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Subject: Spanish fig cake Replies: 4
Posted By: rcantor Views: 60
 
Sounds delicious!

Subject: Fig and Almond Cake Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 119
 
Looks terrific!

Subject: FIGGY PIGGY. FIG ICE CREAM. SCONES Replies: 21
Posted By: rcantor Views: 202
 
I keep looking for the "like" button!  Brie with fig jam and bacon or prosciutto is great, also.

Subject: Goodwill tree Replies: 56
Posted By: rcantor Views: 804
 
Beautiful figs!  If I saw a fig splat on the ground I'd still eat everything that didn't directly touch the ground.  The ones that fall off on their own are the best.  :)

Subject: Location of Chicago Hardy Fig Replies: 5
Posted By: rcantor Views: 226
 
My in ground HC grows as a bush with many stems getting 12+ feet every year.  It then dies to the ground every winter - it used to die back from the cold and now I take cuttings.  Since it dies back it grows as a bush with many stems.  Also, the more wood you bury underground and the deeper the wood is the greater its chances of surviving a bad winter.  Mine is about 30' from the house just to get it in the sun.

Subject: Rotting fruit before ripe Replies: 3
Posted By: rcantor Views: 125
 
A short period of high heat nd drought stress can do that in my experience.


Subject: Cold hardy zone 6 in ground suggestions (specifically honey type) Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 164
 
Good luck!  Be sure you have back up plants for any that you put in the ground.

Subject: Identifying European variety + advice on moving from pot to ground Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 299
 
I wouldn't try to plant anything in ground unless you have a back-up plant that will stay in a pot.  Even in Z 8 a lot of figs plants will die to the ground in the winter and not produce fruit the following summer.

Subject: Please help- growing figs indoors! Specifically- LIGHT BULBS :/ Replies: 28
Posted By: rcantor Views: 308
 
Also, with regard to the work you've already done, all you'd have to do is install a few electrical outlets to use an HID or LED setup  If you went with LEDs you'd have to go with multiple fixtures surrounding the plant parallel to its sillouette.  In the long run it would still probably be cheaper to use LEDs if you have the time and know-how to build the fixtures.  Some people use vertical aluminum U channels with LEDs on them surrounding the plant.

This HID setup is less than $ 250.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLK1000LS242HPS-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B00CSWETBE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1470081100&sr=8-5&keywords=apollo+1000+watt+hid

Subject: Please help- growing figs indoors! Specifically- LIGHT BULBS :/ Replies: 28
Posted By: rcantor Views: 308
 

While lumens are primarily designed to be used for human vision, they are typically all we have to go with.  Human vision is most sensitive to green light and photosynthesis is least sensitive to green light so you see the problem.  Common lights are rarely rated for PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) Watts.  Lumens measure the amount of visible light put out by a light source so there are other issues with using them.

lumens (the unit) is not all that helpful for plants bigger than cuttings.  With most cuttings the total leaf bearing length of the stem is usually less than 6 - 12".  With the lights 4 - 6" from the leaves the lumens per square foot of illuminated surface isn't all that different from one person's setup to another's.

When you have a 3' plant and 1 light source, the light may be 6" from some leaves but 2.5' from others.  You're all familiar with the inverse square law - the amount of light falling on an object decreases with the square of the distance.  So if the bottom leaves are 5x further away they're getting 1/25th (4%) of the light that the upper leaves are getting.  There's no way a plant can stay healthy if that light source is a 6,000 Lm fixture.  

The units you need to measure are based on how much light the leaf surfaces actually receive.  That means how much light per unit of leaf surface area on the leaf, not at the light source.   That's measured as Lux (Lumens/sq meter) or Foot-Candles (Lm/sq foot).  Optimum photosynthesis occurs at 2000 FC (21528 Lux).  You might be able to keep a fig plant alive at 600 FC  (6458 Lux) but the growth will be weak and lanky and is likely to break, especially if in later years it has to support fruit.  The minimum I'd attempt to grow a fig at is 1000 FC or 11,000 Lux.  And that's on all leaves.  You'll need several lights surrounding the tree to make that happen.

 

The other issue is will Brown Turkey ever produce fruit that tastes good that way.  In general people who grow BT in Z6 say it doesn't get the heat or season length it needs to ripen well so it doesn't taste good here.  Will lights change that?  You'd have to find out.  1,000 FC might, 2000 FC (for 8 -16 hrs per day) probably would as that's the maximum amount of light a plant can use.  You'd also have to keep it between around 82 - 90 degrees F (just an educated guess) to get the fruit to ripen properly.  I think you'd be better off with a Hardy Chicago or Salem Dark which can ripen good figs in less optimal conditions.


Subject: Cutting from this spring dying after growing nicely? Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 212
 
You should contact the seller before uprooting and ask if he'll replace it.


Subject: Cutting from this spring dying after growing nicely? Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 212
 
I wouldn't rely on guesses.  I'd take the pot off and soak the soil in warm water, gently swishing it around until the soil separates from the roots.  Once you look at the roots you'll know what to do or you can post pictures and we can help you.

Subject: Greenhouse Capri Project Replies: 50
Posted By: rcantor Views: 1,840
 
Aaron is no longer here.  You need to collect caprifigs and get at least 1 in the group producing each of the 3 crops of figs consistently.  No one fig has to produce all 3 crops but among all the fig plants each of the 3 crops must be represented year in, year out.  Then you need to get the wasp sent to you.

Read these threads and start growing caprifigs.

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/johns-market-capri-6904497

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/pix-black-prince-capri-6949118

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/lack-of-water-or-capri-fig-6971257 to see caprifigs and the wasp.

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/johns-market-capri-6904497

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/looking-for-named-caprifigs-7257061

https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/best-caprifigs-for-seed-production-and-best-for-good-tasting-fruit-6763427




Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: rcantor Views: 28,715
 
Trop, start a new thread with your question.  No one will see it here.

Subject: Blanche d'argenteuil Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 197
 
Very nice!

Subject: No more fungus gnats, pretty much a guarantee Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 228
 
If you don't want to spend 8 min, here's a summary.

Ttop dress with neem cake. every time you water put 3 1/2 tsp in 1 gal water and let sit for a few hrs, not more than a day and water with that every time you water.  In a few weeks there won't be any gnats.

Subject: Summer time clean up Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 160
 
How do you get the greenhouse cooler than the outside?  Is it air conditioned?

Subject: Genovese Nero AF Breba 2016 Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 474
 
You're gonna need a bigger fig basket.   Congratulations!

Subject: Figlets on young plant Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 171
 
When does the inside of your hoop house start falling below 40 F = 4.5 C?  When do the highs start falling below 78 F = 25 C or so?

Subject: My first ripe figs Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 315
 
Congratulations!  You know they're ripe because (almost) all of the 'meat' - the white part between the skin and the 'jelly' - is transparent insteas of opaque white.  Leave a few on until they start to shrivel and see what you think of those.

Subject: Is this the start of roots? Replies: 5
Posted By: rcantor Views: 118
 
Those are lenticels.  Plants develop them in low oxygen environments.  Sometimes but not always roots will come out of the center of them.  The fact that they're brown is not a good sign.  I think you're better off in a well draining media or using an airstone in your water.

Subject: Mediterranean orchard Replies: 18
Posted By: rcantor Views: 388
 
Congratulations, I missed this until now.  I hope you're getting an amazing amount of fruit.

Subject: Today's Harvest Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 213
 
Congratulations!

Richie, that sandwich sounds great!

Subject: Found rare black fig Replies: 58
Posted By: rcantor Views: 1,196
 
Well whatever it is, congratulations on a good tasting fig.  You have to call it something and DJ #20 or whatever you're up to is as good as anything else.  :)

Subject: Fig Collection 2016 Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 328
 
They look spectacular, congratulations!

Subject: Split fig Replies: 3
Posted By: rcantor Views: 94
 
If you cover it with an organza bag and snug it down around the stem then tie it to the branch keeping as much of the organza as possible under the strings that will prevent insects from getting at it and almost always that will mean no mold and a good tasting fig as it ripens.

Subject: Tashkent Fig Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 249
 
Dennis, just go past the snake and turn right.

Subject: Newbie from Scotland Replies: 17
Posted By: rcantor Views: 190
 
Welcome!  A fig tree that produces a good breba crop is probably your best bet.  You can ask Monserrat Pons on Facebook what his best tasting breba is and get Reading or some other nursery to order it for you.

Subject: Limited opts. Am I in, or out? Replies: 12
Posted By: rcantor Views: 268
 
Hardy Chicago is a very forgiving fig that tastes great.  You're better off with a 1,000 W HID system to provide light.  The bigger the pot the more fruit you'll get.

Subject: Rooting Whole Tree? Replies: 12
Posted By: rcantor Views: 284
 
I agree that I'd start as many cuttings as possible.  Here's how I do it.  I scrape the bark at the bottom just barely exposing the green.  I use a razor knife and stroke parallel to the long axis of the tree or cutting.  I cover the exposed green with clonex.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/jons-bag-method-writ-large-6378923?highlight=writ&pid=1285122042

Subject: Unk. Family Favorite vs Black Mission... Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 265
 
Very nice!  Fig heaven and wasps, too.

Subject: New kid on the block-Introduction Replies: 19
Posted By: rcantor Views: 176
 
Welcome!  You're off to a great start.  Just 2,500 more varieties and 3 heated greenhouses and you'll know what figs are all about!

Subject: When/how to determine Celeste fruit ready to harvest? Replies: 12
Posted By: rcantor Views: 289
 
They will taste better if they fully ripen so you have to protect it from the critters.  Search on critter or protect to find out how.  The fig should hang loosely and fall off with a light touch.

Subject: Venomous Insects and Spiders? Replies: 31
Posted By: rcantor Views: 359
 
Dennis, I don't know if leather gloves are made thick enough to resist a snake bite.  You'd need plate armor where the plates slide over one another.  Three layers of very fine chain mail might also work.

Subject: White shoots on fig stem found in compost bin Replies: 9
Posted By: rcantor Views: 314
 
You have to expose those shoots very gradually to light.  Room light without direct sun will be fine to start.  Then work up slowly.  You can do this by starting out maybe 2 meters from a fluorescent light and gradually moving the plant closer.  It's a good idea to slowly wean from high humidity to low, especially in the winter when room humidities are often under 10%, as was mentioned.

Subject: Almost Eden's Calvert Replies: 5
Posted By: rcantor Views: 212
 
I'm glad the bite is healing.  You might want to let the company know so they can get the word out.

Subject: OT-Garlic Replies: 49
Posted By: rcantor Views: 489
 
They need ventilation but not sunlight.

Subject: Need help with a Peter's Honey in Zone 9b Replies: 13
Posted By: rcantor Views: 315
 
Welcome to the forum!  All fertilizers have 3 numbers.  They represent the ratio of the major nutrients plants need N, P and K or Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

10-10-10 is twice as strong as 5-5-5 but there can be a lot of differences between fertilizers even if they have the same 3 numbers.

Subject: Ever use dehydrator for fig drying Replies: 16
Posted By: rcantor Views: 5,108
 
Welcome to the forum those of you who are new!

I dry mine at 95 degrees.  The excalibur has an unusual temperature profile.  It will go 15 degrees F above your set temp then 15 degrees below.  They say this helps prevent a skin barrier from forming so evaporation isn't hindered by that barrier.  Despite recommendations figs dried at 130 degrees real temp (which would be 115 in the excalibur, 130 elsewhere) taste cooked to me and I don't like that.  I always dry figs at 95 F.  I cut them cut in half or smaller.  I never stop when they're tacky.  They should be pliable without being able to slide one surface against the other.   The edges may be a little crisp.  They keep their fresh flavor much better at that temperature.  It's still not as good as fresh but much closer than anything I've ever bought.

I have no trouble drying breba or even rain soaked, waterlogged figs.  In fact if a fig is suffering from excess water drying them is the best way to get their flavor back.  I'll eat some before they're fully dry.

Also, great job searching!

Subject: Friends fig tree Replies: 17
Posted By: rcantor Views: 497
 
My guess is it's a big green fig with pink inside.

Amiright?

Subject: Awesome ripe figs! Any idea what these are? Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 382
 
What they are is not ripe  :)

Subject: Should i remove figs? Replies: 7
Posted By: rcantor Views: 247
 
If you'll have time to water them daily or even twice per day if they get dry that often then here's what I'd do.  Since the pots are so small I'd get them thoroughly wet then use 1/2 houseplant strength fertilizer every other watering and leave the figs on.  That's as long as the pots have reasonable drainage.

Subject: Howdy! Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 96
 
Welcome to both of you!  Any fig can do well in a pot.  Very few will survive our winters without protection.  Hardy Chicago will die to the ground each year but it will come back and produce figs in late summer.  You have to bury as much wood as possible because it comes back from the wood that was protected underground.

Subject: Figs every where Replies: 10
Posted By: rcantor Views: 323
 
Congratulations!  Have a great time.

Subject: Anyone from California want to send me some wasp laden profichi? Replies: 0
Posted By: rcantor Views: 61
 
If you have any profichi with wasps I'd love to get some and I'd be happy to pay for them.  PM me to let me know.  Thanks!

Subject: How to Save This One? Replies: 2
Posted By: rcantor Views: 134
 
Not only reorient it but also bury it deeper so the healthy stem develops its own roots.

Subject: first post, hello all Replies: 21
Posted By: rcantor Views: 288
 
Welcome!  That's a good start.  Let's take bets on how long it takes him to go over 30 plants  :)

Subject: Is this a pollination problem in Oakland? Replies: 14
Posted By: rcantor Views: 240
 
OTOH I'd go back to the store and get your money back.  Unidentified caprifigs are a dime a dozen in CA.  I'd love cuttings when it goes dormant  :)

Subject: Colour to the figs Replies: 8
Posted By: rcantor Views: 223
 
If you want help with a particular fig show us photos.  "Brown" can mean different things - loss of the fig or ripening.  Purple can be from sun exposure and not necessarily from ripening.  I hope your fig is ripening and you get to eat it before some critter does.

Subject: MBVS leafing out - NO roots Replies: 11
Posted By: rcantor Views: 277
 
Read this page then use the new alternative technique.  You can use any plastic container and you have to rinse the perlite dust off of the larger particles.  Use the coarsest perlite you can find.  If you have a hydroponics store near you they'll often carry ag grade #3 which is the perfect size.  If my cuttings don't root in 5 weeks I always change the media.

http://figs4fun.com/basics_Rooting.html