Hi! My name's Alma and I'm from Baltimore, MD. I was referred to this site by maro2bear and I'm glad he did; this place has provided me with a wealth of information already!

I own four redfoot tortoises, a species that live in South America and they just so happen to love figs. I figured I might as well skip the grocery trips for figs in the fall and get my torts their own steady stream from my backyard. I'm very familiar with indoor gardening (half my bedroom and most of my windows are filled with plants) but still getting the hang of growing outdoors.

I'm looking very forward to starting my own fig collection. One day, with the help from everyone here, my torts will thank you, too :D

Alma,
Welcome to THE forum where it all happens:)

You might want to start with most important (for you anyway...) fig of all called "Alma" :)
Your torts will not only love you but will also eat  , haha

Hi alma. Do you have any figs yet???

Welcome!

Thanks for the warm welcomes. Every post I've read so far has been kind, full of wisdom, and civil.. not at all like many other forums :P Aaron: My name on a fig actually caught my eye right away when I first browsed the forum. I have no idea how cold hardy it is, nor do I know if I like the idea of my torts eating me :D Figpig: I do not have any figs at the moment. I was hoping to do more research before I kill a valuable investment. I tried growing a fig last year (impulse buy) but silly me was still new to outdoor growing and I thought "Hey, they sell these locally so they should do fine in Maryland's super harsh weather without adequate protection, right?" Yup. Nope. So this time I wanna do things right!

Welcome Ms. Alma, you've found a great place.

Regards,
billy

Well i have some louisiana varieties i was,going offer you just pay 5.75 shippi g to get you started. St.Gabriel black and ischia green but dont know if they like,cold weather. Its,up to you

Have a good time reading all the post. They never stop. Richie

Hi Alma, I used to have an Argentinean Red Foot named Evita. One day, she started to cluck like a chicken. I then learned that MALE Red Foots are one of only a few tortoises that can vocalize. So, we changed his name to Vito. He disappeared a couple years ago. A few months ago we found out that he had wandered into our neighbor's yard and they took him with them when they moved and he still lives in their garden. I should go visit him and plant him a fig tree. There will be figgy poops everywhere. Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the very generous offer, Richie. If only I had room for them indoors or had the funds to make a substantial greenhouse, I'd take your offer in a heartbeat. I'm itchin' to get started! Alas, I'd probably end up heartbroken when I find out that I can't keep them. Paul: Sorry to hear about Vito. If it's any consolation, if he started clucking like a chicken years ago, chances are he'd be a lot noisier now.. and more randy. Just think about how much more peaceful nights are and the lack of male parts you would have frequently seen if he were still in your company. Hopefully he's well taken care of!

Welcome!  There are fig trees growing outdoors in MD without protection.  Any of the members who knew Gene Hosey could tell you which ones.  Most of us grow them in big pots and bring them in to a garage or shed as long as it's cold out. 

Welcome to the forum, Alma.
Have any photos of these critters?
How large are these tortoises ?

welcome to the forum

Ed: Here is a picture of Punch in their indoor enclosure- [URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/arabid0psis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141230_151315_zpscd32dd0f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b575/arabid0psis/Mobile%20Uploads/20141230_151315_zpscd32dd0f.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

They max out at around 12-16" as adults, though there have been exceptions. Mine range from 5-1/2" to 7-1/2" at two years of age, which can be considered an incredibly quick rate of growth for redfoots. They're very personable little fellas when older.

Welcome, Alma!  Those redfoots will be leading the good (better) life once they are feasting on a nice supply of figs.  ;)

No kidding, Frank :D They already come running like the wind to me when they smell fish.. A twice a week treat of figs should solidify how awesome they think I am. Thanks, again, for the welcomes everyone!

Hello from So. Cal... Welcome to the forum Alma...

[QUOTE=nepenthes]Ed: Here is a picture of Punch in their indoor enclosure- [URL=http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/arabid0psis/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20141230_151315_zpscd32dd0f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b575/arabid0psis/Mobile%20Uploads/20141230_151315_zpscd32dd0f.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

They max out at around 12-16" as adults, though there have been exceptions. Mine range from 5-1/2" to 7-1/2" at two years of age, which can be considered an incredibly quick rate of growth for redfoots. They're very personable little fellas when older.[/QUOTE]

That is a beautiful shell. That is fast growth for a couple years, but the shell looks good. I have heard that if they grow too fast, the shell segments will get built up like little pyramids. I think it is healthier for the shell to be relatively flat like the one in the picture. You are a good tortoise mamma.

Thanks so much, Paul! Fast growth doesn't necessarily cause the pyramidal growth. If you provide the high humidity that they require, it allows the shell to be more pliable and grow in much, much smoother. I try to be as good a momma as I can be (hence growing figs from almost scratch). Plus, I love all aspects of gardening!

Looks like tortoise paradise to me.  If I was a tortoise I'd be pretty darn happy with those living arrangements.  Especially with a few figs to  tantalize the palate.  Welcome Alma, nice to meet you!
Timothy

Welcome Alma. 
Your name is one of the famous fig names.  Many people love Alma figs and it is somewhat cold hardy so may grow in your area with some protection for winter.
By the way that is nice looking redfoot tortoise.  What do you feed them?  Curious if they like to eat prickly pear cactus pads?

Thanks, Pino. I feed them mostly a variety of dark leafy greens, weeds and tortoise-safe plants/flowers that I grow out back or indoors. They also eat pelleted tortoise food (Mazuri) and fish/shrimp/chicken/worms occasionally for a source of protein. They can also handle some fruits like FIGS! I do grow and feed cactus pads whenever I can because they are a great source of calcium. Too much can cause runny stool, though. Hopefully I can start growing some figs soon. Once I get acquainted with their care, maybe I'll find some Alma cuttings :D

Alma, welcome to the forum from Rockville!

Your tortoise sure looks happy.
Happy figging.

Welcome Alma! You live in a great place for fig hunting. There are areas like Little Italy and Greek town where I'm sure there are some figs growing. They might have taken a hit this past winter, but with good roots should have made some sort of comeback. Unfortunately given where we live, we need to protect all young trees for the first few years of their lives.

Welcome to the forum Alma. So no figs for You at all? You should eat the pulp and give your tortoises the skin! Like someone else on this forum says"sharing is caring" By the way your tortoise does look great! Best of luck with your figs

Steve and Von, I have no idea where anything in Maryland is. I was born and raised in San Francisco most of my life and know of not much else except for the west coast. Chris, feel free to throw stones.. but I've actually never eaten a fig in my life. I know, I know.. I'm horrible. Now everyone can feel free to throw stones, too :P

Welcome

Hi and welcome,

I have a spur-thighed tortoise but I haven't tried feeding it figs yet.  Maybe this year. 

Welcome Alma.  

Welcome Alma.
I do not think anyone will throw stones, for most of us have been there. I have eaten Fig Newton cookies and dried figs but it was the fall of 2013 before I ate my first fresh fig (@ 60 1/2 years old) and I knew I wanted more.

Schaplin: Spur-thigh (Greek) or African spur-thigh (Sulcata)? In either case, you should limit the amount of figs you give them. Their stomachs aren't designed for sugary foods like tropical species. Plus, if you're talking about a Sulcata.. they'll eat anything in sight- with gusto :P Arthur: Thanks! I still feel pretty silly for joining a fig enthusiasts forum when I haven't actually had any. It was all for the love of tortoises and gardening :D

Alma,

     I am surprised no one has asked you what Nepenthes you have.

Dale: Two ventrata (most likely) and 8 cuttings trying to establish themselves. They go nuts in my indoor tortoise enclosure.

Hey Alma, like Arthur said ,no one throws stones here, maybe a fig or two for Your tortoises;) . Have a good night all!

Welcome Alma

Welcome to the forum, Alma.

Welcome to the forum Alma!  There is a fig tree called Alma!  You should get yourself one!  It's an excellent brown honey fig.  It's very rich in flavor!

Welcome Alma, so glad you decided to join us, a lot of people here knows their stuff when it comes to Figs ; )

Welcome, fellow Fig & Nepenthes fan!

Hi Nepenthes,
Mine is a so called Greek tortise but actual imported a long time ago I believe from Lebannon.  She is rather fussy and has never got much in the way of sweet foods.  She does like the occasionally bit of melon and has tried to eat my niece's toes.  I think the red polish is the problem.
I have one Nepenthes right now.  Not sure what variety since it just showed up in the orchids.  I think the folks at the nursery thought anything so odd must go with my orchids.

Welcome Alma, Green Ischia should be hardy in Baltimore, as I got cuttings from a fellow member who took them from a long-lived tree in Baltimore ... start now, eat in the summer ... welcome!

Schaplin: it's definitely nice to meet other folks with a few random things in common :D

Chilly: First I'll need to keep any fig alive, lol. I have my eyes set on RDB and Hardy Chicago for now. Then I wouldn't mind Celeste and Marseille VS if all goes well. And depending on a few small details, maybe I'll attempt Green Ischia and the other kajillion varieties. I already have a handful with kids, torts, and houseplants :P