RdB espalier project

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figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 834

Posted 1437514251	Reply with quote #1

I want to share some pics of my espalier project. Last July, I planted 2 Ronde de Bordeauxs against a wall of a horse shelter behind my house. As you can see by the 1st photo, they were quite small starting out. One year later, they are growing fast, and I have to keep on the training with bamboo stakes and tying. I am waiting to do do most of the pruning until winter, so that the cuttings won't go to waste. It will be a horizontal espalier, with 3 tiers I'm thinking. I've also planted a mini fig orchard in the area nearby, as it's a nice, full sun spot. The orchard is comprised of Abebereira, Pastilierre, Cd Dame Blanc, Grise de St. Jean, and Preto. All have main crop figlets, which should ripen this year. There's room for 2 more, I just need to decide which 2. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,101

Posted 1437517078	Reply with quote #2

Beautiful! __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

ohjustaguy

Registered:1294505489
Posts: 324

Posted 1437517230	Reply with quote #3

Very nice.... VdB is an excellent variety to add. Fits better in tight places because of it's growth habit. __________________ San Jose 9b http://www.kevinsedibleyard.com/

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 834

Posted 1460687450	Reply with quote #4

Just thought I'd update the RdB espalier project. Here they are today, leafing out. Hope to get some figs from them this year. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1460687774 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

Looks pretty cool! __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

Elfarach

Registered:1409716614
Posts: 288

Posted 1460687903	Reply with quote #6

Looking good, great job Gary... __________________ Simon C. So. Cal (El Monte) Zone 10a Wish list: Adriatic JH, Raspberry Latte, Violet de Sollies, Col de Dame Black, Ischia Black, Takoma Violet

zeitgeist

Registered:1428939457
Posts: 104

Posted 1460690419	Reply with quote #7

Great job training the RDB. And very nice orchard! __________________ California Central Coast Zone 9 Wish List: Figo Preto/Black Madeira, I-258, Genovese Nero

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1460701333	Reply with quote #8

Very nice , Gary! The espalier and the orchard. Although, looking into the future , I would not plant them that dense. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

lifigs

Registered:1374698291
Posts: 217

Posted 1460720030	Reply with quote #9

Great job. I look at those 1 foot plants in the original post and am amazed that some people can visualize in their mind how they are going to create a project that will eventually cover the entire wall. __________________ Bill Long Island (Nassau) 7a,NY Wish List: Sicilian Red, RdB, JH Adriatic, Sal's EL and any fig from Bari.

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1460731787	Reply with quote #10

Looks good, I hope they get enough sun when the other trees grow up. Just curious, what's planted beyond the gate? __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 834

Posted 1460733707	Reply with quote #11

Thank you for the comments everyone. Igor, my intention is to keep the trees at 6'-8' in height. I see no need to have full sized trees, I'm good at pruning. There are other spots on the property where I'll let the trees get larger. I have another mini-orchard going in with 15 figs, that have more room. I'll post photos once they are all in. The Pastiliere that I transplanted 2 months ago is in a spot where it can get as large as it wants to. Sas, beyond the gate you can see the Pinot Noir grapes and an apple orchard beyond that. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1460749841	Reply with quote #12

Hi, Nice ! I would have left more space in between the wall and the trunk. Nothing to do with root damage to the building, but to let space for the leaves to open on the stems without touching and rubbing against the wall . Do you have a normal planted rdb to compare productivity ? Keep us posted ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1460751745	Reply with quote #13

What a great and diverse collection of figs to savour! You will enjoy them for many years! __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 834

Posted 1460759182	Reply with quote #14

Thanks Pino, I am looking forward to the variety. jdsfrance, though it is hard to tell in the photos, there is 8" between the trunk and wall. I cinched the limbs up tight, because we've been windy of late. Once they've hardened up, I'll move them farther from the wall. One issue I've noticed is sunburned limbs. These days, UV radiation is much higher than reported, so I will need to paint the limbs after the leaves drop next winter. Also, I do have another Rdb in a 30 gallon container that has been very productive, both breba and main crop. I did get 8-10 ripe figs from the espaliered, trees last year, as well. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

Kokopelli

Registered:1454392643
Posts: 25

Posted 1460780399	Reply with quote #15

Very nice. How far from the ground are the lowest limbs of the Espaliers?

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