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Subject: Fafard In Bulk Replies: 0
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 516
 

Fafard also supplies bulk (unbagged) product to the horticultural trade.  They can also custom blend.  Here is a link to their production facilities:  http://www.fafard.com/ContactUs/ProductionFacilities.aspx
There are locations in FL, SC, TX, MN, and Canada.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Fig Propagation Tests Replies: 5
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 911
 
From Remp's post:  'Girdling 30 days before taking cuttings increased rooting from 55 to 100% and hastened rooting to 28 days versus 90 days.' That's pretty impressive.  My questions are how was this done and was IAA/IBA hormone also used?  Was it a cutting or an airlayer?

John
Zone 9b

Subject: NATIVE SOILS FOR FIG TREES Replies: 15
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 2,019
 
Color map of The Soils of France:  http://www.dijon.inra.fr/la_science_et_vous/biologie_des_sols

There is a lot of variation in the soil types.

It's in French so you may wish to paste the link into google translate.

John
zone 9b

Subject: Compost Tea? Replies: 16
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,301
 
I use a compost tea made from worm castings and it works great.  2 cups castings to 4 gal of rainwater, mix for 2 to 3 days and apply immediately for best results.  Does not burn and a great growth stimulant.   Packaged worm castings work fine.  You can also top dress each plant with a handful of worm castings. 

It is recommended that you use only well aged compost to make tea - the objective is to make a brew of the compost with a high level of beneficial bacteria, etc.  Composts of other origins are also used:  cow, horse, rabbit, etc. 

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Black Velvet Potting soil Replies: 17
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,742
 
I haven't tried Black Velvet soil but I have looked at the Black Kow manure.  I never realized Kow's ate so much sand.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Fig Plants in FL After 19" of Rain Replies: 11
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 935
 
Rafed,
I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

It's rather humbling how a 'minor' tropical storm has caused extensive damage over such a large area.  Unlike many others, I was fortunate and did not have any damage.  Even the turtle nests at the beach were affected - about 2/3 are missing at this point.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Fig Plants in FL After 19" of Rain Replies: 11
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 935
 
I've learned to wear something on the hands.  Not so much to protect the hands but as a reminder not to touch the face, etc.  Even after washing my hands several times I can feel the heat on the mouth, eyes, etc.

One of my favorite varieties is the Kung Pao, medium hot about 2 !/2 to 3" long and skinny.  Pick when a deep red, great eaten raw or for cooking.  Very popular for stir fry.  Eaten raw the heat lasts a minute or two.  Plants are productive and produce most of the year - even into Dec.  Thin walled, they will air dry too. Seeds are easy to germinate.  Limited supply of free seeds to any forum member for cost of postage.  Send a PM.  My way of saying thank you for the generosity of other members. 

John
Zone 9b

Attached Images
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Subject: Fig Plants in FL After 19" of Rain Replies: 11
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 935
 
No, the Bhut Jolokia's are too hot for me to eat straight.  I do add a very small amount when cooking soups, stews, etc to add a depth of flavor. 

A hot Thai pepper is about as hot as I like.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Fig Plants in FL After 19" of Rain Replies: 11
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 935
 
I use a combination of Maxicrop soluble kelp powder, worm castings, worm tea, bone meal and as needed I use a commercial fertilizer with micronutrients (Peters).  As a carryover from keeping orchids and platycerium ferns I tend to fertilize lightly and frequently. 

I've recently increased the commercial fertilizer because of all the rain.   My preference is to apply at 1/2 strength, then again if needed.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Fig Plants in FL After 19" of Rain Replies: 11
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 935
 
Candidly, I'm surprised how well container planted fig trees have shrugged off over 19" of rain during the month of June.  Nearly 10" of this total was from tropical storm Debbie.  The location is south of Tampa,Fl about 5 miles inland from the ocean.

Except for the larger VDB plant, the rest of the plants are from this years scions.  Potting mix is a combination of about 20% coarse perlite with the balance a mix of pine bark fines, soil mix and BX peat mix.  Each of the pots have 3 to 4 large drainage holes.  The patio is elevated and partially shaded.

Only one plant seems stressed, likely by FMV.  The rest of the fig and pepper plants have simply shrugged off what is nearly tropical monsoon rainfall. The only change I have made is to increase the fertilizer levels. 

I have some extra Bhut Jolokia hot pepper seeds that I will share with other members - just cover the postage cost.  Send me a PM. 

John
Zone 9b

Attached Images
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Subject: J.C. Forkner Fig Garden Recipes from 1910's, 110 Pages! Replies: 2
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 611
 

Another great find:  The J.C. Forkner Fig Garden Recipes: How to Serve Figs In the Home.  A ton of interesting recipes - 110 pages.

From archives.org, here's the link:  http://archive.org/details/jcforknerfiggard00forkrich

Enjoy.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Dromedary Fig & Date Cookbook 1910 Replies: 4
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 798
 
From Dromedary a 1910 cookbook featuring fig and date recipes.  http://www.archive.org/stream/dromedarycookboo00newyiala/dromedarycookboo00newyiala_djvu.txt

John
zone 9b

Subject: Figs and US Customs? Replies: 6
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,285
 
Here is a brief, condensed overview of what's needed - even for cuttings.

A special word of thanks to those who go through the considerable effort to legally import figs so that others may share in the enjoyment. 

From USDA APHIS, http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/index.shtml, you will need form 587 which is a Plant Importation Permit.  It may take up to 2 months to be issued.

It's likely form 546, Agreement for Postentry Quarantine, will also be required.
Your state participates in this quarantine with permit and inspection.

A phytosanitary certificate from the departing country saying the plant is free of pests/pathogens.

No soil is permitted on the roots.  Bare root or in something like spaghnum, etc.

When all of the above are followed, US Customs allows up to 12 plants to be brought personally into the USA.  You will also need all documentation and permits.  Any greater quantity and you will need a customs broker.

If that hasn't discouraged you, the plants also have to be inspected at a USDA plant inspection facility and during regular hours.  It's difficult but not impossible.  

John
zone 9b

Subject: Tissue culture Replies: 14
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 2,053
 
A large plant tissue culture co. in central Fl lists 5 fig varieties on their stock list:  Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Ischia, LSU Purple and Magnolia.  The LSU Purple is a new addition showing June availability.  They sell in 72 cell trays.   

John

Subject: Recipe: Figs with Saffron Apples Replies: 0
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 443
 
This recipe for figs with saffron apples looks interesting:
http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/12842/figs-with-saffron-apples

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Soils of France Replies: 1
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 599
 
Color maps of soil types in France.

http://www.dijon.inra.fr/la_science_et_vous/biologie_des_sols

It's in French so paste the link into Google translate.

John
Zone 9b

Subject: Oxycal, aka Calcium Peroxygen Replies: 7
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,035
 
Also called calcium peroxide, it slowly releases oxygen when exposed to water.  It's also found in 'whitening' toothpaste and as a conditioner in bread flour.

I'd keep the $20. 

A commercial use is to treat contaminated soils - ones that smell like rotten eggs. 

I have enough difficulty trying to duplicate mother nature, let alone trying to make improvements. 

John
zone 9b




 

Subject: Are fig leaves toxic to horses? Replies: 11
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 3,056
 
Ficus benjamina is the common weeping fig, the edible fig is ficus carica.  Either an equine vet or a univ. vet school with an equine program should be able to answer your question. 

From http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/fig.html in reference to ficus carica:

Toxicity The latex of the unripe fruits and of any part of the tree may be severely irritating to the skin if not removed promptly. It is an occupational hazard not only to fig harvesters and packers but also to workers in food industries, and to those who employ the latex to treat skin diseases.

John
zone 9b

Subject: Anticipation Replies: 5
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 896
 

Vidalia Onion Fig Sauce product label:

Ingredients:
Sugar, Water, Apples,Figs, Balsamic Vinegar, Vidalia® Onion (7.0%), Soy Sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt), Canola Oil, Fig Concentrate, Cider Vinegar, Orange Juice, Mustard (mustard seed, vinegar, water, salt, turmeric, spices), Onion, Xanthan Gum, Salt, Curry Powder, Spices, Citric Acid


John

Subject: "Safe", Broad-Spectrum Herbicide Replies: 26
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,534
 
6 Natural Weed Control Solutions:  http://www.organicauthority.com/organic-gardening/organic-gardening/6-natural-weed-control-solutions.html

Burn 'em with a torch.

John

Subject: Book review LES FIGUERES A LES ILLES BALEARS Montserrat Pons Replies: 53
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 8,377
 
Here is the link to the 357 varieties of figs at Son Mut Nou:  http://www.sonmutnou.com/htm/campexperimentacio.pdf.

Another listing of varieties from Island of Baeares:  http://www.sonmutnou.com/htm/llistafigueres1.htm

Our thanks to Sonmutnou and his website sunmutnou.com for this information.

John

Subject: Thesis on Fig's - Very Informative Replies: 8
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,002
 
Bourjasotte Noire, Col de Damme Noire and Noire de Caromb are the subjects of a master's thesis from 2010:  'Tree Training and Managing Complexity and Yield in Fig.' 

Three primary areas are researched.
1.  Vegetative and reproductive phenology of three fig cultivars.
2.  Developing pruning strategies/ timing and intensity of pruning cuts.
3.  Effects of agents in combination with tip pruning on bud break, growth
     and yield.

The thesis is a much better read than the abstract. 

Link to the article abstract: http://ir1.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/3184

Link to the complete 112 page PDF thesis (from the bottom of the abstract): 
http://ir1.sun.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10019.1/3184/Gerber%2c%20H.J.pdf?sequence=1

John
FL Zone 9b

Subject: Fig Vodka from Germany Replies: 3
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 980
 
Fig Vodka from Germany:  http://www.artofdrink.com/ingredients/liqueur/kleiner-feigling-vodka/

A simple recipe for fig infused vodka:  http://www.theculinaryworks.com/index.php/party-planning/cocktails/276-fig-cocktails

John
FL Zone 9b

Subject: pre-fab, dummy proof self-watering container? Replies: 6
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 1,109
 

You might look at the auto pot system, or use just the auto pot smart valve with a larger container.  The smart valve waters only when it's needed and feeds from a reservor. 

http://www.autopot.com.au/ and look under technology for auto valve mk 2.  Smart drippers are another choice.  There is a USA distributor.  The product looks interesting but I have not tried it. 

An alternative would be micro irrigation.  I've used this with orchids and it works well.  A battery operated timer installs on a water hose outlet, then the tubing and the emiters distribute the water.  A decent timer is about $50.  It does require a small tubing about 1/4" from the faucet to the plant(s); which is likely the biggest drawback.  My system ran flawlessly for several years. 

What other ideas are there?

John
FL - zone 9b

Subject: Anyone selling? Replies: 6
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 936
 

I can help with 2 cuttings of Sal's Corleone.  Since I received these through the generosity of a forum member for only the cost of postage, I extend the same offer to you.  They arrived earlier this week and are still dormant.  Send me a PM.  I also have a Celeste and Golden Celeste cuttings.  John

Subject: Sal's Corleone scion Replies: 37
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 3,244
 

I received the Sal's Corleone cuttings today and they are very nice.  The postage reimbursement will be mailed tomorrow.  Thanks again, John

Subject: think UC Davis cuttings will come earller this year? Replies: 90
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 5,865
 
Tim, there are 2 excellent articles on rooting pomegranates.  From Univ. of FL:
http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/pomegranates/guidelines.shtml

At the bottom of the article there is a link to USDA-Davis that describes how they propagate pomegranates. 

Now I'm curious, has USDA-Davis published an article on fig propagation?

John

        
       

Subject: Known LSU Variants, Less Known & ...more ?? Replies: 31
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 2,820
 
Today I found a very good 11 page article from LSU on Champagne, O'Rourke and Tiger varieties.  http://www.lsu.edu/departments/horticulture/new_figs.pdf

John V.

Subject: Stink Bugs Eat Cuttings! Replies: 9
Posted By: Johnson1 Views: 798
 
Hi, I'm a new member and would like to share some information that I recently found while searching for pesticides that are effective against white flies.  The same product has been given conditional EPA approval for use on stink bugs in several states.   Fast track approval was given since so few things are effective against the stink bugs.  The tradenames are Venom and Scorpion; the products are the same.  It's a systemic product.  http://www.valent.com/agriculture/products/venom/index.cfm  The sale/use of the product may be regulated, I've not tried it.

Also, my thanks to all for an excellent forum and their generosity.

John