortsu, well said.  Will you be marching against monsanto May 24?


Ed,
I don't believe that organized protests accomplish much more than getting us on watch lists in these days of "designated free speech zones."  That being said I still go to a few now and then and I expect to be at the March against Monsanto.  My wife's 7.5 months pregnant so everything for the next few months is tentative.  If I do go will I see you at the NYC protest?

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmercieca
GMO it's self is a very good thing if it's not abused, what's bad is that better methods need to be invented to do GMO, ones that everyone can agree is safe. Oh an preferably methods that are much cheaper, cheap enough for the average person to afford it.


Again I never said the technology was bad, just that it hasn't been proven safe in any long term research.  I said that the current use of the technology isn't being used for the benefit of the end consumer but for corporate profits and government lobbying.

The techniques being used to introduce foreign genes into a new organism aren't what isn't safe.  What is questionable is the safety of the organisms being produced.  CHanging the way the genes are introduced won't change the impact the organism has on the consumer or the environment.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bullet08
tell me why you hate GMO so much? and i'll tell you why i don't mind it so much.. wait. i already listed number of reasons. one of the top reason is uncontrollable population explosion. more yield, better nutrients and all other things are possible.


...and I pointed out that no GMOs are currently increasing yields or increasing nutrition.  I'm not against GMOs.  I'm against sneaking them into the food supply, I'm against the way they're currently being used,  I'm against the lack of research on their safety, I'm against the revolving door between the biotech companies and our government.http://redgreenandblue.org/2012/02/02/monsanto-employees-in-the-halls-of-government-part-2/

I'm against releasing things into the environment that we will never be able to remove before we're sure they're safe

Quote:
you yourself have indicated that golden rice as one, there are others.. vitamin enriched corn is another. the possibility of using GMO to feed the population that's going hungry is limitless. 


It's been in production for 20 years but isn't being pushed to be grown anywhere commercially.  It still hasn't been approved to be grown anywhere.  In fact GE salmon is closer to getting approved than golden rice.  Then the fact remains that this GE crop will be contaminating heirloom and other varieties with its genetics.  There is no closing pandoras box.

Quote:
there. by the way, your argument that GMO is plain bad doesn't work. we started this 1000s of yrs ago when human first started breeding crops and animals. we have just figured out what else we can do with it if we can manipulate the gene. 


I never said it was plain bad.  Don't try to compare conventional breeding, the same thing that happens in nature, with GE which only happens in a lab and introduces genes from different species, that have no way of getting together in nature.

Quote:
so my bottom line? GMO can feed people who are going hungry. what's your point? 


My point is that GM isn't being used to feed hungry people it's being used to feed greedy wallets.  Currently the problem with feeding hungry people isn't the crops available to us it is the lack of infrastructure in the developing world.  When a company comes along that does research to show that their products are safe long term, that they're actually trying to help people with their products instead of just their wallets, and using that money to influence governments, and they're ok with labeling their products so that those that don't want them don't have to consume them I won't have a problem with that company.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ampersand
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hortstu
The current purpose of GMOs is to sell more round up and other herbicides and pesticides.


Quote:
No, it's not. When grown as recommended by agricultural authorities round-up resistant and BT corn was supposed to massively reduce the need for chemical pesticide and herbicide inputs, NOT increase yields directly. This means proper crop rotation between plant families and planting portions of fields with non-GM varieties of the same plant (ie: half BT Corn and half regular corn).


Oops. sorry I wasn't going by the information put out by their propaganda wing.  I was referring what was actually going on in the industry and herbicide sales have gone up exponentially since the release of the first GMO crops.

Quote:
Contrary to often-repeated claims that today’s genetically-engineered crops have, and are reducing pesticide use, the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds in herbicide-resistant weed management systems has brought about substantial increases in the number and volume of herbicides applied. If new genetically engineered forms of corn and soybeans tolerant of 2,4-D are approved, the volume of 2,4-D sprayed could drive herbicide usage upward by another approximate 50%. The magnitude of increases in herbicide use on herbicide-resistant hectares has dwarfed the reduction in insecticide use on Bt crops over the past 16 years, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. http://www.enveurope.com/content/24/1/24


You're relying on the govt... the biotech's public relations group.  The same people that have appointed massive numbers of biotech people to high level positions in which they're going to have a serious conflict of interest!
http://http://rense.com/general33/fd.htm

I'd list them all here but that would make this post way to long, and it probably already is but most importantly Former Monsanto Vice President Michael R. Taylor is the current Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the United States FDA.

Quote:
Farmers ignored these recommendations and planted massive monocultures of same strain of the same crop year after year (there was too much profit to change it up), with the same weed and pest management programs. That led to accelerated adaptation/evolution of pests and weeds to resist the toxins.


Farmers continued to plant the same way they always planted monoculture and no one convinced them to do otherwise, and if it was so important then it shouldn't have been a "recommendation" it should have been a requirement.

Quote:
This NOW means there needs to be heavier use of herbicides and pesticides in all systems, not just GM fields.


That's not entirely true.  There's much more organic produce being grown today than before GMOs were released.

Quote:
While I believe more research needs to be done into the potential health risks of GM crops, I refuse to completely close that toolbox.


I never suggested we "close the toolbox."  Nor did I notice anyone else suggest that.  I don't want to outlaw research, I want more done!  I don't want to stop progress, I want to know what I'm feeding my kid!  The current biotech companies have made their motives clear by taking farms from small farmers by lawsuiting them to death and then making them available to the larger farmers that grow their crops.   

Quote:
In properly managed systems GM plants should have been  productive with much fewer inputs.


However that hasn't been the case in the real world.

Quote:
However, the quest for profits on the part of industrial scale farmers


Yes blame the farmers.  Who is making the bulk of the profit off of GMOs?  Which farmers are committing suicide by the thousands by drinking round up in the fields because they're losing their farms to even bigger farmers?  Conventional or GMO farmers?

Quote:
essentially doomed what should have been a useful part of a multi-leveled approach (no-till, cover cropping, crop rotation, using targeted pesticides instead of broad spectrum, etc) to increasing crop yields and decreasing inputs.


Large scale farmers rarely used sustainable practices before they grew GMOs inspite of the fact that it would have been better for everyone if they did it then!  Why would they start making the process more expensive and labor intensive just because they got a seed that promised them more money with less work?

Quote:
I'm not attacking you personally, I've just read a great deal of misinformed opinions from many people and it upsets me that conclusions are drawn without understanding the facts and reasons for GM plants being introduced.


...and I'm not attacking you personally.  I'm just pointing out that the propaganda doesn't always match the reality, and if you're saying I don't understand the facts then I would consider that an insult.

Quote:
I have education in agriculture and and degree in horticulture, so I try to inform other people of what the story behind GM plants is.


I  have a minor in agroecology and a major in horticulture from one of the first land grant universities.  I actually did some work towards my graduate degree but realized too late the direction of the industry and where the money was coming from and how it impacted the work and views of the majority of my professors.  The others were very careful not to upset the apple cart by saying anything anti GMO...
but I don't like to throw this information around to make myself sound credible.  I just use facts for that.

The story you're telling is nothing more than that, a fairy tale that's become a nightmare.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bullet08
i'm not offended at all. difference is opinion is fine. we just see things differently. 


We do? Let's bridge this divide. What am I seeing differently than you, with regards to the current state of the GMO industry? I sincerely want to understand your perspective.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bullet08
when we have plenty to eat, we can pick and choose. we can say "let them eat cake". but some of those who are already dying do not have that choice. progress in human manipulation has gone on for 1000s of yrs. GMO as it is currently is a way to profit at the cost of the rest, but this can lead to something different in future. how we "control" it will either save us or finish us off. blindly labeling it as poison won't help. blindingly letting is go on won't help either.


I'm not blindly labeling anything.  The current purpose of GMOs is to sell more round up and other herbicides and pesticides.  Those are what I labeled poisons.  Although if you look at the Serolini (http://www.naturalnews.com/037249_gmo_study_cancer_tumors_organ_damage.html)  GMO corn is poisonous to those that consume it.

Quote:
but if they can manipulate the genes to increase the yield, that will help in saving live but not saving the planet. so choose your "less of an evil".


Well if you destroy the planet are you saving lives or just making more to kill later?  No GMO crops have been released that increase yield.  Zero.  That's in the 20 years since they first released GMO crops.

Quote:

  i bet you have a car. i remember back in college.. bunch of health freaks screaming on the main drag that cigarette smoke is poison while they are breathing in 100 times more smoke from passing cars. of course half of them were known pot heads too. oh.. other half were "i only smoke when i'm drinking so i'm not a smoker". 


This has nothing to do with the discussion so I don't feel the need to defend or attack car drivers, smokers, or potheads right now.

Quote:
bottom line. do i know GMO is not something i want? yes. i know that. would i prevent GMO from being shipped oversea to people who are starving? or help those who needs to eat? i won't. 


That's not part of the discussion either.  Would I burn a crop of GMOs rather than feed the hungry?  Of course not, but GMOs aren't being shipped over seas to feed the hungry.  They're being imported and put into processed foods to make americans fatter and sicker so they can support our largest industry/ source of revenue, the medical pharmaceutical industrial complex.

Quote:
people have this strange idea that things are black and white. abortion is a good example. do i support abortion? no. i don't. will i prevent abortion on a woman? i won't. it's not my body. she has her right to do what she needs to do to her body and what is in that body. sure, argue that the baby is a new life. but what's the chance of that baby surviving outside of the woman's body without modern medical support? will i pay for it? no. if woman wants to have an abortion, get her own money to do it. it was rape or incest? not my fault that she wasn't packing .45 to shoot the bastard. 


What if she was packing a 45 and it jammed?  Or he caught her off guard.  I don't really care about your answers to these questions.  You've gone off on a lot of tangents here and made a lot of assumptions.  No one said things were black and white.  No one was doing anything blindly. 

Quote:
if this offended anyone, sorry.. just not having a good day. didn't mean to vomit all over the forum :)


I'm certainly not offended and I hope you're not offended by any of my posts.  I wish I knew a nicer way to say it but you sound frustrated with the situation and overwhelmed by the effort required.  Like I said earlier, a lot of the work has been done for you and it isn't that difficult to find it.  The difficult part is making sure you don't give money to the people/ entities that are violating your environment.
 
I hope your day gets much better.

Subject: Rooting extra large cuttings Replies: 15
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 792
 
What do you seal with?

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by schaplin
The idea that GMO food will be needed to prevent starvation is not really a good way of thinking about the problem.




It's much much worse than not good, it's completely inaccurate/wrong!



Quote:
Originally Posted by bullet08

but GMO food will become necessity sooner or later. in america and europe and certain modernized nations we can push that off for awhile.. but with modern medication, longer life span, and over population, genetically engineer food will become staple very soon. with global climate change, famine and drought will become more severe.. without GMO, there won't be enough food to go around. of course, we can mow down 3rd world country to solve the problem, but i think that would look bad.. then again, we can keep preach that GMO is bad and stop the "progress" and have millions.. if not billions of people starve to death.



GMO's did not increase yield or nutritional content (with the exception of golden rice) but the propaganda would have you think otherwise. The whole point of GMO's IS TO sell more poison/round up!

The green revolution (which increased yield) was the result of traditional breeding not gene alteration and transference.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by javajunkie
WOW Mike, I try to do as much as I can for the planet but sorry to tell you, I can't, like some people apparently can, do it full time to the exclusion of all else which is what you're suggesting it would require. How many man hours to find out if my clothing is GMO free? TONS...ya know why? Company behind the whole thing managed to get a law passed that prohibits the mention of their name publicly in reference to GMO's.

Funny...GMO's are illegal in most european countries if not all but then again they have always been pro healthy population.

Just curious, do you belong to PETA as well?

Bob, that's really really cool.


JJ, I know that sounded critical and I'm sorry for that. thatI don't mean it as a criticism just merely want to point out how we contribute to the creation of this hell the 0.00001% are making for us and our descendants.

I know it takes work to accomplish these things but it isn't as hard as you think and more worth while than we will ever know. As long as we financially support these companies we will, or at least the the next generations, will reap what we sow. Much of the work has already been done. A good place to start, if there's a "smart" phone in your family is the buycott app.

As to PETA I'm not a member of anything but I'm not into cruelty to animals or other humans either.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by javajunkie
Being GMO free is in reference to EATING it. If I am wearing it, it certainly isn't intentionally and I can guarantee I won't be munching on it.


Well if all you care about is your personal health then you might be as GMO free as you need to be.

However if you care about the environment, the people that grow the cotton, the people that drink the water that the farms run off into, the welfare of future generations around the globe... and you're ok with financially supporting the corrupt and connected biotech industry by helping them finance their work, propaganda, lobbyists and financial control over our elected representatives then you might not be as GMO free as you should be.

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
First, many people think they're "gmo free" but do you wear our use cotton? If it's not organic it was probably made with gmo cotton.

Second, whether someone believes humans are causing climate change it not is irrelevant. Regardless of the cause climate change is happening and that's a big problem.

Subject: Fish Emulsion Fertilizer? Replies: 34
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,343
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohjustaguy
I have worm towers built into all my raised beds....




Kevin,

Can you give me some more info on those worm towers?  Maybe some pictures?  I'm curious.  I've done worm bins before but never heard of the high rise.

Subject: propagating in bags questions and problems... Replies: 13
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 620
 
Sorry to bumb this but I'm dying to know how you "clean" your cuttings before rooting them, as brianm mentioned...

Subject: What do you think about "open source seeds"? Replies: 58
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,367
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevung
Take a look at this article I found on Gizmodo: http://gizmodo.com/gardening-meets-geekdom-the-open-source-seed-pledge-1564598572

It's a fairly interesting take on the modernization of agriculture and an interesting attempt at preserving plant varieties. I've always been conflicted about GMO crops--on one hand we may be able to produce super varieties that need relatively fewer resources and produce more, but on the other hand, we sacrifice biodiversity and lose not just a plant, but part of our culture in the process. How boring would it be just to have one main variety of fig? 

Anyways, this "open source" idea is just a term on what members here seem to be doing already--sharing, and I think that's great. More figs for everyone!


I think the open source idea is great.  I occasionally grow hybrids in my garden but never buy them any more.  When I buy seed I'm getting the open pollinated/ heirlooms. Usually from baker creek.  I like their ethic. 

As to GMOs, the goal with them isn't to create new varieties or use less resources.  The goal is to create plants that sell more Round Up... create a tasteless tomato with more shelf life... or an apple that can be cut in half left on the counter for a week and still doesn't turn brown.  The goal isn't to satisfy a consumer need but an industrial/ corporate one.  To create a seed that the farmer is obligated to buy every year, at a premium.  The year he stops is the year before they go out and legally trespass on his land, check to see if any of "their" genetics are in his fields and then lawsuit him off his property so they can sell it back to someone that grows their seeds.

No, I'm not kidding the biotech companies are really doing these things (and worse) and regardless of whether GM foods are safe for the environment or healthy or not (the only studies that go over 60 days say they're not) the socially responsible thing to do is to boycott all the products that these companies create.


but I digress...

Subject: Heading to Italy Replies: 25
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 908
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by elin
Did anyone think about"  bringing/importing " buds and not cuttings  and making bud grafts- it can save a lot of luggage . how long can the buds survive with proper handling?
they are spreading marijuanna seeds by mail these days all over the place


Seeds don't carry the same risk of pathogens and insects that plant material does.

Subject: propagating in bags questions and problems... Replies: 13
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 620
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichinNJ
See my thread "twigs to figs..."
I searched "twigs to figs" but got 8 posts that didn't look related.  Do you have a link handy?

Subject: propagating in bags questions and problems... Replies: 13
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 620
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by brianm
Make sure your cuttings are very clean before propagating and everything is sterile.


How do you clean/ sterilize the cuttings?

Quote:
Originally Posted by eboone
Another thing that can cause rot that fast is dead or damaged cuttings-mold can attack them very quickly. Was your friend's tree outside in the nasty winter and could the cuttings you have been damaged by cold and/or wind?


Yes the tree was outside.  They might have been damaged but I didn't notice anything obvious.  I'm going to get some more cuts this weekend, but I'm still attempting to root the ones that started to mold.

Thank you everyone for all the input.  I appreciate every post. 

Subject: propagating in bags questions and problems... Replies: 13
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 620
 
So I've been away for awhile, haven't had much time for figs since the storm displaced us and I lost all the small trees I had.

Anyway I'm back and I have some sticks I've taken from a friends fig.  I wanted to try the method in the propagation section on the main page.

I used approx 8" figs 5-6 per bundle wrapped in slightly moist paper towel with about an inch sticking out the bottom.

Here I am about 10 days later and I've got some stink a bit of mildew/mold and some rot.

Since I don't have any figs handy to make another attempt I cleaned everything well with food grade hydrogen peroxide and rewrapped them in new towels. 

I assume it was too wet in the bag?  Can anyone get a little more specific about the moisture level?  Should I leave the bag open and give a little water everyday?  What can I do to get more success? 

Any tips will be appreciated.

Subject: What is the Organic Solution to Gophers? Replies: 43
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,317
 
Pee of the natural predator.

http://www.predatorpee.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LE&Category_Code=CU

Subject: Largest Recorded Fig Replies: 27
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 7,533
 
I don't know if it works the same way with figs as it does with apple and pumpkins but I imagine if someone wanted to grow a record setting fig they could start with a large fig variety, then prune off all the fruit as soon as it appears except maybe a handful or even one.  Make sure the fruit is in a location where it gets maximum sun and preferably at the end of a branch.  If you wanted to get really serious figure out what the best root stock is and graft the variety to that.  Then you'd be aiming for the record books.

Subject: A tote full of fig trees. Replies: 11
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 985
 
Just take the names out of your listing and tell bidders to contact you to find out what cuttings are available as a bonus.

Subject: i can use a fig right now.. Replies: 8
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 497
 
You and me both buddy. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by bullet08
it's about lunch time.. i have been looking at few figs.. trying to id what i have. not that it matters. but either way.. all this looking has got me hungry for some figs. i think i'll have to go and get some dried fig today.

thanks to sandy, all of my last few figs are off the tree. have one VdB hanging in there along with few Paradiso.. but i doubt they will ripen before going inside.

i want some fig!

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
Here's a tip. Don't buy any 2013 cars. My bro in law works at the port and all the cars waiting to be shipped were submerged. They'll be salvaged and sold as new.

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by genecolin
Mike you're right, this was no Katrina, but only by living through such a disaster do we realize how bad it is. New Orleans was ridiculed by the nation and still is. So it was poorer people that got hurt the most, that doesn't diminish the fact that the storm ravaged the city and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. Areas of the city and the Mississippi coast were  very high classed areas but the storm didn't distinguish between the rich and the poor. It was consistent in it's fury. No one outside the area thought that it was as bad as it really was. If only they had lived through it, got flooded by it, and survived by climbing onto roof tops, they would have known. Words cannot describe the horror of such an event. Even seeing pictures on the news only give some idea of the reality of it all. I hear prediction of lights back on in a week, trains and subways in a few days. Look over the situation in two weeks and see how bad it really is. Some areas might not be livable for months.<br /><br />As I said before, Blessings and prayers for all of you,<br />"gene"


Thanks gene, very true. We did have some fatalities, and those families have lost way too much, but other wise I hear people around here complaining about insured businesses and rental properties and second homes and I know this is no katrina.

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
I hope I'm not misunderstood with this statement, but this is not Katrina. Nothing close. In my area 75% or more of the the homes damaged are 2nd / vacation homes. All the homes on the ocean washed away were monstrous vacation homes. Yes the loss is still horrible but this is nothing compared to carnage from Katrina.

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by svanessa
Hortstu, Glad you and the family are safe...horrible situation for all in the area. What a mess!<br /><br />Sue


Sue and everyone,

Thanks I'm trying to keep it in perspective. My wife's having a harder time than I. She made our houses homes. Even the rentals. Since this is a rental we weren't insured for flood damage to our belongings... it's just stuff...

We walked into the island before sunset, more like waded and evaded police, about a 3 mile walk with uncomfortable rain boots on. National guard and state police transport vehicles were bringing people out from the barrier island to the mainland. The island we lived on was lowlying between bridge to mainland and barrier island... Buses and family were waiting for the rescued on the other side of the bridge.

We knew it was worse than we imagined before we got close. Entire docks and decks were sitting on neighbors submerged lawns. I assume they came from across the bay to the south. We had to approach the house from back through yards because the water was too high in the streets. The front door and jam was ripped off the brick structure. Water was lapping in the front door. A neighbors large wooden shed parked itself next to my existing shed. It traveled over 100' to get there. A boat Ive never seen before was parked under the maple tree. Bottom panels of garage door were ripped off. The floors were covered with the things we failed to stack well enough. It looked like something picked up the house and shook it like a snowglobe. Things we've never seen before traveled far into the house. Things from inside the house and fridge were found In the yard. We didn't bother to grab anything. Where to start? We ran out as the tide rose for fear of getting stuck on island. Once we knew we were safe my wife cried. We walked out slower and colder than we walked in. Shook it off and put on smiles for my daughter. I keep feeling like I'm dreaming, especially when I was in the house. The lighting... the quiet... everything's really great. I know it could be so much worse in so many ways. It's still so odd.

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grasa
I guess one has to pick up from that point on... I cannot even imagine. You all must be brave.


The worst part is my 3yo doesn't realize it yet. She's just having fun at grandma's. We still don't know how high the water went but we know we won't be living there again.

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BronxFigs
Hortstu...<br /><br />Very sad to read about all your losses, but you have what's important...those that you love.  As bad as it is, everything can be replaced eventually.  The family can't, nor, can the dogs.  <br /><br />My God help you all.<br /><br /><br />I wish it had gone differently...but they were all right with their predictions.<br /><br /><br />Frank


Like you I didn't take the predictions seriously enough. If I had, and had more time, I would have moved out.

Subject: While you are at it...buy a rope and a chair too! Replies: 37
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,156
 
Lucky here. All our stuff is under 6-8' of water but we have the dogs, the baby, and each other... and we're in one of the only hoouses in area that still has electricity! We were disappointed about our belongings but then we turned on the police scanner. We are so freakin lucky.

Subject: Ischia Green Cuttings Available Replies: 21
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 1,449
 
The Belgian fence is awesome! Looking forward to updates on that.

Subject: I need pruning advice/opinions please Replies: 9
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 757
 
Interesting image.


Quote:
Originally Posted by ascpete
John,<br /><br />Air layering requires healthy leaves to generate the air layered roots. It also needs warm temperatures for optimal root growth. Attached is a diagram for a basic "Japanese fig espalier" for container. If you do a search on the this Forum there are lots of explanations and picture. It requires pruning and training for best shape and fig production. "Buds", new branches develop at leaf nodes, when the dominant growing tip is removed (pruned). In the diagram below the hash marks are leaf nodes.<br /><br />Posts with additional Links.<br /><br /><a href="/post/Can-a-Black-Mission-tree-be-kept-small-6040665">http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Can-a-Black-Mission-tree-be-kept-small-6040665</a><br /><br />Good Luck.<br /><br />

Subject: 1000 [& counting, 2k+] F4F/FF members! Replies: 25
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 2,103
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pitangadiego
I get a lot of notes from people registering that say that have been lurking, or reading, or dropping in for quite some time before they finally join.


Ive been lurking for over a year. I didn't register until I acquired plants.

Subject: espalier / pruning... Replies: 17
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 5,119
 
So I should be waiting until after a breba crop to prune? Sorry to detour thread.

Subject: How to make a fig branch Replies: 4
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 731
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Centurion
Herman and others here have shared that pinching the tip end of a branch will encourage branching.  But pulling off a leaf where you want the new branch to grow is a new one (for me at least).   Since most of my trees are 6 to seven apart and going to be kept small in a hedge...and shape is important....this is definately something I will try.<br /><br />Thanks for the info.


Yep I'm under same impressions as centurion.

Subject: espalier / pruning... Replies: 17
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 5,119
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chivas
in zone 7, brebas are not your only crop, far from it, Herman just picked some more figs in zone 6b new jersery from a main crop.


Thanks, I guess it's just a matter of variety then?

Subject: Another use for fig leaves...... Replies: 4
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 579
 
Wow, that seems steep.

Subject: anyone heard of hirt's garden? Replies: 29
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 5,780
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cis4elk
Pete,<br /><br />Try Raintree nursery, they have 6 diff varieties. I got a male, Ana, and Ken's red from them this spring, they come in a 1/2-1 gallon pot and are pretty healthy.<br /><br />I called Hirt's to inquire about their blue(black) ischia to see if they knew if the source was from cutting or tissue culture, the first lady was reluctant to be helpful but handed me off to another lady who was pretty friendly but she didn't know the answer.  SCfigfanatic, can you tell if your Blue ischia is from a cutting? I would think that with such a small pot you could see if it is. You don't use your name so I won't :)


Just curious, are you concerned about tissue culture propagated varieties because of the mutations that may occur?

Subject: espalier / pruning... Replies: 17
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 5,119
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by motownnj
Squirrels ate about half my figs this year on my standard tree anyway. Who knows, if I could keep a short espalier maybe I could protect wit a screen from the critters!


Try predator pee. Does a decent job of scaring off prey animals.

Subject: How I shipped a small fig tree Replies: 6
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 4,901
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DesertDance
I think it might have been easier if you would have just soaked the whole mess in a bucket, then washed all the dirt off the roots and then separate.  I'm not as strong as you, but bare root seems to make more sense to me.<br /><br />Nice video!  Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />Suzi


That's the way I've always bare rooted things.

Subject: espalier / pruning... Replies: 17
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 5,119
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grasa
I've seen these pictures. I think it is amazing and further my concern that Fig is not a good candidate for 3 tier (close) espalier.  I see my tree, when I trim, it shoots tall branches.  the picture at 004 you posted is how Brazilians cultivate figs for production. and it appears to be the method explained in that 1901 article.  It makes sense if Breba is not important. In Brazil, they allow one branch to grow and prune the other, and each tree cannot have more than 12 branches.  <br /><a href="http://www.fruticultura.iciag.ufu.br/figo.html#_Toc42603270">http://www.fruticultura.iciag.ufu.br/figo.html#_Toc42603270</a>  see the pictures 1/2 way down the page.  I want to try the Japanese method of inclining the tree.  It makes
a lot of sense.  <br /><br />


I'm under the impression that in zone 7, where I am, the breba crop is the only crop. So this isn't really an option here.

Subject: espalier / pruning... Replies: 17
Posted By: Hortstu Views: 5,119
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pitangadiego
Check out pruning in Japan. <a href="http://www.hawaiifruit.net/togofig/index.html">Fig Link 739a</a>


Interesting. Is the hoop frame for cold protection or fruit support?