Wasp timing in SoCal

cjccmc
1501378122

For those of us who only get wasps from mother nature (i.e. not growing our own) I'm wondering:

1) Is there a start and finish time that they are around to pollinate?

2) At what stage of ripeness is a fig capable of being pollinated? (Even at about 3 weeks from ripening when they are 2/3 final size most are hard and green with a tightly closed eye that seems hard to get thru)

Above is in regards to covering my figs with organza bags. I wouldn't want to block the wasps from pollinating but earlier is better for just getting it done and keeping out the fruit flies

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lampo
1501403394 · Edited

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Originally Posted by cjccmc
For those of us who only get wasps from mother nature (i.e. not growing our own) I'm wondering:

1) Is there a start and finish time that they are around to pollinate?

2) At what stage of ripeness is a fig capable of being pollinated? (Even at about 3 weeks from ripening when they are 2/3 final size most are hard and green with a tightly closed eye that seems hard to get thru)

Above is in regards to covering my figs with organza bags. I wouldn't want to block the wasps from pollinating but earlier is better for just getting it done and keeping out the fruit flies

Hi Conrad
There are no mathematical start/finish dates on Caprifigs ... it's always 'around' - 'approximately' .. etc.
All depends on climate and local weather..
Vox populi around the Smyrna growers on my country was in more or less remote times - 'by st.John's day' - the Profichi were presented to the trees and that was Jun 24th .. but this was before the infamous 'Global warming'

I have seen more recently wasps active and figs receptive through the last week of May or first days of June ... BUT if I wait for sometime later I risk finding no more wasps around !
Bear in mind that wasps do have a long list of predators and these predators ARE my best guidance to tell me the start of the process.. particularly the minute jump spider ! these buggers never been through College but they know exactly what's happening inside the Profichis as well as how much receptive the Smyrna, common and StPedro's are !! believe me.
Be alert when early morning against rising sun over your yard you see spider webs strategically set around the Caprifigs as well as the Smyrnoids.. and a sharp eye will find the culprits hiding on a close leaf pleat waiting!
But you seem to have an additional problem - the fly -
To try and kill as many as possible you have to set your own traps . I would suggest you to get advice from the local Ag Extension.. they shall be the best source of info on how to deal with it.. Around here, farmers use home made traps with some particular pheromone rich combination to attract the fly. The idea is to control the fly.. before and after figs are pollinated.
Hope this helps -
Also suggest you try and google -( The forgotten books) - the Smyrna fig by George C Roeding
An interesting book written by one of the knowledgeable 'fig fathers' early XX century

wasps in dispute to first get into a Smyrna - before pollination fig skin get some glare

Once pollinated, grows rapidly and color changes
you may still see the spider web between these two figs

Francisco
Portugal

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cjccmc
1501437699

Thanks for the reply Francisco. Looks like the wasps get into the figs well before they start to soften which means putting on organza bags when they are 2-3 weeks away from fully ripe will not prevent pollination.
I didn't know about the wasps predators. I wish the fruit flies had more :-)

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lampo
1501505489

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjccmc
Thanks for the reply Francisco. Looks like the wasps get into the figs well before they start to soften which means putting on organza bags when they are 2-3 weeks away from fully ripe will not prevent pollination.
I didn't know about the wasps predators. I wish the fruit flies had more :-)

Every edible Summer fig type lives through two softening periods

One, well localized around the eye, when it becomes receptive for pollination (like the one in the picture) .. having nothing to do with ripening but instead just to ease the entry job for the pollinator to bring in pollen

A second time about 30 to 45 days after the first (a lot depends on climate) as the fig inflorescence matures, gets volume and becomes ripen.

As for the fly set up the traps in time.. easy - can be 100% home made - and effective !

Francisco

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