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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > First Year Cutting Success Using Self Watering Containers (SWC)
 
 


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Pasquale1962

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Amazing results is an understatement. I followed the advice of a couple of forum members who used this technique to grow their figs. They utilized the SWC techniques of global buckets. Other than 2 of the figs grown which were already rooted, the rest were all cuttings won on Ebay. The LSU Golden Celeste cutting was from a generous forum member, and an additional cutting was from a local fig grower. I could never of imagined the growth that I experienced in this first year. 

The trees grown:
Salem Honey 
Raspberry Latte 
Brooklyn Dark (3) 308 
Banana
Unidentified Dark Fig 
Hardy Chicago (pre-rooted cutting)
EL Violet deBordeaux (This is the one I am most excited about, of the 4 cuttings received, I was able to get only one to root...I am attempting an airlayer on a small side shoot.) (PICTURED)
Italian Honey 
Italian Honey #2
Brooklyn Italian White 
LSU Gold Celeste Cutting from Forum Member
Green Ischia (Rooted from previous year)
 
Unfortunately, I was not  able to successfully root the following:
Sals Corleone
LSU Purple
Paradiso Nero

I plan to store my trees in an unheated attached garage. Since space is limited, my thoughts were to root prune the trees late winter before they break dormancy, and try to see if I can continue to grow them in these SWC...Thoughts and Comments regarding my intentions are welcome...as I don't want to lose any of these trees, especially my Violet de Bordeaux...
 
I, once again, want to thank all the fig forum members who freely share their successes and failures, so that we can all learn. It is wonderful to be associated with individuals who share the same passion that I do, in raising figs. I grew up in a family, where all my relatives had a fig tree in the backyard, which each year, was bent forward and buried, in order to protect it from the fierce Chicago winters...For me, raising fig trees is a connection to my family's roots and a connection to the old country. To paraphrase another forum member, fig trees can do grow like weeds...from dormant cuttings 6-8 inches, to a 4-6 foot tree in one growing season is remarkable!!! The orchard is pictured, awaiting to be moved to their winter home, as temps last night approached frost level in Chicago. I also have a photo of Violet de Bordeaux.

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go4broek

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
The plants look great!! Congrats!
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Ruben
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Wish List: Dalmatie, Italian 258, Martin's Unknown (not the Italian), CdD-N, NdC, Signora, Latarolla, Stella!
Check out my online journal @ http://davesgarden.com/community/journals/vbc/go4broek/83546/
drivewayfarmer

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I didn't see this when you first posted it.
They look fantastic.
The main problem I've encountered this season is the trees in these 5 gallon sips have gotten so big that I have some problem with them blowing over.
When I root pune this Winter , I'll also prune the tops back very hard and make plans to stake them down somehow next season.

Great looking group of plants there.
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Kerry Zone 5 NH
Wish list :Galicia Negra , Col de Dame Blanca/Negra  .
lukeott

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Do these 5 gal pots need root pruning every year? I am hoping not, but will do if need be.I was under the impression that you were able to get 3 years before root pruning in 5gal pot. If so, when is the best time to do. Early sping? Before first bud ?


luke
Pasquale1962

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Ruben- Thanks!!!

Kerry - Thanks for the advice and kind words, How has production been  with your 5 gallon sips? 
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nypd5229

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Root pruning depends on how much growth. I didn't root prune a few that started middle of last season.

But you will find a ton of roots invade the water reservoir. I will trim quite a bit this coming season. 2 inches off the bottom and about 1 to 2 inches off the sides.

My Preto is at 5 feet tall now and it was started as a cutting in March 2011.
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Dominick
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Figfinatic

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Do you keep them year after year in the 5 gallon buckets.
What do u do when they outgrow? If you trim top and roots, how productive are they? I have t had the best success with sips. Water is pretty salty and there is salt buildup in reservoir. Kills most of my plants, but haven't tried it much with figs.
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nypd5229

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Haven't done it long. Only 2 seasons. I know what you mean about the salt. Saw it in reservoir over the winter when they were dried out. White residue.
But it has not been a problem up until now. Nothing has died or withered.

My goal was to grow them in the SWC for about 3 to 5 years. Evaluate the fruit to see if I like. Then I was going to transfer those i like into the ground to test hardiness.
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Dominick
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Pasquale1962

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
nypd5229 Thanks, for your root pruning suggestions...This is the end of only my first year growing in the SWC...I want to be able to manage and maintain them and keep them in the buckets as long as I can, since I have limited overwinter storage space, and I know that root pruning will be a key in maintaining their health, potential growth and fruit production.
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drivewayfarmer

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Luke ,
Mine have been in these 5 gallon sips for 3 years with no root pruning.
I think they would have done better if root pruned every 2 years unless they are slow growers.  Almost nothing grows slow in a SIP.
I did root prune some at 2 years that were being moved from Sips to 5 gallon pots with side holes for sale. They were very easy to root prune at that size.
Never noticed salt build up in the sips , but I tend not to fertilize as much as I should and allow more overflow of the resevoir when I water probably because of slow reaction time in shutting off the hose.
Pasquale , production has varied . I have some 3 year olds that haven't fruited yet and some that produced 2 to 3 dozen figs this season and some in between.
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Kerry Zone 5 NH
Wish list :Galicia Negra , Col de Dame Blanca/Negra  .
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