Hello Everyone,

I'm completely new to figs. I live in central Missouri, and am looking for any advice on which figs to grow?

I would like to grow in containers, and possibly plant some in the ground in the future.

I would like a very sweet fig, but would also like to try several other strains as well.

Also, who can you get quality cuttings from?

Thanks in advance,
Chad

Hello Chad....

Welcome to the Forum.

I see in your profile that you have not noted your climate zone.  Your location will probably be too cold to grow figs without some kind of winter protection.  Most growers using containers will store their trees in an unheated garage until warmer spring weather.  There is a variety called "Hardy Chicago" that will make a very sweet, black fig...and, is one of the "hardier" varieties...but not unkillable, if frozen. 

Search this forum for all the information you seek.  Plenty of postings about growing in containers, in-ground, overwintering techniques, etc.  The is also a Garden Web Fig Forum, and you do not have to be a member to read past-postings for the information you need.

Read through postings that interest you, and eventually you will get a good idea of what it takes to keep a fig ALIVE.  Growing a fig tree in warm summer months is easy...keeping them alive through winter is not, but it obviously can be done without too much trouble.  You will grow fig trees also.  You will discover that there are as many options as there are growers.

I personally would buy the largest tree that I could afford.  Less waiting for figs, if you buy a bearing age tree. Cuttings are nice if you want to play the waiting game. You could always grow cuttings while you pick figs from a larger tree.  "Ison's  Nursery and Vineyards" sells large trees...so does "Willis Orchards".  Please steer clear of a variety called "Brown Turkey"....not a bad fig, but not a very tasty, sweet fig, either.  Most growers will not bother wasting space growing this "turkey".  Also, steer clear of "Ty-Ty".  Not a reputable dealer.

I hope these quick answers might get you started.

Frank

Welcome to the forum, good advice from Frank in prior post.

Welcome to the forum, Chad. Frank gave you good advice. However, I would stay away from Willis Orchards too. They have a problem keeping track of which fig variety is which.

Thanks Frank for the quick response and the welcomes.

I have spent alot of time searching the forums. There are several strains, and alot of strains have the same name but are alot different.

I'm looking for people who have exception strains they might be willing to share. So I dont have as much trial and error.

I have been reading about the Cajun Honey and the lsu strain Golden Celeste for sweetness. I also, was thinking about Violette de Bordeaux, but have ready it looses some sweetness. I would like big trees as well as cuttings.

I'm in zone 5b. It gets pretty cold here sometimes. Nobody around here grows figs. Most people don't even know what a fit is. 

I would probably keep them in containers to ensure there survival.

Welcome from me too!  I live in a mediterranean climate, so I'm not able to tell you what will grow in your area, but the others have said it well!

I can say that many of the online nurseries, and probably others also, do get the varieties mixed up.  It happened to me from Gurneys.  If it's a green or gold fig variety, you will be shocked when your figs start going dark, and delighted when you find out what you received is far better than you thought it was!  Of course you can flip that the other way too!

If you search the forum (which belongs to Jon who sells figs and cuttings), there is a list of members here who sell on Ebay, and you can trust they are selling what they say. 

Good luck in your quest!

Suzi

Welcome to the Forum Chad.
All figs in your climate are doomed if they are planted in the ground with no winter protection. But every climate zone have micro location where can get mach colder or warmer then rest of zone. Usual if you plant them on the south side near the house in your area they will be OK with out protection.

Welcome.  I have a Hardy Chicago in Kansas City that's been in ground for almost 10 years without protection. (Bought from Edible Landscaping in VA) Buy one in the spring and plant it in ground.  If you protect it in the winter you'll get more figs and they'll start sooner.  Try to start small and see what types of figs you like.  If you want a few types now go to Jon's Available page and get some from him.  Get at least 1 dark, 1 light but save room for more when you figure out what you like.  Look up Al Tapla's 5:1:1 (or 5-1-1) soil mix.  Everything starts with the soil.  Bad soil=dead plants.  In February you can order cuttings.  Search for propagation and see how easy it is to start plants from cuttings.  That may take a few years to get fig fruits but it's a cheap way to get a variety of plants.  If you see something you want on the available page, ask Jon (Pitangadiego) if he has one with a few figs on it.   Just be aware that sometimes fig fruits and leaves may not survive transport even if the plant will do fine.

Hi Chad,
Welcome to the Forum.  I am fairly new myself and you have found a good place to learn about figs.

Again, Welcome.

See, Chad...I told you.  As many opinions as there are growers....and that's a good thing.  This suggestion "fest" just increases all your options.

You might have some failures, and many more triumphs ahead.  So what.  That's how everybody learns.  Figs are cheap, and can be propagated very easily.  You will have a dozen fig varieties growing in the blink of an eye.

Try:
Encanto Farms
Ison's
Trees of Joy
Bill's Figs
Forum Members
Almost Eden
Edible Landscaping

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

Frank

Thanks

What is your favorites Frank? I appreciate all the help and advice. Does anybody have any trees they want to sell or would it be better to wait until winter? Thanks

Welcome, If you get a fig now you will be faced with having to protect it for winter. Small starters are sensitive and I usually over winter them in the house where I keep them warm and supplement light with artificial. If you get a very large tree it will be going into dormancy and you will have to store it in your garage. That is not a big problem just making sure you are aware before you buy. If you buy from one of the supply sources noted at this time, you may get a season's end discount. Good luck

Thanks BLB! I plan on keeping them in the garage for the winter. Is it better to get trees while they are dormant?

It's an option, Mr Robin only sells that way.

Who is Mr. Robin

Chad...

James Robin is an old-timey fig grower, from down yonder in Southern, LA.  He sells fig varieties off a seasonal list.  Someone might give you a link...I don't know how to do this.  Sorry.

ALSO....try Dalton from "Durio Nursery".  Dalton is a class act, and sells many varieties of figs, but stock varies from year to year.

You will eventually find all the fig varieties that you can handle.  Just make sure that you try to match a variety to your location...West-Coast figs won't work in Missouri.

When I go shopping, I place my orders early, and ask for shipment at the end of March.  I let the seller worry about keeping my figs alive until shipping time.  In a cool garage you will have few worries, unless interior temp's. plunge to below freezing.

Frank

Welcome

Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me, and for all the great advice! If I get a tree now how would I prepare it for winter? Thanks!

Use the search feature. Type"winterizing." You will find 25 topics in which the term appears.  Good luck!

Thanks musillid, I have found tons of info on winterizing. What I was wondering is if i buy a 1 gallon tree now how would I get it to go dormant over the winter? Would i set it outside untill it starts to get cold then bring it inside?

It will go dormant on it's own if you set it outside.  No problem.  That's what figs do!

Good luck to you!

Suzi

Thanka for all the great advice!

Chad,
Welcome to figland! If you check the list of recommended eBay sellers that is a good start too. PM me if you are interested in Adriatic or Green Ischia as I have some extra pretty good size five gallon plants.

Thanks landscapewitch, I'm having difficulty finding the list of recommended sellers. Do you have a link?

Why not wait until winter is over to get your figs? You won't get any figs now unless you buy a tree that has them close to ripening on it. You could collect cuttings from ebay/members during dormant season as well. Welcome and good luck.....

Another vendor you can get figs from is Rolling River Nursery:

http://www.rollingrivernursery.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=20&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26

 A search for ebay should show it.  I don't know Green Ischia but an offer for Adriatic is a good offer!! That is a very tasty fig! Nice of you to offer Landscapewitch 

Thanks Landscapewitch, it is very much appreciated!

@ohjustaguy, I guess as I'm new to figs, I'm unsure when the but time to buy is. I have been told now is a good time to buy trees. Winter is a good time to get cuttings, and Frank said he waits until march to have his shipped. What is the opinion of the forum? Well the main reason is that I'm really excited!  

Again, I want to thank everybody for all the help. It is nice to find a group of people willing to help others in there endeavors.

Chad

Welcome Chad!  Suzi is so right about the varieties getting mixed up and wrong!  I bought a Celeste from a local chain nursery.  I was very delighted, excited and shocked to learn it is a LSU Purple!!  It is very dark on the outside and light on the inside an oh so sweet and figgy!  I couldn't be happier with it!!
So glad it was mislabeled!! ;)

Chad,

Option one:
You buy now, bring it inside/outside depending on weather, give it occasional water, and any other care. Then when it warms up you put it out for season, collect figs at end of season.

Option Two:
You just buy the fig in the spring, put it out for season, and collect figs at end of season. 

Option two is less maintenance for you, which is why I suggested it. Getting cuttings closer to end of dormant season is less care for you as well, which may be why Frank waits until then to do it. 

Good luck with whatever you do....