Sachet bag bird protection

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pitangadiego

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Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1376189888	Reply with quote #1

These have proved to be quite useful. Not sure who suggested these last year. Color doesn't seem to matter - have tried green, blue and red. The green ones get lost and are hard to find on the tree. The fabric of blue ones has faded fairly quickly, but the draw string retains its color. The red ones do not seem to attract any birds and pests, even though they are brightly colored. They seem to prevent rotting (from entry of bugs) on splitting fruit, if installed before the split begins. They are good for small birds, but did not deter crows, or coyotes. The 3 x 4 are only good for very small fruits. The 4 x 6 fit many small and medium figs, but the 5 x 7 have proved the most versatile and easier to install because of their larger size. They provide protection from bugs, if they fall off the tree with the fig inside. They are not good for large trees with dozens or hundreds of figs (labor intensive) unless they ripen a few at a time. I used them for several days on my large Vista tree until I got the birdnet installed. They are readily available on Ebay, Amazon and a hundred other places. They are marketed for use in "wrapping" party favors. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

twobrothersgarden

Registered:1355136466
Posts: 332

Posted 1376190605	Reply with quote #2

Nice. This seems like an easy way to protect them. __________________ Henry, Brawley, California, 9B YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/thetwobrothersgarden/videos?view=0 Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/usr/two-brothers-2013

greg88

Registered:1359498953
Posts: 800

Posted 1376192054	Reply with quote #3

I ordered some after the last thread but have nothing ripening yet. __________________ Greg North West Arkanasas Zone 6b Wish list: any SPECTACULAR cold hardy figs, and/or perhaps a Niagra Bl., Laradek EBT, Kathleen's Bl, Hunt, a great UNK or anything anyone wants me to have???

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1376196455	Reply with quote #4

I like that idea for easy protection. __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1376196755	Reply with quote #5

This year, my chickens hang out under the fig tree and I believe they discourage other birds. None of my breba had any bird pecking damage, whereas my blueberries on the other side of the house, where the chickens are not allowed, I had to cage my plants.. the birds were getting them all. the baggie method is a quick solution for a few, but it would be difficult to do them all if you have many trees. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

JustPeachy

Registered:1374695228
Posts: 304

Posted 1376208229	Reply with quote #6

Nice! Who says figs can't be stylish too? :) Love that pop of color! __________________ Sophie~ Sophies Choices: Sultane, Sal's , Hardy Chicago and varieties suitable to z7b...not too picky at this point since we are still a fig growing virgin!

pitangadiego

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Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1376234315	Reply with quote #7

They are also called organza bags if you are googling them. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Registered:1252379847
Posts: 1,162

Posted 1376236383	Reply with quote #8

Thanks Jon. The organza bags are good for birds and bugs and they breathe. Like you, I bought a few for spot duty. I believe it was Bass (http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Protecting-a-fig-6360473) who mentioned them. I like the Christmas tree look. These must be FANTASTIC in your climate and other areas that are more dry than wet. They work well here during stretches of no rain. However, after more than couple of days of rain, I have observed that they can accelerate souring and/or splitting for those with eyes that are not closed. The bags will hold water on overcast days but dry out well enough when the sun follows the rain. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

pitangadiego

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Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1376251584	Reply with quote #9

My suspicion is that they allow more sunlight in than a newspaper (duh!) which helps with ripening. The mesh is fine enough that it keeps out most, if not all insects, so they decrease spoilage and allow you to let them ripen longer. I have had some that essentially dehydrated in the bag. I know that won't work in humid climates. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1378989975	Reply with quote #10

Some critter seems to have figured out that the organza bags on my Sicilian Red indicates that there is ripe (or near ripe) fruit inside. I find the bags laying on the ground with partially eaten/pulverized fruit still inside. Any idea whether this is squirrels or something larger like the dreaded racoon? As a result, I haven't had any figs for a couple weeks :( __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1378994357	Reply with quote #11

I've found these bags to be very helpful, not a 100% as some birds are more aggressive and peck holes in the bags, but they do deter many other birds and have helped save much of my harvest. I did have a couple bags with figs completely removed from the tree and I suspect this was done by squirrels. Still the best method for protection I've found so far.

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1378994783	Reply with quote #12

Barry, I hope it is squirrels. I agree with you 100% that they are great for bird protection. The next step is to net the tree since it is small. If the critter gets through the net I will probably have some indication of whether it is a squirrel or something larger. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1378995418	Reply with quote #13

The bags are great for bugs and smaller birds, but if your preditor is somethign larger, they will take the whole bag. Not sure if they pop the entire thing in their mouths, or what, but entire bags disappear never to be found. Still, if you don't have too many fruits, they are better than nothing. And easy to use. Dry climate here, so no condensation problems. But we have coyotes, possums, raccoons, lotsa big birds, and probably an occasional stray dog. __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1378999995	Reply with quote #14

Gina, since my bags were laying on the ground with fig parts still inside I hope that means I am dealing with squirrels and not racoons! If it is racoons I guess I have to buy a large havahart trap. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

svanessa

Registered:1189292564
Posts: 905

Posted 1379009270	Reply with quote #15

When I check my bagged figs in the morning, the bags are on the ground and the figs are gone...doesn't stop those darn mammals. It does work for birds though. __________________ Sue Zone 9B, 1946' Ramona, CA San Diego County

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1379013021	Reply with quote #16

JohnParav's wife was the originator of the idea for Organza bags in 2011. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/bees-and-wasps-fix-5500275 __________________ 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.

BLB

Registered:1214341548
Posts: 2,936

Posted 1379019124	Reply with quote #17

And we are all grateful that she did!

Bass

Registered:1188959030
Posts: 2,428

Posted 1379020873	Reply with quote #18

Yes i suggested them earlier, and yes they work, but I can't imagine bagging every single fruit. __________________ Pennsylvania http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1379024033	Reply with quote #19

When there's not much fruit you can bag every one. When there's a lot of fruit you can bag the whole tree. I'm using an insect bed net over my in ground Hardy Chicago. I'll let you know how it works. Eventually I'll have to buy row cover :) The cage idea is great, also. __________________ 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.

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1379026467	Reply with quote #20

They are good for small and mid size birds. Don't work for crows and coyotes. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

sirlampsalot

Registered:1217533232
Posts: 258

Posted 1379204734	Reply with quote #21

The Organza bags have worked well for me, especially when a small tree has figs for the first time and most of the surrounding trees figs are being punctured, and dehydrated by bees and birds. A Malta Black and Dark Portuguese were able to give me 5 figs each after being covered with green bags. They definitely decrease spoilage. It seems if insects puncture the skin, the fruit sours quickly even if there has not been rain in a few days. So far, bees have left the bag covered fruit alone. Some fig trees in my back yard have had ripe fruit disappear lately and I suspect wild turkeys; they have been hanging around lately since my 2 old watch dogs died and went to a better place in the last 6 months. I got a new dog pound dog hoping he would be a good watch dog, but he seems to be the type who would show the turkeys where the best figs were!! __________________ C.H. Zone 7a East Tn

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