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Subject: pinch crazy Replies: 69
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,960
 
Forgive my ignorance, but when you all are referring to pinching, are you cutting the top of the plant with pruners or actually pinching off the terminal bud at the top of the plant? 

Is the methold for figs the same as it is for blueberries? 

Subject: A laundry basket full of fig leaves - literally. Replies: 20
Posted By: m5allen Views: 957
 
Can you please describe your process for drying them?  I am assuming you are putting them in the oven.

Subject: My First Home Grown Fig! Replies: 16
Posted By: m5allen Views: 832
 
Is it possible it is Green Ischia and since the plant is so young, that the red pulp hasn't yet developed?  Or is the pulp color what it is no matter what age the plant is?

Subject: My First Home Grown Fig! Replies: 16
Posted By: m5allen Views: 832
 

It must be a breba.

I got it from Lowes, so who knows what I got.  On the tag, it said "flavorful red flesh". 

Subject: OT: blueberries are working out nice... Replies: 27
Posted By: m5allen Views: 668
 
Yep.  Wills finally got me on the right mixture.  I was using 1 tablespoon/2 gal before I learned the hard way. 

Subject: OT: First Blueberry this season...Springhigh Replies: 24
Posted By: m5allen Views: 634
 
My Emerald is loaded.   

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Subject: OT: blueberries are working out nice... Replies: 27
Posted By: m5allen Views: 668
 
Ammonium sulfate is like crack for blueberries.  Just don't overdo it, especially in pots.  I killed one of my Sweetcrisps last year by feeding it to much AS.  

Subject: My First Home Grown Fig! Replies: 16
Posted By: m5allen Views: 832
 
Here is my first grown fig - a Green Ischia I bought from Lowes.  This is a small plant that I just recently transferred to 3 gal.  This plant had 4 small figs growing on it when I bought it and I pinched off all but 2.  

The taste was ok - fairly sweet, but not with a lot of flavor.  Is there a reason this fig didn't develop the nice red interior that Green Ischia is supposed to produce?  Maybe because the plant is so young?  

The eye sure opened up as it got closer to being fully ripe - living in Florida as we are about to enter the rainy season, this concerns me.  

Hopefully this is the first of many for me. 

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IMG_1256.JPG    

Subject: OT: First Blueberry this season...Springhigh Replies: 24
Posted By: m5allen Views: 634
 
Here is my first - Sweetcrip.  My Sweetcrisps are big this year - not quite quarter size, but bigger than a nickel.

IMG_1274.JPG 

Subject: OT: blueberries are working out nice... Replies: 27
Posted By: m5allen Views: 668
 
I think what Blueboy is saying is don't let your Sweetcrisp end up looking like mine.  I need to get some pruning advice from Wills. 

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Subject: Desert King Fig Tree Video Review Replies: 27
Posted By: m5allen Views: 1,356
 
Noss - any issues with DK splitting?  I just got this variety and am curious how it will do in the south (guess I will find out soon).  When did you pick your first ripe figs from the breba?

Subject: Southern Fig Information Page 1 Replies: 28
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,122
 
Mike,

Very helpful information.

Do you have any pictures of your Lyndhurst White figs?  I have seen pics of this fig and some indicate an open eye, whereas some look like it is a closed eye fig.  Just wondering what yours looks like given that you are in the hot and humid southeast too.  Did you have any issues with splitting?  

Thanks.   

Subject: ID this store bought fig Replies: 7
Posted By: m5allen Views: 364
 
Went back to the store today for something else and most all the figs are moldy and rotten now.  It is a shame.  I remember last year, most of the figs were on their way to being rotten and I asked the produce guy if I could buy a few for a discount and he said no.  I asked him who is going to buy rotten figs for $6/lb, he didn't have a response.  They probably threw all the packages away within the next few days.  

It does look like an LSU Purple, but I sure hope it isn't because I have an LSU Purple that I plan on getting a few figs from this year, and I sure hope they taste better than these.  

Subject: ID this store bought fig Replies: 7
Posted By: m5allen Views: 364
 
I couldn't resist picking up these figs from Chile at my local grocery store.  Anyone have any idea what variety they are?  

The really didn't taste very good - pretty bland. Similar to BT in my experience.  Despite how the pictures look, they were actually fairly dry in the inside.  

P4061593.JPG  P4061592.JPG

Subject: Date With Fig Leaf Tea Replies: 65
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,150
 
Wow, beautiful color of the tea.

I have wanted to try fig leaf tea, I will be interested in hearing about your process as well. 

Subject: Your ideal fig Replies: 15
Posted By: m5allen Views: 661
 
So which fig would be closest to the ideal fig in Charles' original post (except for a bird peck)? 

Subject: Sources for Varieties for Central Florida Replies: 12
Posted By: m5allen Views: 732
 
Welcome, I am in the Tampa Bay area.  Very familiar with Orlando as I went to college there - go UCF!

I am just getting started as well and don't yet have a full year of growing experience. A few very generous members of this forum helped me get started and I might have a few "extras" that I would be able to give you if you wanted.  I have VDB that I just rooted and transferred to cups.  Once I know they are growing good, you can have one.  And I might have some LSU purple growing from some trimming I just did, at the minimum, I will have some cuttings in the winter.  Just pay for the postage. 

I too am surprised with the number of nurseries in town that sell Magnolia.  I don't have experience growing it, but I can't see how it would do well once our summers turn into a humid jungle.  I ended up with one by accident when I bought what was supposed to be a Green Ischia from Lowes - I gave it to my neighbor, so i'll see how it does this summer.   

Subject: OT: how to make oatmeal edible. Replies: 25
Posted By: m5allen Views: 948
 
Key is starting out with the right oatmeal - it has to bee steel cut oats.  Much better texture and nutty taste compared to rolled oats. 

Subject: Desert King in the South? Replies: 11
Posted By: m5allen Views: 937
 
Anyone have any info on DK performance in a rainy and/or humid environment?

Subject: Desert King in the South? Replies: 11
Posted By: m5allen Views: 937
 
How is the eye on this fig?  From the pics in the F4F database, some look open, some look closed.  If this variety is an early producer, it would be ripening figs right in the middle of our rainy/humid season (June - mid Sept).  Figs that have more of an open eye would have to require a longer growing season so that they would ripen after our rainy season. 


Subject: Pruning and training figs: Tree or Bush form Replies: 68
Posted By: m5allen Views: 14,200
 
Jds - I am going for the bush form as Pete instructed.  Why do recommend leaving 1 small sucker?  I was planning on removing them all.  Why do you say the tree is lacking fertilizer?  I just put some 10-10-10 granular down a little over a week ago.  This plant is just coming out of dormancy and I actually thought that it looks quite vigorous. 

I would love to plant in the ground, but I am renting, so I am relegated to growing in containers for now. 

Thanks.

Subject: Pruning and training figs: Tree or Bush form Replies: 68
Posted By: m5allen Views: 14,200
 
Thanks Pete.  I have no idea about the source of the plant, it was given to me by someone local. 

So when should I do this pruning?  Most people prune when dormant, right?  Should I let this plant grow like this for this growing season and then prune when dormant or should I do it now? 

Subject: Desert King in the South? Replies: 11
Posted By: m5allen Views: 937
 
I have a Desert King that was given to me.  Most of what I have read about this variety says that it grows great in the Pacific Northwest and cooler climates.  Is there any reason Desert King would not do good in Florida?  

I do realize that in the absence of the wasp, that this is a breba only variety for me.   But other than that, I have never heard of a fig that would do better in a cooler climate than a warmer climate.  

Subject: Pruning and training figs: Tree or Bush form Replies: 68
Posted By: m5allen Views: 14,200
 
Pete and others - so what should I do with my LSU Purple pictured below?  This fig has one main trunk and multiple smaller shoots growing from the soil line.  Do I trim all these off?  I feel like it would be a waste to get rid of this growth. 

P3011595.JPG 

Subject: Interesting Find ... Replies: 64
Posted By: m5allen Views: 3,163
 
Good job.

Hopefully you don't get a knock on the door after the Feds get a report from the drone that was flying overhead.  :)

Subject: Interesting Find ... Replies: 64
Posted By: m5allen Views: 3,163
 
Hey, at least the haoles brought something good to Hawaii :)

Subject: Celeste Cuttings Replies: 31
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,295
 
Gloria,

Check out one of the cuttings you gave me.  It already has 6 little figlets on it (there is one you can't see in the pic).  Although, I am going to pinch off all but one.  What
a stud of a little tree.


 IMG_1037.JPG 

Subject: Debating between figs... please help Replies: 57
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,409
 
Funny about the 3 year old.  My 3 year old son is just starting to try dried figs, but he doesn't really like them.  I am hoping that he will come around when I have some fresh figs to offer.  But he better be fully potty trained if he starts loading up on figs :)

Subject: Couldn't resist getting this fig Replies: 14
Posted By: m5allen Views: 960
 

Thanks to everyone for the advice.  If this were a rare/expensive variety that I was planning on keeping around for a long time, I would pinch off the figlets.  Like I said, I already have another Green Ischia that I bought this past fall, it is in a 16" terracotta pot and is twice the size of this plant. 

So worst case scenario - the figs grow, they stress the plant and it dies, then I am out $8, not the end of the world.  I have my other GI the fall back on.  I do kind of want to use this plant as an experiment. 

I was wondering if I should pot up now to 3 gal or wait until these figs are done ripening (if they make it that far)?  This little plant is not root bound at all.  I am concerned that the stress of re-potting might stall the progress this plant is making on growing these figs.  I am relegated to container gardening becauase I am renting at my current place.   

I threw a little bit of 10-10-10 fertilizer on this plant and put on a thick layer of mulch.  Right now, conditions are perfect for growing figs - 75 and sunny with low humidity, upper 50s/low 60s at night. 

Subject: Couldn't resist getting this fig Replies: 14
Posted By: m5allen Views: 960
 
Why should I remove the figs, because the plant's energy will be put into growing the figs and will stunt the growth of the plant?  What is the likely outcome if I leave them on?  Say I let this plant produce these 4 figs and then pinch off any fruit after that, with the long growing season in Florida, will that be a problem?  

I am just being a little impatient with wanting to try my first home grown fig.  

Subject: Couldn't resist getting this fig Replies: 14
Posted By: m5allen Views: 960
 
I was in Lowes getting a few things and of course, I had to stop by and look at the new figs they got in for spring.  They had a bunch of Green Ischias and Brown Turkeys and in the midst of all the Ishcias, I saw this one with 4 few nice little figs.  The biggest is about the size of a nickel.  That was the only plant sprouting figs.

Mind you, I already have a GI that I bought from Lowes this past fall, but I this is my first year growing figs and I don't know if I can wait until this summer to get my first figs from the few plants I already have, so I bought it.  

Is this unusual for a plant this small to have fruit?  It looks like the thing was just propagated from a cutting.  

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Subject: OT: blueberries Replies: 83
Posted By: m5allen Views: 3,079
 
Thanks blueboy.  I got some spinosad this past summer and finally got the thrips under control.  I will stay on top of it this year before it becomes a problem.  I really wish I didn't have them here, because I would love to not have to spray anything, but I guess a little spinosad is not that bad.  

I read an older post from you about using kaolin clay, I got some of that and tried it this past summer, but it didn't really "stick" to the canes and leaves very well.  Maybe I will try mixing some dish soap this summer and try that.  I would prefer to use kaolin over spinosad.  

Between the pests and other diseases, the commercial growers must dump a ton of insecticide/fungicide on blueberries in FL.  Makes me really appreciate eating organic blueberries from my own garden.  

This year, I should get my first figs (new to this forum).  It will be nice to go from eating blueberries, then blackberries and then hopefully figs.  

Subject: OT: blueberries Replies: 83
Posted By: m5allen Views: 3,079
 
I find blueberries to be very finnicky and high maintenance.  I have only been growing them for about 3 years and have learned a lot the hard way.  The first year, I killed all my plants (mainly through watering with our high pH tap water). 

I read a bunch of Wills' posts on GW and finally found a recipe that works.  I feed them a little bit of ammonium sulfate during the growing season, which they seem to love.  Although, I got a little too aggressive with it this past summer and killed one of my Sweetcrisps.  I have them planted in terracotta containers in a mix of pine bark fines and peat.  I try to water only with collected rain water (which usually isn't a problem in FL). 

My main problem now is that the chilli thrips become a huge pest in the summer and also the aphids love the new growth.

So far, figs seem to be much lower maintenance, which will be nice. 

Subject: OT: blueberries Replies: 83
Posted By: m5allen Views: 3,079
 
Blueboy - what variety is that is your rasied planter? 


Subject: How many varieties did you think you'd want when you first found F4F? And now? Replies: 33
Posted By: m5allen Views: 1,441
 
Like Blueboy, I started by growing blueberries.

Then I read a post Wills started on the Florida Gardenweb forum about figs.  I have always liked dried Mission figs, but up to that point, I had never had a fresh fig. So I went to the grocery store and bought some really overpriced fresh figs (tried Calimyrna, Black Mission and Brown Turkey).  I fell in love. 

I said I wanted to start with 2 - a black and green variety.  Then I wanted a brown, Celeste type fig.  Since this past summer, I have acquired 9 varieties and expect a few more.  This will be my first year growing figs and I can't wait to see how these varieties produce and which I like best. 

I normally hate summer in Florida and this will give me something to look forward to. 

I really don't have the time or space to devote to more than 10 varieties.  I hope to keep some favorites and end up somewhere around 5, or I should say that my wife doesn't want me to keep more than 5. 

I justify this with the wife the same way I justify my expensive grouper fishing trips - that with the high price of figs, when they start producing, this hobby will pay for itself. 

Subject: Fig of the Day - Celeste 08-16-2013 Replies: 45
Posted By: m5allen Views: 5,847
 
I have read conflicting information - does Celeste produce a breba crop? 

Subject: Fig Clearence - Lowes - Tampa Bay FL Replies: 4
Posted By: m5allen Views: 536
 
I actually live in St. Pete and work very close to that Lowes.  

I think if I came home with any more fig trees, my wife would kill me, regardless of my intentions to sell them.  

The figs are on clearance racks towards the back of the outside garden center. 

Just realized I misspelled clearance on my post title, oops.  

Subject: Fig Clearence - Lowes - Tampa Bay FL Replies: 4
Posted By: m5allen Views: 536
 
FYI - for the Tampa Bay, FL area members, Lowes on Waters Ave in Tampa has Green Ischia figs on clearence for $3.  They are dormant, but they look to be in pretty good shape. 

Subject: Fig Leaves Provide a Natural Health Remedy for Diabetes Replies: 13
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,302
 

Quick question about fig leaf tea -  do you dry the leaves first or do they go straight from the tree into a pot of boiling water? 

I love tea, especially green tea, and have been interested in trying fig leaf tea. 

Subject: Best Varieties for Containers Replies: 2
Posted By: m5allen Views: 400
 

Which varieties are best for growing in containers?  Also with the requirement that it be a good variety for Florida.

Subject: Watering During Cup Stage Replies: 5
Posted By: m5allen Views: 409
 
Also, I noticed that the perlite in some of the cups has turned green, is this a problem? 

Subject: Watering During Cup Stage Replies: 5
Posted By: m5allen Views: 409
 
This is my first time rooting figs.

I have some cuttings that rooted strong in the plastic bag with moss and are now in the clear plastic cups with an 80/20 mix of perlite/peat.  The cups have holes drilled in the bottom as well as a few small holes drilled into the sides.  How often and how much water should they get? 

I first put them in the cups about 3 weeks ago and fully watered the media at the start.  For the first 2 weeks, I just misted them about every other day.  Then I fully soaked them again after about 2 weeks.  Since then, I have been misting. 

I have some growing really strong that I have transferred to 1 gal with 50/50 perlite/peat.  But have also lost a few in the cup stage.  But that could have been because I had them in the sun. 

Subject: Florida fig collectors? Replies: 9
Posted By: m5allen Views: 708
 
PM Sent.  Thanks.

Subject: Off topic? - Olives Replies: 24
Posted By: m5allen Views: 1,207
 
I grow olives in containers, but I live in Florida.  I think your winter might be a little too cold, but if you have the flexibility to move them inside to a sunny location, it could work.  

I would put them in the ground, but I am renting where I am at right now.  I have a Kalamata and an unkown green.  I have them in some pretty large plastic containers that I bought at Wal Mart.  Neither has produced fruit yet.  I have read that especially in containers, it could take 5-6 years to produce fruit.  The fruit is a nice bonus, but I also just like they way they look.  I will try and post up some pics later. 


Subject: Which One of These is Green Ischia? Replies: 6
Posted By: m5allen Views: 759
 
Anyone have any idea what the first fig is?  I am sure it is hard to tell without any fruit.  Lowes also had some figs labeled Magnolia that had a leaf pattern pretty similar to the fig I have with the long, narrow fingers. 

As far as the Ischia, it wouldn't surprise me if neither one of these figs turned out to be Green Ischia.

Subject: Which One of These is Green Ischia? Replies: 6
Posted By: m5allen Views: 759
 
A few months ago, I bought a fig from Lowes from Dewars Nursery here in Florida labeled "Ischia".  It had a picture of a green fig on the tag with the caption "flavorful red flesh".  

This is the first set of pictures below.  I did a little research on this fig and from what I found, the leaf pattern on my fig doesn't quite look like a Green Ischia (GI).  I even called Dewars Nursery and they assured me they do grow GI figs and that the fig is a green fig, tight eye and red meat.  I decided to keep it and potted it in a 3 gal black nursery pot.  On a side note, it seems to grow in this weeping pattern.

Low and behold, I was in Lowes yesterday and they had just received a shipment of figs with the familiar Ischia label.  But this time, the leaf pattern looks more like what my research leads me to believe a GI should look like, so I bought one.  All of them had these little rust spots, but I guess that is typical for this time of year.  

So, I am wondering which of these distinctly different figs is the real GI?  I guess I will keep them both and hopefully be able to put an ID on both next year.  

Attached Images
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Subject: >>>Fig cuttings<<< Replies: 34
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,612
 
Thanks for offer, looks like a nice fig.

PM sent. 

Subject: Celeste Cuttings Replies: 31
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,295
 
Got mine as well, thanks Gloria.

I am new to figs, so these will be my first real attempt at rooting. 

Subject: Celeste Cuttings Replies: 31
Posted By: m5allen Views: 2,295
 
I am interested. Thanks.

When do you expect them to be ready? 

Subject: Really a Black Mission? Replies: 12
Posted By: m5allen Views: 877
 
But what I mean, is there a variety of BM that is more prominent here in FL?  Most of the BMs I have seen in Florida look like mine and Ryan's with the long, skinny lobes, and I have seen others comment that this leaf pattern is not like a "typical" Black Mission.