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Subject: What is the First thing you do Upon Receiving Cuttings..??? Replies: 26
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,177
 
Like I did today when receiving cuttings from a generous member who surprised me.  Hurry up and open the package at the first red light.

Subject: Plan Of Attack? Replies: 10
Posted By: omotm Views: 607
 
Are the moldy cuttings in Baggies only or also the plastic tub? 

Standard peroxide solution dabbed onto the mold with a Q-tip may also work.  Sounds like your rooting conditions are too damp.

Subject: What is the First thing you do Upon Receiving Cuttings..??? Replies: 26
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,177
 
Very good point Ottawan.  The least we should do is send an e-mail to the sender and let them know the cuttings arrived.

Subject: Introduction Replies: 17
Posted By: omotm Views: 643
 
Squatch,

Check on this post for fig tree and cutting e-bay sellers.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/one-more-timelast-time-good-ebay-sellersmembers-5436565

Subject: What is your Best Method to Ship Cuttings..??? Replies: 16
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,018
 
Armando,

Not sure that soaking cuttings before mailing is a standard practice.  Seems to me that this might add to the chance of rotting cuttings when trying to start them.

Subject: What is the First thing you do Upon Receiving Cuttings..??? Replies: 26
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,177
 
Yup, open the package to see what I have, then put it in the frig until ready for starting.  I don't mess around with any cuttings (dry sticks, in damp paper towels/newspaper, in damp moss).

Subject: How moist is too moist for cuttings in sphagnum moss? Replies: 10
Posted By: omotm Views: 675
 
My usual line.....try what works best for you.  Sounds like the spaghnum moss route isn't working for you so try another method.  Root riot cubes or a mix of potting soil/perlite in plastic cups.  I didn't do very well using the spaghnum moss routine but did really well using a perlite/potting soil mix.

Subject: no leaf lobes - what fig ?? Replies: 13
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,267
 
Thanks Pete.  Now the plot really thickens, can't wait to see what kind of figs I get off this tree next year.  It is going to be a kinda Christmas in June/July/August.  Wonder what it will be.

Subject: rooting agent or no Replies: 14
Posted By: omotm Views: 893
 
Hey Dave,

You may want to take a look at ascpete's post on using or not using rooting hormone......

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6155695

Subject: no leaf lobes - what fig ?? Replies: 13
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,267
 
Sorry, should have included more info that you all mentioned.  The tree is young (~1 year), was started from a cutting, is in a 3 gallon nursery pot, was obtained at one of the fig meetings this year and I haven't had any figs yet.  I'm anxious to find out what it is (reading between the lines means it is killing me having to wait to next year to find out what it is when hopefully I will get some figs to help ID). Thought is it might be a CdD something, but not really sure.

I've seen some of my young trees change leaf shape dramatically over one year and have multiple shape leaves.  Strange thing about this tree is it has all the same shape leaves.  From my poor memory, I don't remember many photos of no lobed fig leaves on this site and was hoping some members might have better memory than me. ; )

Attached Images
jpeg CdD_leaf_1.jpg (592768, 65 views)
jpeg CdD_leaf_2.jpg (574422, 63 views)
jpeg CdD_leaf_3.jpg (884626, 53 views)

Subject: no leaf lobes - what fig ?? Replies: 13
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,267
 
Can any of the members here suggest fig trees that may not have lobed leaves?  I'll try to post a photo tomorrow.

Thanks for your input.

Subject: Galbun pics Replies: 11
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,005
 
But I'd never slap my momma no matter how good they were.

Subject: Cuttings in Cups.....losing some weekly...What am I doing Wrong...??? Replies: 61
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,903
 
Well, it always comes down to what works best for you.  My 60/40 mix (Miracle Grow perlite/Miracle Grow Organic Choice potting mix) works the best for me, but may not be the best for you.  Seems like you are not having the greatest results with 100% perlite/vermiculite.  I'd suggest a potting mix/perlite or vermiculite blend and definitely control watering somehow so you don't overwater.  Have you tried Root Riot cubes?  They were OK for me, but maybe they might give you better results.

Subject: my best Pacific NW fig Replies: 24
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,440
 
A couple of Jon's photos for Desert King also show some ribbing.

Subject: Cuttings in Cups.....losing some weekly...What am I doing Wrong...??? Replies: 61
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,903
 
Don't know that many people do 100% perlite/vermiculite. For what it is worth, I use 60/40 perlite to potting soil.

Subject: New member Replies: 35
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,362
 
Welcome Blake and enjoy!

Subject: Cuttings in Cups.....losing some weekly...What am I doing Wrong...??? Replies: 61
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,903
 
Armando,

For Mike and me, could you get a photo of the bottom of one of your cups please? Let's make sure you have a large number of holes in the bottom of the cup to help with drainage.   I have eight 11/64 inch diameter holes drilled in the bottom of each deli container.  This year I am going to add 4 to 8 holes in the sides for more aeration.  What "potting mix" did you use to start the cuttings?

When I water my cups (32 oz deli containers), I use a 1 tablespoon measure......really, I'm not joking.  I add one tablespoon of water when the cup is dry, if really dry I add two tablespoons of water but NO MORE.  As others have mentioned overwatering has killed many a newborn fig tree.  I was paranoid about it last year (my first year), so watered with the tablespoon.  I also add Gnatrol to the water to help keep away fungus gnats.

Others touched upon this too.....humidity.  Could you tell us exactly how you started the cuttings then transitioned them to the "open" air?  I start my cuttings in a very large Rubbermaid type container with lid near a non-sunny window to give a humid starting chamber.  When cuttings have a good number of roots and leaves I then put them in a smaller Rubbermaid type container with lid (not fully closed) near a sunny window and add a couple of tablespoons of water in the bottom to provide some humidity.  This is my transition to a cup on a sunny windowsill.

You have some very nice looking figlets going there, let's help you get your percentage higher this year.

Attached Images
jpeg deli_container_holes.jpg (733524, 39 views)

Subject: bleach alternative for washing pruning tools Replies: 9
Posted By: omotm Views: 756
 
How about disinfectant wipes, an open flame (Bic lighter) or 100 proof alcohol?

Subject: Looking for Bethlehem Black Fig Cuttings Replies: 8
Posted By: omotm Views: 882
 
Damn, I'm hopping on the "free train" too and I will not pay postage. I WANT all the Col de Dames, Maltese Falcon and Beauty, Nero 600, Ital 258, Jolly Tiger, Black Madeira, Ice Crystal.

Subject: DFC 0023 Palmata pictures Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 774
 
Nice roots Danny.

Subject: Dried figs at Kroger Replies: 4
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,541
 
Danny,

The Sun Maid figs are OK, especially if you don't have any other figs to eat. : (  Kroger had another dried fig in the produce section that was packaged in a ring.  Absolutely do not buy those......terrible and disgusting. Nuts.com can be hit or miss.  Seems like they have good dried figs over winter but the quality goes down towards spring.

Subject: Disappointed eBay Buyer Replies: 30
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,150
 
Frank,

Good for you, glad that it worked out the best for both of you.  Even though I don't think you owed this person anything it was very good customer service offering cuttings to make this person happy.  Now having said that, I would say nobody twisted this person's arm to pay that price for the tree.  Also like other have said, it is a pain but post plenty of photos of the offered item next time to prevent people from making "whining" claims. 

And last, I know that this may not make sense, but who cares if you don't have a perfect eBay rating.  People on this website, and I know not all fig cutting/tree eBay buyers are on this site, know you.  I'd still buy from you, cause I know the type of person you really are, not what some silly eBay rating "says" you are.

Subject: Looking for Col De Dame Noir Cuttings Replies: 19
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,220
 
eBay

Subject: Looking for Bethlehem Black Fig Cuttings Replies: 8
Posted By: omotm Views: 882
 
Try eBay

Subject: Which rooting method do you swear by? Replies: 52
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,397
 
My suggestion is to try a few methods and see what works best for you.  I tried damp spaghnum moss in a ziploc bag with minimal success.  Root riot cubes were somewhat better.  But my favorite method is given below and it is the one I'm going to use this fall/winter.

Directly plant cuttings in 32 oz clear deli containers filled with 60/40 (MiracleGrow perlite/MiracleGrow Organic Choice Potting Mix) and watered thoroughly. I let the deli containers drain thoroughly before placing inside another same size deli container and using a bottle top as a spacer between the containers to allow water drainage for later watering. I drilled 8 holes in the bottom of each deli container to allow the water to drain into the second deli container. These containers were placed on top of an electric fermentation heater (had this from homebrewing) in a 27 gallon Sterilite container. The heater is controlled by a temperature controller (had this from homebrewing too) set to 76F. The lid was placed on the Sterilite container and placed in a north facing window. When possible I directly planted two cuttings of each variety, one a large diameter cutting and the other a small diameter cutting and I also saved some cuttings (stored in my refrigerator door lower shelf) in case of failure to try again in the spring.

Subject: Low Fig Production ....and High Nitrogen Fertilizers Replies: 20
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,564
 
One of the well known nurseries mentioned once in a while on this site recommends Espoma Citrus Tone which is a 5-2-6.

Subject: Some of my last ripe figs. Pics. Replies: 15
Posted By: omotm Views: 738
 
Art,

You even have the southern TX season beat with that greenhouse.  I had my last fig 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Subject: Snowing Here! Replies: 18
Posted By: omotm Views: 917
 
Pattee,

My fingers are stuck in my ears and I'm singing loud to myself, "la, la, la, la, la, la, la".  I don't want to hear about this snow stuff.  It is wayyyyy toooo early for this.

Subject: freeze tonight in North Texas Replies: 8
Posted By: omotm Views: 527
 
35F predicted for tonight and 36F tomorrow night for Spring, TX.  I'm movin' further south!  : (

Subject: Southern Fig Information Page 2 Replies: 25
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,581
 
"anyone who finds it valuable" - really?  You must be kidding, this is a gold mine of info.

Subject: Southern Fig Information Page 1 Replies: 28
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,122
 
Mike,

I started a spreadsheet a few months ago and never kept up.  You have inspired me to revive and update mine.  Very nice.

Subject: new product? Replies: 16
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,059
 
Wills,

What diameter branch / twig have you cut with this?  Wondering if you try to cut a 1-inch brach if the blade will break?

Subject: fast draining soil? Replies: 4
Posted By: omotm Views: 615
 
Jarrett,

HP is High Porosity, already a fast draining mix. 

http://www.pthorticulture.com/en/pro-mix-hp-mycorrhizae-growing-medium/

Subject: mario's Salce Fig Replies: 53
Posted By: omotm Views: 5,278
 
There are Salce cuttings on e-Bay right now.

Subject: 'Love at first bite' varieties of figs. Replies: 23
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,572
 
Hmmm, I'd have to say Enola 3 and Salce.  Not having tasted a great variety of figs (yet) I was surprised by the carmelized/slightly burnt sugar taste of Salce, that was definitely love at first bite.

Subject: Slightly OT: A 'TED' talk about Phosphorus Replies: 14
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,132
 
I don't think it is off topic at all.  Thanks for posting, it has been awhile since I watched a TED video.

Subject: new member Replies: 20
Posted By: omotm Views: 835
 
Andrey,

Welcome and enjoy!  Don't know where you are in Houston area but RCW is also a good nursery.

http://www.rcwnurseries.com/rcw/

Subject: Using bleach Replies: 17
Posted By: omotm Views: 949
 
John42,

There was one important bit of info you left out, ratio of potting mix to perlite.  As others have mentioned it sounds like your mix held too much water and the cuttings started to rot from over watering.  I start my cuttings in 70/30 perlite / potting mix in 32 oz deli containers.  When significant roots show through the deli container I up pot to a 1 gallon nursery pot with the same 70/30 mix, sometimes I will tweak it to 60/40.  When the 1 gal pot shows a nice root ball I up pot to a 3 gal nursery pot using 30/70 perlite/potting soil. 

Subject: 8 inches of rain later........... Replies: 11
Posted By: omotm Views: 808
 
Hold on there Danny, weren't you the one telling me earlier in the summer we needed rain?  You know I'm just yankin' your chain. 

But seriously, two figs that resisted this rain are Vince's (ForeverFigs) Green (White?) Ischia and MBvs.  I'd add Vista Mission to one that resisted the rain, but that might not be fair since these figs appear to be small and far from ripening.  Other figs that survived Houston's heavy summer thunderstorms, but lost the fight to these twos days of very heavy rain were Sunfire, Bryant Dark, Enola 3 and Hardy Chicago.

Subject: Another Explosion Replies: 8
Posted By: omotm Views: 655
 
Mike,

Naaa, that's just a little split.  Now this, this is a figsplosion!

Attached Images
jpeg fig_splosion_1-11-13.jpg (407357, 47 views)

Subject: Cutting Success! Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 596
 
I feel kinda bad since I helped lead you down this path of addiction.  It is never too early to start saving for your cure.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/are-there-any-fig-addiction-clinics-anyone-can-recommend-6597852

Subject: Are there any fig addiction clinics anyone can recommend? Replies: 2
Posted By: omotm Views: 412
 
See the TV commercial of the guy that has started his addiction clinic in Malibu?  Says he was addicted to 10 years, although I think he stated he had a drug problem.  Don't know if drugs are similar to figs though, might be his toughest challenge. : )

Subject: A good white fig! Pics. Replies: 52
Posted By: omotm Views: 3,291
 
I went back into my e-Bay "purchased list" and found that the Conadria cuttings I received from Encanto Farms were identified as "Late".  Maybe this might help us solve this mystery in the future.

Subject: LSU Tiger Root Bound SIP. Planted in ground today. (Pics) Replies: 14
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,055
 
James,

I see you have that lovely clay soil to work with up in northern TX just like we have down south in Houston.  : (

Subject: Sicilian Red and Brooklyn White pic. Replies: 24
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,404
 
Damn, this doesn't bid well for me keeping my tree total down and its just the start of cutting season.  Agreed Art, that Red Sicilian is one nice looking fig.  I'm going to be sinful and covet your fig. : )

Subject: Latarolla Replies: 9
Posted By: omotm Views: 922
 
I like Lattarolla too although I only had two imperfect figs this year (small, slightly split, under ripe).  They were still great tasting figs though, can't imagine how good the taste is going to be like when they ripen under better conditions.

This seems to be another example.....you need to get a tree and see how it does in your environment, don't always go by another members opinion.  Another recent example is Conadria, it seems to be getting more raves then rants, but my tree here in my environment is nearly inedible.

Subject: End Of Season Update (2013) Replies: 17
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,096
 

As always, nice video Vince.  Especially like the soundtrack, was that a mockingbird singing in the background?  Yup, know the feeling......I have to figure out how to make more room myself.  Maybe add another concrete pad in the backyard.  Its a doulbe win, less grass to mow and water / more room for figs.

Subject: Your First Fig Tree Replies: 72
Posted By: omotm Views: 4,724
 
I hate to say my first tree last year in Houston was a Celeste, although I'm proud to say I'm a Celeste lover and think it is much under rated.  I did much better on my second tree....Smith.

Subject: Variety Replies: 26
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,560
 
Jon,

I agree with Bob C and Ben.  Get someone to make a couple of hundred prints for you (know anyone that owes you a favor in the printing business or a forum member) and sell them to support the F4F Foundation.  Heck, these days everything is electronic, the print shop doesn't even have to be in SD, it could be on the east coast.  If you have to pay to get the prints made, then get people to pre-order and pay up front.  I'd say something along the lines of a 12" x 18" print, could be a little larger though.  $25 per print, $50-100 for a print signed by Jon or maybe an online auction to to sell one print signed by Jon?  You should really think about it, maybe take a poll on the site to see who would buy one.

Put me down for two.  They make great holiday or birthday gifts, get yours now!!!

Subject: A good white fig! Pics. Replies: 52
Posted By: omotm Views: 3,291
 
Well, I've got to throw an iron in the fire too.  Here are my leave photos of my Conadria which I obtained from Encanto Farms.  I can't beleive I didn't take one photo of my figs this year, especially since this was the tree that produced the most (6-7 figs).  I probably didn't take photos cause I was really disappointed in the flavor, or should I say lack thereof.  It was started March 2013 and resides in a 3 gallon nursery pot in full sun.  I remember this fig being light yellow in skin color and having a very slight red/amber flesh color.

Attached Images
jpeg Conadria_leave_1.jpg (609911, 22 views)
jpeg Conadria_leave_2.jpg (562141, 25 views)
jpeg Conadria_leave_3.jpg (899483, 22 views)