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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Reluctant Violette de Bordeaux Still Dormant?
 
 


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blindesign

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hi Guys,

First time poster here.  I'm in SoCal and my 2015 VdBs from UCD grew relatively fine last year, but for some reason they are just not growing this year.  I have two 1 gal potted VdB's that started to come out of dormancy but both only put out stunted little leaves which have now fallen off.  We did have a few days of cold El Nino weather after they initially broke dormancy.  Now they look dormant again.  All my other potted figs are well out of dormancy and leafing out nicely.

Anyone ever had this issue with VdBs?  Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!
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Jen

Wish List:
Ischia Black, Longue d'Aout, Long Yellow, Genovese Nero (AF), Smith, Strawberry Verte, Mr. Francisco's (Lampo's) scrumptious looking Bebera Branca   O.o
ParacleteFarms

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
I have two in ground and am going through exactly the same thing. Early last spring I planted two 1 1/2 foot trees, they leafed out great but really didn't grow much and so far they haven't budded out at all. All of the other fig trees are budding and leafing out pretty good.

This winter was maybe the mildest winter I have ever experienced in Texas but maybe the few times it got to freezing nipped some budding leaves or something and I didn't notice.

My fingers are crossed that they pop up because it is probably too late to get cuttings or gallon pots of VdB for this year.

Here is a picture from last year http://i.imgur.com/kyc5h10.jpg
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Zone 7b/8 near Dallas, TX

VdB, RdB, Alma, Celeste, unk Celeste, Osborne Prolific, Peters Honey, Conadria, B.Trky, Strawberry Verte, Brunswick, Olymp ,LSU Purple/Gold, C.Hrdy, Brooklyn White, Unk Green Ischia.

Wish List : Cold Hardy/Prolific bearers - Letizia , Florea, Smith, G. Paradiso, Lattarula, any Sals varieties, Negronne, Navid's Unk. Dark Greek, Bass' Fav.
sbmohan

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I am in Zone 7b/(8 this year due to mild winter). My VdB has been the last one to wake up. I see the buds starting swell, while the rest of them already have good foliage.

So be patient. Put your pots where you might get most sun for the day and it might help the trees grow strong shoots.

Another thing to consider is to "appropriately fertilize" (not too much but just the right amount, or use slow release ferts) the plants. I see you mentioned that they are in 1 gallon containers and its easy for the trees to run out of food in a pot that size, unless you are maintaining a schedule to feed them.
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Mohan B
Harrisburg, NC - Zone 7a
coop951

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
I have found the UCD VdB to be a severely diseased plant. After 2 years of disappointment I am giving it one more year. I planted in ground here in NJ last year and hasn't come up yet. I'm almost hoping it doesn't
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Coop  
Northern NJ Zone 7a
Elfarach

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
In my short time in this new hobby of figs, I have noticed that VdB the SLOWEST and most sensitive at everything, rooting, airlayering and just overall slow grower... But you can't beat the tasty figs... I'm looking for a Vista to compare, I've read that Vista is a more vigorous grower...
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Simon C.
So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a
Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet
eboone

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Could you slide them gently out of the pot to see if they could be badly rootbound?  Or if something else is affecting the roots?
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Ed
Zone 6A - Southwest PA     
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Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid),  Col Littman's Black Cross.   And any cold hardy early fig.
blindesign

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Thanks for all the replies, guys.  I moved them to a sunnier spot and I'll just have to wait it out and be more patient I suppose.  :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sbmohan
 Another thing to consider is to "appropriately fertilize" (not too much but just the right amount, or use slow release ferts) the plants. I see you mentioned that they are in 1 gallon containers and its easy for the trees to run out of food in a pot that size, unless you are maintaining a schedule to feed them.


Is there a particular fertilizer and feeding schedule you use?  My plan is a teaspoon of Gro-Power Plus 5-3-1 every month.

Quote:
Originally Posted by eboone
Could you slide them gently out of the pot to see if they could be badly rootbound?  Or if something else is affecting the roots?


I took a peak and there's something I've noticed--my plants in plastic have much more robust root systems than plants in ceramic pots.  I didn't notice any issues with being rootbound though.
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Jen

Wish List:
Ischia Black, Longue d'Aout, Long Yellow, Genovese Nero (AF), Smith, Strawberry Verte, Mr. Francisco's (Lampo's) scrumptious looking Bebera Branca   O.o
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