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Subject: Hardy Chicago cuttings available Replies: 1
Posted By: bgli Views: 118
 
Pruned back my favorite fig tree today and I have some really nice cuttings available. This tree is in the ground in zone 7 here on Long Island and does magnificently even in the last few brutal winters. I wrap it a little and even when it has died back to ground, by June it has roared back and loaded with 100s of purple dark sweet figs. This is really a great fig tree especially if in colder climates. I sometimes wonder why I fuss with all my potted "rarer varieties" when the hardy chicago is such a reliable producer with no real fuss. If it sounds fair I will provide 5 nice cuttings for $15 including shipping. PM me if interested. Thanks

Subject: Winter protection for very small in ground fig Replies: 15
Posted By: bgli Views: 341
 
I rooted a few cuttings of atreano and put in ground during the summer. These atreano fig trees are about a foot tall. I know there is a risk planting one year old trees here in zone 7 but what suggestions would you have for winter protection of these small trees. Should I bury (how far up ??) with compost and wrap in burlap? Similar to trenching I guess I could completely cover with soil or would that smother it? Thanks

Subject: Can someone help identify this fig? Replies: 2
Posted By: bgli Views: 71
 
Hi small fig with dark red inside and very sweet. Quite a great tasting little fig. Thanks if someone can ID this variety.

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Subject: Chicago Hardy - one outstanding fig Replies: 23
Posted By: bgli Views: 926
 
I continue to wonder sometimes about all the time and effort growing figs in containers here in zone 7 - watering, fertilizing over wintering in garage etc and hoping to get a few choice figs. Then I look at my only in ground fig- my prized Chicago Hardy which consistantly provides hundreds of incredibly sweet large figs. I cover it somewhat in winter and it usually dies back and then roars ahead rewarding me with more figs than I can eat and share. What a great variety here in NY and so little effort required. Had a couple of nice Marseille vs figs as well but I think the chicago hardy is my clear favorite. Air layering a back up by placing brick on low branch and looks like rooting well. I gave some rooted cuttings of the CH to friend in Georgia and hope it does equally well. Wondering how much (and when) pruning I should do as it is about 7 feet tall?

Subject: Air layer question Replies: 8
Posted By: bgli Views: 168
 
Hi
My first attempt at air layers not totally sucessful but I am learning. I tried three and one had some roots; one had a few roots but they fell off and third (red lebanese) had no roots but looks like maybe some root initials like little white bumps. Since all were cut from trees I figured best to pot up and put in shade. My question is should I remove some or all leaves or cut the leaves back since few roots to support leaves. How much should I water? Any suggestions on improving survival odds appreciated. Thanks

Barry

Subject: Help identifying fig variety Replies: 0
Posted By: bgli Views: 38
 
Hi and have had this potted fig for a few years and finally have a fig to help identify the variety. The fig was pretty large and moderately sweet but not a wonderful tasting fig. The color seems mostly green with a bit of purple. The figs actually were left on from last season as tiny little figs as I over wintered in garage and those few tiny figs actually grew and ripened this season. Any help identifying variety is appreciated.

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Subject: Fig varieties suggested for Atlanta area? Replies: 2
Posted By: bgli Views: 68
 
Hi, although I live in NY and keep most of my varieties in pots I want to suggest some appropriate fig varieties for a friend in Atlanta Georgia. Any suggestions on varieties he can plant in ground or in pots in Northern Atlanta area? Thanks

Subject: Is it too risky to leave figs out now? Replies: 17
Posted By: bgli Views: 363
 
Starting to do fig shuffle in and out of garage but here in zone 7a ( Long Island NY) temps for next 7 days not expected to drop below 40 at night and will be in 50s to mid 60s during days. Is it just too risky to leave potted figs outside now day and night? Looks like some have bud's swelling. I already uncovered my in ground Chicago Hardy but that plant is about four years old. Thoughts?

Subject: drip irrigation system ideas? Replies: 6
Posted By: bgli Views: 177
 
Hi and getting estimates to install in ground sprinklers in a few weeks. Just too much hose dragging and I have a fair amount of potted figs and pomegranates that need water. I hear many of you describe a drip irrigation system for your many potted figs. Any advice how to incorporate such a drip system into the sprinkler installation since I assume a drip system needs much lower pressure than the other 6-7 zones.  I assume I would have the installer add an extra zone with a pressure reducer and a sprinkler head that has many small drip hoses? thoughts or ideas? thanks

Subject: ideas to extend growing season Replies: 6
Posted By: bgli Views: 252
 
Hi and still pretty new to this. Here in New York (Long Island) it is still cold but getting nicer so my expanding fig tree collection still tucked away in garage with no sign of breaking dormancy so all good. My in ground hardy Chicago is well wrapped so hoping it did not suffer from a few days near zero. However like many of us, getting the itch to try ways to extend the fig season in hopes of getting some ripe figs from some of my more challenging varieties like cdd noir and banc. Is it silly to try and encourage an early dormancy break or should I just be more patient and do the fig shuffle in April? Could some experienced members share thoughts on best practices to extend growing season here in colder climates. Been thinking about a small inexpensive plastic greenhouse and know they are not great quality but I saw one that is more like a low, long and wide type so I could put 5 or 6 fig plants within it. Would probably not last too long. If you have links to a recommended cheap portable greenhouse that would be great. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks!!!

Subject: Can I take cuttings from dormant plants now? Replies: 2
Posted By: bgli Views: 124
 
Hi- Fig plants have been in garage since November.  If I wanted to try and root some "backup" figs from some of my plants can I take cuttings now and put in spaghum moss or co co? Plants are fully dormant in garage and most are about three feet tall and 1-2+ years old. I would like to encourage multiple branches as well so would cuttings off the top of single main branch accomplish that as well? Don't want to risk damage if this does not make sense- could wait and try air layers in Spring.  Does it matter if some have not fruited yet? thoughts?  thanks!

Barry
Long Island NY

Subject: Pro Mix HP tough to find on LI? Replies: 3
Posted By: bgli Views: 93
 
I was always able to buy Promix HP at Hicks Nursury in Westbury but lately they do not stock it and told me they may not even carry it. A few weeks ago they said try the Epsoma potting soil which I did and not even close to the Promix HP in my rooting efforts. I do always find Hicks to be very knowlegable but wondering why they are not carrying it. Any other Long Island stores for Promix HP? Are others around country seing similar shortages?

Any idea whats up with Promix shortages? Thanks

Barry
Long Island

Subject: figs in garage during snowstorm Replies: 4
Posted By: bgli Views: 109
 
Ok. About 15 potted fig trees in my garage with a noreaster snow storm barreling toward Long Island. We got over 2 feet of snow and of course had no room in garage for the car without risking damaging the dormant fig trees. Wife thinks I am insane to use garage to store what she thinks look like dead trees. I just think about the perfectly ripe heavy sweet figs in the summer. Still thinking about what I'm going to tell her when my tree order from Greenfig arrives this summer. I wish I had a two car garage. I assume many make similar sacrifices for our hobby.....or obsession.

Subject: Long Island variety suggestions Replies: 4
Posted By: bgli Views: 133
 
Hi in reading all this great info on the forum wondering if any experts can suggest varieties that might grow in the ground here? Generous ff members Dan and Ed last spring gifted some wonderful cuttings and I had great roooting success and they are ding very well in pots and will soon go into shed.I have a really nice Chicago Hardy in the ground and it froze back last brutal winter but roared back and gave lots of great figs. This year will definitely cover better. Any other suggestions for in ground fig varieties in zone 7? Thanks

Barry
Long Island NY zone 7

Subject: ants in my figs? Replies: 10
Posted By: bgli Views: 323
 
My black jack fig tree has incredible large and delicious figs but by the time these beauties are ready to pick and I cut them open they are full of little ants. These figs are the size of plums and really sweet which I assume is why the ants get them. Any suggestions?

Barry
zone 7 Long Island NY

Subject: help identifying this fig? Replies: 1
Posted By: bgli Views: 156
 
Hi and hoping the experts can help ID my fig variety. Sweet tasting but not overly sweet. Thanks

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Subject: can I take cuttings yet? Replies: 8
Posted By: bgli Views: 525
 
Hi
I bought a two year old Col de dame blanc fig tree which is doing very well and has grown about a foot this season. Since it was costly tree I would like to take a cutting or maybe try air layering. Someone mentioned a fig tree should first bear figs before taking cuttings but I am curious if this is true. Can I take a cutting from this young tree? Thanks

Barry
NY zone 7

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Subject: do I need to cut to ground? Replies: 5
Posted By: bgli Views: 270
 
My three year old chicago hardy fig did not apparently survive the tough NY winter. The branches turned a deep cooper color and are brittle and dead. I do see some green at the roots and maybe some green buds a few inches from roots so I assume it will re grow. My question is should I cut all the branches to ground or to where I see some green? Any chance I could stll get some fruit this year? Thanks!

Subject: protecting figs from squirels & birds? Replies: 11
Posted By: bgli Views: 820
 
Last year birds or squirels waited for my figs to be almost ripe and ate them. Adding insult to injury they did this right after doing same to my new peach tree - waiting for precise time when fruit was perfectly ripe. I assume these were squirels or birds because there are no larger type animals around my house. Do you have advice to keep animals away from ripening fruiting? I bought some bird netting but found it very difficult to use unless therebis some trick to applying the netting. Thanks

Barry

Subject: fertilizer recommendation? Replies: 3
Posted By: bgli Views: 316
 
Hi, can anyone suggest a good fertilizer for newly potted figs and one Chicago hardy in the ground. I am in zone 7 Long Island. Many of these were cuttings potted a months or so and all look very vigorous. How often should I fertilize? Also my three year old Chicago hardy has not woken up at all and has a deep cooper color? Does that seem normal? Thanks

Barry

Subject: how do I get cutting to grow as bush form? Replies: 7
Posted By: bgli Views: 455
 
Hi
I have some really vigorous cuttings doing very nicely in 2 gallon pots outside. My question is since these are cuttings how do I get them to grow as a bush with multiple stems verses a single. Someone gave me a two foot fig tree which is also a single stem and I would prefer to grow that as a bush as well. These will all remaIn in pots. Someone mentioned cutting the top off or planting the cutting deeper in pot would result in multiple branches? Figure I better ask the experts. Thanks for the advice.

Barry
zone 7 Long Island

Subject: will just a long root grow a plant? Replies: 2
Posted By: bgli Views: 216
 
I accidently cut a large 2 foot surface root off my 3 foot chicago fig tree. If I put that long root in pot with soil will a new tree grow or am I wasting my time? Any ideas? Also does it sound normal that the chicago fig which has not yet woken up is a deep copper color? Thanks for all the good advice.

Barry

Subject: how long to leave in plastic bin? Replies: 12
Posted By: bgli Views: 502
 
Hi
My cuttings once rooted went into cups and last week moved some into 2.5Q grower pots and back into plastic bin with plenty of humidity. They look great and many leafing out. My question is low long do I leave in the bin before getting them ready to go outside? I know this is the tricky part and would hate to see them fail and concerned about mold if I leave in humid bin too long. Thanks for all the great help

Barry

Subject: upside down cutting? Replies: 5
Posted By: bgli Views: 323
 
Did I pot this upside down because the new buds or leafs seem to be growing downward. Any ideas?

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Subject: Is it ok to leave fig trees outside now? Replies: 3
Posted By: bgli Views: 426
 
Hi, trees spent winter in attached garage here on Long Island NY. I put them outside yesterday. Is it ok to leave potted fig trees outside now in a mainly shaded area. Then in a week or so I will move into more sun. Temps here in 60s during day and down in mid 40s at night but no threat of freezing temps in next week. Thoughts?

Subject: potting up a bare root plant Replies: 6
Posted By: bgli Views: 439
 
Hi

I received a 18 inch dormant bare root plant without any soil. Has been in transit for 2 weeks and roots look nice but a bit dry . Temperatures here in NY are still cold and down to 30s at night. I will plant these in pots so should I soak roots and pot up soon and leave in dark garage or leave unpotted for a few weeks so it does not wake up too early? 12 inch pot sound right? Either way should I spray a little water on dry roots? I am a new grower and want to assure these plants have best chance of surviving. Thanks very much

Barry

Subject: when are cuttings ready to pot? Replies: 6
Posted By: bgli Views: 396
 
Hi and pretty new to this. Thanks to two generous forum members I have a few cuttings in spagham moss for about two weeks. Some have root initials and a few also have very small white roots about half inch long but very brittle. They also have green leaves sprouting but I know leaves do not mean rooting success. Do you think these are ready to put into 32 oz cups? If so what should I put in cup and place in a plastic box with high humidity? Should I pot up with course perlite, pro mix bx, co co coir or a mixture? Every time I read a new post on rooting mediums I run out and buy a new product so my garage is srarting to look like a nursury garden center. Thanks very much for the advice.

Barry

Subject: suggestion on planting bare root fig plant? Replies: 4
Posted By: bgli Views: 375
 
Hi, someone is sending me a bare root 2 year old fig plant that is dormant. I am in NY so temps still very cold for a few more weeks. Wondering if experienced fig growers can suggest how I should pot this up for best chance of success?  What type of growing medium as i will keep this in a pot? thanks and this forum is great for us new growers and really appreciate all the good advice.

Barry

Subject: cuttings Replies: 15
Posted By: bgli Views: 760
 
Hi and brand new to this great forum. Such a wealth of great info. I live on Long Island and have purchased a few varieties (chicago hardy and tukey) and even got a few figs last fall. I should say the local squirels got a few few figs but that is ok. I have had no luck in gettings cuttings to root and wondering if any members have hardy interesting fig variety cuttings for sale? Thanks very much