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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Cutting request and potting soil question
 
 


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zeitgeist

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hello all,
I'm really excited to come across this forum!
I live on the Central Coast of California and I've been researching figs that will do well in my coastal climate and have come across the likes of Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Adriatic, White Genoa, Osborne Prolific, Desert King and Black Jack.  I am rooting a BT and Black Mission I got from trees in the neighborhood.  I had a beautiful White Genoa in a half wine barrel that started not doing well so I went to plant it in the ground and discovered what appeared to be an infestation of root knot nematodes.  I took a root and soil sample to the county Ag extension and they confirmed a heavy infestation of RKN.  So bummed.  I'm trying to air layer some branches now before I throw the rest of the tree in the trash along with the soil and barrell.  Hopefully the air layering will work as I liked the figs the tree produced before its decline. 

When I planted the White Geonoa in the pot the roots looked nice.  I'm guessing the nematodes were in the potting soil I bought for the barrel.  Is there any way to get potting soil that is certified RKN free?    I like the idea of growing in pots, but if this is a common occurrence with container growing I might just put everything in the ground (RKN do not appear to be an issue for any in-ground plants in my area).    

My next question is this:  Does anyone have one or two cuttings of an Osborne Prolific and/or Desert King they could spare?  I'd love to try these out in my area and see how it goes.  I haven't come across these varietals in my local nurseries.  

Thanks and have a great day!   
BB
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California Central Coast
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Wish List:  Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero
DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Welcome to the forum!  I don't have the cuttings you want, and have zero experience with RKN, but if you do a search on the forum for RKN, there are several threads about it here.  Good luck.  Generous members here will probably be able to help you.

Suzi
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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!
figgary

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Where on the Central Coast are you located,Zeitgeist? I have some Desert King cuttings from a friend's 50 year old tree.
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Gary in CA 9A  Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross
zeitgeist

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Hi Gary,

I live in Santa Maria.
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California Central Coast
Zone 9
Wish List:  Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Such a beautiful area!  RKN can be killed - search for threads here.  Try a Florea and a Voiture - it has a number after it - maybe 217.  Any early fig and any fig that produces a good breba (such as Destert King) will be your best choices.  Santa Maria's summers rarely get hotter than 75 if my sources are correct.  That means most figs won't develop great flavor. Chicago Hardy and Salem Dark develop good flavor in cooler climates.  Brown Turkey wont. 
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Zone 6, MO

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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.
sarahkt

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Hi Zeitgeist, 

Have you tried buying figs on Amazon? I'm just a beginner in fig growing and likely others on this forum can say more about how reliable Amazon sellers are, but I've had a good experience so far.

I bought a rooted Desert King cutting from Hirt's there last year and while it was tiny at first (I laughed at the little 3-inch plant when I opened the shipping box), it quickly exerted its ability to grow fast. It doubled in size in a few weeks, as soon as I potted up and moved it outside. It's now about 3 feet tall and still growing fast. Just checked and they're still available for $10 before shipping. No figs yet, so can't check the accuracy of the variety tag but the seller's had good reviews.

Sarah
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Sarah from Bay Area, CA (zone: 9B)
Wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Black Ischia (UCD), Peloponnisiaka Aspra Sika
zeitgeist

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Sarah,

Thank you for the tip.  I had no idea you could buy fig trees on Amazon!  It seems like there is truly almost nothing you cannot find there. 
I apprecaite the info.  Have a great day!

Paul
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California Central Coast
Zone 9
Wish List:  Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero
zeitgeist

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
rcantor,

Thanks so much for the varietal info.  Also, I'm finding some good info in old threads regarding RKN control.

Thanks again!
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California Central Coast
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Wish List:  Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero
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