Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464818945
Reply with quote #1
Hello members, all because of you I now have a collection of Figs. WOW!! And I feel like I have survived the panics and destructions, (and ultimately learning phases) of molds, knats, soils, etc. I have about 50 figlets in #1's and up that have been outside in semi shade for 30+ days going gangbusters. Our temps have been cool for us staying below 90'. The fig family is drinking 4 gallons of assorted spiked water every 3 days and enjoying the sunshine. Now it is going up to 109 + over the next three days. A few have very droopy leaves. Are they ok with me just increasing water and misting or should they come into full shade or the house? This fig birthing is some process. I will never look at another tree the same way! Much appreciation for all it takes to get them grown and fruiting. Looking forward to the sage advise of the members in the heat zone. Jodi sweating it out in AZ!!!
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.
Sas
1350079929
Posted 1464821085
Reply with quote #2
Very nice Jody, Now going on vacation requires finding a tree sitter.
don_sanders
1429304713
Posted 1464821880
· Edited
Reply with quote #3
Bottom watered with a kiddie pool shaded during the hottest part of the day is how I would go. Cover up those black pots with something white or at least light colored too.
Bluemalibu
1448153498
Posted 1464822581
Reply with quote #4
Fig Heaven. No fog, no snow; just lots of sunshine!
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464823429
Reply with quote #5
Thanks friends. I was thinking to pull them into afternoon shade, the kiddy pool idea and misting. I just hooked up a one minute mister to come on during the worst heat. And funny thing is I am heading for the mountains and have to get a fig sitter!!! Crazy fig bug fever. Thanks everyone. Sending you perfect figging weather where ever you are. ;-) Jodi
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.
Blackfoot
1437593776
Posted 1464825733
Reply with quote #6
I definately recommend getting a scale like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SMHWZ42/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464834483
Reply with quote #7
Great idea Blackfoot. Very cool that your son kept the figs going. I'm praying for mine to have a great summer too. Happy figging, Jodi
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.
sdpops
1421044703
Posted 1464853741
Reply with quote #8
Greetings from Yuma, AZ Jodi----We're expecting highs up to 116 degrees the next 4 days so understand your concerns. The first time I had cuttings rooted in small pots here in Yuma, like you have now, I nearly killed them all by over watering during an early heat wave. Luckily the friend who got me started with figs saved me from my good, but mis-guided intentions. Over watering in this heat is like boiling a potato, you just cook the roots. He loaned me one of those cheap water meters, like the ones found on EBAY and told me to keep the moisture level at about 30%, keep the pots in an filtered sunlight area and if I absolutely had to water something lightly spray the area around the pots and the OUTSIDE of the pots for evaporative cooling. Worked like a charm and still does. Sure the leaves may sag a little during the day but they perk back up by morning. Just add enough water to keep the meter about 1/3 of the way up. Figs are dry country natives and survive heat just fine but they don't like to much water. Another thing that works here in Yuma is I try to get my new cuttings in the ground by the the end of April, mid-May at the latest. That's about 60-75 days for most. I only start as many cuttings as I have places to plant them, I give away some of them but only to people who have a place ready to plant them.
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464896151
Reply with quote #9
Yes Alan I do mean baby trees! Funny now that you point it out! My starter trees are giving me fits of worry. Not a bunch of real figlets yet! ;-)
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.
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464896517
· Edited
Reply with quote #10
Wow you must really have to be careful with your baby trees sdpops! Yuma is the ultimate cooker! Thank you for the sage advise on over watering. My sister had a huge, super productive white kadota in Phoenix that she killed watering every time the leaves drooped! I also want to say how cool it is that you are sharing the passion for Figs with willing friends. For the love of Figs! Jodi
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.
eboone
1378418906
Posted 1464898666
Reply with quote #11
Jodi,
Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464912083
Reply with quote #12
Hey Ed yes My lil project is definitely out of hand. I had no idea I'd love the Figs and the process sooo much! Lots of missteps and just when I think I'm over the hard stuff another challenge shows up! Like black pots. Guess I will be punting them. Ha. And it is thanks to the members I have soooo many great varieties started up. I have that established young tree for you from Daisy's IBT. I was waiting for it to settle down so it would survive shipping and now its pretty hot. Do I think I should wait to ship it? I'll send you a picture. Your Kathleen's Black has the biggest leaves of any variety I have. She is a beaut! Thanks again Ed. Happy figging. Jodi
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.
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464973356
· Edited
Reply with quote #13
More great advice. Thank you Alan. I had never considered the "oven effect" of the black and the soil line on potted plants. Growing up in AZ with a CA raised gardening father, we kept plants deeper in ground for the same reasons here in the harsh, dry AZ heat. I have not had experience with keeping plants in pots at all here. I see your point that when they are in pots it is a whole different situation. Can I remedy it by adding a mulch or 5-1-1 mix from their present position in the posts up to the pot rim? Or just be conscious of this when repotting them? Thanks again, Jodi
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.
Centurion
1293429646
Posted 1464983301
· Edited
Reply with quote #14
Hi Jodi,
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1464998731
Reply with quote #15
Definitely see the importance of not overwatering. It seems to be a seductive pitfall to see the droopy leaves and think ah more water. I will be very careful, using my moisture meter, weight of the pots and just looking to see if the soil is coming away from the sides. All sage advice.
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.
Centurion
1293429646
Posted 1465131134
· Edited
Reply with quote #16
That will work. Might have some Desert King, Mission, and/or Havasu brebas ripe by next week if you'd like to try them. With any luck our current heat wave wil be over and we'll be back down into the mid 90's.
Charlie
1404043833
Posted 1465133709
Reply with quote #17
Took some temperature readings a few weeks ago on the black pot scenario just to be able to show folks. Last year I nearly lost all of my small potted plants but at the advice of others to cover them, I buried the pots in a wood chips compost, raised bed and they all recovered. This year I have several new gallon size pots and decided to try something different.
OttawanZ5
1192897779
Posted 1465139167
Reply with quote #18
I agree with Alan. Fill up with soil close to the top of the pot and some mulch on top. More soil will cover additional part of the trunk and will soon have some more roots from newly covered part of the trunk adding to moisture intake by the plant thus slowing down the droop or stress. Mulch will help in slowing down moisture evaporation as well as keeping the top soil from getting too hot.
Ottawan-Z5a, Canada
Jodi
1443230258
Posted 1465159739
Reply with quote #19
Thank you all for the advice and cautions. I hate to think I could have lost these dearly come by new members of my garden family! I have moved them all into a shady place in blue kiddy pools, filled the pots to the rim with 5-1-1. The mailer envelope idea is great. I have tons of those too. Sooo appreciate all of the timely advice! ;-)
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.
AltaFarm
1461731453
Posted 1465163499
· Edited
Reply with quote #20
I have 3/4 of a roll of house wrap left over. So I started cutting it own lengths to wrap the pots.
