Here's something you don't see often: WHITE FIGS.

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oldghost

Registered:1310788592
Posts: 235

Posted 1325644229	Reply with quote #1

As some of you know, I have some fig tress in my cellar that have a hard time sleeping. I can't seem to get it cold enough down there. Half of the trees are dormant, the other half...not so much. I posted about this problem before, and the prevailing advice was just to leave them to do their "thing" Well, this is their thing, new buds, new leaves and the cutest looking totally white figs you have ever seen. ( I would imagine due to lack of light) Some look like White Italian Eggplants. Inline image Inline image Inline image Inline image Inline image __________________ Nick. Brooklyn Zone 7B

ejp3

Registered:1193140374
Posts: 668

Posted 1325645821	Reply with quote #2

That's not good. They need to be kept in a colder spot. __________________ Ed NY zone 7 Wish list CDD Blanca/Negra

afigfan

Registered:1290133866
Posts: 220

Posted 1325650970	Reply with quote #3

Time for grow lights? __________________ -James In search of: Gypsy/Zingarella, Cammuna Small Black, and Barada cuttings(even one bud wonders)

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1325651617	Reply with quote #4

Not good indeed Nick. If they continue to grow with no light they could expend too much energy to recover. Growing plants need photosynthesis to survive. Grow lights or forcing them back into dormancy (colder temps) seems like your only two options. I could be wrong but that would be my thoughts. __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1325651745	Reply with quote #5

Since they're out of dormancy I'd bring them to the sunniest spot you have and let them grow normally for spring, but it's either in or out. Left like this you risk losing them. That's my opinion but I'm not the expert. __________________ 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.

hoosierbanana

Registered:1287901146
Posts: 2,186

Posted 1325653939	Reply with quote #6

If Nick rubs out the buds before they develop into anything big wouldn't that help to keep the trees from using energy? Another option is to take cuttings from the growers and put them in the fridge or start rooting them now. __________________ 7a, DE

nypd5229

Registered:1290455653
Posts: 1,903

Posted 1325683294	Reply with quote #7

That's neat and crazy! __________________ Dominick Zone 6a-MA

71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1325689848	Reply with quote #8

What is the temperature in the basement? __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

Wildforager

Registered:1237648107
Posts: 365

Posted 1325690534	Reply with quote #9

Wow, Ghost figs from the oldghost!! __________________ Little John Sheboygan, WI Zone 5B Wish List - Florea, Ronde De Bordeaux

saramc

Registered:1301867088
Posts: 486

Posted 1325730452	Reply with quote #10

Make friends with an Italian butcher and winter your plants in a meat locker. Your white figs reminded me of the cave-dwelling creatures that we see at Mammoth Cave in Cave City, KY.... white crawfish, frogs, worms, fish with no eyes. __________________ ~Sara~ Suburb near Louisville, KY//zone 5b-6b

striveforfreedom

Registered:1322497326
Posts: 437

Posted 1325735101	Reply with quote #11

Make figplant Parmesan. I'd knock the fruit and leaves off and make a few cuttings too. __________________ Vince Russo Norwalk, CT Zone 7A Wish list - Any cuttings of the Col de Dames would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

oldghost

Registered:1310788592
Posts: 235

Posted 1325736465	Reply with quote #12

I moved them over to the front side of the cellar. I didn't want to do it before cause it's a shared area with the cellar door open most of the day and a couple of 40 watt bulbs on. But it gets real cold there. I measured it at 35 to 40 today. The two trees with the most growth ( the Abebereira and the Altreano ) I moved upstairs to apt and placed them at the window, will let them get a some sun and see how they do. If the figs start turning their normal color I will leave them there the winter. If not, I will put them down stairs with the rest. Here's a shot of the new area, and another shot of my little " White Italian Eggplant Figs ". . Inline image Inline image Inline image Inline image Inline image Attached Images Cellar_Figs3_Dec4.jpg (262.15 KB, 174 views) Cellar_2_dec4.jpg (357.57 KB, 176 views) Cellat_dec4.jpg (568.75 KB, 176 views) white2_fig_dec4.jpg (233.46 KB, 175 views) white_fig_dec4.jpg (505.61 KB, 172 views) __________________ Nick. Brooklyn Zone 7B

hoosierbanana

Registered:1287901146
Posts: 2,186

Posted 1325740652	Reply with quote #13

They look like beluga whales to me. That spot is perfect! I doubt there is really any danger of it getting too cold down there, the pipes would freeze! __________________ 7a, DE

JoAnn749

Registered:1325443625
Posts: 1,184

Posted 1325745157	Reply with quote #14

Would it be possible to leave them outside with the pots covered with leaves and or a blanket? __________________ Jo-Ann DFW TX, Zone 7b-8a Wish List: Black Madeira,, Kathleen's Black, Malta Black, Marseille VS Black, White Paradisio, LSU Scott's Black, Conadria, White Trianna, Marttineca Rimada, Excel, Peter's Honey, Bebera Preta (Abebereira), Strawberry Verte

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1325774893	Reply with quote #15

Hi Nick, sounds like area of the cellar is nice place and you can even throw a tarp or something over the plants to keep the doorway breeze off them on colder days.

oldghost

Registered:1310788592
Posts: 235

Posted 1325796325	Reply with quote #16

Thanks for all the advice. I THINK those fig trees will be OK now. The new spot is definitively much colder. ( around 42* today down there) I didn't want to use that area, but it's either that or have white figs growing in the winter. Not certain if I should throw a light covering over them? Maybe Burlap. To shield them from the light? Wind isn't much of an issue, just wondering if they need to be kept in the dark? . Inline image Inline image Inline image Attached Images Temp.jpg (338.09 KB, 145 views) Cellat_dec25.jpg (303.54 KB, 145 views) Cellat_dec5.jpg (513.57 KB, 146 views) __________________ Nick. Brooklyn Zone 7B

Rob

Registered:1320245426
Posts: 550

Posted 1325797790	Reply with quote #17

Nick, They do not need darkness to be dormant. If they were in their normal climate and growing outside, they would receive sunlight all winter and still be dormant. So I think as long as it doesn't go much below freezing you will be fine. 25 or 30 is fine for the tops but I wouldn't want the soil to freeze in an extended cold snap, so just keep your eye on it. Other than that they should sleep happily there. Rob __________________ Rob Maryland Zone 7 http://rbfigs.webs.com/

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1325798468	Reply with quote #18

Post # 15 Nick for the colder days but in hindsight your colder days may not be that cold like here . As for light mine get light in the garage thru the upper door pane it does not bring them out of dormancy cause of the winter temps here. They respond to light is my belief going into dormancy with less daylight hours coupled with cold air temps and in spring months they respond to light with longer days of light and warmer temps and therfore start to wake up. Some folks like i help them in that spring process.