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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > -3* F Friday night,here in Zone 6b.
 
 


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Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I checked my in ground fig trees for frost Damage,and ,here are the results for the plants I did not Winter protect this year.
NO DAMAGE:
Gino's
Marseilles black vs
Malta black
Dalmatie
Atreano
Tacoma Violet
Adriatic  JH
Hardy Chicago
Vasilika Sika
Improved Celeste
Sal Gene strain

Frost Damage on:
Violette de Bordeaux

I have other rare varieties ,some are younger too, and these were winter protected so I did not  uncovered to check,but will see on March First,2014.
So far Violette de Bordeaux is only marginally hardy .
Chivas

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
We had some -3 plus windchill here last week, about to go to possibly -11 (f) tomorrow night and the MB VS uncovered in ground second year tree (chewed up by the dog) still looks fine.  It`s a little more sheltered than the rest that are covered but tomorrow night may put it down.
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bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
VdB was slightly damaged on the tips after being out in the 20 degree weather for few days. all the other trees do not show damage. i think VdB is not very cold tolerant. it's 5 yr old tree and i expected it to handle 20 degree weather. 
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Pete
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Zone 7b

"don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill
"the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher

***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
pino

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Herman
How are you checking for frost damage?  I thought if the cambian layer is damaged you may not notice until growing time.
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greg88

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
is 4 with wind chills into the -teens.  I would be worried about unprotected trees.
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bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
you can tell the obvious part where they are dead. usually they look like they are shriveled up. bone dry. cut about an 1" below that point. what was that 4 D? Diseased, Damaged, Dead, and Design. 
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Pete
Durham, NC
Zone 7b

"don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill
"the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher

***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
I didn't protect many of my trees this winter, we hit -4F Friday, tonight it may get even colder with the windchill. I think it will be difficult to tell now all the cold damage. 
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GeneDaniels

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chivas
We had some -3 plus windchill here last week, about to go to possibly -11 (f) tomorrow night and the MB VS uncovered in ground second year tree (chewed up by the dog) still looks fine.  It`s a little more sheltered than the rest that are covered but tomorrow night may put it down.


Chivas, Have you found a good way to get your dog to quit chewing young fig trees? Do  you spray anything on them?

My son's beagle has been hard on mine as soon as the leaves fall. I am hoping he will grow out of it.
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Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow.  Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?
Chivas

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
I have not found a good way to stop her other than put up fencing around them.  She chews rose canes too (always the weak canes though) so I just keep trying to teach her not to chew them, she is getting better but after 3-4 weeks of nothing she pops up and chews another branch.  The oldest tree I leave alone she hasn't touched it yet and the male pees on it frequently so maybe the ones she chews are her territory?
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Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
If wood is dead the said branch snaps ,and breaks when bent.
Also the wood looks dry and dead.
The growing buds on a dead branch are totally dry and not green when cut open but whitish and dry.
It is easy to see the difference ,between dead and alive buds.
GeneDaniels

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chivas
I have not found a good way to stop her other than put up fencing around them.  She chews rose canes too (always the weak canes though) so I just keep trying to teach her not to chew them, she is getting better but after 3-4 weeks of nothing she pops up and chews another branch.  The oldest tree I leave alone she hasn't touched it yet and the male pees on it frequently so maybe the ones she chews are her territory?


I have heard that a mixture of vinegar, garlic and hot sauce will keep them away. I am going to try it on some raspberries that the dog also likes. Funny thing, the things he really likes to chew are all fruit bearing, and if you smell the fresh cut wood, it smells good. If it is strong and good smelling to me, I can't imagine how much stronger that smell is to a canine.
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Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow.  Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?
COGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
It was -2*F 34 degrees below freezing when I got up this morning. Thankfully the fig trees are slumbering soundly in the garage.
Chivas

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
The problem is they don't mind chilis or vinegar and garlic really upsets one of their stomachs and we eat a lot of all three so they think it is food for them to eat.
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Willofig

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Just checked temp outside,-8 degrees with wind chill of -37 degrees!!!
I ask myself why did I decided to leave 4 trees outside unprotected!!!!!
Only time will tell come spring..
Very nice of you Daniel you maybe getting some PMs.. 
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Mario
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Willowick,Oh
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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Seriously, Herman, you gotta move to paradise. ;-))
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bigbadbill

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Thanks for this information, Herman. I was hoping you would communicate your experience about the effect of uniquely cold weather we have had on cold hardy figs. I use your information as a guide of what I should do, since we have similar climates. I also noticed my 6 year old Sal's GS apparently escaped this cold snap unscathed without protection. It certainly is a tough variety.
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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Wind chill relates only to human skin.  It doesn't have any meaning for other animals or plants.
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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
timclymer

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Thanks for all of the information presented here.  Herman, I'll be interested to hear how things check out in the spring.  Please keep us posted!

This has been the coldest snap here (south central PA) in quite a few years.  My thermometer, when I went to check it this morning, registered -3 in my orchard.  I'm guessing it got to maybe around -5 last night.

Bob, I do think wind chill counts to a degree when temperatures get this cold.  I'm thinking it matters in terms of desiccation of plant tissues that eventually leads to their death.  Zero degrees with very little to no wind, in my mind, is a good bit less damaging than zero degrees with a strong wind.  I think this is why fig trees in the north are often wrapped.  It's not that wrapping keeps the fig trees significantly "warmer" (for that to be the case, fig trees would need to be capable of producing heat like a human), but rather that it keeps the plant tissues from drying out in the cold.

That's my current theory, anyway.  To practice this theory I've simply mulched my trees very heavily this year (6-12").  I'm thinking/hoping that the "buried" portion of the tree will survive even if the top dies out.
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Willofig

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
With all  the sub zero weather we been having I though I would check the fig trees in storage.
I think I can say I lost at lease 20 plants.
Ends of branches are black and wrinkled almost to soil level.
Can only hope spring comes soon and the rest will make it.. 
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Mario
zone 6a
Willowick,Oh
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
On This date February 9,I checked my inground trees again and noticed ,much more damage on many more cultivars.
Mt Etna type figs,are again Winners,with minimal to no damage ,Malta Black is also in good shape.
Others like ,Kathleen Black Maltese Falcon,Dalmatie,Atreano,Violette de Bordeaux,Saint Anthony,etc,have some visible damage ,on tips,and will know better in the Spring,the total damage.
Of course this Winter is ,more harsh than any other I witnessed in this location since 1988.
I am sure ,the  plants will survive,but will be much shorter in the Spring,some ,will start at the soil level.
If they are old in ground with old strong roots they will grow fast,and produce ripe fruits till Fall,especially if Summer is long and hot in 2014.
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Major Die Back on all cultivars protected or not.
Blankets and Tarp over did not work this time.
Chicken wire cage filled with leaves and, water barrier,(plastic),in top worked much better.
The only fig trees with,  some  live outside  wood are those protected with leaves.
Now I know,because this Winter was ,as cold as it can be here.
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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
Thank you for the report. You have convinced me not to grow in the ground in Denver. Hopefully, they will spring back quickly.
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eboone

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
It's a big spin of the roulette wheel, isn't it.  Will it get this cold again next year?  Five Years?  Twenty years? 

I'm curious, Herman, what do you plan to do differently in the future?  Just protect them better? 
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Ed
Zone 6A - Southwest PA     
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Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid),  Col Littman's Black Cross.   And any cold hardy early fig.
bigbadbill

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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Pete, did you have black Madeira in the ground?
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pawpawbill

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
all my inground trees:  celeste, BT, chicago hardy, JHA, improved celeste , verte, MBVS all killed to ground. no protection other than mulch.  Hit zero 1 below several times this winter.  will defintely use protection next winter.  "no glove, no love"
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
Ed:,Next Winter I will protect using leaves ,as  much as I can,and where I use blankets,it will be multiple blankets,on each fig .
Of course I will protect only a few plants mainly the ones that will produce ripe fruits,starting from soil level.
Of course I will keep only three trunks or less on each fig that grew from soil line and eliminate all others ,this year,in order to have fast fruit developing and ripening,to win the race against short Summer.
BronxFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
Sorry to read about all the winter-killed, and damaged collections.  The winter months were terrible.  Hope you guys can regrow, or replace what's been lost.

Frank
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robertharper

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Herman, which three figs that were killed back the to ground, will produce, and ripen all its fruit, for you this summer?

Also, which one will produce the most figs of the three, before frost hits.

Plus the name, of that fig that will produce the most figs after being killed to the ground, and how many individual figs will it produce, after being killed to the ground.

Thanks for information Herman.

Bob @ T. Pine
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #29 
So sorry about your trees.  Let us know if any don't re-sprout and I'm sure we'll replace the ones we can.  You had some unique varieties.
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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
lampo

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Posted Reply with quote  #30 
Good Lord! Sorry to hear of such climate and what it has been doing to your plants.
Where is the Global Warming ?

Courage !

Francisco
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Posted Reply with quote  #31 
Sorry to hear about the winter damage herman, it was a brutal winter for many, I've been wondering if straw or hay would have better thermal properties than leaves
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eboone

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Posted Reply with quote  #32 
robertharper - I wondered how your figs survived the winter, since you are trialling cold hardy varieties?
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Ed
Zone 6A - Southwest PA     
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Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid),  Col Littman's Black Cross.   And any cold hardy early fig.
robertharper

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Posted Reply with quote  #33 
We had lows around 9 to 10 below.

The in ground figs only suffered from 0 to maybe 3 to 5%. Most lost only an inch or so of tip growth. Some lost nothing.

Even Kathleen's Black, which was bent to the ground and covered with bags of potting soil, and aluminum bubble insulation, came through with no cold damage. But was hit hard by mice. The only one were the mice ate the rat poison and then ate the plant. 

Uncovered figs died back to several inches above ground to may be 2 to 3 feet from ground.


Bob @ T. Pine 
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Posted Reply with quote  #34 
I was surprised when my first year Violette de Bordeaux with a trunk thickness over 1 1/2 " was killed down to the soil line. I took it out and replaced it with a Cold de Dame about a month ago. The VDB is growing in a pot now like a shrub. Multiple shoots are coming out.
I thought that it should be hardier than that down here in TX.
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Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #35 
Thanks to all poster for the good wishes about my trees.
My opinion is that all my dead to ground trees are alive and well in ground and will fast recover.
Will let you know if any died totally roots and all.
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #36 
Black Ischia from UCD,had 6 trunks ,(new)from last year.
It did not ripe any fruits in 2013.
It is dead to soil line again,(maybe deeper).
If it died totally ,then good riddance,as I had 5 ripe fruits in over 10 years.
And so it goes for Verdal Longue from same source.
They were covered protected ,etc,to no help.
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #37 
And also good riddance to any cultivar that it was 2 years old or older and died while Winter protected.
I will not be replacing it because it can be good in other milder climates but not here.
aphahn

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Posted Reply with quote  #38 
Wow Herman, I'm sorry to hear about the damage to your trees. Hopefully most will come bounding back from the roots.
Do you happen to know how your friend's Florea faired? If I remember correctly you don't grow it in your yard.
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Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #39 
Andi:I do not know how Florea ,came out from Winter,as My friend Jon sold the house in Beverly NJ.
However I will check it out this Summer because it can be seen from the road.
cis4elk

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Posted Reply with quote  #40 
Herman, I have noticed over time in many of your pictures you have either soil or well aged compost mounded what looks to be at least 6 inches up on the base of your trees. I have always meant to ask if there was one specific reason you do this? There are multiple reasons I could think of.

1- A great and easy way to start multiple air layers.
2- Insurance for winter protection. Meaning if they are going to freeze to the soil line, why not bring the soil line up 6-12 inches and preserve more buds.
3- Well aged compost will accomplish 1 and 2 plus feed the tree and gradually receed throught the summer.
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Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #41 
All of the above,plus,I am trying to make the rain slide down away from my fig trees.
We had up to 70 inches of rain in 2012,and over 50 inches every year since 2010.
My trees are suffering from too much water at the roots.
By the way:All my trees are alive ,growing new buds, at this point except:
Burnisotte blanc (white),Verdal Longue ,Maltese Falcon, Kathleen Black,and Dalmatie,with all siblings like Stella,White Greek,San Pietro.
They seem to be the list cold hardy,but I do not think they are dead,just late.
cis4elk

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Posted Reply with quote  #42 
Good to hear!
Thanks for the reply on that. We don't get that much rain here so shedding water didn't even occur to me, very smart.
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Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6
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Chivas

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Posted Reply with quote  #43 
Similar results here Herman, with similar varities.  CddB was the first to open up, BM is next, Niagara black is just sitting there for a couple weeks.
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