Clear bag over a potted tree to create greenhouse effect?

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FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1411606415	Reply with quote #1

I have a Preto that's in a 5 gallon pot with several figs on it. I know they're going to start swelling any day now.....well, maybe. I know they require a lot of heat, and since the temps have been cooler, I was thinking of placing a large clear bag over the tree to speed up the process. Has anyone tried this? What were the results? __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1411606579	Reply with quote #2

Frank this is what I did late may early June to bring some of my dead looking figs back to life at my dads house and boy did it work. I also did this 2 years ago on a few figs to get a longer season and It does work, just try and make sure none of the plastic is touching the figs or it will start to rott with the condensation inside the bag. __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1411608366	Reply with quote #3

That's great, Nelson. Thank you so much for that info. I'll let you know if they ripen. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

ediblelandscapingsc

Registered:1343459620
Posts: 348

Posted 1411609182	Reply with quote #4

watch out for leaves also that are touching the plastic if left in full sun try to create a barrier between the plastic and the plant as a whole, also removing the smaller figglets and figs on the plant will put more power into the ones almost ripe. Good luck :) __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1411609451	Reply with quote #5

Thanks for the tip. I will certainly keep that in mind. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1411616827	Reply with quote #6

I did that with a few of mine that had nearly ripe figs just before it started raining. I'll let you know what I find :) __________________ 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.

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,183

Posted 1411625805	Reply with quote #7

Frank, I tried a plastic bag for a slightly different purpose. A damn squirrel has bitten off the top of a cutting leaving only one tiny old leaf at the base. To speed up the recovery, I covered the pot with a plastic bag over the wire cage I created. The cutting recovered nicely pushing out a lot of new growth. The other cuttings that were ahead at the time of the accident were in the rear view mirror now. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1411627655 · Edited	Reply with quote #8

Frank, I'm currently trialing a Fig Cloche, like a Tomato Cloche. It was discussed in an earlier topic, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1283989148&postcount=4 ... .

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,183

Posted 1411633738	Reply with quote #9

Pete, I am curious if it will work as a protection against the squirrels for potted figs. Is the Cloche made out of plastic or mesh and breathable? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1411646935	Reply with quote #10

Great idea, Pete! I was planning to go to Lowe's today anyway. I'll browse around and see what they have. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1411806832	Reply with quote #11

Hi Figgyfrank, I tried it here in my Zone 7, but due to lack of sun and constant humidity, it did not help. I had just thrown a clear soft plastic sheet over the tree. A problem was then that the humidity was building up at the contact of the sheet. I'm no black crow but: One thing I would fear is that the tree will start to grow again just before the winter because of the greenhouse effect. So my advise : Don't do it or be prepared for possibly loosing the softy tree in the Winter. Consider loosing those figs as an investment for possible future crops. Experimenting new ways is always good, so the choice is yours. I have figs that can as well ripen anywhere from yesterday to Christmas ... Just don't ask me when they will ... It is like magic to me ... Some figs should already be ripe - their sisters that appeared/popped up some 3 days before did ripen one month ago ... Where is the logic ? __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1411825786	Reply with quote #12

JDSfrance, Tomato cloches usually have an opening on top and sometimes on the bottom to allow the humidity and moisture to escape but capture the heat for earlier in ground planting in the spring. The wire fence material will keep the plastic off the leaves. They can be used to advantage if needed, if the fig emergence was observed and noted. as referenced in the above linked topic... Quote: Also keep in mind that figs usually ripen on *their schedule*, 30-60 / 90 -120. ~30 days to grow from embryo to stagnant stage. ~60 days in stagnant stage. ~90 - 120 days total from embryo to ripe, for Early to Late cultivars.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1411828001	Reply with quote #13

I tried a similar thing with my Stella. The Stella was ready to ripen and it swelled fast with the covering but the humidity caused the fig to split badly. I took the cover off and the stella's are ripening normally with no splitting and should be ripe in a couple of days. Also to Pete's point the cold weather will come with a vegeneance and without much notice. So the plant may not have time to harden off enough for the winter. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

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