Gave up hope months ago

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Matt_from_Pittsburgh

Registered:1232252573
Posts: 227

Posted 1408761414	Reply with quote #1

Last winter was a bad winter. Temperatures in Pittsburgh went down to -9F. Although I applied the same moderate winter protection that worked just fine in previous years, my four year-old LSU Tiger (my only in-ground tree) died to the soil this past winter. I cut the tree down over four months ago, and I haven't seen any signs of life since. So I was surprised and happy to see a few new shoots poking up through the mulch this morning. Sort of miraculous. __________________ Matt Pittsburgh, PA Zone 6ish

Otmani007

Registered:1404531079
Posts: 573

Posted 1408761824	Reply with quote #2

Matt, that's awesome that the tree is alive and shooting. Likewise, I had 4 fig trees that died to the ground last January and all of them came back with multiple shoots and they're now about 5 feet tall and bearing fruit. __________________ Dallas, TX - Zone 8a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache Otmani

Charitup

Registered:1364254079
Posts: 592

Posted 1408761860	Reply with quote #3

Alright I know that happy feeling __________________ goss North Ga. zone 7

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1408763991	Reply with quote #4

Congratulations! They have some growing to do in one month before the freeze sets in again. Put them in a pot and move them to a warm place for winter. Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

MichaelTucson

Registered:1333340598
Posts: 1,216

Posted 1408770892	Reply with quote #5

Congrats Matt. I'm glad it's still kickin'! Mike __________________ Pauca sed matura.

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

figherder

Registered:1378804761
Posts: 237

Posted 1408773902	Reply with quote #7

Congrats Matt. Looks like mother nature really wanted you to have that tree. :) __________________ Jeff in zone 5b Wish list St rita,Vista,Sal's G,De la Reina, preto, Sport and pops purple red from Bellaclare, Planera Malta Black, Navid Unk Dark Greek,

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1408777293	Reply with quote #8

Good luck with it coming back next year. Feed it potassium and phosphate and mulch it heavily if you leave it in the ground. __________________ 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.

Maro2Bear

Registered:1344284082
Posts: 732

Posted 1408781709	Reply with quote #9

So do you plan to now pot it? Or, let it in-ground? It is pretty amazint that it took this long to put up new shoots. Maybe it was storing energy and waiting for the proper amount of heat, water and nutrients. Good luck! __________________ Mark B., Glenn Dale, MD Zone 7a

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1408796904	Reply with quote #10

It isn't going to have much time to make energy for the winter. It will probably still be still be soft green wood when you get a frost. If it were mine I think I would pot it and keep it green over the winter or until it decided to go dormant.

ChillyNPhilly

Registered:1356891528
Posts: 365

Posted 1408800662	Reply with quote #11

That is amazing! It took until the end of August to break dormancy? What a tease. Makes me think I should keep watering my fig graveyard for a little while longer. Thanks for this picture and story, very interesting. __________________ Donna Philadelphia Zone 7

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1408804774	Reply with quote #12

I'm a rookie, no idea how big a 4y old tree's roots are. I would be afraid to dig it up and pot it, afraid that I would harm the already-damaged roots. I think the roots had to have been damaged for it to take this long to push out leaves. If you have some creative better way to insulate it this winter and keep the roots from freezing, would it do OK? Of course, the question is 'do you plan to keep it in the ground long term' ? Good luck with this one, Matt, I'd like to hear what you do with it and how it does in the future. __________________ 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.

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1408804774	Reply with quote #13

Edit: Sorry, double posted somehow. You have this year's record so far for the latest comeback! __________________ 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.

Njfred

Registered:1407978378
Posts: 62

Posted 1408884001	Reply with quote #14

Matt, as there is and will be very little growth, I'd try putting a mound of dirt, mulch or whatever over the plant and roots. Just remember to clear the dirt in early spring back to the original level. Tossing some snow on top wouldn't hurt either! :) __________________ NJ Zone 6a

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