Very interesting comments, observations, and propagation techniques. The large air-layering photos tell the whole story. Folks...if you can air-layer large branches...that's the way to get an instant, fig bearing tree in one season!. You just have to wait for roots to grow, instead of waiting for a twiggy, cutting to grow large enough to bear figs. You will eliminate years of waiting, nurturing, and anticipation of things to come.
Pete...good "selection" techniques when looking for promising, local figs. Starting with trees that ripen quality figs, is the way to go, as you noted. If the selected trees make decent tasting figs without great culture, then they can only improve with the help of a little science behind the cultural practices.
The Bronx is loaded with fig trees...and I can only imagine what treasures are growing in Astoria, Queens. Plenty of 1st generation Greeks, Italians, and other ethnic groups that come from figgy countries living there. God only knows the kind of fig cuttings that were smuggled into this country.
Arthur Avenue is another place in The Bronx where one can see plenty of fig trees growing in pots, containers, in small, pocket-gardens, and on fire-escapes, growing in buckets. As you get into the more exclusive, "tonier digs"...the fig trees disappear, along with the ubiquitous, Ailanthus trees. In NYC...look for the Ailanthus trees, and a fig tree will not be too far away.
If your hunt for fig trees takes you into the Arthur Ave. neighborhood...treat yourself to a "real" slice of NYC pizza. You will get a crispy, toasty, flavorful, snack...not the insipid, underdone, raw-gravy, crap, that you find in other States. Try a slice with some anchovies, or order the end slice from a properly baked Sicilian-style pie. I could plotz just thinkin' about it!
The doctor told me to lose some weight. How? This is New Yawk City...and I live here! Try staying on a diet and skip the Szechuan Pork Chops at Wo Hop in Chinatown, or, a Pastrami on Rye at Katz's Deli....NOT ME! The doctor thinks that I could/should just eat some of those Styrofoam rice-cakes, or eat a salad.... I said: "Sure doc...no problem". I left the office, then went right across the street and had a cup of black coffee with a nice, freshly made Canoli. I didn't feel guilty either. : )
Frank
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