| Encanto Farms Nursery > Categories > Making Fig Growing Information Relevant |
| Author | Comment |
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
I read a lot of good information on figs and growing fig trees in all postings here at Figs4Fun. However, if the hardiness zone or climate of the poster's location has some bearing on the posted information such as dormancy break time, time for bringing out potted plants in spring, embryo formation time, fruit ripening time etc etc,then it becomes difficult for the reader to relate the information in the post to one's own location if the reader can't see the 'hardiness zone' information about the poster’s location. Therefore, if I may suggest that whenever there is an opportune time (no rush), it will be a good idea that all members (specifically the posters) update their signature and add hardiness zone (or at least add hardiness zone with their location in the 'General Information' of their profile). There may be some who are unwilling to show their location in the ‘General Information’ details, then they can at least show only the hardiness Zone in the location field without showing their physical location. This will make the information in their post more useful to many readers. It is not difficult to find the cold hardiness zone for one’s location and it needs to be done only once. |
|
moshepherdess
Registered: Posts: 102 |
OttawanZ5 |
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
Thanks, Elizabeth. |
|
moshepherdess
Registered: Posts: 102 |
Ottawan, I didn't mention before that my fig trees currently reside in large tubs (25 gallon maybe) in an unheated hoophouse. They did drop their leaves last winter, so were dormant. At a farm show this week, we attended a seminar on hoophouse growing and it was stated that each layer of plastic adds protection equivalent to one zone. So, since we are zone 5b (-10 to -15 F), we gain to zone 7b (+10 to +5 F) inside the hoophouse because we have a layer of poly over the top of the house and a dropped ceiling that is seven feet high. That is equivalent to Northern Arkansas. When I get cuttings of each variety growing, the large trees will probably be planted outside since the roots already fill the tubs. I am not sure if I need to attempt to root prune these after they go dormant or not. All small trees (I got two late this summer and am expecting a few more next week from Jon) will spend the winter in the heated portion of the hoophouse where the thermostat is set at fifty degrees F. Of course the daytime temperature is much higher than that when there is sunshine. And because of the heated side, the cool side may actually gain another zone equivalent since there is no insulation between the sides, just a wall of clear roofing. Last year it still froze in the cool side but it may not do so this year since this is the first year with the dropped ceiling on the cool side. elizabeth near Kansas City Missouri zones 5b through 7b or higher :-)
|
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
Thanks Elizabeth. |
|
moshepherdess
Registered: Posts: 102 |
Ottawan, They mentioned both the double wall cover on a hoophouse with a fan blowing air between the layers and also additional 'hoop' coverings inside the house ranging in heights depending on the crop protected. Strawberries didn't require much height; raspberries and fruit trees required more. Some used spun poly row covers and some use plastic. Spun cover gives less protection as far as I know. The additional hoops were positioned over beds or rows. We built a middle wall and added a dropped ceiling to cover the entire section both on the heated side and unheated side. This way, we will never have to cover and uncover the crop. Our next cover replacement may be the double layer with air between. We will get through at least this winter with what we have, may need to replace next year. I do not think that two layers of plastic as a cover (roof) on the hoophouse would make any difference without the air flow between them. Two layers with air flow circulation also lessened snow cover and ice build up. |
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
I had started this thread more than a year ago suggesting that whenever there is an opportune time (no rush), it will be a good idea that all members (posters specifically) update their profile and add plant hardiness zone with their location in the 'General Information' of their profile. I have seen little attention to this needed info. There may be some who are unwilling to show ‘General Information’ details, then they can at least show only the hardiness Zone in the location field of the General Information without showing their location. This will make the info more useful to many readers. It is not difficult to find the cold hardiness zone for one’s location and it needs to be done only once. Just a suggestion. For example if one reads a post saying that the poster's unheated garage temperature seldom goes below 20F and he keeps his dormant fig plants in the unheated garage safe, such info can become very useful when the reader can find the poster's temperature zone. Someone in Zone 4 or even 5a can cold-toast his fig plants not knowing what zone the poster is located in. |
|
moshepherdess
Registered: Posts: 102 |
Ottawan, |
|
Dieseler
Registered: Posts: 8,252 |
Ottawan, |
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
Waw, you should not have been hiding your Zones 5. You should have been proud of your Zones 5 because each ripe fig you eat in Zone 5 is because of your own efforts despite the climate and it should feel sweeter that it actually is because of your sweet efforts. |
|
moshepherdess
Registered: Posts: 102 |
Ha Martin, |
|
Figluvah
Registered: Posts: 1,111 |
I'm bumping this thread....It might be helpful. |
|
satellitehead
Registered: Posts: 3,687 |
Thanks, Cecil, I missed this one the first couple go-rounds. |
|
nypd5229
Registered: Posts: 1,903 |
Just did it awesome |
|
Figluvah
Registered: Posts: 1,111 |
Your welcome Jason! @ Dominick..........Don'y ya just love it when a plan comes together?
|
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
Bumping up a post from 2007. |
|
OttawanZ5
Registered: Posts: 2,551 |
These guys have the same issue with posts not showing locations. |
|
|