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Subject: Trees of Joy Replies: 13
Posted By: TGO Views: 1,256
 
I ordered 3 trees from Bass... they arrived 6 days later on the west coast, were well packed, and healthy... highly recommended!!!

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Just wanted to post that James refunded both of my orders and he did so extremely fast. I wish him all the best and hope everything works out for him!

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfarach


Here's my idea for those who want a refund. Why not post what you ordered and I'm sure someone who likes your order will gladly give you what you paid, then a simple e-mail to James to rearrange the new shipping destination... Might be a long shot but I'm sure there are a lot of people who missed out and would love a shot at some nice trees...


Why go through all that bother, he is still selling ALL varieties for a March 2017 delivery... It is quite clear that not everyone has thought this through...

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nickdef
The worrying of not getting trees should be over with along with accusations. If you are worried, PM James for a refund....PERIOD. I doubt the negative posters will reach out for a refund because after all, they wouldn't want to pay fair market price for their trees. Nothing in this world is free and you must pay with patience.


I just sent my e-mail asking James to refund both of my orders. I was willing to wait but in the end it was not worth it. I do not mind paying a fair price for quality items AND I do not mind waiting for deals... but there has been more involved in this instance. In this case being able to walk away from this thread will be priceless. The suggestion to PM James for a refund if you are concerned is a good suggestion... suggesting that you "must pay with patience" for all the things in this world that are not free, well that is a whole bunch of stupid that I have no patience for...

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fignutty
James has been working day and night for months if not a year and is looking at another 6 months if not longer for what?

Best I can figure 1400 trees x $7 = $9800 gross. That's not profit that's gross. He's losing his shirt. And someone expects compensation for the delay???

Come on guys lighten up. I'm hoping James doesn't work himself to death for nothing.


Let's wait to nominate him for Sainthood until he actually delivers the trees. This is his program, he set it up and collected the money. He should have known what he was committing himself to and made appropriate limits on what he can produce. At this time he is still taking orders and money for trees with a scheduled delivery for March 2017... I think based just on what he has said regarding the updates that delivery of the 2017 trees in March is highly questionable. I am all for hoping for the best and understand it is a great undertaking that can be very beneficial for those of us who have orders in, but crowning him as some kind of hero falling on his sword for the benefit of the fig community is frankly premature at this point.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by adipose
If I understood correctly, the "easy" varieties won't all be ready until about 10 weeks from today.  I think part of the issue is, if he ships things early, it reduces the amount of mother trees to propagate into new trees.  The method seems to be:

tree -> 10 trees -> 100 trees

But if what happens instead is (at 50% success)

tree -> 5 trees -> 25 trees -> 125 trees

He will have to do an extra cycle to get to 100 trees.  As a result, he cannot ship many from the 25 trees or his next cycle will be compromised.  According to his last update, the easy one are on target to be put in their shipping containers soon (2 weeks), but won't be shippable for 6-8 weeks after that.  So those aren't an issue, but there are also 8-10 weeks before they ship.

If that is true it does beg the question how the previous target delivery date he indicated was end of August... there are still a few difficulties in understanding what he is doing I think (despite his very much appreciated update). I mean to say, if at the end of June he realized July 1 target date was not going to be met, but it takes 8 to 10 weeks after the delivery plants are rooted and potted how could he project end of August for final delivery (knowing he was nowhere near getting the final generation rooted and potted)? With another 8 to 10 weeks for even the easy varieties optimistically that puts us into November for the easy varieties. I understood he was shipping some of the easier orders now, perhaps I misunderstood. It is difficult to reconcile the process with the initial delay and revised projection of a late August delivery if the entire project was 4+ months behind. I am sure he has thought this through better than we have but there appears still to be some discrepancies. I am thankful for the update and wish him well in his progress but remain concerned.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by FigWhisperer
Well, I sincerely hope that all the accusers got their answers.

Now let the man finish his project and be quiet, please!

I would never want to be in James's shoes.

Shame on you all.


One person made, what amounted to accusations. Many people posted concerns. The concerns are legitimate and understandable as James himself has acknowledged. So I hope you did not mean to infer that nobody should dare question the status of the project or post any concerns about the delinquent nature of the deliverables or the need to improve communication. James updating us about the progress and the challenges along with sharing his good intentions to finish the project and make it right is a positive, well received, development... but we are a long way from "packages on the porch"...

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenFin
Sorry about the lack of updates, here's a link to an update I just posted: http://www.figcuttings.com/2016/09/fig-propagation-project-update.html

I'll re-post it here later after I adjust the formatting so that it will look right.

Again I'm very sorry about the lack of good communication, I know it's important.  It was due to a combination of being very busy/tired, embarrassed about being behind pace, and worried about setting myself up to get robbed.  I'll get back to doing weekly updates from now on.

I promise that all of you will get your trees, and I will do whatever I can to make it up to you for them being late.

James, thank you for the update! This goes a long way in curbing some of the concern! Please keep us posted and as the previous poster mentioned if you have any further specifics about revised delivery targets keep us updated. Thanks!

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pofigist
" but anyone who has paid $$$$ has a legitimate right to be concerned based on performance to date. "    


True, but seems like unknown   member, who started this storm , not even a concerned buyer..... 

       

Well I am a concerned buyer, and I was so concerned I contacted James directly. I am still concerned. The issue at hand is the performance of James to deliver to paid customers products he has committed to deliver and provide clear communication when difficulties are encountered. While I really want to give him the benefit of the doubt, that is the issue at hand, and there is a clear basis to be concerned based on performance.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pofigist

Give him a break….


Well I think the majority of folks here have given him a break. With the exception of a few critical posts most are expressing concern. Concern is warranted IMO not apologetics. As I have said it is a little early to storm the castle IMO, but to overlook legitimate concerns and substantive failures to deliver is not wise at this point. You might ask, what point are we at, what failures? OK, we have a failure to deliver trees that were paid for at a revised delivery schedule James himself posted (end of August). We have a failure to communicate, both the status of the project and any updated delivery projections (he responded to my initial email but did not post an update here as he indicated he would). We have a failure of the business model... not only has the initial phase failed to deliver by revised projected delivery dates but he has expanded his sales offerings by expanding beyond the 2016 and 2017 trees for sale by offering cuttings for sale this winter that includes some of the very same varieties he has indicated a difficulty propogating that has resulted in the failure to meet delivery projections... if you are having difficulty meeting the first phase of the project why open a third phase that utilizes resources that should be dedicated to ensuring phase 1 and 2 are completed and delivered successfully?

I don'the know all of the details and I have tempered my concern with a desire to give the benefit of the doubt, but the margins are slim and I do not think anyone can say concern is not warranted or that James should be "given a break". It is simple business, delivery is expected on goods that have been paid for... and when difficulties arise clear communication and honest effort is required. I too hope he can pull this together, but anyone who has paid $$$$ has a legitimate right to be concerned based on performance to date.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
It is not exactly true that greenfin is not answering emails. I contacted him with my concerns about the lack of updates and questioned the status of the project. This is an excerpt from his reply of September 2nd (I would not feel comfortable quoting from his email and posting here but because he did not post his update as he indicated and because of the amount of $ involved I think it is appropriate)...


"I've started shipping out some of the orders, but it's just a slow trickle. The hangup is that there are about a dozen varieties that have lagged behind, at first because of slow growth, but also because of difficult rooting which caused a lot (over half?) of them to fail. For example, whereas my propagation success rates for most varieties has been around 80-90%, my success rate with turning cuttings of the troublemakers like Black Madeira/I-258/Figo Preto/Maltese Beauty/Native de Argentile/etc into bonafide trees has been around 50% at best. That means I'm going to have to do another prune/root/grow cycle to further multiply the stock, which I think is going to add another 6-8 weeks.

I am very, very sorry about being so late! I feel horrible about these delays, they put my stomach in knots. I'm planning on doing updates on f4f tonight, and am absolutely dreading it. I hate letting people down like this.

The good news is that the project is still progressing and everyone will still get their trees, even if I have to heat all my greenhouses to keep them growing into the winter"

END QUOTE
I still have my concerns and he did not respond yet to my follow up question where I asked point blank if he can deliver the March 2017 trees on time. I have been concerned about putting in any more orders for myself before I see some orders fulfilled. I have not been able to understand how he can sell cuttings this winter of all the varieties he indicates he is having difficulty propagating and delivering that are past due (late August was the last update for the 2016 trees but now it looks like ???).
Anyway, it is not true that he is not responding to email and just because I do not understand his process does not mean that he is involved in anything but a well intentioned project that has encountered difficulties... I do have concerns but feel it is a little early to storm the castle.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Any updates on delivery? September is coming up quick, just wondering when the trees start shipping. I am waiting for my delivery prior to putting in another order for 2017. Thanks in advance for the info!

Subject: Cuttings listings are up, ~230 varieties Replies: 24
Posted By: TGO Views: 1,068
 
Wow, $30 + dollars for three cuttings of many/some of the varieties. I am sure you have a perfect reputation based on your length of participation on this forum, so that is not much of a concern... BUT I ordered 2016 plants (expected shipment in July 2016) and ordered plants for shipment in March 2017... I will consider purchasing some cuttings, and more plants once I see some plants show up. I do not mean this in a bad way but I think it would be good for some deliveries and satisfied customers to occur prior to offering another round of cuttings/plants. I understand you had some challenges, and I can understand, but I wondered why none of the 2017 plant offerings sold out and now cuttings are being offered (and yet the 2016 plants were not delivered when they were projected to be delivered) . I apologize if your intentions are good and I have misunderstood your process but after ordering plants for delivery projected July 2016 and more plants projected for delivery March 2017... I want to see some plants show up prior to ordering anything further.

Subject: Monticello fig Replies: 26
Posted By: TGO Views: 2,958
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by brianm
Two years no figs. Gonna go bye bye
Wow, that's a bummer. They are still being sold at some of the nurseries and there was a good buzz about them initially. Noone else has posted anything positive for quite some time, very little on the fig quality and what little there is was posted a year or more ago... of course I ask because I ordered one but what the heck I will give it a go but keep my eyes on them. Thanks for responding!!!

Subject: Monticello fig Replies: 26
Posted By: TGO Views: 2,958
 
Any updates on this variety? It would seem there should be a few out there in their second or third year of production, I would be interested in any observations on taste, growth rate, production ect... Thanks in advance! Tim

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philsphigs

Hey James,

Thanks for the updates on the thread and all of your work!  Just had a quick question as to when in July will the figs be sent out?

Thank you,

Phil


Hopefully the July deliveries are still on track... looking forward to mine! I ordered some for next March as well and will put in another order for next March since he has added more varieties but figured I would wait for my July order to see how they arrive. It is a great opportunity to pick up some rare varieties so I have been excited... looking forward to an update!!!

Subject: what is it ????/ Replies: 23
Posted By: TGO Views: 418
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by figpig_66

Give it some Epson salt. Will cure that spotted look and make it dark green. Works great for FMV.

Should Epson salt be applied as a foliar spray or via watering (I assum as a foliar spray but figure I should ck)... What is the ES to water ratio you use? Thanks in advance, Tim

Subject: The Ugly Duckling Replies: 4
Posted By: TGO Views: 217
 
Thx for the responses, I will leave the figs on and see what happens!I put 4 fig trees in the ground this year so far and this tree is by far my favorite, I ck on it every day lol... of course my overall favorite is thd figo preto I got from Jon, it is doing well but will stay in a pot for this season anyway. Regards, Tim

Subject: The Ugly Duckling Replies: 4
Posted By: TGO Views: 217
 
So I was at a local nursery looking at the fig trees and one of the folks came over to see if I needed help. I told him I was looking for another VdB but didn't see any out. He told me to walk across the street to their overflow field... so off I go. Once I find the fig trees I see they have a couple hundred and I find the VdB row. They are all fresh from the nursery recently up potted around 3-4 foot tall with just a few leaves growing from a top node. As I was scrutinizing them the guy that manages their overflow field walks up and asks if he can help. I tell him I am looking at the VdB's they have but looking for one with more growth. He tells me they have all just recently arrived but he does have one plant with more growth if I don't mind a shorter plant with "character"... so he walks me over to this plant

So this plant has obviously been around the nursery for a while... looks like someone broke it in half and it grew back short and squat... I noticed it has 9 well developed stems growing. The guy says "this is all I got if you don't want one of the new ones"... I say "That's the one I want" SOLD

You an see the size of the trunk by comparing the quarter at the base of the tree in the photo.

I planted it right away in a nice spot on one of my banks. It was slightly rootbound in the 5 gallon bucket but the roots looked healthy. It has been in the ground for 2 weeks and the leaves curled slightly but no other signs of stress and the leaves still look quite healthy. Figs are starting to come in.



It would probably be smarter to pinch off the figs to let the plant continue to get established, but I figure this tree is at least 2 years old I am tempted to let them (the figs) grow out and see what happens... what do you all think pinch off or let em grow?

You never know what kind of ugly ducklings your nurseries might be hiding away!!!
Tim

Subject: Figo Preto "countdown" Replies: 23
Posted By: TGO Views: 579
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Figgysid1
The soilmix I use is Promix bx, Coco coir and perlite #4, 1/1/1 mix. I water about 1 gallon per day into a tray at the bottom of the pot, I water again once it's empty, usually every day, unless it's overcast. I reduced the water since it started to ripen, down to 1 cup a day.
Thanks! I have never used the coco coir but will try it out after seeing your results... I will also try out bottom watering. Well done!

Subject: Figo Preto "countdown" Replies: 23
Posted By: TGO Views: 579
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by figpig_66
He lives in Hawaii! !! I would grow fast threre too. Lol. I got a preto growing but no figs yet. Had one late in the season but took them off last year so it could grow faster. Was too late for them to ripen. Post pics before you eat it.

LOL, yup I guess growing in hawaii is a lot easier, but since I am in Southern California I am hoping my conditions will allow for even a fraction of that growth rate... truth is I have been watching mine EVERY day to make sure it does not die :)

Subject: Figo Preto "countdown" Replies: 23
Posted By: TGO Views: 579
 
Awesome, I keep hearing how slow they grow but your success is encouraging! I just got my 3 leaf preto a few weeks ago so it is great to hear the growth rate can be great under some conditions/environments! What is the soil mix you used made up of? How often do you water and if not on a regular schedule are you looking for the plant to stress to indicate the need for watering? Curious minds want to know!

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Well I put in an order for next March as well... kinda like being in a "fig of the year club" I have some coming this July and then some more next March. I ordered early because I was concerned some of theing varieties I wanted like ponte tresa would sell out. With the affordable prices this was a great opportunity and I figure just a great way to build a collection in the future without going broke buying on ebay. Thanks again and I look forward to building up my collection of varieties!!!

Subject: My FIgaholics Youtube Channel Replies: 22
Posted By: TGO Views: 601
 
Very interesting videos... I subscribed, Thanks!

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
Tree list: figo preto, saratoga, b mad 02, encanto red, green ischia, hearty Chicago, celeste, adriatic gc (some variant of desert king?)

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
No pics, I meant to but once we started talking and going through the figs my mind wandrew from fig tree to fig tree. Sorry

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
Jon was very cool, I got my figo preto!

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
Will definately ask about black madeira... I can only hope :) but if I can only get the figo preto that would be awesome as well!

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
Thanks everyone... so my list so far is: "figo preto" and vista... I have panache already (on the way) and I did not see the unknown pastillere on Jon's available plant list (but I will ask). Also looking at St Rita and de la reina... will ask Jon about them and hopefully he can steer me to a couple others. Thanks!!!

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
He has an online site but you need to email to make arrangements to purchase or visit... this is my understanding, someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
PS... I am growing in so cal, riverside ca... It's plenty hot :)

Subject: Heading to Encanto Farms Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 559
 
Hey all, I have a confirmed access pass to Encanto Farms on Saturday. I am really excited to see the operation and get some tips on Growing figs from Jon. I am also looking forward to picking up a few fig trees. Top of my list is Figo Preto... most of the other varieties I know little or nothing about. From his available plant list are there any that stand out for you all, and why? I understand taste is subjective but hope to get a nice narrowed down list before Saturday so I don't take up too much of Jon's time. Dark or green does not matter so much to me as rich, complex flavors with berry notes being a plus. Thanks so much for any assistance or guidance you can provide! Tim

Subject: OT: Peaches and Plums Replies: 21
Posted By: TGO Views: 509
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by akrouus
i have a blenheim apricot and santa barbara peach. both fruited for us first year in ground in 2011. nothing since...

its either no pollination occurring during bloom period, or maybe the lack of regular fertilizer . any thoughts would be appreciated from stone fruit experts.

the apricot started to bloom this year , and then got hit by a monster rain storm, so not too confident this will be the year.

i am in socal

I am in So Cal too and my apricot tree had a TON of blooms, but many of them dropped. We had the same raim (of course)... I still have fruit developing on the tree but significantly less than previous years. It's a shame cause the window of opportunity to set fruit has passed for me I think and will need to just be happy with what is left... if course there will be a battle of biblical proportions with the birds later in the season for what remains... I usually let them have their share but I figure theirs all dropped :)
Interestingly my citrus fruit set appears to be progressing as normal, still early but looks good. Good luck!

Subject: Off topic Banana and Kiwi Replies: 4
Posted By: TGO Views: 125
 
It isn't April fools day for another week and a half :)
http://www.snopes.com/banana-kiwi-hoax-video/

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: TGO Views: 28,737
 
Hello, my very first post! I had been using the forum for info for quite some time (actually more often then not when using Google I was brought here for the info) but recently just joined. Completly separate to that, and before I saw this post, I stumbled on the website James created and saw this offer. Blindly, I ordered 2 of the varieties left (at this point most have sold out). I figured, what the heck! Dr. Monticello was one that I chose. I don't know much about it and info seems sparse but what I did see looked very promising, and the whole point for me was getting something I could never find at my local nursery. After seeing the scope of the operation this effort has required I am truly thankful for the opportunity to pick up a couple plants at such a reasonable price and also feel great that business is going to someone who loves figs and is part of the larger community. So often business is done by the larger companies with only bottom line in mind and consequently the attention to detail and passion for the plants are lost in the process. I am excited and steeped in anticipation! Well done, and thx!!!