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Subject: Black Bethlehem and Armenian 2016 Replies: 0
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 67
 
I picked these guys this morning as we are supposed to get some rain here over the weekend. The Black Bethlehem was good, could have used another day but I was worried with the rain forecast.

The Armenian figs are from Aaron which he had named Armenian Beverly Hills. Largest fig I've had so far. I thought it was really good. Very sweet and a little peachy to me. Not intensely sweet like candy, but like biting into a nice, ripe peach. It has a fairly large eye but I'd say it lived up to my expectations. Both figs came from 2nd season trees so I'm quite pleased with what I got and look forward to better figs in the years to come.

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Subject: My First Fig! MBVS main crop Replies: 14
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 329
 
It seemed ripe to me but the conditions for this fig weren't too great. Most of the time the fig was developing indoors since my trees leafed out in January. While it's been outside it's been transitioning in the shade and only been in full sun for one week now (a pretty cool and rainy week at that). I think this and it being young led to the results I got. I could be wrong though.

Either way it's my first fig and it makes it a little easier now to pick off new ones to let the trees grow :)

Subject: My First Fig! MBVS main crop Replies: 14
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 329
 
I meant to leave it leave it on longer but it fell off today when I was checking it. This is good news to know about the variety

Subject: My First Fig! MBVS main crop Replies: 14
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 329
 
I picked my first fig today. I've only ever tasted one " fresh" fig shipped in from California that was pretty bland. This fig came from a MBVS tree in its second year. It wasn't anything to rave about but it's been fairly cool weather and it's a young tree (certainly better than the store bought fig though). Looking forward to more figs in the future!

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Subject: Show us your setup! Replies: 69
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 1,528
 
Fungus gnat control

Subject: Show us your setup! Replies: 69
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 1,528
 
This is what I've got. They've been awake since January. There are some figs forming already on MBVS and Black Bethlehem. As far as cuttings, I root them in cheap dollar store containers and orchid moss. Once they are in cups, they go in the aquarium. Gives enough light and keeps enough humidity until I transition them out to some shelves with shop lights.

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Subject: Freezing fungus gnats? Replies: 7
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 130
 
My hunch is that it might kill adults or larvae, however I don't know about eggs. I don't know their life cycle but I mean fungus gnats appear every year here where it gets below 0 degrees F during the winter.

Subject: --- Raspberry El Molino Unk. fig (PIX) == Patlican Replies: 60
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 2,692
 
This is great news. El molino has been my best grower.

Subject: Newbie's First Cutting Experience Replies: 2
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 223
 
figs...jpg Figs.jpg gooseberries1.jpg
So these are my first attempt at starting cuttings. I believe I started with about 25 cuttings. I have 13 in pots, 3 in the ground, and another 3 still in a rooting container though I doubt they will grow roots. So that would put me a little under 80% success rate, which for a newbie, I've read is pretty decent so I'm happy with that. Thank you to those who I received cuttings from, I really appreciate the generosity and quality of cuttings. To Igor- You're El Molino cuttings are doing well (one is my largest plant right now) and I really hope to be able to contribute to learning about this fig.

What did I learn?

Watering cuttings can be quite a science. All of my cuttings rooted. The ones that died were from me over-watering or under-watering. I had a couple cuttings that looked great one day, and felt dry so I watered them with a small amount of water and they went down hill fast. It got to a point that what was easiest and most successful for me was waiting until the first sign of minor wilting to water again. With a 60/40 perlite/potting soil mix, this usually meant once every 5 or so days if I remember correctly. I also took the route of minor time in a partial humidity chamber and not babying the cuttings much as I read that some people will have the toughest times with the cuttings they baby the most. Well anyway they are doing well now for the most part and this was just my experience. I'm not saying that anything I did was right or wrong, just sharing my experiences.

The extra photo was just a bonus photo. Its about a gallon of gooseberries I picked yesterday destined for some of this year's jelly reserves. I meant to take a picture of the may apples that I picked as well but they got eaten :)

Subject: New To Figs In St. Louis Replies: 4
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 271
 
Welcome! I live about an hour northwest of Arnold. I don't have a whole lot of experience to offer but there is a wealth of knowledge here. I would imagine most will suggest Hardy Chicago as it has good history in colder climates and is pretty readily available.

Subject: OT: Paw Paw trees Replies: 28
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 1,033
 
I just rely on wild trees for my pawpaw supply. I have noticed that they like hillsides and will be more concentrated near the top and mid section of the hills. However I still see them all the way down the hill and along creeks. Like someone said earlier, you see them all along rivers. Someone else can chime in but I suspect you would be fine planting them pretty close. If your creek tends to flood or anything, maybe give a slight buffer just for your sake?

Subject: OT Anyone growing Kiwi Berries? Replies: 16
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 621
 
My issai i very slow growing. I also have Anna and Cordifolia and they are both growing like crazy. My Anna is blooming in only its third year suppose thats a good start. Kind of irrelevant however as my male kiwi is in rough shape.

Subject: OT: citrus trees for sale Replies: 4
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 284
 
I can't say I've dealt with them very much but I was happy with the meyer lemon I bought from them. It came with buds and I think I got 6 or so lemons from it before I managed to kill it.

Subject: OT-Ever wonder what our members look like? Replies: 313
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 22,859
 
Me with one of my tractors. My other obsession:)

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Subject: OT Anyone growing Kiwi Berries? Replies: 16
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 621
 
This will be my third year attempting to grow them. They just haven't been very vigorous and my male plant did not make it the first winter. It's tricky because they supposedly like full sun but I think at a young age too much sun kind of slows growth. I read if you have to much heat concentrated on the roots it might slow growth for young plants. I planted clover underneath the plants in late summer so hopefully that helps them this year. (Not to mention it will fix some nitrogen for the vines). As far as pollinators, different ones can bloom at different times so the key is to find the ones that match blooming times of the females you select. I wish I could offer more advice but I have yet to see fruit or even blooms for that matter. (Only been through two growing seasons)

Subject: Newbie introduction Replies: 27
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 506
 
Welcome!

Subject: OT: Mysterious 'Pawpaw' Fruit in High Demand Across Japan Replies: 24
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 1,219
 
Pawpaws are one of my most looked forward to things each year. We have wild patches all over the state. There's an area a few minutes from my apartment that is literally acres upon acres of wild pawpaws growing as an understory tree. I can pick them for about a three week span depending on which trees get more sun exposure (these trees ripen earlier). I went twice this fall and picked 50 lbs. in about a half hour. It's really good to see in the article that they are making things with them. Like sdpmd said, the issue is how quickly they can spoil. You can only eat so many fresh pawpaws in a four or five day period and I don't care for cooking with them as they get a weird taste when exposed to heat that I don't like. I still have a gallon of frozen pulp in the freezer, maybe I will have to try ice cream or gelato like in the article. :) As far as my two cents on the sun exposure, young ones can have trouble being in full sun but if you can get them established they will grow fine in full sun. We have some pawpaws here on my university's campus, in full sun, and they are growing fine. In fact, I didn't even recognize the trees at first because they were so big and filled out. They grow very vigorously being in full sun. If anyone has room and a little patience, I would encourage them to grow this fruit, it tastes wonderful.

Subject: Introduction Replies: 24
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 641
 
Bob- I am not familiar with the name Mark Brown. Maybe I'll ask one of my advisers here. She has a ton of connections with farmers around the state.

Subject: Introduction Replies: 24
Posted By: SycamoreFarm Views: 641
 
Hello. Just thought I would introduce myself.

I am a college student at the University of Missouri working towards a degree in sustainable agriculture. I do a lot of gardening and experimental growing. I've recently become fascinated with figs and worry an addiction is starting:) I suppose I will be doing a little bit of experimenting but I will be growing all the trees in the ground here in Missouri. I have bought some cuttings to try my hand at rooting and might buy an established tree or two once it warms up. My list includes the following:

Black Bethlehem
Violette de Bordeaux
Chicago Hardy
Marseille VS Black (If I can get for a reasonable price)

I've spent the past couple days doing research and exploring the forum so I thought I'd finally join and introduce myself. Thanks guys!

Nathan