Good morning all. I have been lurking on the forums for over a year reading up. It was only in the last six months or so that I became really serious about trying to grow figs. I have been reading a lot and have absorbed a lot but there is of course a lot still to learn.
I am located in Murfreesboro, TN (technically between Murfreesboro and Lebanon) and planted my first fig tree in late April. It is a Hardy Chicago purchased from Hidden Springs nursery near Cookeville, TN. After planting that tree I began really diving in to the propagation aspect of fig trees and then tried my hand at propagating my aunt's fig tree. She does not know what kind it is only that it was a sucker from the tree at her Dad's house and that tree is no longer there. I took three limbs of green growth (it died back to the ground this winter) and cut them to between 4 and 8 inches then placed them in baggies with barely damp sphagnum moss. They are currently in a drawer in my kitchen where I check on them every couple of days and let them 'breathe'. Today is day 16 in the bags and several of the cuttings had tiny roots yesterday as well as a plethora of initials.
To be honest I have never actually had a fresh or canned fig. Last year I bought some figs from Publix and they had no flavor what so ever. All I can really say is that the texture was not objectionable. Having said that I feel some what loony given that I am considering purchasing several more varieties in the next few days more or less to find out what kind of figs I like, if any. I have read many posts about TC figs and the results seem to be hit or miss in terms of productivity with nothing really suggesting to stay away at all costs. I have also read a few posts on different flavor categories (Sugar, Honey, etc.) and I am contemplating purchasing a Lattarula, Celeste, Violette de Bordeaux, and Ischia from WellSpring Gardens in the next few days in an attempt to grow them out the rest of the summer and crossing my fingers for a couple of different figs next year. They are definitely the right price and I am ok with having to grow them out with the 'risk' of not getting many or perhaps no figs next year. If that happens I will bide my time by propagating them as that is just fun in and of itself (almost like making something out of nothing).
I guess aside from introducing myself I was wondering if the above listed trees were a good starter group to determine what flavor of figs I like? Is there any reason not to purchase any of those? I don't believe they carry any of the 'exotic' flavors, such as Black Madeira, but I may try getting some of those from UC Davis next year if they have any as well as some mulberry cuttings (never had any of those either so I will probably try to get several varieties of those too). I read that they may or may not be sending cuttings to home gardeners any more but maybe I can have them shipped to work since I work at a University.
Any way thanks for an awesome information resource!
Matt
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