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Subject: In ground vs potted Replies: 6
Posted By: louborges Views: 398
 
I bought two brown fig cutting about 4 years ago. Same size, one I put in the ground inside my unheated greenhouse and another in a pot. I covered the one in the ground every winter and it comes back without any die off. but never  produces any figs. I keep cutting it back about 4 feet from the ground. Lots of leaves but never any fruit at all. Its twin has been in a pot that I bring in every winter and it produced a dozen or so very nice figs. I know that having them in pot encourages fruiting but what is happening with the one in the ground? I'm about to give up on it. 

Subject: Overwintering fig tree in ground in zone 6b Replies: 17
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,155
 
Today, I unboxed my fig tree. This is the first year I tried this and it worked I have green buds growing. The coldest we got this winter was zero degrees.

Subject: Brooklyn Whites split? Replies: 12
Posted By: louborges Views: 729
 
I'm going to give one more chance. If they split in the fall, I will not keep it over the winter.

Subject: cutting growing with no roots Replies: 5
Posted By: louborges Views: 461
 
I have cutting growing leaves with no signs of roots. Any hope for these?

Subject: Roots starting all over cuttings Replies: 6
Posted By: louborges Views: 467
 
Should I move the paper down to the bottom half of the cuttings and expose the tops?

Subject: Roots starting all over cuttings Replies: 6
Posted By: louborges Views: 467
 
I'm doing the newspaper around the cuttings in a bag rooting method. I left the bottom 1/2" exposed. Now I find those white specks all over the cutting. Will roots grow out the entire length of the cuttings? Is this a problem? What should I do? I'm sure this has been asked here before but when I search rooting cuttings, I get a ton of how to.

Subject: Best caprifigs for seed production and best for good tasting fruit? Replies: 52
Posted By: louborges Views: 2,656
 
Doesn't the fig wasp lay eggs in the fig they pollinate, which the fig larva feed off fig and when we eat the fig we also get them?   

Subject: Encanto Farms Fig Cuttings 2014 Replies: 577
Posted By: louborges Views: 30,740
 

The list is huge! A logistics nightmare for the people managing this inventory of figs. There are so many varieties that I have no idea what they are. I'm new at this. My challenge is how to choose cold hardy varieties.

Subject: Zapping Mold Replies: 4
Posted By: louborges Views: 321
 
I agree, I will wait until Feb-March to start cuttings.

Subject: Zapping Mold Replies: 4
Posted By: louborges Views: 321
 
I start a few cutting in December and they have been slow at rooting. Some developed mold on the top of the cutting and some others around a few nodes. I didn't want to use chemicals and I know the UV in sunlight kills mold. So I decided to experiment. I used a magnified glass and concentrated the sunlight on the mold and zapped it. Worked well.

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
Rick,
Thanks for the link that explains all this. Looks like a lot of work and time needed.
I was wondering if anyone has gone through all this trouble and has seeds that they would like others to grow? As part of the research!

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
How do you cross pollinate these figs? How do you get the pollen from the caprifig to the female fig?

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
Does anyone here in the US have this Gustissimo line?

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
I'm no scientist but I'll take a guess that cold hardiness has something to do with how much glucose is stored in the bark of the trees acting as an antifreeze. If this is true wouldn't it be easy to test a tree's hardiness by seeing  how much glucose is stored? Just my theory.

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
I found this on the web:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg0610183712230.html?17

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
If I wanted to cross a Hardy Chicago with a Brooklyn white, How would one do this?  

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
I wouldn’t have a problem with a GM fig. We already are eating GM corn, soybeans which are in just about everything we eat. If they could take what makes apples and pears trees survive the cold winters and put that into figs, that would be a good thing in my view.

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,803
 
Does anyone know if there are any institutions doing fig research? I'm thinking something like a breeding program for cold hardiness. I've heard of LSU doing some but are they still doing research? Would anyone except a GMO fig that could survive northern winters? Just a thought.

Subject: bye bye green house Replies: 14
Posted By: louborges Views: 872
 
Here is how I reinforced my PVC green house with wire fencing. DSCF6150.JPG 

Subject: What is the best container size for figs trees. Replies: 29
Posted By: louborges Views: 4,805
 
This is great feed back, Thanks everyone. One other related question is that heavy pruning to keep the tree within the container limits does sacrifice breba crop. Problem? Also I've let the roots grow out from under the bucket and into the ground. That has helped a lot.

Subject: What is the best container size for figs trees. Replies: 29
Posted By: louborges Views: 4,805
 
Wow! Thanks so much for the info and the great picture.

Subject: What is the best container size for figs trees. Replies: 29
Posted By: louborges Views: 4,805
 
How about the pruning? How do you keep it small and still get a crop?

Subject: What is the best container size for figs trees. Replies: 29
Posted By: louborges Views: 4,805
 
I’m on my second year growing figs. I’ve kept them all in 5 gallon buckets. They have grow quite a bit this past summer, about five feet tall now. Some buckets broke apart after removing them from outside because I let the roots grow into the ground, which is why they did so well. I just bought some 20 gallon buckets and transplanted some into them. They are very heavy! So the question is what is a good size container to keep figs year after year. Also extensive pruning will be needed to keep them manageable, but will this extensive pruning reduce fig yield? What is the right balance?
 
 

Subject: How long do I have to wait! Replies: 9
Posted By: louborges Views: 609
 
If you are after figs from these young trees you might pinch the growth once they produce a few figs. This will put more of the plants resources to ripening the few figs. Some people remove the figs from the first year to encourage plant growth.   Depends what you want.

Subject: Spring freeze Replies: 4
Posted By: louborges Views: 507
 
Growing any kind of fruit here in Northern New Mexico is difficult because we always get a cold blast after summer like temperatures in April. Spring always arrives early here in April and all the fruit trees start to blossom. Then a cold blast comes in at the end of the month ruining any chance for fruit. My fig trees are in buckets so I will have to bring them in when that happens. I do have one tree in the ground that is well protected. If it starts to sprout  new growth early, I won’t be able to move it. Luckily it is in an unheated green house and I might be able to protect it. So my question to you all is: How will the trees do if hit with sub freezing temperatures after they sprout new growth? Is there any chance of getting fruit that year?

Subject: (USA) Winter Shipping Replies: 2
Posted By: louborges Views: 364
 
If you are shipping cuttings, it shouldn't matter.

Subject: Anyone have the same problem that I have with the SUN? Replies: 34
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,589
 
I live in Northern New Mexico and had the same problem. The leaves would dry at the tips from the dry air and hot sun. I would also get hail damage every year. I now have a small green house that protects them from all these problems and they thrive in it.

Subject: Is it too early to start rooting cuttings? Replies: 18
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,166
 
The cuttings I started back in December (about 5 weeks ago) are not showing any growth. I have them in small cups with moist peat moss, inside a cooler with at small light bulb, that keeps the temperature around 75. Only one shows a hint of a bud. I also added some cuttings that I had in the refrigerator and now after only 2 weeks these are showing roots and buds. The ones in the fridge are brown dwarfs and the others I bought from eBay. Black Jack and M vs black. One other cutting LSU Gold is from a guy in Florida.  Am I just impatient?

Subject: USDA Davis cuttings order Replies: 31
Posted By: louborges Views: 2,883
 
I read this on the order form and this is why I was asking

"The accessions within the NPGS are available in small quantities for research and education purposes only. :

Subject: USDA Davis cuttings order Replies: 31
Posted By: louborges Views: 2,883
 
Does USDA DAVIS sell these cutting or give them out?

Subject: NH drivewayfarm shots Replies: 55
Posted By: louborges Views: 3,946
 
NH drivewayfarm,

So you get much fruit to ripen in Zone 5?

Subject: Growing figs in the southwest Replies: 6
Posted By: louborges Views: 764
 
The temperatures don't get too high here, only in the 80's and low 90's. I'm at 6500 feet. I think it might be the dry wind that causes the leafs to dry out. This year I will experiment and keep some outside of the greenhouse and see if there is a difference. Last summer they did great inside.

Subject: Growing figs in the southwest Replies: 6
Posted By: louborges Views: 764
 
I live in Northern Mexico and when I first tried growing figs I was not too successful, the leaves appeared to be stressed (dried out) by the hot dry sun. Very low humidity.
Does anyone grow figs successfully in hot dry areas?

Another problem are gophers. I hear they love the roots, The one fig tree I have in the ground has wire underneath it.

Subject: Wanted LSU GOLD Cutting Replies: 5
Posted By: louborges Views: 559
 
Thanks everyone for being so generous, I have some coming.

Subject: Wanted LSU GOLD Cutting Replies: 5
Posted By: louborges Views: 559
 
I'm looking for some LSU GOLD Cutting to purchase,
I have Hardy Chicago, Brooklyn White, Brown Dwarf.

Subject: Question on fig culture Replies: 8
Posted By: louborges Views: 642
 
I grow my plants in 5 gallon buckets that have 1" holes on the bottom. I also have about 1" of gravel at the bottom of the bucket for drainage. One thing I discovered is that the roots grow into the ground. This is good because I can't over water and the roots in the ground always find moisture. They seem to like this because they grow well. In the fall I have to cut the roots off the bottom of the bucket and bring them inside.

Subject: Bare Root plant? Replies: 3
Posted By: louborges Views: 347
 
Just bought some cutting which I'm trying to root and a bare root plant. Not sure what to do with the bare root. Do I keep it dormant or do I wake it up by potting it. I have a nice bright sunroom that it would be happy in. It is about 12" in size.  

Subject: Brooklyn Whites split? Replies: 12
Posted By: louborges Views: 729
 
This is New Mexico, Dry, Dry, Dry. Keeping it in the greenhouse increases the humidity level a little and I don't over water. The other varieties I have haven't split. I maybe missing something here? 

Subject: Brooklyn Whites split? Replies: 12
Posted By: louborges Views: 729
 
What would be a good replacement for this Brooklyn white?

Subject: Brooklyn Whites split? Replies: 12
Posted By: louborges Views: 729
 
I don't know who I bought it from, but very disappointed that they split so easily before ripening and they are not getting wet since they are in the greenhouse. Not sure they are worth keeping.

Subject: Overwintering fig tree in ground in zone 6b Replies: 17
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,155
 
Wow, Didn't think of that. I do water the ground around it.  I know that wetness is a problem (freezing and the like) Come April I'll find out.
Thanks for the input.

Subject: Is it too early to start rooting cuttings? Replies: 18
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,166
 
Are the cutting growing in your hydroponic system?

Subject: Overwintering fig tree in ground in zone 6b Replies: 17
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,155
 
I know many try to protect their fig trees from the hard winters by burying or wrapping the trees. The first winter I had a small tree in the ground. Small enough to cover it with a 5 gallon bucket. It overwinter just find because I put a small light bulb inside the bucket with a timer that only went on at night. The second year the tree was bigger and so I covered it with a cardboard box and tried the light bulb thing again but this time it didn’t work. The tree died down to the ground, but came back. This winter I decided a different approach. I built a four wall box of plywood around the tree (1 ft walls by 4 feet high.) and filled it with very dry soil. (the soil here in NM is like powder) So I’m thinking this is like burying it. It is also inside an unheated greenhouse so the soil won’t get wet. Temperatures here can go below zero. What is the opinion of experienced growers who overwinter their trees in cold regions?
 

Attached Images
jpeg DSCF6236.JPG (635668, 68 views)

Subject: Brooklyn Whites split? Replies: 12
Posted By: louborges Views: 729
 
My two year old Brooklyn Whites produced about 2 dozen figs this year. I keep them inside my green house, so they are protected from rain. (doesn’t rain much here in New Mexico), wind and the hot dry sun. So I was surprised that they all split on me. They split before they were fully ripe. Is this what BW's do?
 

Subject: Is it too early to start rooting cuttings? Replies: 18
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,166
 
My sunroom keeps between 55 and 75 degrees.
I would start the cuttings in a cup of soil covered with a plastic bag (mini greenhouse) on a warm (80 degrees) heating Pad. This worked well before. Like I said I have many other plants that do very well in there, including passion fruit vines.

Subject: Is it too early to start rooting cuttings? Replies: 18
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,166
 
 I want to start some new varieties for next summer. Last year I started rooting cuttings in late January / early February and they did great rooting on a heat pad. I am now looking at starting new cuttings that I will be purchasing from ebay. Is it too early to start? I have a great sun room full of plants to keep them in until Spring. I'm just too impatient!

Subject: Best black fig for zone 7b Replies: 14
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,077
 
I do have the Hardy Chicago and it does well. I just was looking for something like the black mission fig that might do well here.

Subject: Best black fig for zone 7b Replies: 14
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,077
 
I'm at 6,500 feet here in Los Alamos, NM. I am able to get an early start due to the green house and keep them a bit longer in the fall. I was thinking of getting a black mission but I'm not sure. I just bid on a Dark Portuguese from northeastnewbie that is selling some on ebay. His growing Zone is similar to mine.

Subject: Unk dark purple cuttings free for pickup in Northeast Philadelphia area Replies: 30
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,403
 
Any chance I could get some? I'll pay the postage.

Subject: Best black fig for zone 7b Replies: 14
Posted By: louborges Views: 1,077
 
I am looking for a black fig that is cold hardy, One that ripens early, before end of September. I will be growing it in container. Zone 7a not 7b.