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LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hello,

I am a complete newbie at fig growing. I have been involved in growing all sorts of plants from orchids to stapeliads to apple/pears to Natal plum from South Africa. I got involved with figs by accident. My daughter, who lives in Oregon, in mid July asked me to cut her fig tree that had become a nuisance by blocking the city sidewalk. I cut all the branches to stubs so that the new growth could be selected to stay out of the public right of way. I put 10 twigs into water in coke bottles until I returned home 2 weeks later. My daughter's fig crop of course was lost for the year but we found a recipe for unriped figs and we made 40 jars of figs preserved in a syrup to be enjoyed in the winter.

Nine of my 10 twigs rooted and I planted the rooted cuttings in pots when I returned to Minnesota in late July. The variety of this Oregon fig tree is unknown but it produces very large figs that are delicious. Of course in Minnesota where I live (Zone 4b), the plants will have to be grown in pot but I don't know whether the figs will be able to ripen.

I would like advice on what varieties might be best for Minnesota zone 4b. Searching this forum I see Hardy Chicago, Desert King, Sals often mentioned for colder climates. What would be members' recommendations for zone 4b for plants grown in pot?

Are there members of this forum from zones 4a & 4b (Wisconsin, Minnesota)? I would love to hear from your rxperience with growing figs.

Thank you for the opportunity to join this forum.

Cheers,
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
jdsfrance

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Hi LaFigue,
Welcome to the forum !
In Zone4, you will have to really keep up with the good cares on your trees. Hope you have storage space in the garage or basement for the winter.
Dalmatie, BrownTurkey and longue-d-aout are often grown in cold Zones . I have them in balmy Zone7, and they are good reliable producer.
Good luck !
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Climate from -25°C to + 35°C
Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here
Serge

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Hi,
For zone 4 Dalmatie will be too late for main crop, only breba will be delicious, but a few compare to main.
In my zone 5b it is late as a lot of second crop can not get ripe in ground.
Same should be with Brown Turkey.
Only the earliest varieties for main and "breba strains" should be taken for trials.
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 Zone 5b, Ukraine, Europe.
drivewayfarmer

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
I would definitely grow Ronde de Bordeaux and Florea in your zone.
You'll be glad you did !
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Kerry Zone 5 NH
Wish list :Galicia Negra , Col de Dame Blanca/Negra  .
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance
Hi LaFigue,
Welcome to the forum !
In Zone4, you will have to really keep up with the good cares on your trees. Hope you have storage space in the garage or basement for the winter.
Dalmatie, BrownTurkey and longue-d-aout are often grown in cold Zones . I have them in balmy Zone7, and they are good reliable producer.
Good luck !


Thank you jdsfrance. I wonder whether Longue d' Aout is easily obtainable in the U.S?
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serge
Hi, For zone 4 Dalmatie will be too late for main crop, only breba will be delicious, but a few compare to main. In my zone 5b it is late as a lot of second crop can not get ripe in ground. Same should be with Brown Turkey. Only the earliest varieties for main and "breba strains" should be taken for trials.


Good advice Serge! I shall have to look for varieties for short growing season.
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Quote:
Originally Posted by drivewayfarmer
I would definitely grow Ronde de Bordeaux and Florea in your zone.
You'll be glad you did !


Thank you Drivewayfarmer. I shall read up on Ronde de Bordeaux et Florea.
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
Sas

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Welcome to the forum. Since you are in such a cold zone, I can tell you that my first fig to ripen in Texas is the Celeste, but not all Celestes are equal. I had another strain that kept dropping its fruit. There's also the improved Celeste. Before going for fancy names give the Celeste along with the Chicago Hardy a try. These two varieties never disappointed me so far. I must add that many varieties will not produce for several years.
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Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B
Wish list: Becane
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sas
Welcome to the forum. Since you are in such a cold zone, I can tell you that my first fig to ripen in Texas is the Celeste, but not all Celestes are equal. I had another strain that kept dropping its fruit. There's also the improved Celeste. Before going for fancy names give the Celeste along with the Chicago Hardy a try. These two varieties never disappointed me so far. I must add that many varieties will not produce for several years.


Sas, Thank you for your note and advice.

Scanning the forum, I see that rare are the members from Zone 4...Well, I shall try to find the varieties you suggested and give it a go!
Cheers.
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
My opinion,is exactly what "Drivewayfarmer  said + Malta Black
Garlic_Mike

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Ditto and welcome aboard.

The mentioned types are a great start.

Since you are planning on pots, you may do better than you expect.

I have not had one yet but I have been told the RDB, besides being a great fig, is reliably early.

In ground may be tough, but brebas in pots may serve you well.

With the experience you already have, you're in trouble.

But that's a good thing.

Mike
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Garlic_Mike
Ditto and welcome aboard.

The mentioned types are a great start.

Since you are planning on pots, you may do better than you expect.

I have not had one yet but I have been told the RDB, besides being a great fig, is reliably early.

In ground may be tough, but brebas in pots may serve you well.

With the experience you already have, you're in trouble.

But that's a good thing.

Mike


Thank you Mike for the encouragement and the suggestion to consider RDB.

I grow Natal Plum (Carissa macrocarpa) in pot; a plant from South Africa and grown in California and Florida. This year I have over 50 fruit on a single plant and they are ripening now.

The issue for me will be getting cuttings as Minnesota nurseries and garden centers tend not to offer Fig trees. I shall just have to be patient and hope for luck with the cutting offerings on this forum.

Cheers.
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Herman2
My opinion,is exactly what "Drivewayfarmer  said + Malta Black


Herman2,

Many thanks for your note and your suggestion to get Malta Black. I just edited my wish list on the 2016-17 cuttings wishlist on this forum. Let's hope!

Cheers
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Welcome!  I'd get desert king along with the others mentioned.
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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.
LaFigue

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcantor
Welcome!  I'd get desert king along with the others mentioned.


Thank you rcantor. My list of suggested fig varieties gets longer. I thought that in Minnesota I would be limited to one variety at best. But growing in pot...it appears that the possibilities increase. Now all I need to do is find those varieties.

Cheers
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Zone 4b, St. Paul, MN
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Cutting season starts soon.  Nov - Jan is peak season but it keeps going until at least March.
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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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