Barry,

Likewise for a speedy recovery for the kids. Seems like this virus or whatever it turns out to be is going around alot. Hope to see you and Tim (and other fig lovers) sometime in the near future.

Take care and future good health.
John

Thanks for replying Ruuting. I checked out the varieties database as you suggested. It looks like it could be any of those you mentioned. I'll have to ask her if she knows what area the tree originated from. I would think if she knows what area her family resided, that's where this tree came from. Also I didn't notice a strong odor of cat pee from the leaves (I'm kinda happy about that). 

John

Hi all.

I was hoping someone could identify this fig. A short history of how I acquired it. My wife's friend has had this type of fig tree which her family brought back from Italy more than 50 years ago. It's a monster tree and big producer. She had given me a few cuttings back in Nov./12. I started the cuttings in December and they really took off. She didn't know the type (just called it a purple fig). I was shocked it has been producing ripe figs before it's even one year old. They are also very sweet and delicious. Right now I call it "Julie's fig" (her name). I'm hoping these pictures come through (I'm not that sharp on the computer). Any help identifying would be greatly appreciated. I know I don't post too much, but I am an avid lurker. The helpful info here is terrific.

John

Anthony,

That's actually not a bad idea. I might give it a try on one of the two I have in water. Do you think I should place a humidity dome over it once the water is drained sufficiently?

I don't know if I should have should have started a new thread but I have a few questions regarding potting  a cutting which was rooted in water. I received a few cuttings from my wife's friend awhile ago. I placed 2 in containers with water (Dec. 18) and the rest in plastic boxes with sphagnum moss. I'm about ready to pot the ones in water but always heard that water roots are much weaker/fragile than ones started in soil, perlite, or moss. Should I do something different when potting these water started rooted cuttings? Go to straight perlite for awhile or sphagnum moss with alittle soil? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. As you can see, the water roots are really taking off.

Just a little background on these cuttings. An Italian friend of my wife gave me the cuttings. Originally from Italy more than 50 years ago (her grandparents brought it over). Don't know the type but she says it's a "purple fig", very sweet, and produces a ton of figs. It's a huge tree (I've only seen pictures) so I guess that's why it produces great. I was hoping after the leaves sprout a little bigger, the forum members might be able to help identify this fig.

Thanks,

John G.

Has anyone ever had a problem with bees (yellow jacket variety) eating/damaging figs? I've never had a problem with them before, but as figs are ripening, small holes are being burrowed into the fig. I have seen the bees on the figs so I'm just wondering if their causing the damage or something else could be doing the damage but then the bees follow it up. The hole isn't deep, maybe an 1/8" to 1/4" deep, but birds usually go deeper than that (don't they). I have hummingbird feeders within 10 to 12 feet of my container trees but I've never seen them near the trees. Could they be the culprits? I have posted picture of one of the damaged figs. Any ideas? Just for info the fig is Sal's EL. Thanks for any help.

John

Hi all,

I don't post often but am an avid follower. I have a similar situation with a golden celeste tree that was originally in a container but in the spring of 2010, I planted in the ground. Grew like crazy last year but produced few figs. I pinched everything after 5 leaves but few figs. Numerous breba in early spring which I broke off because never would ripen when it was a containe tree. Now this season the same thing seems to be happening. Lots of growth, no figs yet. Do you think it's adjusting to being in the ground? The tree looks great but I too want more than just a bush. I've posted a picture from last season (July), hope it comes through. I'm not the most computer savvy person. I'm located in Northwest NJ.

Like I stated, I don't post often, following the forum for years, the advice is fantastic.

John<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80222188@N02/7354383814/" title="P7230833 by jgroxbury, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7354383814_056d7196e3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7230833"></a>

Well, I broke off ALL the brebas from my container figs (as much as it pained me) this morning and looking foward to a great (I'll settle for good) main crop. Last year's fig production was really good considering most of my trees are in their 3rd year. I keep hearing that they'll really take off by the 5th year. I have 2 trees in ground (osborne prolific & golden celeste) that didn't produce too much. I had planted them in the spring. Golden celeste is 3 years old and osborne prolific is 4 years old. Does anyone think the poor production has to do with adjusting to being in the ground?

Again, thanks for the replies.
John

Frank, thanks for the reply. Was kinda leaning that way (breaking them off) and I guess just looking to reaffirm that thought. Hope a few others might weigh in on their experiences. This early season warm weather has got my container figs a nice head start. Hopefully not to many more "fig shuffles" in and out of my garage.

John

Hi,
Not too much of a poster, but big time lurker. I live in northwest NJ and most of my potted varieties have pea sized breba figs. Anyone in the northeast have any luck with ripening of early crop? I have Sal's (el), osborne prolific, golden celeste, col de dame, and VdB. I had been breaking them off last season figuring they were taking energy from tree, but I'm always a little tempted to try and salvage a few (you know how it is... just can't wait to taste 'em). Last season I left a few on, they grew to about the size of a quarter, but never ripened.
Just want to say the info on this site has been a tremendous help over the years.

Thanks,
John