Fig Addicts come forth

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thepodpiper

Registered:1453436254
Posts: 75

Posted 1453765542	Reply with quote #1

I am just curious how addicted some of F4F members are and how long have you been this way. What is the size of your fig growing operations and how many varieties each one has. __________________ GARDEN PICS http://s117.photobucket.com/user/thepodpiper/library/?sort=3&page=1

grant441

Registered:1358456015
Posts: 173

Posted 1453766771	Reply with quote #2

Well let's see.I have pruning shears in my car at all times. I check cuttings for roots at least 3 times a day.My kids think i am crazy and i have managed to scrounge up 120 varieties of figs and have no hope of ever having enough.....No, i don't have a fig addiction,not at all!Lol __________________ South Carolina zone 7b

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1453767386	Reply with quote #3

1,200 fig trees in 3-45 gal pots. 600 I will be planting In the ground, 600 will go Into greenhouses, 60 varieties, 5,000+- seedlings. Been growing figs for 10 years. __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

levar

Registered:1392366658
Posts: 195

Posted 1453768394	Reply with quote #4

I'd never seen a fig before 2006 when I came across some Calimyrnas in the supermarket. For years, I'd have an entire shelf in the fridge reserved for fig cartons during the season. And I'd eat almost every single one and put on a few pounds throughout the months of August and September. That's real. I began growing in 2012 or '13 and I just finished pruning about 40 varieties. I'm reaaallly looking to get that down to about 15. For the past couple of years, I've organized my family vacations so we go to the Mediterranean in September and there's a growing number of photos of me climbing hills, stone walls, and fences to get free figs. I haven't done that on private property yet but new year new me. __________________ Wishlist Figs: Fiaschetta lunga di Campagnola, Unk Pastiliere, Cajun Gold, Marangiana, Rigato del Salento, Black Ischia, St. Rita, Dottato d'Élia, Watt's Zingarella, Zidi, Macool, 187-25, Peter's Honey, Peloponnisiaka aspra sika, and Martinenca Rimada. Atemoya: Geffner

raimeiken

Registered:1444708117
Posts: 29

Posted 1453768451	Reply with quote #5

Wow! Id love to see your guys' collection! __________________ Peoria, AZ 9b

thepodpiper

Registered:1453436254
Posts: 75

Posted 1453768743	Reply with quote #6

Figgysid, Did you start out with business in mind or did your addiction get so out of hand it just happened? grant441, how long have you been collecting figs and how many are in the ground. You both live in good growing zones for gardening in general, I am a little jealous I have to admit. I have the room for quite a few figs but I am going to try and keep them as small as possible. Smaller means more varieties. My apple trees are being trained espalier and tall spindle so that they do not take up a lot of room. __________________ GARDEN PICS http://s117.photobucket.com/user/thepodpiper/library/?sort=3&page=1

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1453770905	Reply with quote #7

Lol...Grant!! You dont have an addiction! Figgysid...i dont know about you though... __________________ 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

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1453770980	Reply with quote #8

P.S. Dale, good thinking on the smaller, the more carieties!! __________________ 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

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1453771287 · Edited	Reply with quote #9

I had an orchad with over 200 varieties of mostly tropical fruit trees/bushes. I wanted to see what grew, produced well and was in demand. My grandma gave me a brown turkey fig tree In a 1 gal pot in 2006. In the 1st year planting it in the ground I picked 700 ripe figs, by the 2nd year I had picked over 2,000 ripe figs. Meanwhile none of the 200+, so called tropical fruit trees produced any fruits. So that is what got me hooked. Figs quickly produce massive quantities of delicious fruit, even with very little care, or fertilization. Grass clippings was all that brown turkey fig ever got. I recently started to collect more varieties to see if any stand out for production or taste in my area. Almost all of them are starting to produce figs, so I should be able to try most of them, March thru June. __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

brettjm

Registered:1398901785
Posts: 215

Posted 1453772173	Reply with quote #10

Oye. I'm not so bad I guess. I keep saying no more, and circumstances keep dictating that more come my way :-D. I started 3 years ago, and then last year I went from 2 to about 20. More cuttings coming sooner or later too, thanks to the kindness of the good folks on this forum. Looking forward to putting some in ground, and ideally cutting down the forest to 10-15 varieties within a few years. I'm guessing I'll peak at about 25-30 varieties. I guess I'm just content owning a few of each flavor profile, plus a few of the exceptional specimens (e.g. Smith, Preto, CDD). Someday when I own some land (that's the plan at least), maybe I'll go above that, but not any time in the near future. __________________ In GA, Zone 7b/8a Wish list: more space to put in figs.

MStanleyross

Registered:1451670149
Posts: 108

Posted 1453821818	Reply with quote #11

I just started 08/15 but I have always loved fig. I did not know they would produce in containers, now I know better and plan to get a greenhouse. Great group here to get me well on my way. Thanks __________________ Wish List: Sodus Scilian, Dall' Osso, Kathleen Black, I-258, Malta Black, Ischia Black, Persian White, Native de Argentile, Lampeira Preta, Sofeno Petro and any LSU or any duplicates you may have. Zone 7 East Tn.

starch

Registered:1444492067
Posts: 123

Posted 1453822260	Reply with quote #12

Hi. My name is starch and I am a fig addict. __________________ Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa) Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)

elin

Registered:1360863025
Posts: 1,272

Posted 1453839534	Reply with quote #13

They are my other children. From my 2nd wife called mother earth :) __________________ Eli ,Israel ,Zone 10? Too humid and hot, yada yada yada https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1298814119 Growing: Sbayi, Hmadi, Black Portugal, Black Brazil,Excell, Flanders, Hmari , RDB, Niagra Black,Natalina, CDDN,Maya, Preto Torres, Preto Arge

SuperMario1

Registered:1441853363
Posts: 441

Posted 1453853112	Reply with quote #14

Quote: Originally Posted by levar I began growing in 2012 or '13 and I just finished pruning about 40 varieties. I'm reaaallly looking to get that down to about 15. What 15 are you thinking of keeping out of curiosity? I'm looking at keeping about 15 varieties. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important: YOUR FAVORITE FIG. A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.

levar

Registered:1392366658
Posts: 195

Posted 1453856314 · Edited	Reply with quote #15

Quote: Originally Posted by SuperMario1 Quote: Originally Posted by levar I began growing in 2012 or '13 and I just finished pruning about 40 varieties. I'm reaaallly looking to get that down to about 15. What 15 are you thinking of keeping out of curiosity? I'm looking at keeping about 15 varieties. It'll be a few years before I figure that out. I'm trying a bunch of varieties in my area to see what works best. I feel like Smith and Adriatic JH are going to make that list, though. Still, there are a couple of contenders in my collection including Emerald Strawberry, Col de Dame Grise, RdB, and LSU Purple. I have a few more that I think just need to mature a bit before I can comment like Hollier, Excel and UCR 291 - 4. There are a few I fear are just in totally the wrong climate like Texas Blue Giant and Violette de Bordeaux. I'm not giving up on them just yet, though. Also, there are a ton I haven't tried yet like Deanna, Stella, Unk Owensboro, Flanders, Sucrette, etc. Last year I got a hold of some highly praised stuff including I258, Kathleen's Black, Pastiliere, Black Madeira, and I just up-potted two Galicia Negras and three Grise de St. Jeans the other day. We'll see what happens. I'll make a huge review post late this year after the season ends. Have you decided on any keepers? __________________ Wishlist Figs: Fiaschetta lunga di Campagnola, Unk Pastiliere, Cajun Gold, Marangiana, Rigato del Salento, Black Ischia, St. Rita, Dottato d'Élia, Watt's Zingarella, Zidi, Macool, 187-25, Peter's Honey, Peloponnisiaka aspra sika, and Martinenca Rimada. Atemoya: Geffner

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1453858214	Reply with quote #16

Lol...Starch!!! I mean, welcome to the group, Starch. __________________ 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

Jodi

Registered:1443230258
Posts: 343

Posted 1453861266 · Edited	Reply with quote #17

Such good company to be in! Figgy addict maybe here in AZ. I had 3 trees 2014, 6 trees 2015 and now have 55 varieties in various stages from rooting to 7 gallons. 90% of the variety is from members here. Thank you everyone and my dear friend Daisy for introducing me to her amazing Improved Brown Turkey. I am having the most fun I have had in years, if not ever. It is so great to have a garden project for the winter. And the figs are just so responsive, every morning I am greeted by new leaves of that improbable shade of green. I have a Dr. Gowaty cutting, put into a pop bottle on 12-26 that has leaves and figs already. This is a hoot and a half. And I am not sure I really have an addiction yet??? Does trying to plan a trip to see Ponte Tresa count???? __________________ 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

Apalermo88

Registered:1437844063
Posts: 31

Posted 1454723316	Reply with quote #18

I have about 35 varieties and am still getting more. Only one year in and my wife thinks I'm nuts. __________________ Wish List- I-258, Ponte Teresa, Maltese Beauty, Green/Purple Patalican, BFF, Igo, Noir de Burbentane, CDD MR., CDD Roja, Falls Gold.

Bunti

Registered:1453799101
Posts: 12

Posted 1454725079	Reply with quote #19

I started collecting less than 6 months ago. I have 15 different varieties. Planning to get more. If anyone is having cuttings please share with me. I am being ver crazy. I am searching whole day about figs. I thinking every minute not to look for anymore figs, but still looking. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking for Galicia Negra Greek black Maltese Falcon Sicilian Black Zingarella Sal's Gene Col de dame blanc Longe D'aout vasilika marva

thepodpiper

Registered:1453436254
Posts: 75

Posted 1454726648	Reply with quote #20

Apalermo88, everyone I know thinks I'm a little nuts when it comes to gardening. Bunti, I feel your pain. I don't even know how my mind strayed from ordering more apple trees, BB's, another grape vine, blackberries and raspberries. I really honestly don't remember and it's only been a couple of weeks into this fig endeavor and I'm already at 32 varieties. Whether or not they all see the spring sunshine is another story. __________________ GARDEN PICS http://s117.photobucket.com/user/thepodpiper/library/?sort=3&page=1

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1454728584	Reply with quote #21

@ Figgysid1 -- is your orchard open for visits. Looks like it is a paradise for fruit lovers.

Garlic_Mike

Registered:1442372397
Posts: 251

Posted 1454729107	Reply with quote #22

Shoot, I'm in. Started summer 2015. 50+ types rooting/rooted/growing. I already know it will never be enough. Had my first/one fresh fig given to me this Fall, look what happened. And yup, wife and everyone but here thinks I'm crazy... OK couple people here too. Lol

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1454729505 · Edited	Reply with quote #23

@paully22: I bought the property in June 2015, I'm still working on the details. Right now deciding on what kind of walking paths I like better, gravel, concrete, sand or stone. Sand is winning right now, even though concrete is easier to move plants on, sand is much better on my feet. :) __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1454739586	Reply with quote #24

All good wishes to your venture Figgysid1

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1454741304	Reply with quote #25

I feel like I need to show that I'm not just saying I have so and so # of figs. I just planted 400 in ground and have 200 left to plant. They are dormant, so they look very unimpressive right now. I will post pics of the in ground trees when they don't look so naked. But my greenhouse figs, do have leaves and some fruits even, so I will post pics them tomorrow. __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1454741967	Reply with quote #26

Sid, Stop teasing,let's see the "Big Dig".<G> __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1454743671	Reply with quote #27

What? You mean my "Parabolic Preto Pit Greenhouse"? :) I will post pics of that when it is packed full of Preto fig trees, which are growing awesome btw. ;) __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

tyro

Registered:1305930864
Posts: 230

Posted 1454750380	Reply with quote #28

Uh,yeah,that one.The PPPG,empty,in macro,would be nice.By the time you stuff it with figs the design takes the back seat.I've seen a couple of Preto somewhere but I've never seen a parabolic pit greenhouse.<G> http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1289915320&postcount=5 __________________ Paul.Simi Valley,Ca.Zone 9a/Sunset 18

Norhayati

Registered:1381365278
Posts: 341

Posted 1454761795	Reply with quote #29

I will be going to USA in April and ever since I have paid for my flight last month, my husband kept on saying no more figs, no more figs to me. What if he sells all my figs when I am not around? I have to start all over again haven't I? What a better excuse to buy fig cuttings right? No no I am not a fig addict. __________________ Norhayati Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Wish list: Black Madeira

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1454774849	Reply with quote #30

No worries Norhayati, just go on a binge $$$$ for higher quality figs & weed out the so-so. I think I can help with some cuttings. My trees still in the packed green house and garage. Black Maderia is difficult to root. Have U try grafting? I may have a spare BM. I hope you have RdB. It is excellent.

Smyfigs

Registered:1443660141
Posts: 1,658

Posted 1454803015 · Edited	Reply with quote #31

Figgysid1: can we see a pic of your currently planted in ground? Im curious about what that would look like:-) __________________ 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

eaglet2

Registered:1432240609
Posts: 45

Posted 1454803995	Reply with quote #32

Addiction may not be correct, an addict usually dosen't try to involve others in their addiction nor do they write about it on a public forum. Its much more sinister "mind control". It seems to happen when a live, not dormant, fig is taken in to your home. The end result is you must propagate the figs. you cannot discard any cuttings from pruning, You know the rest of the story as you read on the forum. My fig inventory is 5 pots 2 years old going to 3rd year now, 4 1 year starting 2 second year and 6 varieties in the refrigerator now. and I may have exceeded my available space. Bill E Maryland __________________ willei

bgli

Registered:1424131946
Posts: 70

Posted 1454804742	Reply with quote #33

I guess I am really addicted to growing figs. Cant throw away a single large ice coffee cup used by family because I know I will need it to pot up a cutting! Wife and kids think I am obsessive about my figs......but I bet I am not alone. I stopped objecting to my kids purchases of large flavored Starbucks iced coffees because I actually wanted the cup! Dunkin Donut clear plastc cups work just as well. Barry Long Island __________________ Barry

smatthew

Registered:1423266323
Posts: 180

Posted 1454807469	Reply with quote #34

I'm afraid some of you are going to end up at the airport giving pamphlets to strangers entitled "How Figs can Save Your Soul", and trying to get them to take a cutting home to root. __________________ Blackberry & Fig Farmer in East Bay San Francisco - Sunol. Wanted (4): Emalyn's Purple, IT-258, Pastiliere and Milco Caprifig.

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 388

Posted 1454811468 · Edited	Reply with quote #35

Someone is already handing out pamphlets that say figs doom nations. https://readingacts.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/god-hates-figs.jpg __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

Norhayati

Registered:1381365278
Posts: 341

Posted 1454835438	Reply with quote #36

Paul, thanks so much for the offer. I failed to grow BM twice. I might take your offer and will do the grafting instead. G6 will trade me with his RdB when he has done some layering. __________________ Norhayati Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Wish list: Black Madeira

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1454836921	Reply with quote #37

Harvey has successfully grafted many BM.

lisascenic

Registered:1299212724
Posts: 121

Posted 1454846231	Reply with quote #38

I have a small urban garden, with what promises to be too many fruit trees. I have more figs than anything else. But I've only got five fig trees. Don't kick me out of the group. Someone has to have the least.

coop951

Registered:1217167527
Posts: 596

Posted 1454943252	Reply with quote #39

I don't know how many trees I have. It is a lot. I'm afraid to count. __________________ Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1454945088	Reply with quote #40

I am looking to add a few more reliable, tasty and productivity breba only varieties. I know they are here in Vancouver.

VeryNew2Figs

Registered:1441488407
Posts: 241

Posted 1454997282	Reply with quote #41

First time posting ;-) Yes, I am a wee bit (totally) interested in (crazy obsessed with) rooting cuttings. Even though I've only eaten a few fresh figs in my life, I love the way the plants look. I've seen some beautiful container plants, and that's my goal, to have a bunch of potted fig plants trained in many different ways. Plus there's the added benefit of getting such a nice fruit so soon. Last year I ordered cuttings from Ebay and got 6 out of 10 plants going. They were Mission, Kadota and Brunswick. This year a friend of a friend let me help clear her patch in exchange for any salvageable wood (she likes a neat look and always cuts down her patch, which dies over the winter and regrows in the spring). I told her if I got any plants going I'd give her some back and she'd have nice gifts for some of her friends. Wanting something green to look at over the winter I started a few, and then a few more, and then a few more. Baby fig forrest describes it well. After much trial and error, I'm now using a plastic bag too to handle the cuttings after they either start showing roots or leaves, which 90 percent of mine showed leaves first. Here are a couple pictures: Oh, the things one can do with some plastic wrap and a Seal-a-Meal! (Chicago, Zone 5a/b) __________________ Cheryl Chicago, Zone 6a (That's what they say, but it still feels like 5) Growing: Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Brunswick, Kadota, Ischia Green, Desert King, Osborne Prolific (slow but steady), Malta Black, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Beall, White Adriatic, Nolo Pink Eyed Lady. Rooting: Ronde de Bordeaux, Celeste, Nero 600 m, Violetta Bayernfeing, Marseilles Black VS, Celeste.

aphahn

Registered:1354927274
Posts: 321

Posted 1455030014	Reply with quote #42

I'm not an addict. I can quit anytime, figs just make me happy. __________________ Andy - Zone 6a Lat 39.9º N, Alt 5390' Westminster CO ⚘ Scion List

FigGuy125

Registered:1456287520
Posts: 2

Posted 1456551857 · Edited	Reply with quote #43

Hi my name is FigGuy125, and I am a fig addict! I had my first fig about 2 years ago. I was stopped in traffic at a road construction site, and there was a fig tree right next to my truck. I jumped out and grabbed a few figs to snack on, I was hooked! Since then I have collected cutting from roadside trees, trees around where I live, and 2 that I bought. I now have 5 trees that are about 4 ft tall, and about 30 cuttings! I also have an added bonus at my work, I work for an irrigation company so I have access to lots of orchards, trees.

thepodpiper

Registered:1453436254
Posts: 75

Posted 1456579387	Reply with quote #44

Access to lots of orchards is definitely a bonus. __________________ GARDEN PICS http://s117.photobucket.com/user/thepodpiper/library/?sort=3&page=1

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