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Subject: Figs with magical powers?? Replies: 15
Posted By: rcantor Views: 310
 
It's so great that you put the rat race aside for a while!  Building family time into our lives is really tough.

Subject: Expanding fig growing areas Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 186
 
If you're in to urban agriculture I recommend following this operation on facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/GatewayGarlic/?fref=ts

The lead farmer has helped dozens of people across the country and is constantly implementing innovative projects on a shoestring or no budget.

Because he constantly provides truckloads of food for free to the poor the city and individuals have provided him with a lot of resources and he still makes money by selling to chefs and stores plus his CSA.

Subject: Paratjal 2/88/16 Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 126
 
Beautiful figs!  What do they taste like?

Subject: Organza Bags Defeated Replies: 3
Posted By: rcantor Views: 167
 
It's a sad day and a new fig enemy has emerged.  Last night I was inspecting the troops after a *lot* of rain and found at least half a dozen different types of small moths on my figs.  Most appeared to be standing still but one was acting like an oil drilling rig on the plains.  The head was going up and down.  He appeared to be breaking up the fig pulp to make it easier to suck out through his proboscis.  I'm hoping they can't penetrate normal fig skin as it seemed they were taking advantage of cracks from swelling that happened during the rain.  But it's possible now that they recognize a new food source that they'll try and succeed on intact figs as well.  Organza is powerless against them because the openings are much larger than a moth's proboscis.  The only solution appears to be a no-see-um cage around the whole fig grove.

Sigh...

Moth 1 on fig.jpg 

Subject: Izbat an Naj time Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 226
 
Congratulations!

Subject: Introduction Replies: 15
Posted By: rcantor Views: 144
 
How do you get the colors?

Subject: Hello- & 3 from the Garden Replies: 5
Posted By: rcantor Views: 73
 
Not a mistake at all.  No one's born knowing this stuff.  Some explanations get very complicated.  Simple ones are better  :)

Often plants bought at a nursery are not true to name.  I hope you at least got something good  :)

Cutting season starts in Oct - Dec and you'll have lots of opportunities to get good figs.  You could also go to  http://www.figcuttings.com

Subject: No Figs and Air Layering Replies: 6
Posted By: rcantor Views: 158
 
Unless it's a patented variety it's totally fine to do whatever you want with branches over your property as long as you don't poison the tree.

If your rooting mix doesn't hold water well you have to water it more frequently or add a little something to retain water.  There doesn't have to be a lot.

Subject: OT Blackberries Replies: 18
Posted By: rcantor Views: 224
 
My Triple Crowns were loaded but finished in July.

Subject: My 2016 Main Crop Ripeners In PNW Are ..... 23rd Aug Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 242
 
Improved Celeste wasn't the first for me but this year it's been consistently one of the top 5 in flavor.

Subject: Hello- & 3 from the Garden Replies: 5
Posted By: rcantor Views: 73
 
Welcome!  I have Newfoundlands.  You're off to a great start.

Breba grow on last year's wood.  The main crop grows on wood that didn't exist last year - this year's new growth.  It's that simple.  :)

It's always best to have a sig with your zone and region so people can put what you say in context and give you good advice if you need it.  :)

Subject: Introduction Replies: 15
Posted By: rcantor Views: 144
 
Welcome!  I love your spoon!  Figs are not that hard and when that tree goes dormany you can practice rooting cuttings and you can practice setting air layers now.  :)



In this forum everything's thrown together so you posted in the right spot.

Subject: Tiny Worms ??? Replies: 41
Posted By: rcantor Views: 3,983
 
It doesn't matter.  If that's a fig cutting that part of it at least looks dead.  You need to kill the worms and cut away all dead parts of the cutting.  Showing us the whole cutting might help.

Subject: Hello from Indiana Replies: 16
Posted By: rcantor Views: 129
 
Welcome!  What varieties are your 12 trees?  We obey a variant of Moore's law here.  The number of plants doubles every 4 months  ;)

Subject: Valleiry 2016 Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 216
 
Best of luck with it!

Subject: San Pietro JM -- Excellent in the rain!! Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 500
 
What's the flavor like?

Subject: Madina Replies: 10
Posted By: rcantor Views: 156
 
Have you gotten any fruit yet?

Subject: Laradek EBT 2016 Replies: 19
Posted By: rcantor Views: 407
 
What did it taste like?

Subject: Purple Passion Fig Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 794
 
The water restriction should help the fruit taste better.  :)

Subject: De La Reina 2016 Replies: 6
Posted By: rcantor Views: 119
 
Congratulations!

Subject: Fertilizing with P & K to increase flavor and speed up fig ripening? Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 400
 
Thanks for doing the work on this!

Subject: Fertilizing with P & K to increase flavor and speed up fig ripening? Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 400
 
It really does depend  :)   Bananas need lots of K with very little P.  Figs are really the flower so P helps them and K might as well.  Plus figs need Calcium.

Simple rules of thumb are generally wrong.  :)

Subject: Blastophaga psenes in India Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 84
 
You shouldn't have a problem.  I would import several large, dormant caprifigs of different types from an area with the wasp if I wanted to establish them in a new area.

Subject: Suggestions for my final two Replies: 32
Posted By: rcantor Views: 520
 
A lot of people want a variety of figs based on flavor, some want all their figs ripening at once and some want ripe figs spread out over the season.  Some prioritize but want more than 1 thing.  If you get some idea of what you want these 2 threads may offer some help.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/cold-hardy-fig-list-by-flavor-7034227

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/fig-flavor-group-master-list-8109253

Subject: Fig Varieties with a long harvest window Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 244
 
A lot depends on what you're willing to accept as 'good' from a fig.

Subject: UCD/USDA No More? Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 396
 
Specifically hordes of people wanted free cuttings and didn't put any way to pay for shipping.  The dept was overtaxed in manpower and money.

Subject: The fig Newton solution. Replies: 20
Posted By: rcantor Views: 231
 
Wow, where's the like button?

Subject: Fertilizer Replies: 14
Posted By: rcantor Views: 312
 
Welcome to the forum!  Take good care of your source of bunny poo.

Subject: OT - "Figcentric" Homestead for Sale Replies: 14
Posted By: rcantor Views: 395
 
Wow!  Great property and congratulations on moving forward on your dreams.

Subject: Fertilizing with P & K to increase flavor and speed up fig ripening? Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 400
 
Thanks, Sid, that sounds great.  Do you know your baseline soil composition for NPK?

Remember that figs are flowers and so P should help them.

Subject: Fertilizing with P & K to increase flavor and speed up fig ripening? Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 400
 
Has anyone ever tried giving some K2PO4 to see if it will either increase flavor, speed up ripening or both?  I think I'm going to try it to see how it goes.

Subject: Fig of the Day - Panache 08-25-2013 Replies: 52
Posted By: rcantor Views: 4,749
 
Just for the record, when a Panache fig fruit gets a lot of sun sometimes the whole fruit will be yellow.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RegencyLass
I was just researching "Panache Fig" this morning (in the wee hours as I couldn't sleep) and I came across this thread in the archives. And after reading the description and all the reviews, I was thinking about getting one. 
Then I logged on just now and find this threat at the front of the list! Some may think it's just a coincidence. I think it's a sign that I must have one. :D


And once you buy it your whole destiny will fall in to place.

Subject: 30ft + tall heirloom Celeste Replies: 17
Posted By: rcantor Views: 462
 
It is a beautiful tree.

Subject: Three sisters gardening with figs. Replies: 10
Posted By: rcantor Views: 243
 
Both the pumpkin and the beans will want to climb and shade the fig.  It will take constant work to combat this.  They will compete for soil nutrients and fight to produce the microbiological environment they prefer.  Annual veggies prefer bacterial dominant soil while trees prefer a fungally dominated soil.  If you plant an underground crop you'll disturb the fig roots to harvest it.

This is not something I'd do but best of luck if you try it.

Subject: soured figs and ants Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 161
 
I leave ant stakes in bowls around my yard.  If it rains I either use a plastic tent over them or an inverted bowl.

Subject: Are my small fig trees dead? Replies: 5
Posted By: rcantor Views: 187
 
Figs typically come back from buried wood if they come back at all.  Once you have them well hydrated I'd add some very dilute fertilizer (1/4 - 1/2 houseplant strength).  Putting them in the shade also helps.  I've had trees come back after months of looking dead.  I also bury as much wood as possible for that reason.  Once you see a green bud get it used to full sun gradually but as quickly as possible.  I start with 5 minutes every 4 hrs and go up from there.  Don't over water while you're waiting for it to come back.  Optimum temps are probably 75 - 80.

Being close to fall makes this more difficult.  If they come back in September they don't have much time to accumulate energy for dormancy.  Living in Sacto will help a lot with that as will fertilization.

Subject: What garden hose are you using? Replies: 28
Posted By: rcantor Views: 306
 
What's in your hose?  

Most hoses have lead and all kinds of plasticizer chemicals leaching into the water and available to the fig tree.  Some have antimicrobial chemicals as well.  Good luck with your beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizal fungi with that.  Repeated applications may cause those things to accumulate in the plant and possibly the fruit.  I use this hose and 1 other drinking water safe hose to get me to the length I need.  This has been outside 24/7 for 4 years without failure.  I leave my outdoor spigot on all the time except in the winter.  I have a brass shut off valve at the end.  The 3/4" interior lets me water up to 5' away without a sprayer at the end so watering goes faster.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Element-Contractor-Farm-3-4-in-Dia-x-100-ft-Lead-Free-Water-Hose-ELCF34100CC/202210366

Subject: Rabbits ate the leaves off small fig cutting, is it dead? Replies: 4
Posted By: rcantor Views: 56
 
Most fig plants can push new leaves if the stems are intact but with a new cutting it depends on how much energy the cutting has.  If it's old enough the next time you water you might want to add some very dilute fertilizer.  Use something like 1/4 - 1/2 houseplant strength every time you water but never over water.  Pictures of the plant would help.  Pictures of the roots if they're in a clear container would also help.

And welcome to the forum!

Subject: 30ft + tall heirloom Celeste Replies: 17
Posted By: rcantor Views: 462
 
Beautiful!

Subject: Finding maggots in figs Replies: 18
Posted By: rcantor Views: 417
 
I put organza bags on my fruit as they swell before they get sweet.  The fruit and other flies can't get at the figs.  I only see magots if a fig isn't in a bag.

Subject: Figs on my mind Replies: 4
Posted By: rcantor Views: 105
 
Jon's listed some great figs but if you want a green/pink fig that's easy to get a hold of try Conadria.

Subject: What is a well rooted cutting waiting for delaying shoots for many weeks and sometimes months ? Replies: 30
Posted By: rcantor Views: 642
 
Anything that doesn't burn the plant will be good.  Just use what you have.

Subject: Like we need another unknown ;-) Replies: 30
Posted By: rcantor Views: 477
 
It's a Vulcan fig.

Subject: Fig trees and heat stroke Replies: 31
Posted By: rcantor Views: 422
 
Mottling can also be a sign of micronutrient deficiency.  wait until the top gets somewhat dry and fertilize with something that has 11 or 13 nutrients.  Don't use a long acting fertilizer since you're near the end of the season.

Subject: Disappointing Crop Please Advise Replies: 17
Posted By: rcantor Views: 552
 

Welcome to the Forum, Harpmama!  I'd love to hear any recordings you have.  KiwiBob is awesome as usual  and you aren't going to get better help than that.

 

Acient3, welcome!  Start a new thread, tell us where you are, what the weather's been like and show us pictures of the plants and the soil and we'll be able to give you more accurate advice.

Subject: Pinching to get a branch to fruit: What varieties does this work for and what varieties don't respond with fruits. Replies: 12
Posted By: rcantor Views: 356
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by baumgrenze
In 2016, 2 mature, in-ground trees respond differently to shears pinching at leaf node 6-8. The trees in the images are on the SF Peninsula in Palo Alto not far from the Bay. Both were 'pinched' around 6/1/16. The Jurupa has produced new growth and more figlets. I will cut these off sometime in the next 7 days. The Lampeira is producing nice figs and no new growth.  

Has anyone else seen this dramatic a difference between cultivars?


thanks,

baumgrenze


That kind of difference is exactly why I started the thread.  As we hear from more people it seems variety isn't the (or isn't the only) factor involved in determining behavior (growth, fruit or both) after pinching.

Since many variables in the environment of your 2 varieties should be the same would you tell us what ones might be different between the Jurupa and the Lampeira?  Is the soil the same, does 1 get more light or water than the other?  Same exact fertilizer, microclimate, etc?  Is one up against a wall of the house and the other a fence?  Same color wall?  etc, etc, etc...

Maybe some varieties are consistent in their behavior and some aren't.  Hardy Chicago obviously isn't consistent.  

Has anyone else pinched Lampeira or Jurupa?  Did you get growth, figs or both?

Subject: Fig trees and heat stroke Replies: 31
Posted By: rcantor Views: 422
 
As long as your mix drains properly a fig of that size will not be hurt by frequent watering.  Depending on your weather some people have to water 2x/day.  If the top inch or 2 is dry, water the plant.  Excess fertilizer will also burn the leaves.  If the soil mix stays saturated the leaves can also turn yellow.  If there's a drain hole you can judge the moisture level of the mix by sticking your finger in there.  If there's no drain hole then the mix is likely to be over saturated.

Subject: Goodwill tree Replies: 56
Posted By: rcantor Views: 804
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Smyfigs
Lol...believe me, I have looked at ALL of those on the ground! Unfortunately, its an easement/driveway into the back of the Goodwill store so most are totally smeared :-/. The other thing that is hard is to see how huge this tree is and to realize that there are dozens of ready to eat figs way up top but no way to pick them...uh!


Put a clean tarp down and shake that tree!  Or get an extension pole and rig up an apparatus with 2 razor blades forming a cutting V with a basket below.  Cut the stems and they fall in the basket.  Once I did that from a kayak although most of the time it was on land.

Subject: Unknown Calderwood Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 117
 
Congratulations on all your figs!

Subject: Unknown Venice Beach Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 190
 
Beautiful!  Looking forward to the fruit report.