Hello,

I am a complete newbie at fig growing. I have been involved in growing all sorts of plants from orchids to stapeliads to apple/pears to Natal plum from South Africa. I got involved with figs by accident. My daughter, who lives in Oregon, in mid July asked me to cut her fig tree that had become a nuisance by blocking the city sidewalk. I cut all the branches to stubs so that the new growth could be selected to stay out of the public right of way. I put 10 twigs into water in coke bottles until I returned home 2 weeks later. My daughter's fig crop of course was lost for the year but we found a recipe for unriped figs and we made 40 jars of figs preserved in a syrup to be enjoyed in the winter.

Nine of my 10 twigs rooted and I planted the rooted cuttings in pots when I returned to Minnesota in late July. The variety of this Oregon fig tree is unknown but it produces very large figs that are delicious. Of course in Minnesota where I live (Zone 4b), the plants will have to be grown in pot but I don't know whether the figs will be able to ripen.

I would like advice on what varieties might be best for Minnesota zone 4b. Searching this forum I see Hardy Chicago, Desert King, Sals often mentioned for colder climates. What would be members' recommendations for zone 4b for plants grown in pot?

Are there members of this forum from zones 4a & 4b (Wisconsin, Minnesota)? I would love to hear from your rxperience with growing figs.

Thank you for the opportunity to join this forum.

Cheers,

Hi LaFigue,
Welcome to the forum !
In Zone4, you will have to really keep up with the good cares on your trees. Hope you have storage space in the garage or basement for the winter.
Dalmatie, BrownTurkey and longue-d-aout are often grown in cold Zones . I have them in balmy Zone7, and they are good reliable producer.
Good luck !

Hi,
For zone 4 Dalmatie will be too late for main crop, only breba will be delicious, but a few compare to main.
In my zone 5b it is late as a lot of second crop can not get ripe in ground.
Same should be with Brown Turkey.
Only the earliest varieties for main and "breba strains" should be taken for trials.

I would definitely grow Ronde de Bordeaux and Florea in your zone.
You'll be glad you did !

Welcome to the forum. Since you are in such a cold zone, I can tell you that my first fig to ripen in Texas is the Celeste, but not all Celestes are equal. I had another strain that kept dropping its fruit. There's also the improved Celeste. Before going for fancy names give the Celeste along with the Chicago Hardy a try. These two varieties never disappointed me so far. I must add that many varieties will not produce for several years.

My opinion,is exactly what "Drivewayfarmer  said + Malta Black

Ditto and welcome aboard.

The mentioned types are a great start.

Since you are planning on pots, you may do better than you expect.

I have not had one yet but I have been told the RDB, besides being a great fig, is reliably early.

In ground may be tough, but brebas in pots may serve you well.

With the experience you already have, you're in trouble.

But that's a good thing.

Mike

Welcome!  I'd get desert king along with the others mentioned.

Cutting season starts soon.  Nov - Jan is peak season but it keeps going until at least March.