We had our 20-year-cold winter coupla winters back (18 degrees) and they came through without any casualties, but for the few grafts that had dubious footholds to begin with.  It's funny how some just refuse to die, but also refuse to really grow or aggressively fuse-over the poorly matched portions of the graft.  Most grafts do rapidly callous into the imperfections.  The rootstock is from VA, Zone 7a-7b, so I have no concerns here in 8b!

Updated Varieties,

bottom tier 15 varieties

Conadria: from ginazjunk4yourtrunk on ebay May 13

it is fun to keep up with the frankenfigs progress.  Maybe a guest appearence on "Penny Dreadful" is in store.   I would like to see a pic of  Frank with your kids in front.   Bet they have grown like mad also.   

Top Tier 24 Varieties

LSU Gold: from LSU Burden 3/15/14

Smith: from LSU Burden 3/15/14

Alma:  from LSU Burden 3/15/14

Pastelliere:  from Aaron4USA on F4F 4/7/2014

Paradiso Bronze:   Rob on F4F  3/21/14

Bealle FN: Rob on F4F  3/11/14

UCR 135-15:  Rob on F4F  3/14/14  (growing ok, but graft poorly calloused)

Champagne: LSU Burden 3/15/15

Algerian:  Bill Saxon F4F  3/14/14

Acciano:  Bill Saxon F4F  3/14/14

Armenian:  Bill Saxon F4F  3/13/14

Sals Corleone: from ebay "hllyhll" (holly hill) at F4F  3/20/14

Morroccan:  FMD (frank) on F4F 3/18/14

Improved Celeste:  from ebay "hllyhll" (holly hill) at F4F  3/20/14

Panache: Rob on F4F   3/18/14

Local Unk Celeste:  Neighbor's yard April 2013

LSU Purple:  LSU Burden  3/15/14

Kadota:  LSU Burden  3/15/14

Scott's Black:  LSU Burden  7/12/13 (only survivor from LSU fig day, of maaaaaany tried. Wrong time of year)

Hunt:  LSU Burden  3/25/15

Bealle: Rob on F4F   5/21/14

O'Rourke:  LSU Burden  3/8/14

Sal's GS:  from ebay "hllyhll" (holly hill) at F4F  3/8/14

Tiger: LSU Burden  3/15/14




Which come to 39 different varieties, plus the heirloom rootstock which makes a fantastic celeste-type fig

And a photo of the gang in front of the tree after the LSU fig day 7/11/15

   

Left to right
Darkman Charles, Pukzpukz Joe, Jose263 TJ Testman, Pawpaw Gene, Figpen Richey, CajunB Brian, Brackishfigger Andy, Hershell, Ferd, Noss Vivian, ChrisK Chris

Well for a total newbie this was information overload. I appreciate all your info. I need to graft on the three trees I started from an old homestead that is long gone but the fig tree and grapes remain. Come to find out I have wild figs. But several neighbors with several different figs I can graft from. They have all said yes to cuttings. Now to learn this grafting thing and which technique I should try. I did write down the ones you said worked best and will go study them. I do have a neighbor with figs, that took an apple tree and added a couple of different fruits to it and they are growing so maybe he is the go to guy for me and a lot of googling and youtubing! Again thanks for showing us, up close and personal your approach to grafting and making this incredible tree. And yes I caught the young Frankenstein reference. ;) One question: is parafilm just paraffin wax? or something I have never heard of? Sorry about the real newbie question. This is my first endeavor. As I originally thought my fig was not of a wild variety. Three years into it and its first fruiting the folks here have figured it all out for me. If left to my husband he would just put black electrical tape around the graft. ;)

brackishfigger,

I've just discovered this thread. First let me tell you - what an wonderful job. Overwhelming!

Secondly, reading your comments and seeing the pictures, i realized why some of my grafting experiences with fig trees, a couple of years ago, failed miserably. This year i successfully grafted 5 different varieties to an adult tree, but i learned the hard way - whish i knew this thread before.

The almost essential use of parafilm, that i began using recently with all my fruit trees grafts, and the importance of protecting and rewrapping the grafts in fig trees (specially the chip grafts) should be highlighted in red. I realized it was the main reason to my failed chip grafts in the past.

Also, Axier's invaluable work  ( http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/english-translation-of-axiers-how-to-graft-an-adult-fig-tree-4504717) was the reason many of us started grafting adult trees with multiple varieties, but i wish it was more clear from the start, the importance of protecting the grafts of fig trees for longer than usual, to achieve success.
Also, i was amazed to find that whip and tongue grafts, done at bud break, where so successful when i tried them this year on an impulse (all 5 that i did this season took without problems), when it was not mentioned in his text, where he recommends the chip graft as the best. You seem to have identical results with that type of graft.

From what i can take from my own experience this year, the whip and tongue graft is even more successful than chip grafts - more complicated to do correctly, of course, so practice and experience is a must.
They should both be well protected for a long period, but the chip graft is much more sensitive when parafilm is removed or simply cracked - they start to dry up real quick which doesn't seem to happen with whip and tongue - probably because there is a larger reserve of nutrients in the bigger cutting piece we use for this type of graft.

Your own work seems to confirm my conclusions. Also, when the season advances its more difficult to avoid the drying up of the grafts, specially the chip grafts.
I've successfully grafted in May with whip and tongue, but additionally to the parafilm i enclosed the whole graft in a brown paper bag until it took and had some leafs in it.
This season i've tried chip grafting in late August, with fresh cuttings (thanks, Francisco). I'm curious on the outcome. In a few weeks i will try to post the results.

Thanks again for the wonderful opportunity to learn.


dannisboots,

Parafilm - http://www.amazon.com/Parafilm%C2%AE-Grafting-Tape-Genuine-Clear/dp/B0085OFNVE/ref=sr_1_3?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1441722946&sr=1-3&keywords=parafilm

It protects, letting the graft breath while keeping the moisture inside and the young buds break it without any problems - worth every penny...

WOW Such a wonderful tree! A labor of love... that is certain.

Quite impressive feat.

But not so impressive as this one.
Here we have 250 varieties of apple grafted to a single tree over a period of 24! years. This man was hit with a strong strain of the "fruit virus". Talk about patience!!







The complete story - HERE  

bumping this amazing thread! This is what I plan on doing in the coming years since I don't have much room in my yard for more trees. I plan on using my ficus auriculata as the rootstock since it's such a vigorous grower here. I hope it's compatible and won't give me problems.

By the way, how did the Frankenfig perform this year ? Was she productive ?

Ok so of all the amazing things I have been exposed to here on the forum, this takes the cake.  WOW.  AMaZing and mind boggling.  This is so cool.  I have plans to try grafting after I get over the shock of rooting/cloning.  These plants have so much energy and determination to grow, it is really incredible.  Thanks for bringing this story back up for us newbies.  ;-) 

This was a wet year, and I had a disappointing fig season as a result.  Most of my figs rotted on the tree.

The best were the rootstock (a celeste type), a neighbor's celeste, improved celeste (some rotted, the eye is almost closed), Champagne, LSU purple, and Jimmychang's Unk Bronx White.  There are several varieties that have yet to produce well and the jury is out.


Many of the varieties are going to be culled this winter, and I will be on the prowl this for replacements that are closed eye varieties.

Anyone who has cuttings or can advise on good candidates is invited to contact me in PM or in this thread.

THough I haven't updated this thread in a while, I never stop taking pics, and I'll be updating soon.

Hi brackishfigger,
Have you tried: Longue d'aout, Dalmatie, Pingo de Mel, Desert King ?
They all have sort of closed eyes. Here for the second (for the first crop too) crop it can be wet too, and those perform well.
Dalmatie is able to ripen figs even within two weeks of rain. Of course, I'm not under the tropics, so you might get more air-humidity than I do ...

The air is chewy down here, and two weeks without rain is a drought!  Sort of closed eyes?  None of those types went unspoiled this year.  Very disappointing.  Crushing after a year of waiting for next season.

thanks, though. . .  keep'em coming

My oldest on 2/28/16, the same "child" in the first pic of this thread.  13yo, 6' tall and 195#, size 14 feet, starts 8th grade tomorrow.  We grow'em big!