Greetings and Celeste Fig question

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ourhappyhome

Registered:1459125339
Posts: 11

Posted 1461003584	Reply with quote #1

Greetings fellow fig lovers. I figured I had been lurking long enough and it was time to say hello. I joined this forum many years ago around the time it was formed, but with raising a family and relocating twice, I simply lost track. Ive been lurking now since about January when suddenly, fig fever struck, rather unexpectedly. I love figs and always have. Since leaving Georgia I have not been able to find a decent store bought fig to satisfy me. God in His mercy provided 3 ripe figs the year I moved and I haven't had a decent fig since. It's a terrible feeling. it's also something you dont think about when figs are in abundance as they always have been for me. I am a long time member of the GW Fig forum since around 2007. I have just one surviving fig as a result of moving, but I once owned a VDB, 2 Celeste, an Alma and a Sals. The Sals and the 2 Celeste are still in my back yard at the old house. The others, along with dozens of UC Davis rooted cuttings were lost over the years. Im now in zone 7 a/b. My current fig tree is a rooted branch from my 20 ft tree in Georgia. The massive tree became so large that it split during a storm. I was able to remove a few rooted branches, one of which I brought with me to my new home. My Celeste began as a rooted start from my aunts 20 year old trees, which came from my grandmothers trees long ago. Now that we are finally settled in the new place, I am ordering 2 new plants to try in pots. Potted figs is new for me because everything grew well in-ground in Georgia. I have ordered a Stella and a Green Ischia from Burnt Ridge. Still looking for an RdB or Excel. I also ordered a Desert King fom ebay. I was a little shocked by the size of the DK plant I received. It was very small, even for a 4 inch pot, and will likely be 3 - 4 years producing. What did I expect for under $10 bucks :-). Anyway, on to my question. My tree sustained a pretty bad tip burn as a result of a couple of late freezes. Being an amateur and new to the area, I uncovered my tree too early. The injury is pretty bad, but there is still a bit of green on the main trunk. The tree is and has been heavily mulched. It has been in ground for about 20 months with limited growth (compared to Georgia). It set fruit last summer but didnt ripen any. I tip pruned the tree in September to no avail. Its about 4 feet above gound and well branched. What, if anything, should I do? It broke bud in early April but those leaves are now dead. Any suggestions while I figure out how to post a picture? Thanks __________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma

Chapman

Registered:1267669490
Posts: 351

Posted 1461019000	Reply with quote #2

Welcome to the forum. I don't have any advise on the freeze damage, but other members should be able to help you. __________________ South Louisiana, Zone 9

ourhappyhome

Registered:1459125339
Posts: 11

Posted 1461025261	Reply with quote #3

Thanks Chapman. I hope to hear from someone soon. The weather is warming and I cant stand the thought of another year without figs. __________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma

ourhappyhome

Registered:1459125339
Posts: 11

Posted 1461025418	Reply with quote #4

Practice pictures. Attempt 1 Attached Images image.jpg (360.03 KB, 34 views) image.jpg (294.03 KB, 33 views) __________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma

Chapman

Registered:1267669490
Posts: 351

Posted 1461027799	Reply with quote #5

Is the first picture of how it looks now? __________________ South Louisiana, Zone 9

ourhappyhome

Registered:1459125339
Posts: 11

Posted 1461032430	Reply with quote #6

Chapman, this is only a test pic. I tried a test with pics from my computer. Its really easy to post to this site. I will post a pic of the frost damage tomorrow when its light out. Thanks __________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1461065625	Reply with quote #7

Well not many responses. I'm fairly new to figs myself. They are resilient and easy to grow plants. It should be OK, and come back. Remove damaged wood once all chance of frost is gone. My plants got it with cold too, many of the leaves dropped but they bounced back well. Hope yours does the same! __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

ourhappyhome

Registered:1459125339
Posts: 11

Posted 1461074774	Reply with quote #8

Thank you Drew. I certainly hope it will. This poor tree has really taken a beating. It will probably turn out to be as strong and resilient as its parent. Here are pictures taken this morning. As you said, it already appears to be fighting its way back. I spotted the tiniest spot of green. The main branch had a lot of die back, so I whacked it off. Glad I didn't whack off the side branches. Attached Images image.jpg (273.02 KB, 19 views) image.jpg (245.55 KB, 19 views) image.jpg (258.21 KB, 20 views) image.jpg (268.79 KB, 19 views) __________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 833

Posted 1461076429	Reply with quote #9

Hi April, and greetings from California. Though I haven't had experience with freeze damage, I'd say that your tree looks as though it will be fine. Once all danger of frost is past, you can prune out any dead wood. It looks ready to burst out with new growth as soon as the weather warms. You'll get figs from it this year. __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

ourhappyhome

Registered:1459125339
Posts: 11

Posted 1461080649	Reply with quote #10

I wish you could see my smile. Yep, you've certainly made my day! You seem confident I will get figs this year and that's the best news of all. Thanks Chapman and Drew51 for being the first to welcome me, and thanks Gary for making my day. I appreciate everyone's input so much! __________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1461104833 · Edited	Reply with quote #11

Welcome! I wouldn't cut any more until the tree shows you clearly what's dead and what's not. You may be very surprised at how much comes back. Once all danger of frost is back fertilize it and stand back! Also, the cheapest place to get great figs is http://www.figcuttings.com . You can order rooted plants for March of 2017 if you're willing to wait. __________________ 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.

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