Newbie Says Hi

Author

Comment

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335830300	Reply with quote #1

i have been lurking for a month and have been growing a fig tree for a couple of years in our tough cold climate with minimal light. lots of good information here, thanks for sharing. would love to find other varieties that grow in toronto. attached is my first success in 2010. john Attached Images 151.JPG (833.71 KB, 122 views) __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1335831601	Reply with quote #2

John, Thats a great looking tree and geat looking fruit. Good job!!! What is the variety?

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1335831610	Reply with quote #3

John, Thats a great looking tree and geat looking fruit. Good job!!! What is the variety?

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1335831679	Reply with quote #4

John, That's a great looking tree with great looking fruit, Congratulations!!

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1335831691	Reply with quote #5

John, That's a great looking tree with great looking fruit, Congratulations!!

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1335831793	Reply with quote #6

Sorry for the repeated posts, I pressed send message and nothing happened, or so I thought.

robertharper

Registered:1236730861
Posts: 369

Posted 1335832747	Reply with quote #7

Welcome John. That fig looks like you will have no problem with growing other figs in Toronto. Your in good luck. There are several growers of figs in your area. Some of them post here often. Bob, Zone 5 Connecticut

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335832918	Reply with quote #8

BLB no worries, the repeated posts make me think i have lots of friends!!! i have no idea of the variety, my interest started when i saw the fig plant at the grocery store, and at the time i just wanted to see if i could grow a tree. it was called an Italian fig on the tag. i am hoping for an id from all the experts. this year it has a few brebas falling off. we started a second tree last year, and i am expecting a trade with a friend this year. the trees spend the winter in the garage. __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335833288	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by robertharper Welcome John. That fig looks like you will have no problem with growing other figs in Toronto. Your in good luck. There are several growers of figs in your area. Some of them post here often. Bob, Zone 5 Connecticut thanks bob, i see there are many from southern ontario, looking forward to learning more!! __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1335833728	Reply with quote #10

LOL, well you do have lots of friends here, people on this forum are good people. I wish I could help with your ID, but I am lacking in skills with fig ID. Much better with weird succulents. You are off to a great start with the tree you have. Keep it up.

sammy

Registered:1330355079
Posts: 261

Posted 1335836528	Reply with quote #11

Welcome aboard John. That's a nice fig tree you got there. Was your garage heated or unheated for the winter? __________________ Sam zone 4 Thessalon Ontario, Canada.

rhopkins

Registered:1333592653
Posts: 106

Posted 1335837673	Reply with quote #12

You have a green thumb John. The fruit you have on that tree is outstanding. Stick around and ask a lot of questions. The experts (not including myself) can guide you well. Keep working on your collection and you will have alot of enjoyment out of being on this forum. __________________ Richard Hopkins South Western Arkansas Zone 8A Wish List: Keeping The Trees I Have Happy!

Johnparav

Registered:1282396529
Posts: 479

Posted 1335838504	Reply with quote #13

Hi John , There's a few of us here from Toronto area . I'm at Yonge and Shepard . By the end of May I will have all my plants outdoors and will have a better idea of what extras I might have . John

Pasquale1962

Registered:1326722047
Posts: 53

Posted 1335839336	Reply with quote #14

Welcome John!!!! __________________ Zone 5b : -15 to -10 (F)

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335849858	Reply with quote #15

Quote: Originally Posted by sammy Welcome aboard John. That's a nice fig tree you got there. Was your garage heated or unheated for the winter? i live in a townhouse, with the garage inside the house footings. The garage is unheated, but will be in the 34-42F (1-5C) range for the Dec-Feb/Mar period. I leave the tree out for the first few frosts in the fall so that it naturally goes to sleep. in 2010 and 2012 it woke in early March (12 beautifulbig fruits between Sept and Nov) in 2011 it woke into May and was slow til Jul y(nothing ripened) In 2012 it has been out since mid-march, has a few leaves and will be ready to gois week with the heat. Mt Pleasant and Eglinton if anyone knows it. My first attempt to see if I can grow 'em. Now I have caught the bug and want to try others. J __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335850901	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by rhopkins You have a green thumb John. The fruit you have on that tree is outstanding. Stick around and ask a lot of questions. The experts (not including myself) can guide you well. Keep working on your collection and you will have alot of enjoyment out of being on this forum. thanks r i saw a 8"" diameter in ground tree in niagara years ago that was 20 feet tall - 100's of figs. they had the chicken coop frame around it for winter, i guess the birds provide the heat. I wanted to see if I can duplicate. I do like gardening, i had a 25X50 municipal garden plot in the early 80's as a high school student so I could learn to grow things. Geeky I know. While the others were out partying, I was watering, but it made for unique pickup lines for all the girls.... not that it ever worked!! now I live in the city. __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335851217	Reply with quote #17

Quote: Originally Posted by Johnparav Hi John , There's a few of us here from Toronto area . I'm at Yonge and Shepard . By the end of May I will have all my plants outdoors and will have a better idea of what extras I might have . John we are close, nice to meet you John I would be pleased to help you out if you have too many, although I can't return the favor just yet. J __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1335867801	Reply with quote #18

Johnny.... Welcome to this forum. Stick with us, kid, and you'll go places! Everyone on this forum will be glad to help you with any question you might have when it comes to growing your fig trees correctly...which look just great, judging by the photo. Enjoy your fig tree(s)...and enjoy all the information you can learn from this forum. I wish I was your age when I first started growing fig trees. You'll be great. Warm welcomes, Frank, from New York City Just curious....how old are you? **************************************************************** Forum Members....Look at the figs in John's photo. Are those breba figs, or main-crop? Brebas from nodes growing new leaves? I'm confused. __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1335867942	Reply with quote #19

Hey John, Toronto is a great fig town mostly due to the huge Italian influx from the 50's and sixties, not to mention the Greek and Portuguese emigration. I'll betcha Woodbridge has more fig trees than some European towns. I grew up in the infamous Jane-Finch area and remember almost every second backyard had a fig tree. Tomatoes and grapes were in every SINGLE backyard, of course. You have great resources, here and in Toronto. Good luck. Frank __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

theman7676

Registered:1305721469
Posts: 361

Posted 1335871535	Reply with quote #20

hey john - welcome i am not too far away east of you. will surly have few welcome gifts for you as well so keep us posted on your collection and wish list! :-) eli __________________ wish list: Florea Nordland Tacoma Violet LaRadek's English Brown Turkey

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335872979	Reply with quote #21

Quote: Originally Posted by BronxFigs Johnny.... Welcome to this forum. Stick with us, kid, and you'll go places! Everyone on this forum will be glad to help you with any question you might have when it comes to growing your fig trees correctly...which look just great, judging by the photo. Enjoy your fig tree(s)...and enjoy all the information you can learn from this forum. I wish I was your age when I first started growing fig trees. You'll be great. Warm welcomes, Frank, from New York City Just curious....how old are you? **************************************************************** Forum Members....Look at the figs in John's photo. Are those breba figs, or main-crop? Brebas from nodes growing new leaves? I'm confused. Frank NYC - thanks - I am 46 - that is my son in the pic, which is the only pic I have of the tree all of what you see are main crop figs, all that growth was new wood in 2010, i did not know to pinch, the tree started at about a foot and grew to 6 feet that year. subsequently in 2011 I cut the whip down to about 3 1/2 foot. J __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335873386	Reply with quote #22

Quote: Originally Posted by FMD Hey John, Toronto is a great fig town mostly due to the huge Italian influx from the 50's and sixties, not to mention the Greek and Portugese emigration. I'll betcha Wookbridge has more fig trees than some European towns. I grew up in the infamous Jane-Finch area and remember almost every second backyard had a fig tree. Tomatoes and grapes were in every SINGLE backyard, of course. You have great resources, here and in Toronto. Goo luck. Frank thanks Frank in Fla. you are probably right! I have a good friend who has italian heritage, but he does not grow figs. I can't claim the same, my family is white and waspy - 5 generations born in Toronto back to the 1860's. __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335873581	Reply with quote #23

Quote: Originally Posted by theman7676 hey john - welcome i am not too far away east of you. will surly have few welcome gifts for you as well so keep us posted on your collection and wish list! :-) eli thanks for the wishes eli, so you are in the city too? i guess there are lot's of us. john __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

go4broek

Registered:1287592943
Posts: 1,200

Posted 1335880740	Reply with quote #24

Welcome to the forum, John! __________________ Ruben Cibolo, TX/Zone 8b Wish List: Dalmatie, Italian 258, Martin's Unknown (not the Italian), CdD-N, NdC, Signora, Latarolla, Stella! Check out my online journal @ http://davesgarden.com/community/journals/vbc/go4broek/83546/

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1335881535	Reply with quote #25

Welcome to the forum John, I too have the same fig tree you have there its the white fig sold by colasanti farms and does real well in our area. I too lived in Toronto most of my life Lansdowne & Bloor "Crackville" Christie & Davenport and Weston Road & Lawrence area but recently moved to Mississauga if you need any help dont be affraid to ask. __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

MichaelTucson

Registered:1333340598
Posts: 1,216

Posted 1335885704	Reply with quote #26

Welcome John. So interesting to see how many fig growers there are around Toronto! I'm another newbie to this forum, from south of there (near Buffalo NY) but have moved farther East now (near Binghamton NY). We're zone 5 (I guess Toronto is a bit warmer as zone 6, because of the lakes I'd guess). I've found one guy growing figs in zone 4 also (northern NY). Amazes me that there are so many people growing figs in these cold climes. Best of luck and welcome. __________________ Pauca sed matura.

MichaelTucson

Registered:1333340598
Posts: 1,216

Posted 1335886647	Reply with quote #27

By the way, another good way to find what others are growing in your area is to search through the "Best figs in your location" topic on this forum, found at http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Best-figs-at-your-location-4800578 I searched through there to find a couple of other varieties that people are growing successfully in cold places with limited sunlight. __________________ Pauca sed matura.

CosmicFig

Registered:1317260933
Posts: 2

Posted 1335886683	Reply with quote #28

Great looking tree John. I am seeing more and more fig trees every spring at the local grocery stores & garden centers. I am in Mississauga. This will be my 3rd year of potted fig growing. I have 3 so far but have several cuttings that I hope survive. Nelson, where in Mississauga are you? I am at Winston Churchill & Britannia. Jeff __________________ And God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree-yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." (Genesis 1:29)

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1335888913	Reply with quote #29

I have two of the same tree, last year the one in ground ripened around end of sept and because of the rain it molded inside, the one in the pot ripened about the end of august, beginning of september and didn't have mold. I ripped the one from the ground out and potted it to get a better result for ripening and so I could put a different variety in the ground (possibly the Colisanti Dark) which in one year grow 6 stalks 3-4 feet tall each, seems to put on a lot of brebas and has put on the most growth this year. My neighbour has what looks like a big celeste tree, 15-20 feet tall and 6 feet wide by 15 feet wide or so. She gets a lot of figs on it every year. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1335899325	Reply with quote #30

Hey Jeff I'm right by cawthra & queensway __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1335904523	Reply with quote #31

John.... My apologies for thinking YOU were the young man in the photo. No harm. Welcome anyway...I'm sure your son will also enjoy growing fig trees like Dad. Happy growing. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335912939	Reply with quote #32

Quote: Originally Posted by BronxFigs John.... My apologies for thinking YOU were the young man in the photo. No harm. Welcome anyway...I'm sure your son will also enjoy growing fig trees like Dad. Happy growing. Frank Frank, you know the younger generation, he just wants to eat them! __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335913276	Reply with quote #33

Nelson, Jeff, Michael, Chivas - good to hear from other Northerners! Thanks for the ID's. Ruben - thanks Chivas - so when you say the trees are in the ground, what do you do for the winter? Bury them. Especially the big celeste tree you mention. My guess is that you are further south towards Windsor. __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

gorgi

Registered:1188888396
Posts: 2,864

Posted 1335913365	Reply with quote #34

Is that some kind of a fig-booze in the Avatar pic? __________________ George, NJ_z7a.

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335914084	Reply with quote #35

Quote: Originally Posted by gorgi Is that some kind of a fig-booze in the Avatar pic? ha - good question. my other collectable hobby is wine, but from grapes. the avatar is Chateau Yquem which is a sweet white bordeaux. that is a pic of a case of 1921 (dream vintage) which has grown a deep amber color. sometimes they say it has a figgy flavor when it ages!! nothing better than fresh figs, blue cheese and a glass of yquem. John __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1335916774	Reply with quote #36

John.... Post # 32.....I laughed when I read: "Frank, you know the younger generation, he just wants to eat them" John, when you are my age...YOU are the younger generation!!!! : ) laughing at the irony. May you share many figs with your son. God Bless. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1335916801	Reply with quote #37

I am near windsor. For winter what I have been doing is tieing them up, wrapping them with burlap (or better than burlap product name) then put stakes up with another layer of burlap and pack it full of straw or leaves, which ever I have handy. Then I will wrap a tarp around it and put a bucket over top. I also mound the base of the truck just to be safe. My neighbour has the family help her, they push the tree down to the ground and tie it down, wrap it with foam, blankets and then cover it with a tarp. There are quite a few people around here with figs, some in pots a couple guys build little houses for theirs and cover with insulation and plastics. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

Nichole

Registered:1333814555
Posts: 878

Posted 1335925621	Reply with quote #38

Hi newbie! Very pretty tree with very pretty fruit. I'm sure it tastes delicious. Welcome! __________________ Seattle area - Zone 8b http://www.niroha.com Fig Inventory https://sites.google.com/site/nicholesgardeninventory/fig-trees Wish list: Barbillone, Black Triana, Brooklyn Dark, Brooklyn White, Figo Branco, Figo Preto, Grantham Royal, Grisse de St Jean, Honey Jumbo, LSU Gold, LSU Scott's Yellow, Matta, Noire De Caromb, Panevino Dark, Roja, Syrian Long, Uncle Corky's Honey Delight

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335958900	Reply with quote #39

Quote: Originally Posted by BronxFigs John.... Post # 32.....I laughed when I read: "Frank, you know the younger generation, he just wants to eat them" John, when you are my age...YOU are the younger generation!!!! : ) laughing at the irony. May you share many figs with your son. God Bless. Frank :) thanks frank i do hope to get him involved in gardening which can be a lifelong interest. j __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

yquemandfigs

Registered:1332982229
Posts: 58

Posted 1335959322	Reply with quote #40

noss and nicole - thanks for the wishes chivas - so it is like i thought, the overwintering needs full protection. i was hoping that an older tree of some variety might withstand winter. I guess not __________________ Downtown Toronto - Zone 6a Starting a Fig Forest in my driveway Growing: Colisanti Yellow, Marseilles White, Niagara Black, Marseilles Black VS, Sals El, Noir de Carombe,2 Unknown

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1335970897	Reply with quote #41

Welcome to the forum, and I have a great idea for you! You like Yquem? Who doesn't? That Niagara Ice wine is pure heaven! Enjoy your figs, but why not grow wine grapes, harvest them at midnight first frost, cold ferment it, age it, and bottle it? There is a great forum for winemakers here. __________________ 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!

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1335975547	Reply with quote #42

They may survive with no winter protection, but I think it's a family tradition and I guess a neighbour several doors down gave her the tree but his largest ones were eaten by mice last winter. I am not sure what he does for his tress other than bury them from what I was told which could mean they just bend it and cover it. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

musillid

Registered:1327758167
Posts: 1,507

Posted 1336009230	Reply with quote #43

Near north neighbor, hello. What is with us that we seek out adversity, trying to grow tropical things in this climate? Is it just the bull-headed gene we acquired from our Mediterranean ancestors? __________________ Dale non compost mentis in Zone 6a

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1336009757	Reply with quote #44

Welcome to the forum John!!!!!!!! __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

Toques

Registered:1332388576
Posts: 29

Posted 1336096469	Reply with quote #45

Welcome John-with-the-lovely-fig-tree! Thank-you for making Toronto more beautiful.

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Modal title

Insert Code

Please paste your code into the box below: