Still no sign of breaking dormancy in zone 7

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FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1398660267	Reply with quote #1

Last year, I posted a pic of my in ground tree breaking bud around April 11th. Still no sign of life this year. A couple of trees around town haven't broke dormancy yet either. All were unprotected. I'm pretty sure mine is still alive, other than the upper branches, but wow....winter did a number on us this year. Several inches of growth on my potted plants, which were protected in my garage. Makes me want to stay in the pots for good! Anyone else in zone 7 seeing life yet? __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1398661050	Reply with quote #2

No sign of bud break in ground here in NY! What a doozy this winter.... __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

shah8

Registered:1339623766
Posts: 657

Posted 1398665646	Reply with quote #3

Bud break on mine for about a week. __________________ Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct. Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette Rooting: Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.

shah8

Registered:1339623766
Posts: 657

Posted 1398665700	Reply with quote #4

I'm not really zone 7 though...even though I'm supposedly so. Recently most winters have been 8b. __________________ Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct. Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette Rooting: Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.

Maro2Bear

Registered:1344284082
Posts: 732

Posted 1398676533	Reply with quote #5

Frank, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are. I'm seeing miniscule breaking of dormancy now on my in-ground HC and Celeste. I had my inground trees well buried in shredded leaves, mounds and mounds of them. I think that it is just taking a lot longer this year for the ground to warm up. Here's a pix of my inground HC compared to two of my potted trees that over-wintered in our unheated sunroom (Conandria, Negronne). A few more weeks things should be better. Attached Images image.jpg (950.86 KB, 56 views) __________________ Mark B., Glenn Dale, MD Zone 7a

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1398678151	Reply with quote #6

Hi Figgyfrank, The drawings say I'm Zone7 - but locally micro-climate makes me more Zone6 most of the years IMO. This winter was mild - as opposed to 2012 that was a fig tree-killer - and April 2014 has been so far a bit warmer (2/3°C more) on most days. Most of my trees already have three leaves and are really willing to go check the clouds - perhaps the fertilizer I gave them in end of March and the regular watering since that date... __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1398681069	Reply with quote #7

Nothing....all the grounded trees are still comatose, and, with die back. Soil still too cold around the roots to push any new growth. The waiting game might become the 'crying game'. So far, another repeat performance of last year's spring....too cold, for too long. Boring! Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1398681142	Reply with quote #8

last two yrs, spring has been coming in later.. hope things turn around soon. __________________ 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...***

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1398684890	Reply with quote #9

My little in-ground guy has buds swelling at groundlevel where it somehow survived (it's 1 year old and I neglected to cover it other than throwing a pile of leaves on it in January). I'm in 6b, it's planted amongst many rocks so it gets extra heat.

Figfan203

Registered:1391607592
Posts: 79

Posted 1398686850	Reply with quote #10

I'm in 6B and I noticed some buds starting on my in ground 1 year old tree. Nothing on my other 2 in ground or the potted 1. __________________ Mike in zone 6B

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1398687123	Reply with quote #11

there is a house few min from mine where i sort of take a look at going to and back from troop meetings and my kids' piano lessons. they haven't broke bud yet either and i'm in 7b. all my trees are in container so... they all broke bud and some are setting figs. this weekend, i think i'll drive to raleigh and see if the church fig has broke bud. __________________ 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...***

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1398687745	Reply with quote #12

Quote: Originally Posted by Ampersand My little in-ground guy has buds swelling at groundlevel where it somehow survived (it's 1 year old and I neglected to cover it other than throwing a pile of leaves on it in January). I'm in 6b, it's planted amongst many rocks so it gets extra heat. Kelby, That's quite amazing. All my first year in-ground trees have been dead since early winter. It was evident, but I knew the risk. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1398689011	Reply with quote #13

Frank, I'm also 7a across the border in Rockville. My 2.5 year old Kathleen's Black which was protected by burlap and a tarp is pretty much dead to the ground. I see a couple green shoots coming up from the base. I had thought the thicker trunks survived but now I don't think so. Similar results for my in-ground Sicilian Red and Salavatsky Pomegranate. My neighbors very large 50 year old tree (Brown Turkey?) is also showing nothing above ground. It has never been protected. I was able to dig through mulch a little bit and find a small green bud just below the mulch. Time well tell whether any of the above ground parts are alive. All my figs in pots did great but the radiator I ran during the coldest nights probably made a big difference. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

greg88

Registered:1359498953
Posts: 800

Posted 1398689305	Reply with quote #14

6b ish here, Ginos and MBVS have budded out. BUT another freeze forecast for Thursday,,,,, __________________ 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???

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1398689334	Reply with quote #15

That's bad news, Steve. A guy across town has a mature brown turkey with no buds yet. I'm not sure what the condition of it is otherwise. I guess we can't be too surprised, seeing how we got beat up with single digit temps SEVERAL times, along with strong wind chills. Everything else in the yard has sprung except the English Ivy. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

DatesNFigs

Registered:1355761080
Posts: 43

Posted 1398689951	Reply with quote #16

My potted Negronne and BT are both slowly coming out of dormancy and each have a few small figs swelling on them. My unknown and my LSU purple, still nada... Although I fear the worst for my LSU Purple. __________________ Drew Zone 7b - Queens NYC

Pattee

Registered:1345750012
Posts: 1,417

Posted 1398691060	Reply with quote #17

My one inground (UNK) is still dead to ground. My potted - a bunch of smaller show a bit of greening , a couple have tiny figs and my bigger , older potted are still showing nothing. __________________ 7a & 9b ►I assume all my figs carry FMV ◄ Seeking : Italian 376,395 , Galicia Negra, Negretta,UNK Pastilliere ,Pananas Purple, Malta Blk+purple/red, Italian + Calabrian UNK's , Catanzaro, Malone, Sucrette(Baud) "We may have our private opinions but why should they be a bar to the meeting of hearts?" - Gandhi

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1398691165	Reply with quote #18

it seems like not of trees are dead after this winter.. even with protection. more insulation in coming winters? __________________ 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...***

71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1398691345	Reply with quote #19

My HC and MBVS look pretty bad. No signs of life at all. My other to in grounds look a little better, but no signs of life. All my potted trees lived my unheated detached garage. Only one tree had some damage, but the trunk looks good. The smallest tres I kept in my basement were fine accept one. In in 7a according to the newer maps. This was the first year I didn't cover my HC and MBVS. The other two a Brunswick and an unk mt. Etna type have never been covered and have never had an issue, but we will see. __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1398691889	Reply with quote #20

All Plants I protected well,here,are budding out at base up to a foot up the stem. All older ,fig tree in ground left without protection,have no buds at this time. The Winter was so harsh that is no wonder Why,they are in this state. I expect a good fruiting season from the plants I Winter protected using dry leaves, as they are in best shape. In between the saved ones,a couple of great Winners:Col de Dame Gris, Malta Black,and Longue D'aout. Happy Gardening

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1398696169	Reply with quote #21

Herman, I assume your Col de Dame Gris was surrounded by leaves, correct? Are you saying that it survived better than most other varieties you protected? I'm still trying to get a feel for how cold hardy the CdD family members are. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1398697108	Reply with quote #22

That's great, Herman. I'm glad you are having luck with protected trees. My Longue D'aout grew over 3ft tall last year, but I doubt it's coming back. The potted LdAs don't look so happy at the moment either. That is one variety I was hoping to have at least one survivor of. I'm hoping it comes back to life by summer. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1398699506	Reply with quote #23

Quote: Originally Posted by FiggyFrank Quote: Originally Posted by Ampersand My little in-ground guy has buds swelling at groundlevel where it somehow survived (it's 1 year old and I neglected to cover it other than throwing a pile of leaves on it in January). I'm in 6b, it's planted amongst many rocks so it gets extra heat. Kelby, That's quite amazing. All my first year in-ground trees have been dead since early winter. It was evident, but I knew the risk. I was surprised too. It's just a BT so I was planning on replacing it...but since it survived that brutal winter I think I'll let it stay. I think more of it would have lived, but the wet leaves on top rotted most the branch ends.

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1398699792	Reply with quote #24

My 6 year old in ground Sweet Diana has not broken bud yet. Covered for winter. Uncovered a few weeks ago. Still feels dry and brittle. I though it was just me. Last year when I uncovered there were lots of buds already. Suppose to be getting a lot of rain this week. Maybe that'll help. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

striveforfreedom

Registered:1322497326
Posts: 437

Posted 1398700826	Reply with quote #25

Frank I have the fig trees all outside for a week now, no signs or bud breaking but a few are swelling. Always a lesson in patience for me... __________________ Vince Russo Norwalk, CT Zone 7A Wish list - Any cuttings of the Col de Dames would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1398702529	Reply with quote #26

Well, I guess it's comforting to hear the majority of us are experiencing the same thing. Consider this thread a support group. :) I'm sure we'll be seeing green any day now. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1398703019	Reply with quote #27

I'd like to update my post. I walked over to my neighbors house to check on their in ground Hardy Chicago. It has multiple 1-2" trunks from being killed to the ground over the years, in all it covers about a 6' x 10' area. It receives no protection aside from whatever leaves might blow into it, planted on the NE side of a detached garage (pretty poor placement in my book). To me it looks dead to the ground, all of last year's growth is totally dead and dry. The main trunks don't look good either, appear dry and the bark looks ready to fall off. I'll update if I see any growth.

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1398703951	Reply with quote #28

Hey Frank, I am also in zone 7(b) here in Central Arkansas. Most of the figs around town are just starting to break bud now. I just talked to one of my friends who has a large, prolific Texas Everbearing. He thought it was gone because it normally breaks early April. But just this week is he seeing signs of life. I think this spring has just been so much cooler than normal that our figs are acting more like zone 6 than zone 7. __________________ 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?

springlakenj

Registered:1320370452
Posts: 281

Posted 1398705388	Reply with quote #29

In central coastal NJ, the three in-ground and protected, marseilles black vs is green/alive down low but still dormant, the atreano is budding at ground level, the gino's is unknown. Of the numerous potted, in garage figs, the Tacoma Violette and one VDB(best fig so far) appear dead- I think I packed those two away still leafed out. Maybe died of thirst! Lesson learned: Next year, I will either wait longer or snip off all leaves of figs going into storage. __________________ John G. Spring Lake Hts, NJ Zone 7A

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1398707623	Reply with quote #30

i killed all my new plants during the winter of 2011-12. didn't water them for 3 months. now i water them every 15 days during the storage x) __________________ 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...***

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1398712219	Reply with quote #31

It looks like a lot of us in the cooler climes, are in the same boat....we're all waiting, with fingers crossed, for that familiar glimmer of green life. Most of my collection was killed off. My fault, I'm sure. Ma Nature sure didn't help, either. Winter of 2013-2014 will be one for the books! I hoping that your trees, even though damaged, will bounce back. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

mgginva

Registered:1320266925
Posts: 1,856

Posted 1398713333	Reply with quote #32

All my plants are in pots and were in the garage. I feel almost guilty reporting that I already have up to a foot of growth on some plants. Of the 250 or thereabouts fig plants I put up I didn't loose any and I'm seeing a lot of figs already. I put a small space heater in the garage and used it on the coldest 4 nights, but otherwise except for water my potted figs didn't need any attention. This year I did start watering them earlier and with more water. They broke dormancy well over a month ago. I put then out last thursday. The garage does have windows. I don't have a single in ground tree. Both my house and garage become crowded with plants in winter as I have at least another 50 plants that go in and out with the seasons. A strong recommendation for growing in pots where and when it's possible. I put a lot of my figs up with leaves on them - even figs and it didn't seem to make any difference. My biggest concern this year is sunburn on all the light green growth that occurred while I waited for our last frost (hopefully), but it has been over cast and fairly dark and rainy since I put everything out side so there is minimal damage so far. I have been very lucky this year. I do have several 1 gallon plants that have yet to start growing but they aren't dead yet (Socorro Black, CdDB, Rockaway Green, English Brown Turkey). __________________ Michael in Virginia (zone 7a) Wish list: Perretta,

Adolfo

Registered:1398197907
Posts: 16

Posted 1398713349	Reply with quote #33

As long as the roots were buried deep enough I don't see these figs being completely killed. They should come back up from the ground IMHO . Unless roots froze over which meant they were close to the surface

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1398729040	Reply with quote #34

I have a Texas Everbearing that I started off a large bush in town. My little tree had several trunks 1-2 in diameter at ground level. I covered it with a chickenwire cage filled with leaves. It died back to the roots. The mother plant is completely exposed, but even the finger sized branches are OK on it. What gives? I thought diameter was the deciding factor, but could it be the age of the root stock? I don't really understand this, can someone explain it to me? __________________ 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?

LizzieB

Registered:1397581699
Posts: 84

Posted 1398730485	Reply with quote #35

7a NC, my sleeper has a tiny green leaf coming out. Nothing on the monster yet.. __________________ Luise Area 7 a, Central North Carolina W-S Celeste UNK, 15 year old disease free, very abundant, nice sized fruit. I've got the fever, as Ms.Javajunkie gifted me so very many cuttings. Experimentation in progress... all of my own cuttings got slimy. Ms.Javajunkie gifts are showing tiny leaves and roots. So very excited Black Greek, Po di Limone and Black Triana are growing in little cups.

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1398730647	Reply with quote #36

Gene, could it be that the microenvironments that the mother tree and its clone are growing could explain the difference? Otherwise I don't really have a good explanation either. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1398734739	Reply with quote #37

To Steve in MD.: The figs I mentioned , being alive are, so because of protecting them with leaves, chicken wire and top water barrier. They are not any hardier than other, hardy trees That I left unprotected. It seem that -3F, for longer duration,as it happened this year will kill all above ground wood, on any hardy cultivar if left,unprotected.

omotm

Registered:1349913471
Posts: 886

Posted 1398734963	Reply with quote #38

Way down here in the Houston area all my potted trees are leafing out nicely. Black Jack, Battaglia Green, Hardy Chicago, Strawberry Verte and White (green?) Ischia all want to sleep in a little longer and only have leaf buds about the size of a pencil tip. __________________ Steve Houston, TX Zone 8b Wish List: Zingarella

Sburdo

Registered:1334627697
Posts: 165

Posted 1398735245	Reply with quote #39

Only signs of in ground life for me on Long Island are some buds on Atreano shoots from last year that are still green. Nothing from old wood yet on other trees. Potted trees doing fine.

Ekierk

Registered:1349141058
Posts: 165

Posted 1398736797	Reply with quote #40

Hows the Florea Herman2?

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1398956193	Reply with quote #41

Finally! __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1398973329	Reply with quote #42

It was proposed a year or two ago somewhere on the forum that cold temperatures might help "cleanse" a fig tree of fmv. If that is true then a lot of trees in the northeast should be very healthy if they have survived this winter! __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

motownnj

Registered:1319238695
Posts: 42

Posted 1398989815	Reply with quote #43

More of the same for me. Top 2 feet of growth or so is pretty crispy and brown on in grounds that were protected. No signs of budding but lower down the bark is gray and scrapes green underneath. I am considering cutting back to the gray wood, hoping it will speed the process. Any thoughts on if pruning now could speed the overall process of stimulating new buds on old, gray wood?

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1398990773	Reply with quote #44

Neggronne , Battaglia and Calliope Red Greek all have leaves and figs on them here in Fair Lawn NJ. These were wintered over in a detached garage with several weeks at 20F.

71GTO

Registered:1290311646
Posts: 1,002

Posted 1398993114	Reply with quote #45

My in ground trees still have no signs of life. I can see more red branches on some. My potted trees are all leafing out and some are putting out Breba. __________________ NJ z7a Wish list :

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1399033149	Reply with quote #46

Quote: Originally Posted by motownnj More of the same for me. Top 2 feet of growth or so is pretty crispy and brown on in grounds that were protected. No signs of budding but lower down the bark is gray and scrapes green underneath. I am considering cutting back to the gray wood, hoping it will speed the process. Any thoughts on if pruning now could speed the overall process of stimulating new buds on old, gray wood? I would not cut the top wood yet. Figs can be very deceptive. I took the top 18in off my young HC, but since I was not SURE it was dead wood I buried it in a pot. Now that "dead" cutting is sending out a shoot. So I would not cut yet, but if you do, save the wood as cuttings and you might just start a new tree. __________________ 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 1399067610	Reply with quote #47

Those little buds on NYCfig's pictures-I am seeing a couple of those on my in ground trees. Maybe in a month there will be leaves-in June! My what an unbelievable delay! __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

motownnj

Registered:1319238695
Posts: 42

Posted 1399114098	Reply with quote #48

Quote: Originally Posted by GeneDaniels Quote: Originally Posted by motownnj More of the same for me. Top 2 feet of growth or so is pretty crispy and brown on in grounds that were protected. No signs of budding but lower down the bark is gray and scrapes green underneath. I am considering cutting back to the gray wood, hoping it will speed the process. Any thoughts on if pruning now could speed the overall process of stimulating new buds on old, gray wood? I would not cut the top wood yet. Figs can be very deceptive. I took the top 18in off my young HC, but since I was not SURE it was dead wood I buried it in a pot. Now that "dead" cutting is sending out a shoot. So I would not cut yet, but if you do, save the wood as cuttings and you might just start a new tree. Thanks for sharing this. Do you think this seasons growth would take off faster though if I cut down, versus waiting to see it the probably dead wood is dead? Or, would the new sprouts from gray wood come at the same time anyway. I don't really need that 24" on the tree, it's big enough without it.

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1399140617	Reply with quote #49

If you really don't need/want that top, I would take it off and make cuttings. It can't hurt, and might just speed up bud break on the lower section. __________________ 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?

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