What Do You Do With the Propagated Cuttings You Grow?

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RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1390046131	Reply with quote #1

Good morning everyone, I see some pictures from forum members who have shelves full of growing cuttings and others who talk about having 10, 20, 50 as high as 300. Where do all of these go? What do you do with all of them?

dfoster25

Registered:1337044031
Posts: 723

Posted 1390046442	Reply with quote #2

I plan on growing them, eventually eating fruit from all of them, then only keeping the ones that I like. I will give away the ones I don't care for. Whatch you gonna do? To quote someone else, "Why eat them of course!!" I usually grow 2-3 cuttings of each and it does get a little crazy. I managed to give away about 40 small pots to people around me. I asked them to take photos and keep me updated. Cheers __________________ Zone 6, SE MICHIGAN -14F 1-7-14 -23F 2-?-15 6F 1-18-16

Ruuting

Registered:1359310699
Posts: 613

Posted 1390051458	Reply with quote #3

You've spent a winter fighting for these cuttings, watching, scrubbing, up potting, watering, feeding... Not to mention the money that was spent on potting material, electricity, the cuttings themselves... What could be better than sharing the fruits of your labour (pun intended) with loved ones? If they know you have fig fever, then they'll know you're sharing something that you've put LOVE into. These days of electronics and techie this, commercial that, who wouldn't enjoy receiving a fruit tree as a gift??? Think of the bottles of wine you won't have to buy! __________________ Rui Southeast CT, zone 6B

BexleyRabbit

Registered:1375322533
Posts: 229

Posted 1390051634	Reply with quote #4

I either sell my spares or give them away. I plan on keeping 3 varieties in the ground and about 15 in pots. Just need to sort out the best varieties for my climate and taste.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1390052387	Reply with quote #5

I am still looking for that elusive fig that can grow in Zone 6 unprotected for the winter and produces bountiful delicious figs. Until I find that elusive fig I try to grow half a dozen or so plants of each cultivar as insurance in case the mother plant dies and to spread the love with friends and fig traders. I always make sure I have enough fig plants producing enough fresh figs for my family and friends to eat and plenty to dry and fill my freezer to keep us through the long winter with fig smoothies and other fig treats. That amounts to a lot of fig trees for me. That was then, now I have discovered this forum and like many here I have a serious case of fig fever. I want to discover new fig cultivars so I can savour the multitude of tastes. This should be a great endeavor. I just need to convince my wife before she throws me and my figs out. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,330

Posted 1390053678	Reply with quote #6

I sell them to finance my hobby, keeps "She who must be obeyed" off my case. Going price of common fig trees is $10.00 per gallon. One gallon is most commonly sold. __________________ 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.

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1390054892	Reply with quote #7

I have 3 figs in the ground right now, I have room for 8-10 medium sized fig trees without feeling like I live in a fig forest (although that does not sound bad). So my goal is to have 8-10 varieties in my yard, give a few away, and sell some each fall in the farmer's market. Or alternately, my wife would say that what I really want is to be able to roam around the yard and eat stuff off trees and bushes like an old bear. I've only got 12 different kinds of fruiting bushes and trees on a 1/2 acre yard, I don't know what she is talking about ;-) __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1390060842	Reply with quote #8

I prefer to give extras away locally - so if necessary, I can get cuttings from them. Sort of like retaining the mineral rights, lol. I love giving them away. People have been amazed at how good figs can really taste. There are a few varieties that I think either don't have enough flavor or don't do well here - those few I've simply destroyed. Norman's Yellow comes to mind. No need giving away or growing inferior figs when there are so many good ones available. Why would I give a bad fig to a friend - or even a stranger? There are enough blah brown turkey types out there. I don't know how many I'll end up with, but at this point, most probably will be grown in 15 gallon pots and kept pruned. The list of 'keepers' is very long. :) While there are some light ones on the list, most will be dark. __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1390063740	Reply with quote #9

I share them with other fig friends. Now I don't keep spares. Too much work to keep many of the same kind. The bonus is that I have a green house making it possible to focus on late but excellent varieties. On top of that I have 2 reliable work horse tree like Desert King, back up by less tasty trees like Latarrula, Osborne Prolific etc. Hence if my other in-ground trees gave me 40 figs/tree and my potted figs provide me 20 figs/tree, I end up with over a thousand nice figs to enjoy. Last few summer, many strangers have dropped by my place in summer and we share fig goodness with them. In fact last evening we gave a new friend a bag of frozen ripe Desert King figs.

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1390064780	Reply with quote #10

i keep 1 or two of the ones that i like. rest usually give to friends or trash can. i used to ship them to members, but it's costing too much. i know members are willing to pay for the shipping, but i don't like dealing with money and making boxes is getting to be bothersome. i would trade still, but i noticed i'm getting lazy on that also. if anyone ones them, i would chop them and ship them as cuttings. rest will go into trash can and the containers reused. i don't get large crop since i keep my trees in 10 gal max. still 80-100 fig per tree is good enough for me and my wife during the summer and fall. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1390067704	Reply with quote #11

Quote: Originally Posted by Gina The list of 'keepers' is very long. :) While there are some light ones on the list, most will be dark. Ah yes, another member of the dark side ;-) __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1390068498	Reply with quote #12

I like to have one in the ground, and one potted back-up, just in case (gophers or wind-borne random sprays) kill the main tree. I have gifted several. Shipping a living plant is tough as Pete says. If I ever get crazy rooting again with multiple varieties, and they live through fungus gnat attacks, I may just put them on the forum or Craigslist for local pick-up. Zoos, Schools, and other public places are another option. I have a buddy who planted 100 grape cuttings around the Elephant enclosure at his zoo. Elephants love them!! Our new town is seriously lacking fig trees, so I could maybe just go door to door offering little trees. We are in drought conditions now, so probably not a good idea. Suzi __________________ 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!

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1390070889	Reply with quote #13

I use the spares I end up with to trade for varieties I still want.

Figfinatic

Registered:1330272993
Posts: 761

Posted 1390072908	Reply with quote #14

At least they aren't cats! __________________ Wish: Sbayi, passiflora incense, quadrangularis or others

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1390082350	Reply with quote #15

How close are your trees? How large to you let them get? __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1390083945	Reply with quote #16

Share and eat!! __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

garden_whisperer

Registered:1353347580
Posts: 1,613

Posted 1390089925	Reply with quote #17

I propagate cutting to add to my colllection. Once I have trees large enough to get a good amount of cuttings from I propagate them and sell em on ebay and use the money to donate to charities via missionfish thru ebay. __________________ Dave Zone 6b Illinois "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1390090410	Reply with quote #18

I haven't gotten to the point of having enough to sell, but I'm considering taking them to a local produce/plant auction if I grow enough and friends don't want them.

GreenFin

Registered:1331268315
Posts: 684

Posted 1390092097	Reply with quote #19

Quote: Originally Posted by garden_whisperer I propagate cutting to add to my colllection. Once I have trees large enough to get a good amount of cuttings from I propagate them and sell em on ebay and use the money to donate to charities via missionfish thru ebay. I commend you on your philanthropic efforts. What % of sales revenue do you donate? (i.e. if you sell some cuttings for $10, how much goes to charity?) __________________ James, zone 6a Kansas (zone 10 greenhouses); wish list is in my profile http://www.FigCuttings.com

aphahn

Registered:1354927274
Posts: 321

Posted 1390094285	Reply with quote #20

Give them away or trade. It's always fun to knock one off of someone's wishlist. __________________ Andy - Zone 6a Lat 39.9º N, Alt 5390' Westminster CO ⚘ Scion List

SoniSoni

Registered:1362273241
Posts: 777

Posted 1390097093	Reply with quote #21

Well let's see .. I guess its time to start thinking about that. With continued success I'll have many extras. If I dont have the right varieties to pay back my wonderful, generous fig suppliers, I'll pay forward. There's always newbies. Or I could search through members wish lists and maybe make some wishes come true. Wheeeeeeee The Fig Fairy. It would be a hoot to have a fig orchard figs with family names. My oldest son is named Guido so I'm looking for it I've got Gino and Vincenzo covered. Selling them at yard sales and fund raisers would be nice but Ebay looks like work to me. Last March when I became infected with fig flu I wasn't very aware of selecting for climate. I need to research and make it a priority to get rid of those that dont like GA before they get big. If I get stuck with too many and no one wants them I could plant them in the woods and hope they make it. I heard someone did that rather than trash them. __________________ Soni GA. 7-8. seeking Galicia Negra, Bianchi Guido, Violette de Sollies, Emerald Strawberry

recomer20

Registered:1378013757
Posts: 402

Posted 1390098782	Reply with quote #22

Just having 20 or so in cups and pots is about all I can handle. Don't know how some of you do it...Hats off to you! My goal for the week is to get the last few in 3-quarts...then I can really take it easy for a while. Like Gene, my goal was to find 5-7 diverse, productive in-ground trees. About 1/2 of those in my pic are LSU-Ps and will need homes. Had no idea they'd all survive! Some earmarked for friends and family. Still looking for a creative way to donate the rest locally. __________________ Rick C. Birmingham, AL z7b --- INGROUND: S.C.Lemon ("Dr.Welch"), LSUpurple, Celeste (Std) POTTED 3rd Yr: Alma, Atreano, BattGreen, GrnGreek, HardyChicago, ItalianBlack (Becnel), LSUGold?, MBvs, Sal's EL, Southern BT?, St.Jean, Jackie'sUnk POTTED 2nd Yr: SunbirdUnkJP, BourjNoire, JHAdriatic, ValleNegra ROOTING: RdB, ScottsBlk, BlkGreek-MN,Preto

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1390191475	Reply with quote #23

I'm going to plant them on a hillside and feed the locals, Los Angeles is a great place to grow figs, so every variety will be part of my collection, even the rejects of our friends from forum;) as long as you know the Variety , don't discard it, i'll gladly adopt them and give them the home they are meant to have. It's a sad scenario to see some people put so much effort to grow them just to find out some aren't the right variety for their climate ;/ One of my goals in future, with fig trees, will be to provide shipped packages of just perfectly ripe figs to let our friends here find out what the taste of certain fig should really be like.

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1390194111	Reply with quote #24

Quote: Originally Posted by SoniSoni If I get stuck with too many and no one wants them I could plant them in the woods and hope they make it. I heard someone did that rather than trash them. I can just see it. 100 years from now a "natural" fig forest in Georgia that local botanists will be trying to find the origins of... I love it! I could do the same thing here. I've got lots of open spaces near my home, and there are 3 or 4 old trees in town that obviously do fine unprotected in this climate. Maybe I should start a few cuttings off those trees this spring and plant them in the wild this fall. Birds and critters would love them and I would be increasing the biodiversity. Hum... __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1390200335	Reply with quote #25

I definitely grow more than I need, just to be safe and have a backup. Then I give the backups away to friends that appreciate figs! __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1390238582	Reply with quote #26

Yes Alan, the city may have empty lots that can be dedicated to this kind of project, also it's good to get the entire community involved raising the trees and attending them ;)

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