Newb stupid question about growing from seed

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greenman62

Registered:1442342031
Posts: 45

Posted 1470918107	Reply with quote #1

Still pretty new at growing figs i know some species need a particular wasp for pollination but, does that mean it will not produce fruit, or, it will just not produce fertile seeds ?? There is a website i was getting ready to buy seeds from and since i usually buy several species at a time i saw this fig, and would love to grow it will it produce fruit, or, do i need a certain wasp ? Ficus auriculata / Elephant Ear Fig Tree http://www.rarexoticseeds.com/en/tree-seeds/fruit-tree-seeds/ficus-auriculata-seeds-elephant-ear-fig-tree-roxburgh-fig-coconut-strawberry-fig.html __________________ New Orleans La. zone 9 growing subtropical food-forest figs = Black Mission, Celeste, 2 un-named, and 4 cuttings started guava, papaya, mango, fig, mulberry, jujube......., white, black, and mamey sapote...., Cherimoya, lychee, longan, several psidium/guava relatives, Jaboticaba, citrus, Jamun, natal plum, and about 100 more...

VeryNew2Figs

Registered:1441488407
Posts: 241

Posted 1470919005	Reply with quote #2

Interesting. I did a little Googling. It says it can be grown as a house plant too. Here's a link from the forum: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/another-figs-world-ficus-auriculata-ficus-roxburghii-elephant-ear-fig-tree-5737757 Hope that helps __________________ 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.

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1470919009	Reply with quote #3

Hi Brad. I'm sure that someone can explain the how and why as I am unable to, but the short of it is yes, most fig trees will produce fruit without the wasp (common). Seeds are still fertile in common figs but will most likely not grow true to type. So, in my opinion, purchasing fig seeds would be a waste of time and money. Hope this helps a little. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

pitangadiego

Moderator
Registered:1188871011
Posts: 5,447

Posted 1470930248 · Edited	Reply with quote #4

Viable seed will produce trees. After that it gets dicey. Supposedly half will be male caprifigs, and half will be female. The female half could be Common or Smyrna types depending on the parents. If they are Smyrna, you'll need a wasp to pollinate them. If Common, they may or may not fruit, and the fruit may or may taste good. My initial, and limited, experience has been that about 10% gave you something useful. The last group of seedling, about 50 in number have yielded zero fruit and do not look promising. The 10 before that have very distinctive leave, but no fruit after several year. If you want to play, go for it. If you want fruit, buy a tree or root known cuttings. If you are sincere in seeking knowledge and use what you learn, no question is stupid. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

greenman62

Registered:1442342031
Posts: 45

Posted 1470946658 · Edited	Reply with quote #5

thanks for the replies ive been growing mango, guava, and several other tropical (and not) fruit trees some are much more variable than others i just had my first mango from a seed i had grown from a fruit in Fla it was actually very good. in the forum i am in, most people told me it was a waste of time, im glad i kept it. That said, i dont really have the room to grow 10+ plants on top of what i have (LOL) especially if the odds are bad that it will even produce fruit. i will save the space for mango, and ... just one more fig... from a reliable cutting etc... (ive said that before) LOL __________________ New Orleans La. zone 9 growing subtropical food-forest figs = Black Mission, Celeste, 2 un-named, and 4 cuttings started guava, papaya, mango, fig, mulberry, jujube......., white, black, and mamey sapote...., Cherimoya, lychee, longan, several psidium/guava relatives, Jaboticaba, citrus, Jamun, natal plum, and about 100 more...

arachyd

Registered:1345772821
Posts: 114

Posted 1471132178	Reply with quote #6

Definitely get a known tree or cutting. There is no way to tell what seeds will grow into and it could be years before you realize your tree is a dud. Many of the known varieties are inexpensive and easy to obtain. I've even bought a few at the local home improvement store's garden center that did very well. Growing from seed is a gamble and the odds are not in your favor. Unless you have lots of growing room, no need to actually get fruit and a couple of years to find out if you were successful go with a cutting or tree. __________________ Wish list: Dalmatie, LSU Gold, Ponte Tresa, 豐產黃 (Bountiful Harvest) Zone 7b

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