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LJFiggy

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
This afternoon, while shopping at Walmart, I struck up conversation with a woman there, named Martha, about the little fig trees i'm starting, along with hopes and plans for them. She told me that her Aunt, who is 84 years old, has had a fig tree growing in her garden area for many, many years.

This fig tree, according to Martha, is nearly 7 feet tall, and about 6 feet wide. (My guess is that it probably isn't pruned much, due to the age of the owner.) She said that the fruit is small and dark, purple to nearly black in color, and that it tastes absolutely delicious, amazing! She nearly swooned in the aisle at the thought of how good these figs are! :) Anyway, the tree produces faithfully and abundantly every year.

Martha gave me the number of her Aunt, and said that she would probably be glad to give me a couple of cuttings!!! I would offer, in exchange, some of my goji berry bushes, mulberry tree cuttings, or an extra fig cutting of my own if she wanted it. The Aunt also knows much about wild edibles, gardening, foraging, and it sounds like we'll have quite a bit in common.

Anyway, I was so thrilled after this, and am greatly looking forward to gathering my first cuttings from an unknown fig tree.

Clues:
Small Growth
Smallish Fruit
Purple to nearly Black in color
Absolutely delicious
Reliable producer every year despite summer humidity here

It's early to say, and I haven't even seen it, but any ideas on what it might be? And if okay with the owner, would it hurt the tree to collect a few cuttings at this time of year? Or better in the spring or summer? Wish I had a camera to record what I find, but will update....
LJ
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~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled!
Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members.

Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended):
Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~
Jodi

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Oh how exciting.  Where are you again LJ?  I found a great old tree in Phx last week too.  I am anxious to get to know it too.  This is such a fun adventure into the amazing world of Ficus carica.  ;-)  
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In the book the "The Meaning of Trees" it is said the fig regulates the heart and that the true essence of Figs is...food for the soul.
Daisy's IBT cuttings will be available in January/February along with a few Lampeira Parda.  
Wishes for Martinenca Rimada, Black Ischia, I258, CddRoja, Jolly Tiger, Your favorite Figgy!
Zone 8a Camp Verde AZ 
NoelG_123

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Very cool. I hope it works out!  Sharing knowledge is a joy.
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"A fig by any other name, is a Newton."
newbie

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Great story. Can't wait for the update
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Wishlist: Everything that look delicious
LJFiggy

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Oh yes, Jodi, very exciting! I'm located in Virginia, and the tree should be no more than 5-10 minutes from my front door. hehe

Ii had no idea there were any fig trees growing around here, so this came as a great surprise. What have you found out about the Phx tree?

It's strange to me that, despite growing up in the country with a huge garden, and in fact practicing gardening one way or another and foraging for most of my life, I knew little about figs and can't recall ever having seen any type of fig tree except for my much-loved fiddle leaf fig houseplant years ago! As much as figs are actually grown across the country, it's just puzzling that I'd never come across a single one until determining that I needed to start growing my own food for several important reasons, and then finding those first little plants on Ebay :) It feels as though i'm taking some kind of crash course on Ficus carica and embarking on a whole new venture for the new year~
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~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled!
Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members.

Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended):
Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~
LJFiggy

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Thanks Noel and newbie! I appreciate the good thoughts and wishes...
To healthy food and plants for us all in the new year! :)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled!
Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members.

Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended):
Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~
Lewi

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
In norfolk VA and tidewater (warmer) parts of the commonwealth figs are more common. Had a friend there whose fig tree was a bunch of big sprouts taking over his yard.

I sometimes wonder about the "BT" I planted in my parents yard ( house long ago sold)...bought at a Home Quarters in the 90's...is it still alive?

LJ, I hope you find a nice tree and make an even better friend.
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West Florida (West of the Apalachiola River as defined by the proclamation of 1763). zone 8a winters can get cold for figs...down to 12 F twice in last four years.

Lewi = Levite 
LJFiggy

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmercieca
You never know for sure, I got cuttings from a tree that belongs to a then 89 year old woman, she still pruned her fig tree then, and she was still climbing a ladder to get the figs.


You're absolutely right! And I would guess that this woman's healthy diet, including all the figs she was eating, contributed to her spryness.
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~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled!
Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members.

Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended):
Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~
LJFiggy

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewi
In norfolk VA and tidewater (warmer) parts of the commonwealth figs are more common. Had a friend there whose fig tree was a bunch of big sprouts taking over his yard. I sometimes wonder about the "BT" I planted in my parents yard ( house long ago sold)...bought at a Home Quarters in the 90's...is it still alive? LJ, I hope you find a nice tree and make an even better friend.


Thanks so much for the good wishes, Lewi, I really appreciate the kind thoughts. It does sound like she and I have quite a bit in common, and I can't wait to see her tree.

Wonder if it's common for a fig tree to have suckers spreading out over a yard like that one?

It sounds like you've been growing figs for many years, as you planted the BT in the '90's! That says a lot about the experience you have...
Maybe it would be worth going by the house to see the tree again if you're ever in the area? Or if that wasn't possible, you could do a Google search~ with street view of the house. I've looked up addresses where I've lived or visited over the years, and have been shocked at how much some of the places have changed, while others have stayed much the same.
__________________
~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled!
Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members.

Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended):
Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~
Smyfigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Hi, LJFiggy: great story! Get some photos of the complete tree and the owner if possinle. Also take closeups if the leaves abd figs if it has any growing when you go. I am a compkete newbie at figs but im pretty sure that cuttings taken at dormancy is best. I had a similar situation when I cam accross a very nice fig tree...I posted my story and photos here http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/brown-turkey-cuttings-trade-7794665?pid=1289875589

So according to F4f members, this does NOT look like a BT. Looking back I believe its totally not a BT. I am still working on my connection with the owners for future cuttings...we'll see :-)

Do share more of your story, please!
Meg
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Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a

Looking for...

Socorro Blk
Wuhan 
Jolly Tiger
Lamperia Preta
Herschtetten
St. Jean
Black Ischia

"The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa  
"Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~  
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

 
LJFiggy

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Hi Meg....thanks for your input :) Your account is similar to mine, especially as the tree is located nearby. Those fruits look sooo delicious!! I did more reading on the BT after looking at your photos, and the subject of all the varieties is very complex.

Some of the types are on this link when you click on B: http://figs4fun.com/Varieties.html
And here are a lot of photos of how different they can actually look: http://figs4fun.com/Thumbnail_Brown_Turkey.html

I'm not familiar enough with varieties of figs to know what type yours is, but would put stock in what general consensus is by those more knowledgeable. And whatever its name actually is, your fig has some real positives going for it. The flavor is exceptional and you don't have to guess whether it would be compatible with your area, as the tree is obviously healthy and producing!

Did you save any cuttings for yourself? If not, I hope you can get a few more in order to grow a tree just like it at your place, and have plenty of those fruits for yourself, with enough to share if you choose to!

I didn't call the Aunt today, as I was so busy and have felt a bit under the weather. Speaking of which, it has rained nearly nonstop for two weeks! But I plan to call her later this week, and will definitely keep you updated. And i'll need to get a camera in order to share photos of my find...
:) LJ
__________________
~New to growing figs, I currently have tiny fig plants which are supposedly Little Ruby, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King, and Petite Negri. I hope these were accurately labeled!
Now rooting LSU Gold and Purple, Celeste, Panache, Peter's Honey, and Unknown Varieties from cuttings, thanks to generous forum members.

Figs on my current wish list (along with any others recommended):
Osborne Prolific, Battaglia Green, Smith, Kadota, Italian Honey, Atreano, Verte or Green Ischia, Panache, Peter's Honey, Black Madeira, Smith, Noir de Caromb, etc. ~
Lewi

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Quote:
Originally Posted by LJFiggy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lewi
In norfolk VA and tidewater (warmer) parts of the commonwealth figs are more common. Had a friend there whose fig tree was a bunch of big sprouts taking over his yard. I sometimes wonder about the "BT" I planted in my parents yard ( house long ago sold)...bought at a Home Quarters in the 90's...is it still alive? LJ, I hope you find a nice tree and make an even better friend.


Thanks so much for the good wishes, Lewi, I really appreciate the kind thoughts. It does sound like she and I have quite a bit in common, and I can't wait to see her tree.

Wonder if it's common for a fig tree to have suckers spreading out over a yard like that one?

It sounds like you've been growing figs for many years, as you planted the BT in the '90's! That says a lot about the experience you have...
Maybe it would be worth going by the house to see the tree again if you're ever in the area? Or if that wasn't possible, you could do a Google search~ with street view of the house. I've looked up addresses where I've lived or visited over the years, and have been shocked at how much some of the places have changed, while others have stayed much the same.


You are welcome.

I am on 20 acres of sandhill in the great state of Florida right now...so visiting VA is a bit far ...you are right about Google...might be worth a try...when I can get to a full size computer.

I have learned so much on this forum in the last couple of monthes...along with reading everything fig related on the internet.

In say 16 years I planted all of 2 fig trees ( one in Va...and one in the land of Israel). Since 2010 to 2015 I planted 8 fig trees...seven of the Celeste died due to neglect ( I was living 255 miles away, and planted in sandy soil...

Ask me how many olive trees I lost to drought...there is no comparison to Fl sandhill and the fertile crecent, and a reason why my Arab cousins grow olive trees in big drums ( to grow roots!)...


The ONE fig tree to survive is a true Lemon fig. (Not a white Marseille..sorry "lumpers" ;) ).

Since spring of 2015 I put in ground Tx everbearing, Italian honey, a Agristrats "Ischia" ( white triana??), and a salvaged 3.50 dollar walmart special. ALL are doing well now that I am on my land to water them...still kind of burnt on celeste in any regard. (They need more water)
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West Florida (West of the Apalachiola River as defined by the proclamation of 1763). zone 8a winters can get cold for figs...down to 12 F twice in last four years.

Lewi = Levite 
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