My Frankenfig

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brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1396747777	Reply with quote #51

I have room for 7 more varieties, with three spoken for. Ihave rooted cuttings of Black Bethlehem and Excel that need to grow large enough to approach graft, and I lost my Champagne grafts over the winter. i didnt get them while at LSU thinking I already had it. Ill get some soon. i hope toget native black, and I have a few more coming in the mail. j ust about full, though that may be counting chickens.

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1397224637	Reply with quote #52

Whew. Ok, all full, or at least spoken for. 37 new varieties grafted in 82 grafts (give or take)this spring, plus 7 that made it from last year, with two spots left for Excel and Bethlehem Black when last year's rooted cuttings of them are large enough for approach grafting. That's 44 (soon 46) varieties on one tree! Plus the root stock. Many many thanks to those of you here who helped make this happen. If history is any guide, some grafts won't take despite looking great for now. I hope to have rooted cuttings of some of these to try again with approach grafts

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1398225276	Reply with quote #53

An overwhelming proportion of my grafts appear to be taking. Here are a few pics malformed breba a chip graft Two sides of a graft from last year. I keep them wrapped in parafilm for as long as possible, and the humidity seems to induce callous formation on the outer surface of the bark. (One of the chip grafts from this year put out a root!) with or without rubber bands, which degrade pretty rapidly, the paraffin tape frequently will split along its length, and thickness. I have been just rewrapping new tape over the old tape. Here a few pics of the young Galban graft that had two brebas on it, with the tape pulled back before rewrapping (which shook both brebas off) Ischia Green chip graft before rewrapping. This is just down-branch from the "lazy graft", which looks great. The approach graft even further up-branch, however, I think I separated a bit too early fromt he donor rootstock, and is drying up. The lazy graft Panache The arrows may not show, but here are a series of typical branch-ends, with two grafts taking on each. yellow arrows: bark or whip grafts red arrows: chip grafts The LSU orchard 4/9/14

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1398238479	Reply with quote #54

Please do your best to ripen the breba, I am so interested to see what it will become of it.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1398257812	Reply with quote #55

Hi Brackishfigger, Thanks for the update. The orchard looks funny to me as fig trees hate lawn . Lawn will keep them feet wet and thus not promoting deep roots which is what we should go for. __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

LizzieB

Registered:1397581699
Posts: 84

Posted 1398303359	Reply with quote #56

What an amazing creation you have there! __________________ Luise Area 7 a, Central North Carolina W-S Celeste UNK, 15 year old disease free, very abundant, nice sized fruit. I've got the fever, as Ms.Javajunkie gifted me so very many cuttings. Experimentation in progress... all of my own cuttings got slimy. Ms.Javajunkie gifts are showing tiny leaves and roots. So very excited Black Greek, Po di Limone and Black Triana are growing in little cups.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,117

Posted 1398304569	Reply with quote #57

One great far out idea leads to another. You have made grafting look easier than rooting cuttings? I am running about 60% success rooting. Most have been my mistakes but also many times weak and damaged cuttings make it impossible. So if you are lucky enough to have a mother tree and can manage the timelines why not graft some of the precious new cuttings? 3 cuttings could provide you 2 cuttings to attempt rooting and up to 3 buds for grafting. The successful grafts can then be layered or provide cuttings in the future:) __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

blueboy1977

Registered:1375760370
Posts: 459

Posted 1398307763	Reply with quote #58

I'm jealous! I tried grafting several varieties and all have failed with the exception of a couple T grafts. After seeing your pics though I believe I can remedy my mistakes. Thanks for posting, very inspirational! __________________ Rob Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx Growing: Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1398319098	Reply with quote #59

I love your project. keep us updated. my tree lost the grafts I put in it, I guess the new grafts were too cold for the long soggy winter. I wish you have better luck than me. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1398338810	Reply with quote #60

Wow! Really cool, man. I love it! __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1398348829	Reply with quote #61

Quote: Originally Posted by pino One great far out idea leads to another. You have made grafting look easier than rooting cuttings? I am running about 60% success rooting. Most have been my mistakes but also many times weak and damaged cuttings make it impossible. So if you are lucky enough to have a mother tree and can manage the timelines why not graft some of the precious new cuttings? 3 cuttings could provide you 2 cuttings to attempt rooting and up to 3 buds for grafting. The successful grafts can then be layered or provide cuttings in the future:) I agree, though I do think that as the weather gets hotter I'll find that some/many of the grafts are not taking well, just being kept moist enough under the parafilm to look healthy. Kind of like cuttings that leaf out in the humidiy bins , with no roots. THose of you with several in ground trees who do the cutting dance every year should consider putting a few grafts on a tree. Especially with the chip grafts, you get more attempts from each cutting than with rooting, and all it takes is one taker (rooting or grafting) to assure future access to the variety. Spread the risk around. As it heats up here this spring, I am again reminded how late I started last year, mid May, and I believe using refrigerated scion wood on a tree verging on explosive spring growth has been key to success (assuming they don't all fall off in the hot weather. . .).

blueboy1977

Registered:1375760370
Posts: 459

Posted 1398381598	Reply with quote #62

Do you wrap over the bud with parafilm on your chip bud or do you leave the tip of it exposed so it doesnt have t force its way out throught the film? Also after rapping and waxing it do you cover it with foil or leave it exposed to the sun? If you wrap it with foil, do you remove the foil when the bud starts to swell or before that point? __________________ Rob Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx Growing: Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte

AmandaLovesFigs

Registered:1397955636
Posts: 16

Posted 1398383852	Reply with quote #63

Fascinating project! I can't wait to see how it ends up producing for you! __________________ USA zone 8A: 4 fig trees! Celeste, BT, Magnolia, and Ischia (not sure if white or green) wish list: got all I need for now I think, fingers crossed the cuttings given to me take root for me! Panachee, St Jean de Grise and BlackJack!

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1398392653	Reply with quote #64

Quote: Originally Posted by blueboy1977 Do you wrap over the bud with parafilm on your chip bud or do you leave the tip of it exposed so it doesnt have t force its way out throught the film? Also after rapping and waxing it do you cover it with foil or leave it exposed to the sun? If you wrap it with foil, do you remove the foil when the bud starts to swell or before that point? THe entire length of the chip grafts get covered with parafilm, tightly. Consistently, the buds push right through it. This year I have used parafilm and rubberbands only, and I ran out of rubberbands well before finishing. I think they are most important for whip and bark grafts. The wax was a pain in the rear last year, but I will probably wax all of the grafts once they establish and I get tired of rewrapping. No foil this year, I started early enough that cool temps were the norm (and lots of chilly overcast days, which may have helped). If I start any grafts from this point on, Ill probably shade them. I don't wrap foil around the branch except up-branch of the graft in a narrow ring (scotch tape), then "tent" the foil over the graft, taping on the other side for chip grafts, and to the graft itself for end-grafts. I will keep them shaded until I am confident the graft has taken, likely long after the buds have become branches

LizzieB

Registered:1397581699
Posts: 84

Posted 1398601524	Reply with quote #65

Do you sterilize your tools before you cut the plants? __________________ Luise Area 7 a, Central North Carolina W-S Celeste UNK, 15 year old disease free, very abundant, nice sized fruit. I've got the fever, as Ms.Javajunkie gifted me so very many cuttings. Experimentation in progress... all of my own cuttings got slimy. Ms.Javajunkie gifts are showing tiny leaves and roots. So very excited Black Greek, Po di Limone and Black Triana are growing in little cups.

Hershell

Registered:1396922438
Posts: 650

Posted 1398610244	Reply with quote #66

Great grafting techniques, thanks for the inspiration! __________________ Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1398611153	Reply with quote #67

Quote: Originally Posted by LizzieB Do you sterilize your tools before you cut the plants? I use a cheap 10-13$ swiss army grafting knife. I find it dulls quickly, and gets covered in latex/sap, so I have to use an alchohol rag to clean off the sap, so that it doesn't clog up the diamond impregnated rod-sharpener I stroke it over to sharpen it up. I figure the alcohol sterilizes the blade pretty well, but since all of the scion wood goes onto the same tree, I'm not sure it makes much of a difference.

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1399089043	Reply with quote #68

I am in the watch and wait phase of the grafting season. Lots of watching. Two or three varieties have tenuous footholds, with only Armenian showing absolutely no signs of life. The rest look pretty solid in at least one graft. My persimmon grafts seem to have all taken too! Two grafts each of three new varieties onto six main branches of a Saijo . My blueberries are loaded, tomatoes growing faster than I can pinch suckers, new asparagus bed looking strong (Purple Passion and Jersey Knight), and citrus setting fruit. Here are a few progressive close ups of a chip graft, Bealle, I think Same graft, other end A bark graft. A few closeups of the Malformed Breba (a great name for a rock band, BTW)

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1399093922	Reply with quote #69

I think you just lost to this guy with his 70 varieties of grapes grafted onto one single plant, in which 22 are already producing fruit. their goal is to have 190 new varieties... unreal for them and you also.. if only your brebas behave... http://todovinho.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1399947986	Reply with quote #70

A few updates. The malformed breba didn't like the rain, and quickly browned and rotted THe "lazy graft" appears to have taken, but the approach graft using the still-rooted scion is no more. I cut the graft off of the potted donor/scion plant too soon and the graft browned over time and the leaves dried up and fell off. Even worse, when I pulled the graft out, it appeared to have taken after all. dang it. Ill try again and be more patient. The rootstock is healing well Here is nice looking chip graft Here are several pics of the same whip/tongue graft, with the extra flap of bark/cambium from the rootstock as I described above. If only they all took this well. . . THis one shows the extra flap. It looks like some of it (most?) has fused/joined/grafted pretty well I have now had every single cultivar show some growth in at least one graft, with two very late bloomers. My UCR135-15 end graft (whip or cleft?, Blue arrows) finally greened after 6-7 weeks, and the chip graft up-branch (pink arrow) is just greening today a full 8 weeks later. The red arrow is from the rootstock I let leaf out for some shade. I did that in a lot of places. Armenian was my other late bloomer, showing green for the first time today after 8 weeks of looking like a dead stick. I have learned to just leave them alone. If they dead, they gonna fall off without my help! As the tree grows ever outward (and some varieties are going nuts with over 2ft of growth already), I am training multiple branches of each variety to the horizontal, to fill out the increasing circumference. I am hoping to avoid exclusive use of the "stake and string" method for want of ever increasing numbers of stakes (I rip them from 2x4s, four per) and the kinda fugly appearance. I am instead using some fiberglass rods I salvaged after the little ones ruined yet another cheapo tent, about 2.5 feet long. I tie the rod in two places up-branch to secure it, and will be pulling the branches down as they grow

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1399957463	Reply with quote #71

Thanks for all the cool updates. Very interesting project. :) __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1399972477	Reply with quote #72

Hi brackishfigger, On an healthy stem, I remove every weird looking fig as soon as I spot them... be it brebas or maincrop . Could you make 4 pics west, north, south, east of the tree, just to see the global volume and surface used ? __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

greenbud

Registered:1397009790
Posts: 230

Posted 1399998811	Reply with quote #73

Inspiring and educative, and that is to say the least. Thank you for your time and dedication and all the photos (for all of us in the St. Thomas category).

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1402028000	Reply with quote #74

I have just been pulling off the parafilm as it splits and leaving them bare, with no apparent effect. Hasn't gotten really hot yet though. The only variety I have definitely lost is Champagne from LSU, a late addition I grafted in April from a non-dormant scion. I hope to get another. Almost all grafts are growing robustly, with a few less so. A few pics Bark grafts: I cut a flat face on the scion that is roughly half its thickness, and it rests flush against the face of the cut rootstock for stability. To expose the cambium on the scion, I shave/scrape top of the outer edges of the point, the part that makes contact with the rootstock after being shoved under its bark. Instead of the usual method of making only one cut along length of the rootstock with the knife straight up and down, I remove a very acute triangle length of the rootstock bark, and I do it using two very angled cuts (knife almost laying down on the branch) so that there is an "overhang" of bark that can lay upon the scraped scion surface rather sit above it. I don't know if this made a difference, but it's what I did. You can see the roots that grew out of the bottom of the first graft. I wonder if they will (would have? but for no parafilm as of today) fuse with the lower margin of the rootstock branch. Chip grafts The graft below was photo'd just after unwrapping the cracked parafilm.. The graft promptly dried up and died. I really should learn not to pick and leave well enough alone. Whip Grafts THis is what happens when I create a great whip graft joint in the scion, before realizing it is on the wrong end New approach graft, Excel

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1402060296	Reply with quote #75

Your multiply grafted tree looks really healthy. It's fascinating to me that you can graft so many varieties (many of which are undoubtedly infected with various forms of fmv/fmd) onto the host tree and there are no obvious signs of fmv. Do you ever see fmv localized to the scion? Anyway, this would seem to support the idea that some varieties are fmv resistant. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

Quackmaster

Registered:1370361410
Posts: 769

Posted 1402081373	Reply with quote #76

That is an awesome creation! I envy your grafting and espallier skills. __________________ Ryan Zone 9a SeLa, wish list:

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1402085843	Reply with quote #77

"skills" is a bit of and overstatement, though "experience" is starting to be somewhat accurate. I do often see grafts that form stunted, mottled leaves that are consistent with what folks here have described as FMV. Most are in the slowly-wither-and-die group, or died this past winter. Interestingly, of the 3 galban grafts from this spring, one is doing a spot on impression of a plant infected with FMV, while adjacent grafts from the same source are very healthy looking, so I'm not sure that the symptoms I see reflect FMV, bad graft, or some other malady. Thanks everyone. I hope you enjoy the pics and updates as much as I enjoy sharing and showing off!

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1407001848	Reply with quote #78

I have enjoyed figs from so many varieties off of this tree this year, and anticipate much greater production within the next few seasons. I had a request to post some pics, so here you go Some figs. I also started a thread where I intended to document the varieties, but I end up eating them before I can properly document. Oh well. There is nothing like eating one fresh fig after another to appreciate the wide variety of flavors that exist. Also, weather conditions and degree of ripeness can cause even a single variety to change flavors quite a bit Our Welsh Terrier has also discovered the joy of figs. She goes bonkers over them!

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1407002268	Reply with quote #79

Wow! what a nice selection. Congratulations!

twovkay

Registered:1340623156
Posts: 264

Posted 1407002861	Reply with quote #80

Amazing job! Just looked over the whole thread and am in wonder of your frankenfig! And very healthy looking. __________________ Von Northern VA 7a

Hoosierguy86

Registered:1375830122
Posts: 246

Posted 1407017669	Reply with quote #81

Love it! Thanks for posting the pics! __________________ Scott N. Indiana 5b/6a

blueboy1977

Registered:1375760370
Posts: 459

Posted 1407023645	Reply with quote #82

Nice, you've inspired many including my self to try this next spring. I've got several duplicate varieties from cuttings I rooted this year that will go under the knife next spring. I have too many I believe to put in ground in my small yard so this is really the only way I can accommodate so many varieties. Strong work and please keep posting updates as this is very fascinating. __________________ Rob Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx Growing: Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte

Quackmaster

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Posts: 769

Posted 1407029043	Reply with quote #83

Great job! __________________ Ryan Zone 9a SeLa, wish list:

Otmani007

Registered:1404531079
Posts: 573

Posted 1407031277	Reply with quote #84

Wow, what an amazing job. To say the grafting you did is impressive would be an understatement. __________________ Dallas, TX - Zone 8a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache Otmani

Aaron4USA

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Posts: 2,969

Posted 1407043026	Reply with quote #85

The rewards :) Thanks for sharing your exciting project with all of us Andy.

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1407076556	Reply with quote #86

Aaron, I have unripened figs on all three of the figs you sent me, and all grafts of them took well. Thanks. Can't wait to taste the figs!

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1407129181	Reply with quote #87

thanks for the update, thanks;)

brackishfigger

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Posts: 270

Posted 1424149199 · Edited	Reply with quote #88

winter shot I will be grafting the Champagne cuttings (I got today at LSU) and a small handful of others to complete the tree this spring. I will also be grafting some of the rootstock back onto the tops of the main branches where the bark has died. You can see that in my first year of grafting, I was sooooo clever. I cut off every new branch of the rootstock as it grew, to promote growth of the newly grafted scions along the periphery. Instead, it just left the branches unshaded near the center of the tree through an entire south LA summer, and burned it badly. My next big project is a pear espalier along our new SE facing wall.

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1424187683	Reply with quote #89

Interesting to see it dormant. If I was a kid, I'd make a fort under there! Framework is in! Good luck with your new grafts and with your pear tree. 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!

sbmohan

Registered:1416704743
Posts: 223

Posted 1424210092	Reply with quote #90

brackishfigger, I admire your dedication and patience. Amazing work. __________________ Mohan B Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a

JLee

Registered:1418921816
Posts: 66

Posted 1424229781	Reply with quote #91

First time seeing this post. I should be working on a project but am amazed at the work. Thank you so much for sharing. Can see your kids growing through the years too in the initial posts. What an awesome story. __________________ Orange County, California / Zone 10b Wish List: Col de Dame Grise, Aubique Petite, Vasilika Sika, Galicia Negra -Jeffrey and Anna

Shawn

Registered:1422739534
Posts: 66

Posted 1424230018	Reply with quote #92

I think I can safely call this tree a work of art. From the grafting of the many varieties using so many different methods to the shaping of the tree it is one of a kind. I appreciate your dedication to this project! Nicely done. __________________ Shawn San Diego, CA Zone 10a Wishlist: Galicia Negra, Smith, Martinenca Rimada, Longue D'Aout (received thanks Gary), MBVS, CDD Blanc, Black Tuscan, Falls Gold Have (most are less than 1 year old): VdB, RdB, Celestial, Yellow Long Neck, Unk LSU TC, Magnolia, CDD Noir, CDD Grise, Maltese Falcon, Black Madera, Panache, Deanna, Peter's Honey, Vasilika Sika, Red Italian

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1424251939	Reply with quote #93

Hi, We're still waiting to see figs ripen on the tree :) Should be fun to have yellow, dark,brown,green,big medium,small figs ripening on the same tree ... Hope that this will happen ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1426652169 · Edited	Reply with quote #94

I count 22 varieties in the upper level and 17 in the lower that took robustly and are breaking bud nicely. Many varieties have more than one graft that took. Several have brebas including Bealle, Armenian, Galban, and Conadria. But the Morrocan is loaded!! Added the Champagne and a local white this weekend, so if they take, 41 total varieties, and I could squeeze another few if I needed to. . .

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1426681271	Reply with quote #95

Truly an amazing montage of photos showing the progression of this unique fig tree. This whole thread, from start to present, has been a perfect way to show other growers just what can be done, by using some simple grafting techniques, to produce many varieties of figs in a small space. It was a great idea to photograph this project, starting right from the very beginning. Best of luck with this unique tree. May it continue to bring you happiness and delicious figs. I hope the small children shown in the opening photos, can one day bring their own grandchildren to harvest figs from your tree. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

brackishfigger

Registered:1366681613
Posts: 270

Posted 1426735682 · Edited	Reply with quote #96

The morrocan 3/16/15. Arrow is the graft, red circle is the "m" inked on it, and the yellow circles are brebas. One year prior, 4/5/14. Hard to conceive that that little green bud becomes that stout young branch next to the "m"!

brackishfigger

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Posts: 270

Posted 1426735884	Reply with quote #97

The whole yard is waking up after one last gust of winter last week. The lazy graft is looking good

mic

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Posts: 103

Posted 1426746682	Reply with quote #98

Brilliant!! __________________ Mic ~ Australia ~ Equivalent to US Zone 10

brackishfigger

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Posts: 270

Posted 1426824347	Reply with quote #99

A few shots of before and after of my attempt to speed the healing of the sunburned horizontal limbs from summer 2013. I just brought over an adjacent smaller branch and, sometimes after scrapping the undersurface, nailed it to the injured limb. Before After different area same one Another still. I have the big vertical pulled down with wire and that blue twine. As they grow, I will graft the leading branches of the donor wood into the viable bark that is down-branch from each wound. The first two that I showed won't need it, as I think that they will look pretty cool intact, but the third, in the last two pics, will eventually need to have the donor branch removed as it messes up the symmetry of the tree and was only kept for this use. I made certain that there is cambium contact where the donor branch first makes contact with the injured limb. Any consensus on merits of treating or coating the exposed wood? A couple of those pics showed the progress in healing that happened last summer, 2014. THer is about a quarter to half inch of dark brown growth beginning to encase the wounds from the outside in, healing by secondary intent. But it's got a loooong way to go, even if my grafts take and eventually fuse with the underlying branches as expected.