Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Search > All posts by TahomaGuy2
 
 


The search returned 97 posts

Only find topics started by TahomaGuy2
   
Topics  |  Posts
Subject: question on cuttings Replies: 16
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 390
 
Where does the common wisdom of keeping cuttings moist when storing in the fridge with a slightly wet paper towel inside a ziplock bag originate from? I believe it's from the practice gathering fruit tree scion wood for spring grafting.
Fig cuttings are different. Thanks. hoo!

Subject: Just got Cheaper!! Replies: 9
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 1,148
 

Newbies. 2017 Special Offering.

Mix 'N Match Common Varieties.
The price is right for 7" cuttings.

- Green Ischia (Verte) $2.00
- Longue d'Aout $2.00 

- Brown Turkey $1.00
- Croatian - Dalmatian (unk) similar to JH Adriatic $1.00
- Black Mission - $1.00
- Lattarula (Italian Honey) $1.00
- Osborne's Prolific (Neveralla) $1.00
- Desert King $1.00

$3.00 S&H for up to 10-cuttings for U.S. destinations.

PM me your choices and mailing address.
I'll promptly send you the total cost to PayPal account. 
Mailed USPS 1st Class every Monday for a Thursday delivery.

Subject: 1ft tall plant fruiting - normal ? Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 267
 
Early last year I grafted a 2-bud Lattarula onto my Strawberry Verte. 
Last month I picked 4 ripe figs off that 1' branch!?! I'm glad I didn't
snap off the immature, pea-sized figs because one-by-one they grew and ripened.
Maybe grafts are different; perhaps the parent tree
has super energy.

Subject: Myrtle Beach SC Vacation Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 293
 
The base of at least one of the trees has nice suckers!
Has anyone been able to harvest any? I'd rather get a head start
and higher level of success with small plants with roots & leaves
rather than hoping non-dormant cuttings develop. Another observation:
All the energy is going into root & leaf with little left for fig production.
Pinching would be a start in the right direction.

Subject: Squirrel Repellant? Replies: 3
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 86
 
Here's what a member of my Western Cascades Fruit Society swears by:
You might try “Plantskydd” to repel squirrels. It would not work on raccoons. It is a blood cell preparation that comes either pre mixed or as a dry powder. It works well to repel rabbits and deer. The only caution is to not use it directly on the fruit that you would eat. Once it dries on the plant it seems to last several months. The pre mixed preparation settles out and is very hard to re-mix. And you need to freeze what you do not use or it will rot. The powder can be mixed in small quantities according what you might use at the time. I mix mine with an egg beater and then strain the mix through an old nylon sock or apple maggot sock into my sprayer to avoid chunks that will plug the sprayer nozzle.
 

Subject: Awesome ripe figs! Any idea what these are? Replies: 11
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 382
 
I guessed the large white, hollow interior one may be Gillette based on 
pictures I've seen.
The reddish 2 don't have the white speckles on the skin to resemble
Desert King in my opinion. May be related, though.

Subject: Leaves dropped problem Replies: 8
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 196
 
Although fig tree like sun/heat, if they are not accustomed to
it at the extreme level, they may show it. Sure, water it since
shading it is impractical due to it's size.
Leaves drop for all types of reasons, then grow new leaves.
I wouldn't get too worried.

Subject: LOWE'S Mislabel - again! Replies: 10
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 380
 
Judging from Paully22's wonderful pics dated 7-26-15, it is an Aldo.
Gosh those figs are beautiful...too beautiful to pick & eat (hehehe)!
As you said, if it is affordable PLUS putting out figs..."who cares"
what they call it!!!

Subject: UC Davis/GRIN question Replies: 11
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 529
 
I was in Davis a few months ago and learned that fig cuttings requests are up 30% from a year ago.
Due to a reduced budget, distributions have ended for regular backyard orchardists. Here's a tip:
If you're travelling to the area, 
contact them several weeks ahead of time to gain access to the grounds and meet with 
someone willing to put aside valuable time to escort you around. The operation is Federal and security
is very tight. Also, due to limited resources, they are very busy. Arrange to go when figs are ripe and
you likely will be allowed to taste some exotic cultivars you would never get a chance to sample. I am passing on
what I was told. OH! I didn't get to tour the orchard, but at least I was mailed free cultivars "in the good 'ole days." 

Subject: Is this normal for Negronne? Replies: 3
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 110
 
Be grateful for figs on your young tree. I'd trade with you sight unseen anytime!! My Negronne is just over 3' tall, in the ground
and has not grown in several years. Tried everything to stimulate growth. It looks very nice, but what good is it if it has not
been productive at all!?! Let me see a pic for better feedback.

Subject: ASAP help Replies: 11
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 437
 
Here's what I would do:
Get a pot double that size and add potting soil with perlite. Reduce number of leaves, and the length of branches by several inches.
Mist plant and inside of bag regularly. Cover with any color plastic since plant will be recovering in the shade for a month. Open plastic for a few hours
every 3rd day to discourage mold/fungus. Gradually introduce to partial sun. Water with a root hormone/stimulator. The leaves may all drop,
but new ones will emerge. Plant saved!

Subject: Propagate fig plant from a sucker Replies: 4
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 169
 
Cheryl is right on. My Osborne's Prolific suckers profusely.
Soak the pot in a liquid rooting hormone for a day.
Snip the tip to get it to branch out.

Subject: Grafting a fig tree with other type of fruit trees? Replies: 30
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 7,293
 
I've found that grafting fig scions onto another fig plant is more challenging than grafting cuttings from other fruits
like apples onto an apple root stock or an apple mother tree. The most exotic thing I've seen
was a tomato branch grafted onto a potato plant! A straw was used to hold the connection steady.

Subject: Does it help ! Replies: 4
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 145
 
I was advised to cut away the inner branches to let in light, heat and air.
It definitely helped! I took out unproductive growth and pinched back everything
else to keep the tree under 7'. I like bushy trees with reachable fruit.

Subject: pinching practice on San Pedro figs Replies: 8
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 317
 
Hi Bill!
Response is for you and everyone who wants to have a manageable and productive DK.

I WISH DK would produce some more figs after Labor Day (1st week in Sept.)! Worse yet, these last 3-springs
we've had abnormally high temps so the breba's have been advanced. A greenhouse for DK here has no purpose.
Be very careful when cutting back a DK since all figs grow on the tips. So, every year
count every 3rd branch and cut off a third. No figs develop on the cut branches, but following year the
3 or 4 new shoots (due to apical dominance) will add more figs the following year with reachable, bushy branches.

Subject: pinching practice on San Pedro figs Replies: 8
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 317
 
Here is my take on pinching Desert King:
It doesn't increase the number of breba's,
or the size or the quality. Pinching keeps the
tree from getting so HUGE only the birds
can reach them! Size comes with age.
DK produces very well 4 out of 5 years.
Come Labor Day this cultivar is finished producing
it's lone crop. Covering to get a main crop is a
waste of time, so pinch it off.

Subject: Can I plant now, 5/31/16 Replies: 10
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 260
 
I would: 
- pinch all the tips,
- shade the tree a bit to partially restrict direct rays from the sun, and
- cover the base with plastic to conserve moisture, 
- water daily with a rooting hormone.
Some leaves may still dry out and droop a bit, fall off...
then start the recovery process! 

Subject: Figs in a pot Replies: 6
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 301
 
Floralicious Plus is wonderful. I read on F4F that azomite can be added for even better results.
Thought I found a good deal on Amazon: 20 lbs for $20. Then I learned I could shovel all
I wanted for free near the site where Mt. St Helen's erupted 36-yrs ago and brought nature's own
micro nutrients to the surface. Yes, figs can be grown in pots...as long as you feed them. 

Subject: Leaves all fell off potted up cuttings Replies: 5
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 219
 
The leafless bare-stick plants need shade more than sun to make a faster recovery.
Make sure sun rays don't beat down on the side of the (black) pot
or the roots will suffer, too. It's tempting to water daily, but
don't because the roots are fine. A spray mist is more nurturing. Cover with a plastic 
humidity bag as if it's a new cutting. This should bring the leaves back more quickly.
Basically, I'm with you guys; leaf drop is no big deal, but we can't help asking ourselves
if it was something we did wrong.

Subject: Covering drainage holes Replies: 43
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 1,537
 
Screening material is my choice for 1-gal pots because I don't like any soil falling out every time I pick-up the pot.
Screening also keeps gnats and other insects out. Once cut to size it can be used over and over again.
The light-weight pot lets me know when it's time to water. When I used to put stones in some, I was never sure
and over watering hurt the drought-loving plants.

Subject: New Here Replies: 7
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 158
 
I live for the rush of cutting open and eating fresh figs...there better be figs in heaven (hehehe)!!

Subject: mini grafting Replies: 2
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 175
 
Nice video! I've been doing a lot of grafting onto my mature trees lately.
The only thing I'd recommend in this case is attaching the scion a few inches higher
because if the first graft doesn't take, you'll still have enough rootstock
for another try.

Subject: Strawberry Verte VS Batagaila Green Replies: 18
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 767
 
My Strawberry Verte took more than 10-years to produce figs. Now it's my most productive tree.
Small. ugly fruits...BUT PROLIFIC! Mid-November I was still picking keepers. I now have Desert King and
Lattarula grafted onto it. Perhaps grafting, or budding BG's in a few months would be an option for you, too.

Subject: Cheap Cuttings 4 U Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 758
 
Thanks for all the feedback! 100% positive!!
When customers are happy...I'M HAPPY!!!
-Charles

Subject: Is this cutting dormant? I think it's definitely not fresh Replies: 8
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 313
 
Dry and brittle are not encouraging symptoms! Try soaking for a couple DAYS! It's not a matter of
how many days it took to get to you, it's when they were harvested, were the ends dipped in wax,
wrapped in cellophane, refrigerated? What did the cutting look like when it arrived?

Subject: Fuzzy white stuff around each bud on branch. Replies: 25
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 870
 
Fungi thrive continuously moist/humid conditions with poor air circulation. 
Clearly something must be done to save the buds, and the earlier the better.
If I can, I'd like to do a controlled experiment to find out what works best on
dormant cuttings and a growing branch: rubbing alcohol, 10% bleach, hydrogen peroxide or
what I've used in the past: anti-bacterial soap scrubbed with a toothbrush.

Subject: $2.00 Cuttings Replies: 33
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 1,439
 
Thanks Bill and everyone! It's been fun!! Seeing all the great feedback
from my fellow fig fanatics has inspired me to share cuttings again next year!!

Harvest season is winding down. So, I just decided to
offer a cost-savings incentive to newbies who what to practice raising figlets
to adulthood with minimum of pain on the pocketbook. Also, if any die out, beginners
won't lose much or feel too bad. Keep on figging!! 
Thanks again, ficus community!

Subject: Cheap Cuttings 4 U Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 758
 
Thanks, Smy!

Subject: Cheap Cuttings 4 U Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 758
 
Greetings, Figsters!
Thank you for your interest in my past offerings!
Limited selection now so
I am winding-down my cuttings sale.
$1.50 each scion for what is left:
- Osborne's Prolific 
- Desert King 
- Green Ischia 
- Lattarula 

7" washed in bacterial soap,
cut-end dipped in wax, wrapped in poly vinyl then zip locked. 

S&H: $4.00 1st Class USPS.
        $6.45 Priority Shipping: 
                        (cost of mailing 25-cuttings
                           in a flat rate USPS box)

PayPal. 

Happy propagation!
-Charles

Subject: New Member Replies: 31
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 296
 
Welcome Smitty!
Today I sent you 5-varieties to feed your addiction.
You are now entitled to a seat at the table (hehehe).

Subject: Old cuttings Replies: 6
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 200
 
Did you wrap them in moist paper then zip lock them? When keeping your future cuttings dormant but "alive"
you can vacuum seal DRY cuttings or simply use a straw to suck the air out of a zip lock bag prior to sealing.
May take practice to get it right. This eliminates the moisture and air factors that allow mold to form. 

Subject: osborne profillic fig Replies: 27
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 447
 
F4F describes the Variety Osborne Prolific as having a skin Color of Bronze/Brown.
Twice it's medium size is mentioned in the description. Here is a pic of my O.P. Neveralla 003.JPG 

Subject: $2.00 Cuttings Replies: 33
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 1,439
 
I formed my conclusions from members who have done the research. For example, here is 
one word for word quote of a F4F entry that others on the forum have agreed with:

Let me clarify the confusion. Melanzana Merd...... is the same as Longue D'Aout.
I received my MM from Adriano years back and positively identified this fig as LdA.
As a result of this, he changed the name of the cultivar on his website.

The way I identified this fig was because MM was growing next to a Longue D'Aout tree I received from a good friend in Europe.
To my astonishment, both trees, with respect to figs, leaves, growth habits, taste, etc. are exactly alike!

Charles

Subject: $2.00 Cuttings Replies: 33
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 1,439
 
Appreciate all your interests, fig friends!!
Tomorrow morning a bunch of shipments go out!!
All my trees are in the ground and mature so I have
a good supply to continue offering.
Forgot to mention in earlier ad that I use PayPal,
but if you prefer to send a check, that's fine too.
1st Class S&H is $4.00.
Thanks again!
-Charles

Subject: $2.00 Cuttings Replies: 33
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 1,439
 
$1.50 a cutting and just $4 for S&H.
These are 4-common varieties for hobbyists
who don't want to spend a fortune on cuttings, 
but wish to add to their collection:
- Desert King
- Black Mission
- Osborne's Prolific (Neveralla)
- Lattarula (Italian Honey)

All scions are 7" long, cut ends dipped in melted wax, wrapped
in polyseal then placed into ziplock bags and shipped USPS 1st Class
to U.S. destinations.

Attached Images
jpeg F4Fsales2_001.JPG (59664, 200 views)
jpeg Lattarula_001.JPG (64192, 198 views)
jpeg Lattarula2_001.JPG (52215, 172 views)

Subject: Neveralla cuttings available now Replies: 0
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 173
 
This cultivar ripens a main crop in cool weather as well as in partial shade.  Well adaptable in most any growing environment. Produces in a container making it even more appealing. Let's keep this quick, simple and basic:
$15 for 5-cuttings includes shipping. PM me for same day response. Thanks!

Attached Images
jpeg Fig_G.I._&_Never_003.JPG (83982, 109 views)
jpeg NEVFIG_003.JPG (90623, 102 views)

Subject: Pruning question Replies: 6
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 130
 
I've seen long 6' fig trees that looked more like palm trees. No branches at all!!
Has anyone tried cutting notches in the bark just above the fruiting buds? This
forces branches to grow in some other kinds of plants. Does this work on figs?

Subject: Longue d"aout Replies: 18
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 611
 
Very nice looking brebas! The main crop looks TOTALLY different from these elongated beauties.
Just mentioning this. Does anyone have any pics of the main crop?

Subject: What will fig grower prefer ??? Replies: 17
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 345
 
Propagating fig trees is a "lazy man's hobby" for me. I'll cut 6" branches off my 3-mature trees in mid-March,
dip the ends in rootone and stick them 4" - 5" in moist soil.  Works most of the time. 
OH! I was very surprised to see a 3'+ Olympian for sale in Sept. for $11.59
at a hardware store. Couldn't take my eyes off it...bought it! Olympian is a very rare find.
I didn't want to wait (waste) a couple years trying to develop an Olympian.

Subject: Anybody growing Ischia Green? Replies: 94
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 14,312
 
Green Ischia is NOT supposed to produce here in the cool summer climate of W. WA. State.
But, temperatures the last 2-years have been abnormally hot with several record heat days!?!
My 12-year old GI gave off about 100-keepers last year into the end of October.  Green Ischia 001.JPG 

Subject: looking for Orphan fig cuttings Replies: 11
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 336
 
A few years ago I got an Orphan (Jin Ao Fen) from UCD. I heard it would be difficult to grow, just like some other
cultivars not accustomed to the cool Pacific NW. I babied it along and kept it in my greenhouse, but it looked like
a disease killed it the second year. Can't say what exactly went wrong or what I'd do differently next time.
Now that I picked-up an Olympian, I have no wish list because I'm trying to stick with the handful of varieties that
are known to do well in W. WA. 

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 28,737
 
As I see it, Frank still needs his question answered so he can pay correctly. He isn't questioning what he's ordering (cuttings vs trees), he's saying what the rest of us are thinking: Pay for trees ONLY now @ $7.00 each or pay for trees PLUS total shipping NOW. In response to another post, $22.00 (not $10.00) would be the MINIMUM cost for 1-tree as shipping is clearly listed as $15.00 for 1-5 trees. Is this correct?

Subject: introverts Replies: 10
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 367
 
Search the Members List under any letter of the alphabet and you will find that more than half of all registered members have NO POSTS. Nothing wrong with this.

Subject: Cutting-back Transplants Replies: 5
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 134
 

I separated 10 Desert Kings and potted them. Each is about 5' tall. At this point, the book says to cut them way back (3'), but if I do I'll lose the entire fig crop come August since ALL the figs grow on the tips of OLD growth. I am aware of root systems to weak to support 5' plants. Have any of you had this conflict?  Did you take a chance and NOT follow best practices when extracting and replanting? What's your take on this?

Attached Images
jpeg F4Fpic_001.JPG (71422, 55 views)

Subject: PNW ripening order Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 301
 
Ricky -You may want to consider growing your DK's in raised beds to reduce exposure to
"wet feet" which figs don't like. Then cover the ground with a tarp for added protection
against moisture. The covering will heat-up the soil quicker in the spring for healthier roots.
I see the 3 "Neveralla" names used interchangeably; the differences are so minute that
perhaps the area of the country they are growing makes the difference. There are also
a lot of Brown Turkeys which grow, look and taste differently depending on several factors. Here in the Pac NW they say "make sure you get a VERN'S Brown Turkey. If
Vern's is so different from the rest, why not just call it "Vern's." Hehehe

Subject: PNW ripening order Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 301
 
Pino, thanks for your input. My sister lives in Ft. Erie. I'll try to get her to plant
or at least look for fig trees there. She never ate a fresh fig!?! My Neveralla
produced about 70-keepers for me this year. I cut it WAY back since the figs appear on NEW growth. Desert King is just the opposite in that ALL the figs grow on OLD wood
(previous year's branches). This is the most important thing to know about the 2-cultivars.

Attached Images
jpeg NEVFIG_003.JPG (90623, 9 views)

Subject: PNW ripening order Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 301
 
Thanks for your always on the money input, Paully! My Black Jack in a 10-gal pot died way back each of the last 3-years and I have to start from a stub each spring. Previous owner had it in the ground in a sheltered area and same problem (guess that's why I have it now). Negronne was almost 3' tall when I bought it in Portland 3-yrs ago and has not grown in my 10-gal pot. Irregular pattern of leaf growth, drop and new leaves. I bought a healthy 3' tall Olympian at one of the few places that carry Fig plants here (McLendon's). It's tough to find good cultivars in W. WA. State so I'm happy to have finally found 3-keepers.
-Tahoma Guy2
Lakewood, WA

Subject: PNW ripening order Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 301
 

Desert King can handle the constant rain we'll be getting for the next 10-weeks.
My smaller Longue d'Aout especially will struggle so I keep the ground as dry as possible.
Your trees should be OK; all of my fig trees are dropping their leaves. Even the ones in my mini-greenhouse. Nature's way!

My Green Ischia figs last about a week in the refrigerator. Skin is thick but not tough.
Seeds are very crunchy. The bright red interior is moist, and not drippy wet like a D.K. Great for baking fig deserts because once chopped pieces stay intact. 

Subject: PNW ripening order Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 301
 
Friday the 13th, and I just picked 13-figs!
Sure our figs are slow to ripen in this cool, maritime climate.
But, I was able to pick in 3-stages:
-Desert King in August
-Neveralla starting mid-September, and
-Green Ischia (Strawberry Verte) from early October to NOW!
I just peeled 3 of the latter and turned their appearance into
crunchy red, ripe strawberries! 

Attached Images
jpeg Green_Ischia_001.JPG (70592, 48 views)

Subject: Air Layer Removed Too Early? Replies: 13
Posted By: TahomaGuy2 Views: 388
 
Try soaking the roots in B-1 solution for several hours just prior to planting to reduced transplant shock.
Another intervention would be applying mycorrhizal granules directly to the roots at transplant time. 
Remove all but a few leaves and keep out of direct sun.