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Subject: Where do I put cuttings? Replies: 5
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 353
 
You might want to find a place that's a fairly constant temp in the 70s (*F). Be careful with baggies, though, they can really trap heat if placed above a heat source. Might want to check for the first few days and make sure they aren't cooking. Best of luck!

Subject: Re-using Sphagnum Moss Replies: 8
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 771
 
HA! I just dumped my bin today in the woods after about 5 mos. of reuse. It had little bugs in it (super tiny white critters..mites?). Planning on microwaving the new moss from the rest of a bag that has been in the garage since September. Don't want to chance losing any of my spring cuttings...esp. to bugs that I have yet to even properly identify.

Subject: February 15th Fruit/Fig Tree Pruning Clinic (Alabama) Replies: 3
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 560
 
bump

Subject: sunshine or root warmth? Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 717
 
I was surprised that my HCs went straight from sphag bin (well rooted) to un-domed 3quart pots and did great in a rather dry room. I do have a strong tube fluorescent light setup and keep the room in the mid-70s. Can't say if it's just that these cuttings were particularly tenacious or if maybe getting them in heat and good light did the trick. Just thought I'd share that. Seems all my theories of "perfect growth environment" change with each batch/cultivar I root :/  It may be that the larger pot was able to give off enough humidity in the little space around the cutting to make the difference? Personally, I've had bad luck with growing cuttings in <70*F. Seems the cups/pots hold too much moisture for too long when not in a very warm environment. It seems also if you introduce the cuttings to drier air as soon as they leaf out, they will adapt and be fine. Once they've spent too much time in high-humidity, adapting to drier air becomes trickier.


Subject: OT Double Trouble Replies: 78
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 2,274
 
Congrats, George!

Subject: Newbie :) Replies: 21
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,324
 
Welcome. Just went back to school myself to finish my CPA requirements. Which led to becoming interested in figs again. Needed an earthy diversion from studying :) Best of luck with grad school.

Subject: And so it begins... Replies: 66
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 3,964
 
Are you being naughty, Aaron? Santa Jon might be sticking a few BTs in your stocking :P


Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,803
 
Lou, for hand-methods, read this from Bass http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5200745.  There are other historical documents from Hunt, Eisen, LeLong, Charles MacIntosh, etc., but Bass's is the most straightforward explanation. It's fascinating stuff, isn't it? Wish I had the time and resources to play around. I can imagine what an obsession it could become.

Subject: Tips on super heating that greenhouse? Replies: 16
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,057
 
Is anyone experimenting with manure-based hot bed techniques?

Subject: Love Sphagnum Moss rooting but.... Replies: 16
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,722
 
Nice, thick cuttings...and good looking roots. Congrats. If you do an in-ground trial, please let us know how they do down here. 

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,803
 
Aphahn,
Don't know much except ran across Lubera when doing some web surfing re: Bayerfeige Violetta from Plattners in Germany. They have a youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StIOcvgZJCY.

Here's the Gustissimo line-> http://www.lubera.com/de/suche?q=feig

Suttons Seeds in the UK does some limited distribution. 



Subject: Some cuttings for trade Replies: 5
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 753
 
Got it. Thanks, James.

Subject: Fig research Replies: 34
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,803
 
For you fellow fig-nerds :)

There are a number of "research" facility around the world (for instance NAGREF in Kalamata, Greece.) I understand most of these are more interested in trial-ing existent global cultivars in certain areas to see if they are worth growing commercially. Others (I believe in Central Asia) are similar and are backed by USAID in specific projects to find crops that specific groups (e.g., women) can grow as part of a bootstrap project. 

Here's an excerpt from Mr. Hunt's work in Georgia (early 19th century): 
http://books.google.com/books?id=71JMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA89&lpg=RA1-PA89&dq=bw+hunt+fig&source=bl&ots=C-KHZJHZFL&sig=hwgsbtmyfD4FYQbbiEVqlGZgsdg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=hCTtUoK5BPP7yAHDy4GgCg&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bw%20hunt%20fig&f=false

He discusses his thoughts about smyrna (mule-type?) and celeste caprification briefly. In the end, Hunt brought in caprifigs from California and hand caprified cultivars like green ischia and celeste. The Hunt fig is a result of his work. I think in the end the time it takes to raise seedlings and experiment just takes so long that it's hard to justify funding. 

There are other cases, like in Israel, where Brazilian brown turkey 
variants "
Roxo de Valinhos???'" have been imported and are doing very well as a major crop.

This doesn't answer your question, I know, but hope it helps. I think to a degree, there is an issue of genetic isolation. Such that normal hand-caprifiication methods might yield very random and unexpected results...as opposed to yielding specific traits in offspring. 

As for as LSU, O'Rourke's fields were repurposed in the 1970's but were "rescued" to another plot, eventually revisited and released:  http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/southerngarden/Figcitrus.html
Excerpt :
The LSU Fig breeding program was established in the 1950's by Dr Ed O'Rourke, who developed several fig varieties and trained a number of graduate students in the program. Unfortunately in the early 1970ís his fig program was discontinued. His fig orchards fell in disrepair and were soon scheduled to be taken out. A research associate by name of Benny Williams made cutting from the remaining trees and moved the fig plantings to the Hammond Research Station in Southeast Louisiana. Unfortunately the figs did not thrive at the Hammond Station and never fruited. Dr Wayne Bourgeois took cuttings from the trees at the Hammond station and brought them to the Citrus Research Station in Port Sulfur, LA. The trees thrived and bore fruit at the Citrus Station.Promising fig selections identified by Dr O'Rourke at the Station were LSU Purple, LSU Gold, Golden Celeste and Improved Celeste. After cuttings of all the promising selections were rooted, the trees were distributed to interested individuals in 40 different parishes.

As for cold hardy, Gusti Berchtold of Lubera Nurseries in Switzerland has a line of cold-hardy figs not available stateside "Gustissimo Figs". I think they are selections (or seedling of) known cold hardy varieties of Europe. I think Berchtold has been trial-ing about 300 cultivars in his area near the Alps.

Subject: Some cuttings for trade Replies: 5
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 753
 
Nice. James, I've got a spare HC (good stock) in the fridge and can cut you 2 So. Carolina Lemons (I think these are a little different than the normal Marseilles type...in fact I think they are the TexasAg Lemon type via 'Petals'). Will trade for a couple of your Unk Golds. PM me your address if interested...going to UPS today and can ship out (I have some free credits at UPS from a prior work engagement.) Sorry can't offer you a large bundle, but that's all I have at present.

Subject: PIX: Maltese Beauty cutting progress. Replies: 17
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,008
 
:P

Petes maltese beauty.jpg


 


Subject: --- eBay seller angleredge , known here? Replies: 3
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 483
 
Yes, he's a member, and had a really wonderful exchange with him. PM me if you want more info. 

Best,
Rick

Subject: Here comes another snow storm Replies: 19
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 875
 
Birmingham got pummeled today in an unexpected snow/freeze! I'm snowed in at work and will likely be here for the night thanks to some crazy gridlock on the hiways--I spent 9 hours, yes 9, trying to get home, finally had to ditch my car on the side of the road and walk back to the office.  Snow days are always chaos for Southerners, but this was a real mess. Glad the fig children are tucked away in their warm little grow room.

Say a little prayer for all the rest of my city-mates, many of whom are still stranded in their cars miles from home.

Subject: My crazy,unusual fig Replies: 29
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 3,109
 

Bumping this, because I stumbled over it late last night and thought about it several times today. I suppose this isn't 'Brogiotto Nero', but something else? Haven't seen it offered anywhere and was curious what had become of your plants...Any updates?

Thanks,
Rick


Subject: Is this Sbayi? Replies: 9
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 943
 
Nice pics! Forum members elin and kassoum are from Israel, maybe they can help?

Subject: New to the forum Replies: 29
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,130
 
Welcome, Gary! I can appreciate your interest in the Portuguese figs. Our resident Portugal correspondent, Francisco, always has the most amazing pics!
Best of luck,
Rick

Subject: What Makes Some Fig Varieties So Desirable Replies: 28
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 2,781
 
With many of the *special* figs out there, there's often something that doesn't jive with my personal interests: certain growing or fruiting behaviors, certain tree health, hardiness etc. I would rather sacrifice a bit of taste for a healthy, productive tree. In years past, I had one tree that was so productive I was able to pass out preserves to just about everyone I knew. That was great fun! Hope to eventually have a diverse group of trees that would afford me the chance to do that every year. Otherwise, CdD holds fascination for me because I've heard such good things about its ability to adapt to East Coast environments. My new HC cuttings have absolutely taken off like crazy...really stoked about that. The other tree I think about a lot is Bass's Red Lebanese...the pic on Bass's site is so memorable, plus the ethnic-neighborhood finds always carry with them some human interest that I really enjoy.

Subject: "each man under his own vine and fig tree" Replies: 36
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,633
 
I think I'm going to plant some of the thornless TripleCrown blackberries this spring...they look like they can be trained onto fairly neat trellis-type setups. We picked wild dewberries in ditches around Mobile Bay as kids. Won't miss getting shredded by thorns. 

Subject: AL fig hunt Replies: 5
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 617
 
No luck here...same experience as you. 

Subject: Lemon fig Replies: 19
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,308
 
My Lemon (oblate; skin: shiny, pale green with slight yellow cast, very much like a green tomato or tomatillo; meat: clear, blushing caramel when approaching over-ripeness). lemon.jpg 

Subject: Lemon fig Replies: 19
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,308
 
Calabrese maybe?


Subject: How many varieties did you think you'd want when you first found F4F? And now? Replies: 33
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,441
 
It's the forum, my friend! We're enablers. Glad there's no Berries4Fun forum. I'd be ruined :/


Subject: Mold on cuttings/ newbie Replies: 11
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,071
 
Phil, its always possible you might have just gotten a bad batch (which may not be any fault of the seller). It happens. What cultivar are you growing? 

Subject: Looking For A Hunt Fig Replies: 7
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 726
 
Speaking of southern figs, are you still growing Hollier, George? Thoughts?

Subject: Looking For A Hunt Fig Replies: 7
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 726
 
You're right, George. 

Smith is a 'found' heirloom fig from Louisiana associated with the Becnels/Belle Chasse. It's commonly referred to as the "ugly one." 

Hunt was the creation of Benjamin Hunt who lived in Georgia early-1900s. 

Hope to have a chance to sample them both in the near future. PS> I had to look them up a few months back because I kept getting them confused with Beall. :)


Subject: (USA) Winter Shipping Replies: 2
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 364
 
Thanks, Lou. BTW What's the white fig on your profile? Lovely shape.

Subject: (USA) Winter Shipping Replies: 2
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 364
 
Have a few boxes to ship to MidWest and WestCoast. Per 20-day forecast, looks like the MidWest will have a few days in the 40s beginning Jan 29...planning on shipping then. Was worried shipping from Alabama out West, might get stuck in transit or warehouses in the Plains and freeze. 

For those of you who have shipped in the last several weeks, did outside temps really matter? Would you have done anything differently? FYI, I'll be shipping in small boxes, so hopefully there will be a little more insulating effect than envelope. 

Subject: Fig of the Day - Col de Dame 08-23-2013 Replies: 18
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 4,186
 
Figfinatic, 
Galgoni says the long slender neck on the fruit provided the name transl. "Lady's Neck"

Subject: What Do You Do With the Propagated Cuttings You Grow? Replies: 25
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,340
 
Just having 20 or so in cups and pots is about all I can handle. Don't know how some of you do it...Hats off to you! My goal for the week is to get the last few in 3-quarts...then I can really take it easy for a while. Like Gene, my goal was to find 5-7 diverse, productive in-ground trees. About 1/2 of those in my pic are LSU-Ps and will need homes. Had no idea they'd all survive! Some earmarked for friends and family. Still looking for a creative way to donate the rest locally.
fig nursery.jpg


Subject: Starting figs in ProMix Replies: 120
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 7,014
 
Thanks for the info, Harvey and Mike. Right now I'm mixing MG potting mix, yard dirt, and perlite in haphazard ratios until it 'feels right'...not that I know what right should feel like :) Would be nicer though just to find a trusted pre-mix. "Trial and error" is fun when you have plenty of free-time, but I'm working 6 days a week now so convenience and reliability have become much more appealing. I've had issues with Coir-based seed starter...either it would hold NO moisture, or once finally saturated, would never dry out. Actually found Alabama yard dirt to be a fairly good moisture balancer---just have to add the others to keep it from compacting. Though there's that issue of bugs/gnats or whatever issues outdoor soil might bring inside with it. 

Subject: Newbie rooting question on initials. Replies: 8
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 782
 
Generally root initials will be little round bumps either at the end of a cutting or as a concentric ring of bumps around a node. The white scaly/crusty bits (irregularly shaped, look almost like weird white fungal growths) are not root initials. With paper towel method, it is recommended to leave the root end uncovered like this pic from the F4F "Basics" page. That will help keep the young roots from growing into the paper towel. As Pete mentioned (and as you've already experienced most likely), those little roots can REALLY attach themselves to the paper towel and detaching them will usually break the root off. 

[FP964-98] 

Subject: Starting figs in ProMix Replies: 120
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 7,014
 
Where do you get your ProMix HP, Harvey? Is it available in local stores for home gardeners? I usually only see JungleGrow and MG in the local stores.


Subject: dang it. i did it again. Replies: 8
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 707
 
I just got the last of the rooters into cups or pots last week. Kind've enjoying the breather. Hoping I'll have the discipline not to sneak anything out of the fridge until late March, but dang! That's two whole months away :/ 

Subject: Granato Fig? Replies: 4
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 487
 
I've bookmarked several online "catalogs" to help with IDing figs. They definitely come in handy at times :)

http://www.ficuscarica.com/

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ca&u=http://www.galgoni.com/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgalgoni%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den

http://www.kostelenosfytoria.gr/products.php?pageId=10


Subject: Unknown from VA Replies: 20
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,206
 
That's ridiculous! I love it! It reminds me a little of #MariannaMiller's tree in SC. I remember the thread because it was the one that seduced me into joining the forum :) http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/souther-brown-turkey-6381140 see post #30 & #39. 

Subject: Granato Fig? Replies: 4
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 487
 
It's listed here http://www.ficuscarica.com/carica.html as a dark fig/red interior. Looks delicious :)


Subject: Grafting Replies: 12
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 949
 
I  heard (youtube*) the best time to separate bark is during the summer growing season...it was mentioned in conjunction with T-grafting which was recommended as a summer activity. Pretty cool technique, though. Never seen that before.

*EDIT: source (beginning 45:55) 
  <A wonderful 1 hour video if you happen to have some time to kill.

Subject: what is Celeste? Replies: 14
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 940
 
Don't know if this helps as there are many heirloom strains throughout Eastern/Southern US that vary widely, but my standard Celeste (bottom left below) is smallish, has a teardrop shape with neck, and meat is pink but has a honey tone to it from the rich syrup (not the clear bright pink you might find on other varieties). It's hard to describe skin color, because it is very similar to BT and Brunswick, although it seems Celeste is more solid (or rather it does't have noticeable striping like some BTs.) I would say the the taste of a good Celeste in unique: a very rich honey taste. Mine however is an inconsistent producer year to year and may find its way into the dumpster one day.Untitled-01.jpg  

Subject: Variants For Trials In Pacific North W Replies: 14
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,077
 
Thanks for the update about Bill, Grasa. Sounded like an interesting gentleman. BTW thanks for your post about scion-stage grafting....going to try that on some local heirloom stock I have to see if I can meet success with my last couple of White Greek cuttings. Fingers crossed!

Subject: Variants For Trials In Pacific North W Replies: 14
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,077
 
Is anyone in contact with Bill Farhat (Seattle)? I've run across several articles about him when noodling about on Google: http://blogs.seattletimes.com/allyoucaneat/2013/08/19/a-fig-tree-grows-in-seattle-the-man-his-mission-propagation/ (I was job-searching in the SeaTac area this summer and curious if figs could grow there  :))

Subject: Capry ? Replies: 25
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,506
 
FWIW, We don't have the wasp in the SE, but someone (Harvey C., I think) has said before that even self-fertile figs may get a boost from caprification. He speculated that caprification requires the male caprifig to be located in VERY close proximity to other trees to be effective. In the middle-east, they hang clumps of caprifigs ON the receiving tree, so that supports the idea of close proximity.

Subject: Birds Favorite Replies: 17
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 889
 
Birds can see color...in fact, they reportedly have a more sophisticated color sense than humans. I believe the idea is that a fig the same color as the fig leaf would be less noticeable, but a clever and curious bird will discover the goods in time. We feed the birds and squirrels generously, and I think they are generally too fat and happy with birdseed to even notice the figs. 
484270_2998387334102_257792595_n.jpg 


Subject: Amazing Generosity Replies: 25
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 1,347
 
Hurray for cool people!

Subject: Rooting question Replies: 10
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 975
 
That's the same product I use, WillsC..think I also bought at Lowe's.  Very happy so far...A little goes a LONG way.  

Subject: Fig Bling Replies: 15
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 865
 
Nice!

Subject: And so my fig journey begins... Replies: 13
Posted By: recomer20 Views: 804
 
Welcome! As for heat, you might try placing a thermometer up on high shelves and spaces near the ceiling to seek out warmer areas. In my basement shop, the upper shelves stay about 5-6 degrees warmer than the floor. Best of luck!