sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1420667359
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#1
Update : 08/13/2015 - Hello, I wanted to report that my first year plant raised from UNK Williams' dark cutting produced one fig and it is not really puuple but was more olive green/bronze with purplish hue, with am amber inside. Absolutely no seed crunch. I had the tree mostly under shade and I am not sure if this caused the fruit a different coloration than what the owner told me. Please see below the last 3 pics in this post #1. The friut was mildly sweet, almost jelly consistancy and a bit watery. Any idea what this cultivar coule be? Update : All cuttings accounted for. No more cuttings available at this time. Thanks for interest among forum members that want to grow this find. Interesting find this week. While talking to my friend Cindy at work, I found out she grew up eating figs and fig tree in her family home, west of Charlotte, NC and her mom still owned the home. Cindy found out from her mom Mrs.Williams, that the tree has been in the ground since 1948. The tree was put up by Cindy’s father in 1948 which came from an Italian friend Joe Garibaldi.
Mrs.Williams is 91 years old and has moved to live with Cindy in Northern country side North of Charlotte since last year.
Cindy was kind enough to take me to show the tree this afternoon during lunch break. The tree is not being maintained, but was strong. I noticed the tree had been cut down several times in the near past, but a number of strong bushy branches from the ground were available for me to get some good cuttings.
I could not get any more information than the tree produced purple figs and in abundance all summer. I saw some young dried and wrinkled up figs in some limbs and the crop seemed to have a pear shape and short neck.
During another local scouting last week I was able to get some cuttings of couple different figs trees from a kind Korean gentleman by name Knam, in North Charlotte. Mr.Knam's English was not good but had a warm and welcoming heart to share his tree cuttings with me. He mentioned one of his figs were small and black while the other was large purplish brown. He seems to love his fig trees and mentioned the figs were very good. He got the trees from members of his church and have had them in ground for more than 10 years. Again, I could not get much information, since we were struggling to communicate with each other. By the way, when I asked for cuttings, he brought a hand saw to saw off an entire limb for me and I had to stop him. I drove back home to get my stem pruners to get the cuttings. The cuttings were taken on 12/30.
I will post pictures of the cuttings soon.
I will be growing these cuttings later this winter. I may have some to give away and will post in the forum when available for members that are interested.
Update : here is the picture of cuttings I got today. The 12/30 cuttings are in the crisper. Update 02-17-2015 : I have a few cuttings rooted successfully from UNK Williams dark. I would like to send a few of these cuttings to interested forum members. I have total 5 packages of 2 cuttings that are atleast 6 inches long and minimum 3 nodes. Sending it for shipping of $5:00 per package. These are healthy cuttings and roots readily. Please PM if interested. Some of the forum members have sent me cuttings for shipping. I would like to give them first preference if they want these cuttings. I have to caution and be up front about these cuttings. I DO NOT KNOW HOW THE FRUITS WILL TURN OUT SINCE I GOT THE CUTTINGS JUST THIS WINTER. SO THIS IS FOR YOUR EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT TO KEEP IT IF YOU DECIDE. All I know of this fig is it is a dark fig and cold hardy for North Carolina weather zone 7a to 7b. The tree has been on the ground for a very long time. Here are some if the pictures of Williams dark that has rooted for me. Mr.Knam's cuttings are not rooting well so I have decided to hang on to them. Thanks. Mohan.
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__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
ChrisK
Registered:1415844271 Posts: 937
Posted 1420668014
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#2
Awesome,best of luck with Your cuttings.
__________________ ChrisK
Atl GA
Zone 7b-8a
rcantor
Registered:1309799312 Posts: 5,724
Posted 1420669079
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#3
Welcome to the forum and best of luck with those cuttings!
__________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: 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.
deerhunter16b
Registered:1352062719 Posts: 785
Posted 1420670322
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#4
Nice ....you may have the next great fig.
__________________ john
Zone 7a
RichinNJ
Registered:1374784282 Posts: 1,687
Posted 1420670777
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#5
Fig hunting is a lot of fun.
waynea
Registered:1362316304 Posts: 1,886
Posted 1420673688
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#6
Great findings, please keep us posted and updated with photos of tree, leaves and fruit when it is time.
greg88
Registered:1359498953 Posts: 800
Posted 1420674352
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#7
Great story and find! Please keep us posted
__________________ Greg North West Arkanasas Zone 6b Wish list: any SPECTACULAR cold hardy figs, and/or perhaps a Niagra Bl., Laradek EBT, Kathleen's Bl, Hunt, a great UNK or anything anyone wants me to have???
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1420676844
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#8
I sure will. The forum has been a great help. Will definitely keep the forum updated.
Here are the cuttings from 12/30.
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__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
nycfig
Registered:1380768118 Posts: 884
Posted 1420684531
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#9
Fig with a story. Nice! Good Luck!
__________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs!Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet
schaplin
Registered:1392175246 Posts: 662
Posted 1420685817
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#10
Great story. Can't wait to see what they look like and more importantly what they taste like.
__________________ Wish List: @Hmari, @Maltese beauty, @Col de Dame Grise, @Bryant Dark, @Lynhurst White, @Melcedonia Dark, @Panevino Dark, @Paradiso
Briian1972
Registered:1407645078 Posts: 57
Posted 1420686578
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#11
Nice to get cuttings with some history and a bit of mystery lol welcome to the fourm!
__________________ LIVE OAK, FL ZONE 8B figs growing LSU PURPLE, BROWN TURKEY, MAGNOLIA, BLACK MISSION, PETERS HONEY WISH LIST any variety that grow well in zone 8b
timmy2green
Registered:1304271666 Posts: 196
Posted 1420686648
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#12
Congrats and good luck getting those to grow. There's something special about growing an unknown, especially when it came to you with a story; a history. I love that!
__________________ Saratoga, NY - Zone 5a Wish List: Sbayi, Poona, Panevino Dark, Lebanese Red, Sumaki, Raspberry Latte, Negretta, Italian 258, De La Reina MP.
figpig_66
Registered:1416870358 Posts: 2,678
Posted 1420818727
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#13
I live 20 minites from the French Quarter. Going to get the wife to go with me and see what we may find. All ready got her to go to the lsu ag center were we got alot of cuttings. Dont know if the quarter will have any figs. We shell see
__________________ RICHIE BONI
HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID
WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity
Wish list. Col de dame blanc
Col de rimada
Lsu numbered figs
snaglpus
Registered:1244258188 Posts: 4,072
Posted 1420820196
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#14
Good luck with those cuttings! You and Richard live in my neck of the woods. Richard, my office is right next door to the French Quarter.
__________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a
rcantor
Registered:1309799312 Posts: 5,724
Posted 1420836602
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#15
Dennis I hope you don't have to walk to work.
__________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: 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.
MGorski
Registered:1399823521 Posts: 370
Posted 1420842694
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#16
Found unknown trees are always fun to grow out. Hope they turn out to be delicious, at least you know they will survive your climate. It's also great to connect with local fig lovers.
Mike in Hanover, VA
__________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito
snaglpus
Registered:1244258188 Posts: 4,072
Posted 1420843923
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#17
Bob, I live only 10 miles from work. I can get to work in 15mins in traffic going the back roads. I also live in West Charlotte.
I'm starting to collect a lot of unknowns now and I like it. Unknowns have a valid hardy record. They just don't have a fancy name. I'm leaving many of my named trees out just to test their hardiness. I met a guy last year at the farmer's market that said he has a huge Black Mission tree growing outside and is unprotected. He said it does not die to the ground like others. I think he has it shelted around walls or something. He didn't want to share cutting from it and I understand.
That Black Greek I found is still available for me this year for cuttings. I was able to get one airlayer from that tree. My other airlayers were eaten by gnats. But, I'll get cuttings from it next month.
__________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1424217639
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#18
Please see post #1 for updates.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
adoresfigs45
Registered:1421515059 Posts: 254
Posted 1424218288
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#19
Nice to hear from someone from my hometown. I see that Dennis lives in Charlotte also. I haven't been home for a while, but have friends there. Looking forward to more posts from the Carolina crew. The best to you all Joyce
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1424219174
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#20
Yes, hoping to connect with fellow Carolinians soon. I have met Alan Mercieca and hope to meet others soon.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1424558157
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#21
The packages are ready to be shipped on Monday. Good luck rooting them. They have been strong rooters. Kindly post on the progress. If anyone is interested, I used either of the below mixes, in a humidity chamber and heat mat. T5 Lights stays on for 8 hours. 1.Advanced Ultra coir mix that is used for hydroponic growing. and 2. Coco coir and coarse Perlite 50/50 mix. Key is to make sure the mix is rightly damp and not too soaking wet. If you squeeze the mix hard making a fist, you sould see just a drop or 2 of water. Both mix worked really great. I directly potted them all in the plastic cup and watched the roots take off.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1430840198
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#22
Forum members to whom I sent the cuttings, Any luck rooting them? Kindly let me know, just curious.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
adoresfigs45
Registered:1421515059 Posts: 254
Posted 1431037399
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#23
Hon, still waiting but cuttings still look nice. Watched pot won't boil I guess. Will keep you posted. Joyce
eboone
Registered:1378418906 Posts: 1,100
Posted 1431046764
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#24
Here is a pic of the two that I rooted-the other cuttings went to friends. They seemed to root pretty easily for me in moist perlite. They are currently hardening off in the shade.
Thanks for the cuttings!
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__________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross . And any cold hardy early fig.
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1431117123
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#25
Thanks Ed and Joyce.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1439480284
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#26
"bump"
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1439511864
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#27
Thanks Alan. Guess I have to wait until next year.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
Jimmy
Registered:1420236989 Posts: 42
Posted 1439559611
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#28
My Williams Unk.
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__________________ JimmyS
Zone 8a New Bern NC
Wish list ,Brooklyn white
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1439565144
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#29
Congrats Jimmy. I find them to be strong rooters and vigorous growers. Good Luck!!!
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
palazzophoto
Registered:1365388327 Posts: 140
Posted 1442375886
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#31
Leaves and Fig match eastern Brown Turkey. Also called Laredek. Check out my posts on Sunbird unknown.
__________________ Justin Palazzo Wish List: Red Sicilian,Red Israel,Sbayi, Martinenca Rimada(any of the Rimada family) Dauphine/Grantham's Royal,Figo Preto, Olympian Quality Unknown Cultivars
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1442402733
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#32
Thanks Justin. They look similar. I will wait another year to compare the figs to the pics you posted. Appreciate your feedback. By the way your Claderwood cuttings are growing well.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
SuperMario1
Registered:1441853363 Posts: 441
Posted 1442455591
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#33
What a cool story on those cuttings! Thanks for sharing!
__________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important : YOUR FAVORITE FIG . A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.
watagarasu
Registered:1442477620 Posts: 27
Posted 1442749624
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#34
where buy figs cutting on websites bro,,,help me
ChrisK
Registered:1415844271 Posts: 937
Posted 1442757030
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#35
Hey Mohan. The tree I got at the fest is doing great and thanks very much for sharing. You seriously have to think about naming it. I think the "Joe Garibaldi" name needs to be in it there somehow to preserve the history. Along with the Williams family name of course.
__________________ ChrisK
Atl GA
Zone 7b-8a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Posted 1442758475
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#36
Hi Chris, I have a gut feeling that this fig will be good one. May be the cultivar has been already ID'd and if so I would avoid adding confusion by giving another name. But I am going to wait another year to see how the fruit turns out to be and if in fact it is different may be we can coronate the tree with a name :)
Until then we can refer this cultivar as Unknown William's dark, since I have distributed the cuttings and a few plant.
I am planning on a trip to ATL 10/9 weekend. Will let you know once plan is finalized. I will swing by if you are in town. Let me know.
__________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
ChrisK
Registered:1415844271 Posts: 937
Posted 1442766168
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#37
Sounds great Mohan. Keep in touch.
__________________ ChrisK
Atl GA
Zone 7b-8a
sbmohan
Registered:1416704743 Posts: 223
Smyfigs
Registered:1443660141 Posts: 1,658
Posted 1470271017
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#39
Sbmohan, that is a great looking fig!!
__________________Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4
MGorski
Registered:1399823521 Posts: 370
Posted 1470277847
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#40
Love the two tone color. Doesn't look like Brown Turkey that I am familiar with. How would you describe the flavor?
Mike in Hanover, VA
__________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito
rmulhero
Registered:1429223986 Posts: 263
Posted 1470317716
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#41
Quote:
Originally Posted by sbmohan Members, I am impressed with the Williams dark. 1st year fruit - super nice. It's definitely a keeper with great qualities. Cold hardy since the mother tree is in zone 7a unprotected for a very long time. Super tight eye. Does not split on rain since I pulled the fruits right after a heavy rain in Charlotte. Oh, look at the inside. Just deelish.... Forum members with whom I shared the cuttings, please write back your feedback for your zones. Cherish them.
Looks like a keeper! I wonder how it would do up north in zone 5. Congrats on your healthy tree.
__________________ Becky, zone 5 Growing: Hardy Chicago, VdB, Dessert King, Celeste, Green Ischia, Marseilles VS, Kathleen's Black, Red Sicilian, Adriatic JH, Violetta bayerfeinge, New Brunswick, Magnolia and Italian Honey. Wishlist: Sicilian Black JR, Petite Negra, Sweet George, Lattarula, Sals Corleone (Gene), Vasilika sika, Galicia negra, Dalmatie and any cold hardy fig.