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Subject: Tanning Bed Lights ????? Replies: 11
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 166
 
No clue if the spectrum/lumens is correct for growing, but it's been my experience that those beds tend to get awfully hot pretty quick. I'd run some tests to make sure you don't bake your cuttings after sitting under those lights for a few hours. 

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 28,721
 
If the wood has lignified and trees were left to go dormant and wouldn't it be easier to ship the trees? I mean call me crazy but assuming the temperature is 30+ degrees I'd much rather receive a dormant tree than a live one. There is way too much which can go wrong when shipping a live tree.

Around my neck of the woods the only time of year the temps get below 30 degrees is Jan/Feb. So if the trees are ready by Nov/Dec then they should probably go out then. But if you ask me I could totally wait until March/April to receive my trees as they really won't be doing much growing between now and then.

Subject: Mixing Cheap potting mix and premium potting mix + added fertilizer Replies: 10
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 284
 
This might not help you out in the short term, but if you can start a compost pile. Compost is cheaper than bagged soil, has a large amount of nutrients and in addition has really great water retaining properties. Your plants will likely love your free compost way more than any expensive potting mix you throw at them.

Subject: What do you do... Replies: 19
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 544
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooklynmatty
Peter. I should know by mid may on my duplicates and would love to catch up with you. I can gift you a variety or two that I have after figuring out my in progress offers to people and family :) I also plan on taking inventory and gifting my duplicates and possibly trading with anyone with varieties that I failed to root or acquire.


If you guys are looking for a local trade in may/june, please shoot me a pm as I sometimes have extras myself.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 28,721
 
I love seeing these updates and knowing that somewhere in that mix is the tree that I ordered from you. How do you plan on shipping these trees? Overnight/two day shipping? Also should I be expecting a email from you when my tree has shipped? I only ask because I will be sure to keep an eye out for it when I know it's coming my way.

Subject: OT: Groupbuy(long island) on 1 gallon trade pots Replies: 5
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 129
 
I work in Port Washington and I might be willing to go halfsies with you if you haven't found anyone yet. PM me if you are interested.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 28,721
 
Fico Preto for $7? It's a Festivus miracle! Saw your email before I even saw this post and with zero hesitation I threw down for a Fico Preto for before they all sold out. I can't wait until it arrives next summer, thanks James!

Subject: OT: paw paw fruit extras Replies: 15
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 316
 
I sent you a PM earlier, I've been trying to get my hands on some paw paws for a while now. I really hope you might be able to send some my way.

Subject: Fig flavored kombucha Replies: 5
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 333
 
I actually started my first batch of Kombucha this weekend with a SCOBY I made from a bottle of store bought Kombucha. After the first round of fermentation is done I was going to do a second round with a flavor. Originally I was thinking of mixing with some juice Just because I thought it might be easy, although after your suggestion I might give it a try with figs. Just about all of my figs have been harvested so maybe I will give it a try with dried figs and see how that turns out.

Subject: I May Have Outdone Myself! Replies: 9
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 352
 
That sounds AMAZING.

Subject: Black Madiera Leaves question Replies: 42
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,758
 
Joe your Black Maderia is looking amazing, such vigorous growth for a tree that is a notorious slow grower. How many years have you had it for?

Subject: Black Madiera Leaves question Replies: 42
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,758
 
Would you happen to have any pictures? It's difficult to say from description alone.

My Black Maderia started from an Encanto cutting has wide leaves and shallow lobes, if that helps any.

Subject: Fig breeding Replies: 113
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,950
 
I have not heard of this Japanese fig breeding program, do you have any links where I can read more about their program?

Subject: Best time to take cuttings for rooting is... Replies: 13
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 508
 
I'd believe it, I've always had better luck with cuttings taken in the late winter/early spring. I'm currently trying to root some Hardy Chicago cuttings that were taken back in the fall and so far they have done nothing but sit there and not budge since December.

Subject: OT: All Hail the Disgusting, Delicious Durian Replies: 32
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,112
 
Very similar to figs there is a huge variety of durians out there each with a different taste and smell. But as I understand it there are only one or two different varieties of durian you can purchase in stores, especially here in the states. But also age is a really big factor that effects the taste and smell, as trees that are over 30 years old are regarded to have the highest quality and most complex flavor than that of it's younger counterparts.

Subject: OT: All Hail the Disgusting, Delicious Durian Replies: 32
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,112
 
Initially I hated them, as the first one I had tasted some thing like a sweet onion cream. But I've found that the taste really depends on the fruit. Every durian I've had has tasted a little different, i've had ones which tasted amazing, something like vanilla creme brulle only without the burnt sugar taste, and I've had ones tasted more onion-y (bleh). Although I've never come across a Durian whice actually smells good, they will smell like old onions and natural gas with some kind of sickly sweet overtone.

Durians are a very odd fruit, definitely an acquired taste.

Subject: Growing cutting upside down Replies: 4
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 430
 
I wouldn't stress over the matter. It might slow development down a pinch, but I have a feeling in the long run it wouldn't matter.

As an experiment I once intentionally tried this with a porthos cutting, it took a while but eventually the plant figured out which direction it should be growing in.

Subject: My Little Olympian Fig Tree Replies: 12
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,317
 
What a spindly, thin looking plant. Hopefully after a few months in the sun it will thicken up a bit.

Subject: So you think it's hard putting your potted trees away for the winter? Replies: 17
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 721
 
Talk about expending lot of energy just to keep your figs safe for the winter. If I had inground figs I'd probably wrap them or build an insulated cage around them. That just seems exhausting to do every year...

Subject: Can Fig Trees be dwarfed and other questions. Replies: 11
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 485
 
Yes, a fig tree could be dwarfed or grown as a large Bonsai. But unfortunately the odds of getting a fig tree that you have grown from seed to fruit is very slim, if you are looking to grow a fig tree which will provide you with fruit you would be much better off starting one from a cutting taken from a dormant plant.

In a few weeks the colder weather will hit and a lot of peoples trees will go dormant, if you ask nicely I'm sure you will be able to find someone who will be willing to send some cuttings your way.

Subject: Clippings ready for potting soil? Replies: 4
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 403
 
When I first started rooting figs I tried to keep the cuttings covered to keep the humidity up, but like you I found that I had a lot of issues with mold forming and I ended up loosing a lot of cuttings.

This past season tried rooting with the bottom half sealed in a ziplock bag with moist perlite and with the tips of my cuttings exposed to the open air. I ended up having a 100% success rate with this method and had zero issues with mold of fungus gnats.

The moral of the story is if there is no leaf development you could probably get away with bringing the cuttings out of the humidity bin right now, if there is leaf development I might slowly lower the humidity over a period of several days until your cuttings are adjusted, and when they are ready I would bring them out into the open air. Doing this will solve your issues with mold and might just save your cuttings.

Subject: Free workshop on tissue culture cloning in NYC Replies: 15
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 604
 
That place is awesome, they have just about everything I could want there. When you find out the time of the lecture please let us know.

Subject: Free workshop on tissue culture cloning in NYC Replies: 15
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 604
 
Where is the Queens Hydroponic Center? If the timing of lecture doesn't interfere with my work schedule I will likely attend.

Edit: Is this the hydroponic store located near Queens College? If so it's only 10 mins away from me.

Subject: what type of fig grower are you? Replies: 18
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 888
 
City pot figger here, I've got a fruit and vegetable garden and about 12 potted fig trees on a small plot of land in New York City. I've been debating on if I want to plant one in ground, but I'd really like to find the right variety before make the commitment, until then everything is staying in a pot.

Subject: --- Brown Turkey, Tena, Pastilliere pix Replies: 16
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 862
 
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate Tena? I've got one growing and I'm excited to give it a try, but it's looking like I'll have to wait until next season.

Subject: Clown Fig / Ficus Aspera Replies: 11
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 892
 
I'm not familiar with Ficus Aspera, are the fruit edible or ornamental? 

Subject: How Cold and for How Long Replies: 12
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 607
 
Have you considered keeping them in place and just wrapping them up for the winter? If you do it right they should be fine through out the winter.

Subject: Tasty description of figs Replies: 37
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 2,560
 
I love this list, potentially it could be really a really handy reference when it comes time to trade cuttings. I do wish it had a little more info per variety, but otherwise it's great.

Subject: First home grown fig, anyone know what variety this is? Replies: 5
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 420
 
Yes, it is a breba, and it's leaf pattern and fruit looks remarkably like a Desert King. I'll have to wait and see if the main crop of figs it's carrying ripen without the presence of a fig wasp.

Subject: Black Madeira Fig Video Review Replies: 32
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,223
 
Joe, that plate of Black Madeira's looks amazing! I can't wait for the day when my currently tiny BM puts out as many fruit as you've got there.

Subject: First home grown fig, anyone know what variety this is? Replies: 5
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 420
 
In Jan '13 I snagged a cutting off of an unknown variety in Briarwood NYC , and it's finally fruiting. To my amateur palate it was a moderately sweet fig with a non-complex flavor and a very slight figgy after taste. 

Any one have any ideas what variety it might be? If I had to guess I would say it's a Kadota. I know that variety is the most popular light fig variety in the north east so my odds of randomly snagging a cutting of that variety would likely be high.

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Subject: Leaves but no roots... Replies: 10
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 499
 
I've had great luck increasing root growth by inoculating my figs with mycorrhizae. Try watering with a diluted water mycorrhizae mixture. 

Subject: "Blue" Ischia my ass... Replies: 53
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 3,011
 
Did it at least taste any good?

Subject: Figs with Balsamic Vinegar, Rosemary and Ricotta Replies: 5
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 366
 


This recipe looks amazing, I must give it a try.

Subject: 95% if not all fig tree died in Queens NY. Disaster Replies: 102
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 4,987
 
Because of this thread I've been driving around Queens trying to find an in ground fig tree that has survived this past winter. So far I have been unable to locate a single in ground fig tree that has broken bud. Luckily I was able to keep my potted figs sheltered from the worst of the winter weather and most of them have broken dormancy and are doing well.

Subject: Still no sign of breaking dormancy in zone 7 Replies: 48
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,706
 
My potted Negronne and BT are both slowly coming out of dormancy and each have a few small figs swelling on them. My unknown and my LSU purple, still nada... Although I fear the worst for my LSU Purple.

Subject: ot: Wonderful Creations of The Wonderful Creator Replies: 17
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 730
 
I actually had to look up the monkey face orchid to make sure it's a real flower and not a photoshop job. It's insane to think those are real... I can only imagine what survival mechanism would have caused those flowers to evolve in such a manner.

Edit: For more images of the monkey face orchid as well as other orchid which look like animals take a look at the following link: http://www.thefeaturedcreature.com/2013/01/6-amazing-orchids-that-look-just-like-animals.html

Subject: Received USDA shipment today Replies: 37
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,226
 
Since it's already April I had given up on receiving anything from them figuring my order had been misplaced or they didn't have any of the varieties I ordered. And then out of the blue two days ago I got an email from UPS notice saying I've got a shipment on it's way. To be honest it's been so long I don't even recall exactly what I ordered.

Fast forward to today I get a notice from UPS saying my address was incorrect and my package was un-deliverable, after a brief call with customer service I had the package re-routed to one of their locations which is about a half hour from me. Unfortunately they want me to come in between 9-10pm tonight to pick it up. Some how I didn't imagine my Friday night would entail driving around town chasing after cuttings... Ahhh the crazy things I find myself doing for figs these days.

Subject: Your first tree Replies: 23
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 789
 
Last year I started several cuttings, a fair amount of them did well and with any luck I should get a few figs this year. But if I had to do it all over again I probably would have started with a fully grown tree. All of this waiting is killing me.

Subject: Huge Explosion in NYC! Are you OK, NYC Members? Replies: 10
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 535
 
I work in Midtown and live in Queens, and thankfully all of my loved ones and my figlings are safe. 

Subject: Encanto Farms Fig Cuttings 2014 Replies: 577
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 30,740
 
Oh wow looking at how many different varieties everyone else ordered I feel like I totally low balled how many cuttings I was looking to order. But my fiance is going to kill me if I start growing 20 additional fig trees, on our small plot of land in NYC. So I only placed an order for two different varieties and out of them I got one.
 
Funny though the one variety I thought that was a given I didn't get, and the one that I thought I wasn't going to get I ended up getting. 

Subject: two type of growers.. sort of. Replies: 29
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 1,208
 
I've been experimenting here and there growing figs from seeds, I know the odds of getting a viable fruiting plant from one is slim to none but at the end of the day I really could care less because I enjoy just watching things grow. So I'm going to say I'm in it for the growing, rather than for the fruit.

But then again being able to eat the fruits of my labor (literally) is the icing on the cake for me.

Subject: Fig eatin!!!!! Replies: 17
Posted By: DatesNFigs Views: 731
 
Oh wow that's quite the harvest you've got there. Your tree's must be well established to have that much fruit! How many years old are they? I'm just wondering because something tells me I've got a long while to wait before my trees put out that many figs.