Here's a new area we've just built. These tables have enough room to hold 3,000 young fig plants, and the space under the tables is enough to hold 4,000+ cupped up figs in humidity bins. The plan is to run 2x4 boards across the top and hang grow lights from them. We have 50 humidity bins stacked up in our house eagerly waiting for this space.
We experienced a deep freeze about 3 weeks ago where we got down to around -6F, which caused the young trees and cuttings in this area to be frosted (the ones floating in the swimming pools were not frosted because of all that bottom heat and water vapor). At the time, we didn't have any more electrical capacity to heat with; we were already maxed out. So we hired an electrician who replaced our 100 Amp breaker box with a 200 Amp version and added some more outlets. Now we have the ability to heat this area and keep it well above frost even on the coldest nights. And on a positive note: the plants that were frosted have rebounded and pushed out new leaves, so it looks like they'll make a full recovery.
Here are some updated pics from some of the figs growing under grow lights in another tunnel:
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I wanted to point out a few varieties that I'm furthest behind on. If you have a chance to get these varieties from elsewhere, you may want to do so, because I might not have them ready for you until the Fall. I intend to buy a lot of cuttings from Harvey to help fill the gaps on my own production line, and because of that wildcard it's hard for me to say when certain varieties will and won't be ready. But given how far behind I am on these varieties and how pricey some of them are, it's likely that I won't be able to make up enough ground during Harvey's sale to get these to you this spring.
I-258
Figo Preto
NdA/HdA (I have lost dozens of these--strong tops but no or weak roots)
Maltese Beauty
Bass' Favorite
There may be others but those are the ones that are the biggest problem.
There are also some varieties that are growing and reproducing well, but that are behind pace due to sheer quantity: Black Madeira, Ponte Tresa, and Galicia Negra are the main ones that spring to mind.
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I again want to apologize to the entire forum for all the stress and frustration that this project, and my far-from-perfect execution of it, has caused. I continue to be 100% "all in" on this project, and remain fully committed to doing whatever it takes to make it a success, regardless of how much work or cost is required.
Things may look dark from the outside looking in, but here at ground zero there is a strong sense of excitement and optimism because of how well things are starting to go. Things are really ramping up here, and with all the infrastructure improvements and added space, we should be able to handle it and keep everything growing at full speed regardless of the outside weather.