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RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hello to everyone out there in Fig land. :) 
I must confess I've never grown figs before, but I am ready to take on the challenge. Whilst still technically in the Ozarks, I am located in a small pocket that is classified as USDA Zone 5b, although sometimes it's closer to 5a, which is what it used to be.  

That being said, I'm not afraid of the more tender perennials, and even have lemon trees that consistently produce a decent crop for their size. However I'm having an impossible time finding fig plants/trees in this area. None of the nurseries have them, nor do they plan on ordering any in the future, and I don't know of anyone locally who is growing them, so I am resolved to ordering cuttings on-line.  Not that I'm afraid of cuttings, as I've successfully propagated various shrubs and trees from cuttings, but I'd like to make sure that the cuttings I get are the real deal and that I'm buying from reputable sellers, plus I'd like to pick the brains of those of you who live in Zones 5 and colder in order to increase the success rate of growing this fabulous little fruit, if you will so kindly oblige. :) 

Oh, and I have another confession. I'm somewhat addicted to growing certain heritage/heirloom species. For example, I have nine varieties of heritage rhubarb and over a dozen varieties of antique heritage apple trees. And I have a feeling the figs are going to be another addiction.  But it's all good, right? LOL
Cheers!
~RL~
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
dkirtexas

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Welcome.

Specifically where are you located?  It helps to know so that other people in your immediate area or at least close can be of help to you.  They will know of any backyard nurseries or other sources for fig stuff.
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Thx, glad to be here

Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO"
Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8

Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED.  Any LSU fig.
eboone

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Welcome!
There is more info than a person could hope for on this forum on various methods of growing figs successfully in a colder climate.  Basically, you need to decide on: 1) growing in a container and moving it to a protected area in winter, 2)  growing in ground and protecting it in winter, or 3) growing in ground and letting it die back and regrow from the roots yearly.  Each has advantages and disadvantages.  You should spend some time online researching these options. 
Good luck!
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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.
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Welcome!  We have a few people scattered in MO.  There are others in Zone 5.  Search for our reputable ebay seller list and look for early ripening figs.
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Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dkirtexas
Welcome.
Specifically where are you located?  


Thanks, and basically anywhere within the Columbia, St Louis and Springfield triangle (esp those along I-44 and/or US Highway 63/50 which I frequently travel) is considered close as I'm fairly centrally located and it's about the same distance to each. Although as I said, my immediate area is in a small cold pocket, and with the exception of the upper most northern part of the state, everything else is at least a Zone warmer. 
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
Smungung

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
WELCOME!!!
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Matthew Mei Age:15 Zone 6A Secaucus, New Jersey

Aquarist any questions pertaining to fish shoot me a message always willing to help! :)
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Fisherman
RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eboone
Welcome!
There is more info than a person could hope for on this forum on various methods of growing figs successfully in a colder climate.  Basically, you need to decide on: 1) growing in a container and moving it to a protected area in winter, 2)  growing in ground and protecting it in winter, or 3) growing in ground and letting it die back and regrow from the roots yearly.  Each has advantages and disadvantages.  You should spend some time online researching these options. 
Good luck!


Thanks, and I've been gleaning tons of valuable info from the forum already - hubby says he dreads whenever I begin thinking about starting something new as I tend research it to death. :) 
Regarding the growing methods, I will probably try all three. Plus it never hurts to hedge ones bets when it comes to gardening, providing one has the space.
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
frdlturner

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Welcome
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Danny
Southwest Missouri
zone 6a

new to figs want any type
RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcantor
Welcome!  We have a few people scattered in MO.  There are others in Zone 5.  Search for our reputable ebay seller list and look for early ripening figs.


Thanks, and that's good to know. Do you know right off hand if any of them grow naturally/organically?
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
Kane

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Welcome! I spent three wonderful months at Ft Leonard years ago- Army Basic training
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Kane, Frederick, MD
Zone 6A
RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smungung
WELCOME!!!

Thanks!
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Quote:
Originally Posted by frdlturner
Welcome

Thanks!
Just wondering...how close are you to Joplin? 
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
RegencyLass

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kane
Welcome! I spent three wonderful months at Ft Leonard years ago- Army Basic training


Thanks for the welcome...and thank you for your service to our country! 
My dad was military and came from several generations of military men, and I grew up just a few miles from the back gate (beautiful country there, and I spent more than a few summer days fishing the Big Piney for small mouth).  My oldest son also wanted to join when he was old enough, but was turned down repeatedly due to asthma so he became a LEO instead, like my husband.
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~RL~ Zone 5
Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria. 
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