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Subject: first battaglia Replies: 7
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 207
 
Hi Steve,

Thanks for the offer of cuttings, I will contact you in the fall. Thanks!

I am in zone 7b, central Arkansas. Our summers should be long enough for it to ripen.

Subject: first battaglia Replies: 7
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 207
 
Its in a pot now. I was thinking about cutting it to the ground over the winter, then planting it in the spring. Fertilize the heck out of it next year and see what happens. I have a place that is away from my other trees so I don't have to worry about spread via the roots.

Subject: first battaglia Replies: 7
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 207
 
Some kind member of the forum game me a battaglia a couple years ago. It has FMV, therefore it has become a sickly, slow growing tree that is maybe 24 in tall now. I had ever intention of ditching it at the end of this season, not worth the trouble. Then...

Yesterday I saw it had its first ripe fig. I tore it open, the green and red were a striking contrast. I gave half to my wife. We both tried it and went "oh my, this is a wonderful fig!"

So now I've got to decide what to do. To I keep trying to nurse this one along or find another tree?

Subject: drinking figs Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 316
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arachyd
The 2nd recipe sounds great!


which one did you mean? I can share it if I know what you are wanting.

Subject: What's this about fig coffee? Replies: 24
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 348
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GregMartin
From the book "Coffee:  Related Beverages"....looks like roasting dried figs then grinding them wouldn't be too difficult.

Thanks for the note an Vienna coffee Greg. I remember having some several years ago at a cafe in Salsburg and it was quite good. I just ordered a sample from COFFIG and will try it mixed with my own coffee blend. I make my coffee in an old-fashioned Italian pot and it should be good.

Fig Coffee.jpg 

Subject: Expanding fig growing areas Replies: 7
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 186
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by figgrower
I am new to fig growing. I have 2 mature fig trees in the backyard (Celeste and an unknown) and 3 recent additions. Now, I do attend church, infact I consider how AWESOME God must be if His creation can be so wonderful (figs anyone?) When you taste the most amazing fig ever, does it ever cross your mind how infinitely more amazing the Creator must be? I live in central Texas, it is crowded with churches and I am yet to see a single church that has planted a biblical garden, or a fig tree. We live in a strange time...when people spend a lot of money for ornamentals and could care less to plant something edible. Fig friends, the time is ripe to encourage churches to plant edible gardens. I am proposing to plant some figs at my church, we'll see if I am succesful. Blessings!


Keep us informed about your plan to start an edible garden at your church. It is an interesting idea that might have real draw to the younger crowd. I find that under 30s are more likely to think in terms of connecting with the soil than folks my age 50+. 

I know that many are so acculturated to the supermarket model of life that they simply don't realize they can "grow food."   I live here in the deep south, even a semi-rural area, yet I hear people all the time say, "Wow, you can just grow figs?" (or blueberries, or raspberries, etc) Maybe a church garden would be a way to reconnect people with the earth. And after all, we will all return to it someday anyway ;-)

Subject: New fig junkie Replies: 5
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 133
 
The fall will be time to look for cuttings. Many members here are quite generous and will let  you have them for the cost of postage, or maybe at a small fee. Either way it is a great way to build up your collection.

Subject: New and happy to be here Replies: 13
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 134
 
I know the feeling, at times my fruit garden is like an oasis in desert to me. I can really de-stress myself in an hour or two out among my trees and bushes.

I trust  you will find a wealth of information on here, I know I have. Welcome.

Subject: drinking figs Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 316
 
Well, I just finished step two on the fig ligueur. After macerating for 30 days, I poured it up and sealed into wine bottle. I took a tiny sip and yes it is figgy, but the vodka still overpowers the fig taste. But I always find that to be the case before my liqueurs are aged, then the alcohol taste seems to disappear and the fruit comes through. Don't really understand how "aging" in a glass bottle can do that, but it always works with my other berries, so I am assuming it will work with the figs.

Now it needs to age at least 2-3 months. Some recipes call for a full 6 months of aging, but I have never been able to wait that long to imbibe in the "fruit of my labors." In fact I drank some blackberry liqueur last year after just 60 days and it was very good. This year I had a huge blackberry harvest so I made up a lot of the blackberry liqueur. I plan to put one in the shed so I forget about it for a while and see what a longer aging does for it.

I had hoped to make a few bottles of the fig this year, but these huge rains hit at just the time my figs were hitting full production and it ruined so many. I have lots of baby figlets forming, so I hope the fall is long and they will rippen in early Nov. If so, I can put up another bottle or two of the fig juice.

Subject: Fig Bushes ??? Replies: 4
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 132
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparky
my friend has a garden  full of fig bushes. Six or eight finger thick stock come up from the same root. they get 4-5 ft tall. Each year they they die and do not produce fruit. If they were potted, and protected in the winter, would they produce figs ?


What zone are you in?

Subject: Semi Dwarf Figs??? Replies: 9
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 156
 
Negrone is supposed to stay quite small, mine is a very slow grower. So is Black Jack, but you need really long seasons for it I've heard.

Subject: Looking for free cuttings Replies: 27
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 685
 
Welcome Courtney, 

I agree that gardening is very theraputic, I just it to relieve accumulations of everyday work stress. The thrill of eating fresh, tree-ripe fruit and berries is a great personal satisfaction too!

There is a vast wealth of information on this forum. Do some browsing and read topics that will help you get off to a good start with your figs. I did that 4 years ago and it was a great help.

As for cuttings, like someone already said, check back in around Nov/Dec and you should be able to get lots of cuttings for postage. I will probably have some Hardy Chicago cuttings available myself. They would be a good one for your zone, and they taste great!

Blessings!
 

Subject: Fig Varieties with a long harvest window Replies: 8
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 244
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Berryman
This post raised the question, how many other fig varieties have a longer harvest window where the flavor and quality remain good.  For those of you have have the experience I would love to hear your opinions about which other varieties share this trait.


Hardy Chicago seems to have a wide window of taste. Even picked early they are good, left "too long" they are amazing (if  you can keep the ants and birds off them ;-)

Subject: Pots in ground Replies: 3
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 90
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sonnya
I have a big pot "BIG" pot and I want to put it in ground with holes for it to continue to thrive.  I want it to stay permanently in this place.  Will this work?  Put big holes at bottom all around, then put in it the ground.


Do what you are suggesting, but dig the hole much larger in diameter and fill it in with mulch around the pot. This will enable the roots to spread quickly, and you can move it easier if  you later decide to.


Subject: soured figs and ants Replies: 11
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 161
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pitangadiego
Ants will actually consume a whole fig down t the stem in given the opportunity. They don't seem to contribute to souring - that is mostly from fruit flies and beetles.


Yeah, I see this from time to time if I am away from my garden for a while. But the souring we are having right now is from rain. Buckets of rain! And 3-4 inches forecast for the coming week. All my figs are going to explode rather than ripen.

The only consolation is my muscadines and fall raspberries are going to be great this year with all the rain.

Subject: soured figs and ants Replies: 11
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 161
 
As a missionary and anthropologist I've eaten things that most Americans would kvech at, sheep eyeballs and fermented horse milk when I lived in Central Asia for example. But I don't spend so much time tending my figs in order to eat them soured and full of ants.

Subject: soured figs and ants Replies: 11
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 161
 
I don't mind blowing the ants off the fruit, but a mouth-full, along with it being soured - that was nasty!

Subject: first rip ones of the year. Replies: 7
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 153
 
How do they compare? How old are the trees?

Subject: soured figs and ants Replies: 11
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 161
 
Just got home from a 4 day business trip. My daughter "picked my figs for me" while I was gone, i.e. she picked the wrong ones off the trees in pots on the porch ;-) 

So I went through the yard picking. Many had soured and were full of ants because of all the rain we've been having. I found a few good ones.

The first ripe one off my unknown I thought was good (looked OK), but when I bit into it, the fig was soured and full of ants. That was nasty! It will take a day or three before I want to eat another fig ;-(




Subject: Pinching to get a branch to fruit: What varieties does this work for and what varieties don't respond with fruits. Replies: 12
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 356
 
Pinching seems to work with all my trees, including HC. At first it seemed not to work on my young Col de Dame from a UC Davis cutting. But just a few days ago I spotted little figlets on its new growth. So pinching appears to be working on all my figs, though just slightly delayed on the CdD.

Subject: Weird figs Replies: 22
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 338
 
Wow, this is over my head. I just eat the things, not examine them ;-)

Subject: Fig Tree Suckers Propagation Replies: 11
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 218
 
Start them now, and keep in a shady spot for a few weeks. Also, I can help to cut the leaves in half. That will help make up for the loss of root mass until new roots catch up.

Subject: TX Blue Giant Poll Replies: 36
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 2,544
 
I grew Tx Blue giant for a couple years. The fruit was large, but uninspiring, bland, whatever. It did not even compare to a very ripe Brown Turkey, much less to my beloved HC. I know it might have gotten better in a few years, but I just did not seem worth the effort.

Subject: Fig and Almond Cake Replies: 11
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 119
 
Oooooooh, that looks gooooood!

Anything with figs is good! Food of the gods

Subject: Spanish fig cake Replies: 4
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 60
 
I tired my own version of a Spanish fig cake, Pan de Higo.

8oz dried figs
2oz raisins
2oz dried crandberries
4oz dried peaches (use whatever dried fruit you have)
sliced almonds
sesame seeds
2 tbsp. alcohol (brandy or gin work well)

Soak raisins in alcohol for 24 hours to make them very gooey.
Toast almonds and sesame seeds in a dab of butter.
Finely chop figs and peaches
mix all together thoroughly by hand
line a small container with wax paper
fill with mixture, fold wax paper over the top
press for 24 hours
(you will have to get creative with the press part. I used a small corning ware storage container with a lid that I could invert. Then placed two cans of soup on top)

Lastly the cake has to dry some, either on the counter for a day or two, or in a dehydrator at its lowest setting for a couple hours.

The resulting pressed cake has a rich figgy taste. I really like what the toasted almonds add to it as well. I am already thinking about other variations I can make. I might use some orange peel next time. All I know, there WILL BE an next time!
 

Subject: fig trees growing at the Ozark folk center Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 198
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance
Hi GeneDaniels,
Where is the pic ? Without a pic, it did not happen :) .
If Brunswick is the same as "Goutte d'or" ... The figs look great, but they ripen too oddly. My Gdo gets me salivating ... and I barely taste a nice fig.
She's getting closer to the compost pile ...
But of course, a new fig is always fun to trial, so go ahead .


If I get the chance I will take a cutting this fall, but honestly my HC is such a great fig I keep thinking I should rip out the others and just grow 5 of them! I thought my HC was outstanding last year, but this year they are even better!

Subject: Birds, squirrels and possums, oh my Replies: 22
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 349
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pana13
Jeffpas I had a lot of problems with birds every year. This year when I pulled out my trees within two days all the brebas were practically gone. I hung cds after words on all my trees. Since then not one has been missing. Coincidence? I don't know but it seems to been working. I've attached a picture. Even if there is no wind at all they spin a little causing a glare which I think is what helps. I hang them with fishing string and suspend clear from hitting other branches. What works for me might not work for others but seems to be working since spring.


I used CDs hanging on stiff wires last year. They both flash and make a screeching noise. They seemed to work really good on blueberries and figs. This year I have been too lazy to put the CDs back out. I'm losing a few to birds, but not too bad.

Subject: dehydrator tips Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 559
 
I just dehydrated a small batch of figs, but blanching them in boiling water first. They turned out perfect! Soft, jammy, and just a little sticky, just like the ones I buy in the foil packages at the store. It was really simple:

boil for 30 sec
place immediately in ice cold water
slit small figs/ split large ones
dehydrate at 105F for 6-8 hours

My trees are still small, so I don't have a lot to do. But I am "saving up" figs this week until I have enough for another batch this week. Yeah!

Subject: Location of Chicago Hardy Fig Replies: 5
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 226
 
You should be fine. Some people plant figs right next to the house, although I would want at least 2-3 ft. But in your zone it will not be a problem.

Subject: fig trees growing at the Ozark folk center Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 198
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by COGardener
I was exited about the idea of some figs growing unprotected on the Ozark Plateau since I live at such a high altitude, so I checked out the Ozarks on line.  Yeah, I live at nearly 3 times the elevation of the highest point in the Ozarks and I'm not even in the foot hills of the Rockies.

I hope you are able to get some cuttings and they do well for you Gene!!


Sorry to get your hopes up. What we call mountains here in Arkansas are called ant hills in Colorado ;-)

Subject: fig trees growing at the Ozark folk center Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 198
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie


It doesn't necessarily taste bad to me, just not near as good as HC and I know Gene has HC.  Maybe he likes it.

Stella would be a good choice for you there in the Ozarks.  Great tasting fig and cold hardy.


Your right Charlie, I love my HC! It is an all around good tree, hardy, grows vigorously, mid-season, and best of all, a really ripe HC is fig heaven! I have even thought about removing all my other figs and only growing HC, but I like having fig that ripen at different times.

That said, I have gotten a few figs off my Sicilian tree this year, and they are larger than HC AND taste similar. If HC is 8/9, the Sicilian is 6/7, and that is only a first year tree from a cutting. If they are this good now, I am drooling about how they will taste in 3 or 4.

Subject: So Very Very Tired of Mislabeled Trees Replies: 6
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 313
 
I empathize as well. I have a Strawberry Verte that I have been nursing along for 3 years. It finally makes fruit this year. Lo and behold, the fruit is yellow with a carmel colored inside - NOT SV! I am not happy, but what to do? I will keep it for now.

Subject: Dark vs. light - figs that is Replies: 20
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 472
 
Having a little beagle in the back yard helps. He is active enough that he keeps the birds upset most of the time. And no problem with squirrels at all. They can't set foot in the yard without him trying to catch them. I lose a few figs, but not too bad.

Nevertheless, I am just about ready to remove the yellow figs. They just don't grow well for me and even when they do they don't taste nearly as good as the dark ones.

Subject: fig trees growing at the Ozark folk center Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 198
 
My wife and I just visited the Ozark Mountain folk center in Mountain View AR. It is a great place for seeing some amazing handcrafts in the making.

But... I also saw some nice fig trees growing around their campus. One was probably Celeste, and two were Brunswick I think. Nothing was quite ripe yet so it was hard tell. But the one I think was Brunswick had huge yellow figs on it, they were going to be something when they ripened.

But what really caught my attention was that they were thriving up in a pretty cold place - for Arkansas at least.  We plan to visit with my parents in the fall. I am thinking about trying to get a cutting off the one that looked like Brunswick. If it will thrive in the Ozark mountains it will do great down here at my place.

Subject: dehydrator tips Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 559
 
Wanted to bump this thread with something I just read:
[image]

Subject: Inground Fig Progression Zone 6/7 Replies: 15
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 447
 
I am in zone 7. Some of my inground are producing right,  Hardy Chicago, Celeste, and Black Italian are all giving me a few figs each day. My LSU gold and unk are both still waiting.

I've always heard it takes 90 days from the first sight of a figlet to a ripe fig. I wonder if it has more to do with heating units, but 90 days sounds like a good rule of thumb.

By the way, my HC is in its 4th year and is giving me some amazingly good figs! I've always heard there are better tasting varieties out there, but here in zone 7 it is hard to beat HC for taste, hardiness and productivity.


Subject: First bite experience Replies: 3
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 118
 
Nice pic Kevin. I look forward to doing that with my soon-to-be-here first grandchild next year. Can't wait to introduce them to the love of figs!  (and muscadines, and raspberries, and blueberries -- you get the point :-)

Subject: Figlets on young plant Replies: 8
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 171
 
I recommend removing them. Keeping them will certainly slow growth/development, and more than likely they will not be that good anyway. Many fig trees don't produce really good tasting figs until the 3rd year. I've heard that some keep improving until the 6th or 7th year.

Either way, this is one of those cases where patience is clearly a virtue ;-) 

Subject: Sicilian fig Replies: 0
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 48
 
last year I got a cutting from a kind member of the forum from a Sicilian fig. He grew quite nicely in a 5 gal bucket, and this year will produce probably 15-20 big, dark figs. I've already eaten 4 or 5, and they are quite good, esp. for first year fruit.

Sorry no pics, I'm having camera issues. Maybe I'll get a pic of it before all the fruit is finished, I'll try.

Subject: drinking figs Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 316
 
So I have just tired to make two different fig drinks, as per recipes I've seen on the internet.

1) figs in white wine: I soaked a 4oz bag of dried mission figs in a pint of white port wine for 2 weeks. The result was pretty good, tasted like liquid figs + alcohol. But it was also thick, like apricot necter, and I really didn't really care for that aspect. Probably will not make again.

2) Fig liqueur: Removed stems and cut in half enough figs to 3/4 fill a quart jar. Added 1 1/2 cups vodka, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup sugar. The figs will soak for 30 days, then pour through fine metal strainer and bottle, then and age for 3 months (basically the same recipe I use for all my berry liqueurs). I'll let you know how it turns out. 

Subject: When/how to determine Celeste fruit ready to harvest? Replies: 12
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 289
 
Look for the "hangman's neck" on the fig. Take a close look at Chapman's pic, just left of center and you will see a good example of this.

Also, one reason you may not have gotten very may figs last year is Celeste is bad to drop figs, esp. when conditions are on the dry side. My whole crop dropped last year too here in Central Arkansas. But when you get them, Celeste is a great fig!

Subject: Tashkent Fig Replies: 9
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 249
 
glad to hear you got a Tashkent to grow for you. I tried twice, both died and I gave up.
We used to eat them in Uzbekistan, its a good fig

Subject: You have to love Black Jack figs Replies: 21
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 774
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by snaglpus
Here is a tip and I hope many folks are reading this.  If your figs do not have much taste, give your tree some Epsom salt or sea salt mixed with water.  But be careful, too much salt can kill your tree.


Hey Snaglpus, I have a 3 year old SV. Thhe figs last year, and the first one this year, were OK at best. Can I try the epsom salt even now that it is carrying figs? How long before harvest must it be to make a difference? Any more info on this would be greatly appreciated. Maybe even start a new thread about it? Thanks!

Subject: Newbie question on this picture Replies: 4
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 115
 
Your Negronne looks fine, just about like mine does. But I agree that it needs more water. Mine is a water hog! If I water it only the same as the others in pots (5 gal), it gets wilted looking. It takes almost twice the water of my other potted figs to be healthy.

And no, I don't think those are brebas. Its just the difference between the first figs it put on and the latest additions to the crop. Remember, figs will fruit for as long as they are actively growing. The only question is "will they have enough time to ripen?" They need about 90 days to ripen from the first time you saw the little figlets. So you can always keep a rough gauge by counting back from the date of your average first frost.

Subject: recommendations for the South ? Replies: 7
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 203
 
Welcome to the forum Brad! You are way down there. The humidity here in Arkansas can play havoc with figs, I can't even imagine what it would be like in New Orleans. I would guess that anything with LSU in the name would be a good bet for you. I've heard great things about the LSU Gold, but I can't get it to do well here in zone 7a.

Subject: the beauties of pinching Replies: 38
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 1,118
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chucklikestofish
~SO GENE STILL A LITTLE CONFUSED I AM NOT TO SMART,MY WIFE SAYS I'M TO CRITICAL,I NEED TO MUCH INFO ALL THE TIME SO HERE I GO,ARE YOU SAYING THAT EVERY BRANCH I COUNT 5-6 LEAVES AND THEN AND THERE CUT OFF THE REST OF THE BRANCH,( IS IT A CERTAIN SIZE BRANCH AS TO SMALL OR LARGE )SEE I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THIS ,BUT I GOT A DESERT KING THAT PUT ONE BIG FIG ON EARLY AND IT FELL OFF THIS TREE HAS ALOT OF BRANCHES SMALL AND LARGE, NEEDS SOMETHING DONE TO IT BAD,THANKS GENE AND I KNOW YOU PROBABLY THINK I AM ASKING TO MUCH IF SO IT'S OK I UNDERSTAND


I pinch all my branches after 5-6 leaves. That makes the plant somewhat bushy by summer's end. But here in zone 7a I trim it back in the winter anyhow, so this does not bother me. Usually I see little figlets within one week.

Also, as a side note. Since it takes 90 days to ripen a fig, I will stop pinching at the end of July. After that any new figs that appeared would probably not ripen before frost and so I would prefer any energy go into branching development. This is something we in colder zones need to keep in mind.

Subject: the beauties of pinching Replies: 38
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 1,118
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chucklikestofish
~GENE CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME IN DETAIL, I WOULD LOVE TO PINCH BUT,DON'T KNOW HOW TOO,THANKS,~I SEE THERE IS A VIDEO ,IS THIS HOW YOU DO IT,  ?  ~


I usually just literally pinch, but some people use a small pair of snips. I just count 5 or 6 leaves, then pinch out the tip. Nothing to it.

Subject: Is this normal for Negronne? Replies: 6
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 141
 
I have VdB, and yours look normal to me.

Subject: Figs every where Replies: 10
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 323
 
Well, believe it or not I am not getting any fresh figs here! I have been way to busy with work and its Ramadan so the food/eating schedule in society is way off normal. I hope to find some fresh ones tonight in a late night market.

Subject: Now's the time to pinch buds! Replies: 29
Posted By: GeneDaniels Views: 831
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by indestructible87
At how many leaves do you pinch at? I started doing at every third leaf last year and this year and keep seeing people pinching at 6 or 7 now. Is pinching at three too much?


Travis,

Pinching at 3 leaves will give you a very densely branched fig, perhaps too dense and will keep the sun out of the interior of the canopy. Remember,  you need light penetration. I pinch at 5 or 6, sometimes 7 leaves, depending on all other factors. I think 3 is too tight.