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Subject: Ingrounds in Birmingham begin to break Replies: 7
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 464
 
What's that they say about the Ides of March? 

Subject: graft cutting Replies: 81
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 5,652
 
Thank you for a great thread, mizuyari. Wonderful results and documentation. Many of the grafted scions seemed too large to graft successfully to this type of bark (?) graft. Very exciting to see your success.

Subject: getting new fig varieties Replies: 9
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,048
 
Maybe try fellow Swede, Bo Blomqvist...he has an email link at the very bottom of his page: http://planetfig.com/articles/fareng2584.html

Subject: Ingrounds in Birmingham begin to break Replies: 7
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 464
 

Inground LSU Purple & Celeste (L,R) both broke bud today in Birmingham. Happy to see very little frost damage: a few little scrubby bits that experienced die-back needed to come off anyway. Cross your fingers, kids! A great year for figs has begun.

weatherreport.jpg 



Subject: Grafting experts? Replies: 18
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 877
 
Greg88, the main problem (reportedly) with T-graft during the dormant stage was the receiving wood (rootstock) bark was too brittle to peel back without making a mess of things. It was recommended to use the T-graft later in season when the bark is actively growing and pliable...made it much easier to insert the donor bud into the T-cut.

Subject: Re-FIG-erator? :) Replies: 8
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 442
 
I think they did that on purpose.... Kept thinking: Yup, could drag that puppy out in the yard once you're ready to root...make a fine all-in-one fig fridge and greenhouse. refigerator2.jpg 



Subject: relative ripening order Replies: 2
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 292
 
This one's fantastic...multiple contributors X multiple years:  http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/ripening-order-2858750

Subject: brought out all the trees for the spring. Replies: 14
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 632
 
'Bout time your Cub Scouts earned their Fig Shuffle badge :)

Subject: Is anyone growing Old Brooklyn Italian? Replies: 7
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 534
 
The OBI in Jon's database says they turn to a "dark purple" when ripe. Sounds like the above thread hinted at it being a white type ???  The productivity quoted in the Database is certainly impressive (>1000 figs? Yikes!)

Subject: OT: on tonight's drink mix. Replies: 27
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 919
 
Gin's a rough sell for me these days. Guess I let my skillz go without practice for too long.

Subject: From bag to pot. Particle size is everything. Replies: 54
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 4,250
 
Gofigure, seems the high/coarse perlite ratio is best suited for high-humidity greenhouse environment where one hits with a mister or shower-hose somewhat frequently. Otherwise root rot would be devastating. Guessing you'll have to adjust for your own growing environment. I know some of our southern varieties, once they take off, crave much more water than quick draining soil would permit. I think some of the LSU varieties could live in a mud puddle and be happy as clams :)

Subject: any info on Lampeira? Replies: 82
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 3,226
 
Let the wife get her new car, then explain that in order for her to park in the garage, you'll need to build a biodome in the back yard to house your fig wasps. Win-win. ;)

Subject: Desert King in the South? Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 937
 
Thanks for the input, JDS. My little collection is getting a little lopsided into the light colored figs (and I have Battaglia on order) :) They are just so visually striking..and it seems many light figs take humidity better than darks. Maybe closed eye tendency??? Many of the French/Italian darks, from feedback from other growers, have an issue with splitting in rainy areas.  

m5allen, Desert King is a favorite among Pacific NW growers, so I suspect humidity/rain alone is not an issue. Scorching heat+humidity (like in the SE) might be a different story...?

Subject: What if they all lived?? Replies: 26
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,013
 
Schaplin, you phrased that as if you actually expected us to be planning ahead. Party pooper :P

Subject: Research questions Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 601
 
To add to your research, dry fig leaves smell a lot like dried rose petals. 

Subject: Desert King in the South? Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 937
 
I would have thought frost would damage the breba-only crop, guess not?

Subject: LSU Purple - cold hardiness Replies: 6
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 695
 

Thanks, Mike. I haven't tasted very many varieties of fresh figs, so I'm curious what others make of it.  imo Taste is sweet, but more balanced fruity sweet than occasionally too-sweet Celeste; basically seedless, so no nutty crunch. To me it's a remarkable variety because once mature, it will produce a reliable, fine crop year after year when others might fail. Barring any damage, I'm hoping the cold winter might be exactly the thing to make for an excellent year of production. Those I preserve in jars, I pick before completely ripe so that they retain shape when cooked.

Glad to hear your results, Sergio. Always find it amusing that north central Alabama and New Jersey share the same zone. 

Subject: LSU Purple - cold hardiness Replies: 6
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 695
 
My LSU Purple (PftP) has been in-ground now for about 8 years; and for NorthCentral Alabama has been one of the most prolific, consistent figs with the capacity to bear a great deal of rain without splitting or adverse effects. I'm on the Zone 7a/b border, and like many folks in the Eastern U.S., we have experienced a harsher winter than expected. I might mention that our area is prone to cold snaps of frost/freeze in as early mid-October and sporadic freezes as late as April. For Birmingham, this variety is really a main-only crop bearing in late July/early August, a week or two after Celeste.

In the literature (LSUAgCtr releases, etc.), the jury is still out on whether this variety is cold-hardy, and for which Zones it can thrive. 

Curious what folks north of us have observed with LSU Purple in terms of cold-hardiness/productivity? 

Subject: Moss feels dry. Replies: 12
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 460
 
I put a kitchen garbage bag flat across the top of my bin before putting the lid on to make it more airtight.  I open the box at least every other day--fluff a bit and rearrange the cuttings  so no one cutting gets left on the bottom too long. Depending on circumstances, I'll give a light misting every other week or so if necessary. Seems to work pretty well.

Subject: Re-using Perlite from old potting mix? Any way to filter easily? Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 646
 
Can you soak it it a tub...won't the perlite float to the surface for skimming?

Subject: Rooting Figs Cuttings Is Challenging! Replies: 26
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,358
 
Thanks for the vids and pics, James and Bob! Great to see things "in action" that we talk about every day, but don't always get to see the details.

And best of luck to you, Sheila.

Some cuttings are doomed before you ever start. I just pulled my last Unk Wht. Greeks out of the fridge (several had rooted last fall, then up and died...had a few spare in the fridge). I had planned to do a scion-to-scion graft with the remaining ones, but when I cut in, I saw little worms/larvae moving around in the scion (yes, after months of refrigeration). Just goes to show, "bad" cuttings exist -- and to no one's fault -- a batch might look perfectly healthy, only to be hiding problems underneath the bark. 

Subject: Announcing the Figs 4 Fun Foundation Replies: 104
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 23,221
 
So happy things are going well for the Foundation. 

FYI on 501(c)(3) organizations:  In order to keep 501(c)(3) status, be sure to file Form990 annually (by 5th month and 15th day after tax year ends--e.g., if you close your year on Dec. 31, file by May 15th). If possible, use the Form 990-N (e-file), which will allow the IRS to post your status quicker to the "Yellow Book" (aka Publication 78) which signifies to tax filers that the Foundation is a tax-exempt/deductible organization. The "Yellow Book" is now available as on online app called "Select Check" and, once Form990s are processed, can be viewed by citizens at the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Exempt-Organizations-Select-Check  "SelectCheck" does not post your funding and expenditure details, but confirms exempt status so donors can be certain that their charitable donations are legally deductible. "Charity Navigator" is currently the most widely used charity watchdog site in the US. If you choose, you can submit the Foundation to this organization to be posted with details. However, CN rates charities based on their inflows and outflows, so if the Foundation is in a "saving-up" phase, it may not score well until proceeds are spent and can be analyzed based on the effectiveness of outflows. Just a thought.

Best wishes for a great year ahead!
Rick

Subject: Where do you buy your sphagnum moss? Replies: 18
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 15,587
 
I've been very pleased with the MosserLee product (Lowes, blue bag)..and I think it was really cheap. 

Subject: training in bush style Replies: 12
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 907
 
Wow! What a neat book!

Subject: Is there a "sent box" in the PM section? Replies: 8
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 390
 
I guess you've already looked in the "Folders" section of the PM screen? My Forum features have been wonky all week: "marked as reads" going crazy, sends duplicating, features not working quite right. Looks like might be some IT issues going on...hopefully they'll sort out in a few days. I wonder if trying a different browser might help? 

Subject: Encanto Farms Fig Cuttings 2014 Replies: 577
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 30,740
 
Gloria, sent you a PM.

Subject: Where to get planters? Replies: 19
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 845
 
In my area, a lot of the commercial landscapers (that do the plantings for entrances to high-end office spaces and stripmalls, etc.) will let you take anything left over once they've finished their installations each season. Usually they chunk whatever's been planted the last season, so you might even get some free plants out of the deal. 

Subject: Roots starting all over cuttings Replies: 6
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 467
 
It's good to let the rooting end be uncovered in this method. Allows the root end to callous and harden..which will prevent rot at the root crown once potted up/cupped. Might take just a little longer to see roots. Be patient..sounds like you're right on track. :)

Subject: New thoughts on Green Cuttings success? Replies: 13
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 879
 
Christy, I've only tried powdered hormone (once, before I joined the Forum). Results were so dismal I never tried again. I know some use Clonex and other types of gel hormones to great result, but I've shied away. The larger cuttings are pretty reliable without much effort. Put in sphag bin until rooted, move to cup or pot up. When it comes to little cuttings--particularly those mailed and/or stored, it's just a crapshoot for me. I was hoping to wait for spring to root them, but afraid those little greenies might not fare well in the fridge. I put one in a little bin of perlite today just to see what will happen. The rest I'll hold off a little longer. Based on Pete's remark, the dry air of indoors during winter really makes the little ones a chore to grow. Keep'em covered and they might stay too wet, air 'em out and they dry up.

I know we can't win 'em all, but it sure stinks to lose any of them. Hopefully I've become better at 'reading' cuttings and might have a little more experience on my side going forward. 

Subject: Your favorite fig recipes Replies: 36
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,262
 
This year I want to make the baklava recipe with figs and pistachios.

Subject: 1st attempt at a graft Replies: 21
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 848
 
Let us know which graft techniques work out best for you. This scion-to-scion graft idea is so neat. 

Subject: I'm out of room Replies: 18
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 783
 
Good to hear about the Battaglia Green, Rich. I have a standing order with Fred at RabbitRidge for a 1 gallon this spring/summer. Since I've run out of room, I'm "gifting" it to my brother to grow at his house when it arrives :P  Can't wait for spring so I can move the winter plants into the yard and make space for the new cuttings currently in the fridge. 

Subject: New thoughts on Green Cuttings success? Replies: 13
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 879
 
Thanks for the feedback. To clarify, these are cuttings I've acquired over the past few months. They just aren't the thick, grey/brown cuttings that are generally easy to root (1-2 year old type stuff). They still have greenish bark and are probably <6 month old growth. I just find the little cuttings very unpredictable. Might try a sand box with 'dome' of painters plastic once it gets warm out (the skinny green ones are really hard to gauge moisture...I think I might have let the root zone stay too wet). 

Subject: New thoughts on Green Cuttings success? Replies: 13
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 879
 
Green cuttings seem to be the most difficult of the bunch to root successfully. After reading some older posts on the topic, I decided I would try a new thread to see if anyone has come to conclusions on best approach to root green cuttings.

By "green" I mean, very young, very thin cuttings which are still green in color. Since this post is in February, it supposes that the green cuttings I will be rooting in the coming month are probably from late-2013 growth (as opposed to fresh cuts taken during the normal growing season).

I'd love to hear any new thoughts. My record on little green cuts is spotty, so any pointers would be appreciated.

EDIT: Prior thread for reference > http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/rooting-green-cuttings-3592778?highlight=green+cuttings

Subject: Bug Bombs Replies: 26
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 901
 
I accidentally over-sprayed a fig plant with Deep Woods OFF! ...burnt up every leaf it touched.  You can rule that one out :/

Subject: Stages of fig cuttings growth Replies: 22
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 2,741
 
Thanks for mentioning heat, Pete S. Seems its an element very much overlooked. Not all cuttings are the same, but the right heat is a game changer.

Subject: Seeking figs from Israel Replies: 32
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 3,236
 
Thanks, Dennis. 

Subject: Seeking figs from Israel Replies: 32
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 3,236
 
Dennis,  any thoughts/reports/tips on growing Byadi in the humid South? [My employers are Lebanese and I've been looking for a Levant-area fig to grow for them for future gifting. Bass's Red Lebanese keeps eluding me, but I requested Byadi from Jon.]
Thanks!

Subject: Visit with fig breeder Replies: 53
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 2,354
 
What an amazing encounter and great info, Harvey. Thanks for sharing it with us. 

Subject: Instead of a SIP? Replies: 17
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,173
 
SIPS are interesting but I kinda worry about the water inside souring (mildew/mold) due to being mostly closed in. In Alabama, standing water, though, means mosquitoes and gnats might set up. I've been dunking my plants in about 4" tub of water every 4-5 days to bottom water. Not exactly ideal, but it's working under controlled indoor growing conditions. Not sure what I'll do this summer, but expect my battle will be too much rain.

I suspect SIPS might have the benefit of not evaporating too quickly (like a tray) and might alleviate exposure to bugs for standing water ??? 

Subject: Commercial Varieties Replies: 7
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 711
 
Here are two interesting links:
Production by volume: http://www.factfish.com/statistic/figs%2C%20production%20quantity
Commercial varieties: http://www.citrogold.co.za/Figs%20An%20Overview%20Citrogold%202011.pdf

Brazil's commercial variety is  "Roxo de Valinhos" (California Brown Turkey)
Japan's is "Masui Dauphin" (also thought to be CBT)
I believe South Africa is associated with "Adam" fig (aka French variety "Dauphine")

Subject: Synonyms to fig varieties Replies: 158
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 18,699
 
Aaron, my understanding is (hope it doesn't come off as snobby, it's just MY understanding)....

Negronne: umbrella term (and perhaps the correct term as used by French collectors ...see Baud) for what that Americans call Violette de Bordeaux (VdB).
Petite Negri is the term for the dwarf variety of Negronne (or a close sibling) as named by a gentleman associated with Edible Landscapes. It has been suggested that Petite Negri was originally given to Black Ischia a century ago, but EL resurrected the name for its dwarf Negronne offering (because the name is good for a dark dwarf variety). In the US, Petite Negri should only be used for the dwarf Negronne/VdB type tree (as issued by EL, etc.) To add some confusion, The Vista Mission is not a Black Mission. It has been since genetically matched to the Negronne/VdB family. Jon V. has mentioned this in several postings. I don't know of any case where the term Negronne should be appropriately be associated with the "true" Black Mission/Franciscan fig. As a note, Negronne should not be a catch-all for all Bordeaux figs (Ronde dB and Rouge dB are completely different). Also, according to UCD, Beer's Black is a Negronne/VdB type.  

Black Jack should probably be used only for the dwarf California Brown Turkey...but it's a catchy name and I'm sure a number of local growers might have used the term over the years for different varieties. 

I don't know what to make of the photo and description of the "Petite Negra" on Logee's website. Other than it means "Little Black." If the picture is true, it's not the same as Petite Negri. It is probably the dwarf Turkey/Black Jack. I wouldn't buy it simply because it makes me think they have no idea what they're selling (unless I was just curious and didn't mind getting a *surprise* fig).

If you haven't seen it, here's UCDs genotype results. Keep in mind, if a scion was misnamed when submitted, errors would of course occur in the results. Also keep in mind that being a 99% match doesn't mean the trees are identical...someone pointed out that people and monkeys are 99% the same ;)
http://figs4fun.com/Links/FigLink1110.pdf  UCDs method was to make several markers in the DNA strand and try to match sections of the strand...this is different that genome matching the entire DNA strand. But it's an interesting and useful way to get some grasp on synonymity and also rule out some cultivars that seem to look a lot alike but maybe be genetically VERY different.

Hope this helps...it's about all I can add this thread. The rest we'll just enjoy as part of the romance and adventure of gardening/figging :)

Subject: Synonyms to fig varieties Replies: 158
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 18,699
 
UCD genotyped the "Black Jack" in its collection as a California Brown Turkey...maybe a dwarf variant. If Black jack is a misnomer for Petite Negri (a Negronne/VdB-type), then it's a case of "two figs, same name." Anything is possible when dealing with commercial nursery distribution.

Subject: how to encourage branching? Replies: 41
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,452
 
I've  started pinching young cuttings once they get to be about a foot tall to promote low branching...sort of trying to make them into mini trees so when they grow they will just be bigger versions of their mini selves.  Seems in my area, the figs grow so fast during summer, that young 2" node spacing quickly becomes 9-12" spacing. Would like to see the adult tree branch out at 2-3 feet from ground. Most of my adult trees now have branching at about 5 feet..kind of tall for my taste. Hoping early pinching will fix some of that (?) 

Any one experience problems with pinching plants when they are (too) young?

Subject: Willow water for rooting. Anyone try this Replies: 6
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 500
 
Gnat larvae are the issue. They can burrow into the cutting creating little pinholes that promote rot; also feast on young roots. Can really wreak havoc on cuttings. At the advice of many, I bought some Gnatrol powder (cheap on Amazon). I add about a cap or two to each gallon of water and bottom water my plants. I haven't had a huge gnat problem, but did it just to be safe. Not sure if its working, but haven't seen hardly a single gnat. So cheap, there's really nothing to lose by adding it to your regimen. 

Subject: Soggy yard Replies: 32
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,745
 
Is it possible to build up a raised bed (or even a row of berms) above the ground high enough to keep the root crown from staying soggy--maybe backfill with quarried stone for drainage?

edit: http://www.sdedible.org/stone-fruit-care.html

Subject: two type of growers.. sort of. Replies: 29
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,208
 
In the end, I would love to get a few new varieties that are A+ producers. But in the meantime, I love history, culture, and academia of it all--and exploring figs is a great vehicle for learning about all sorts of other things. I now know where Malta is on a map; that the Abruzzi was once two sister kingdoms; that Versailles' gardener LaQuintinie used hotbeds to grow asparagus during the winter; that in India, air roots from strangler ficus are used to build sustainable living bridges. It's rich, y'all! Of course, I also love those rockstar cuttings that seem to burst right out of dormancy into little trees overnight! Man, that's satisfying!
[56urthfrgt] 
photo: http://colinkaeppel.blogspot.com/2010/12/living-bridges.html

Subject: Fig Pictures 2013 Replies: 39
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 2,542
 
Bill, which graft technique did you use? (Just curious about which might be most reliable method.) Thanks!

Subject: Which stick are you most eager to root this spring? Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 762
 
It's February. And one of the weirdest winters in recent memory. Except one or two sticks who pleaded with me not to be stuck in the fridge, I've been able to stay the course in not starting a new batch until I can do a more organic transition from cup to outdoors. After a few months of rigging up lights and humidity domes and all the various contraptions we concoct to get our fig sprouts through the winter, I've identified with a number of you who have committed to waiting another month or two to get going. Maybe take advantage of a more natural growth cycle.

But, sometimes I find my self pacing in front of the fridge. 

Which stick is calling out to you?

Subject: Ethnic Figs of United States Replies: 16
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,280
 
I like it messy and confusing :) It's a good thing for figs to be more than just figs, to have some connection with people and places.