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Subject: Fruit Dropping Replies: 45
Posted By: omotm Views: 979
 
Mike,

Partially agree with Elin, it is a water issue......not enough. I had the same problem with Alama, Lattarula and LSU Tiger in five gallon buckets. I watered more heavily and managed to save some figs for later in the season. I'd guess I lost 50-75% of the crop on each tree before watering more thoroughly.

Subject: need suggestions - 3rd year Smith - no figs Replies: 28
Posted By: omotm Views: 850
 
RichinNJ,

Copied from Durio Nursery's website:

Smith - A superior, old fig cultivar that has been in the Becnel family for over 100 years. It is a big, flattened, yellow fig with brown shading. The color of the flesh is a deep red and it has a drop of honey at the eye. The quality of this exceptionally sweet fig is outstanding. It is considered "the best fig" by those who know and grow it in the parishes close to the mouth of the Mississippi river.

Subject: need suggestions - 3rd year Smith - no figs Replies: 28
Posted By: omotm Views: 850
 
Here's a photo of my Smith.  Wish it looked liked the Smith at last years LSU Fig Day.

Attached Images
jpeg Smith_tree_7-7-14.jpg (188131, 96 views)
jpeg Smith_tree.jpg (167071, 97 views)

Subject: need suggestions - 3rd year Smith - no figs Replies: 28
Posted By: omotm Views: 850
 
Mike,

Mine is in full sun and has never produced a single fig, ever.  Very disappointing since it is supposed to be a good tasting fig for the south.  I'll try to remember to get a photo tomorrow.

Subject: need suggestions - 3rd year Smith - no figs Replies: 28
Posted By: omotm Views: 850
 
Don't know about others but this tree has been a bit fussy for me.  Very cold intolerant and no third year figs.  I've pinched and the tree/bush looks great this year but still no figs.  Anybody have any ideas, especially those of you in the south where our weather conditions should be similar.  Thanks in advance for your help.  Tree is inground.

Subject: Synthetic fertilizers in SIPs? Replies: 3
Posted By: omotm Views: 343
 
We think alike Steve.  Think it might have something to do with the first name?

I used generic 10-10-10 in my potting mix for my SIP.  This year is the 2nd year so I started adding some mixed liquid fertilizer to the water reservoir since I assumed the 10-10-10 I added last year has been well depleted.  I also added about a tablespoon of pelletized lime to the top surface of the potting mix this year along with a tablespoon of Osmocote.  Once I started addling the liquid fertilizer to the reservoir the tree looked much healthier.  I don't follow the norm and occassionally water from the top since the potting mix looks dry.  This probably leaches some of the salts from the potting mix.  Fall 2015 I will most likely have to do some root pruning and repot so I'm not too worried about salt build up.  Driveway Farmer might be a good member to contact about your question.

Subject: OT Heirloom Tomatoes Replies: 56
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,335
 
Frank,

Do you get production through the summer with these varieties?  It would be great to find a good tasting tomatoe that produces through our extremely hot summers.  I was so psyched to get someplace warmer only to find out it gets to hot for most veggies including tomatoes.  Bummer! : (

Subject: 1st air layer - LSU Tiger Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 292
 
Phil,

No sir.  Striped figs maybe but not leaves.  Here's a photo of a LSU Tiger from last years LSU fig day.

Attached Images
jpeg Tiger_fig.jpg (142939, 33 views)
jpeg Tiger_fig_eye.jpg (118641, 33 views)

Subject: Celeste Study Replies: 27
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,850
 
Paging Mr. Palazzo, paging Mr. Palazzo.  You should post some photos of Vicksburg Celeste, especially of a photo of the tree.

Subject: Atreano - 1st fig pics of the season Replies: 11
Posted By: omotm Views: 672
 
Art,

I did.  I need to get photos posted for you and some other members whose cuttings I have started. 

LC unknown is also growing well.

Subject: 1st air layer - LSU Tiger Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 292
 
My form of a air layer turorial in 12 photos.

1 - April 26 - Tried to remove 1 inch length of bark but couldn't so just cut off strips.  Pic not to good (too windy) but I think you can get the idea. No rooting hormone used.

2 - placed the air layer cup around the striped bark.  Got these air layering "cups" from Bass' website.  Yea, I know I could have used soda bottles but I wanted to support a fellow website member.

3 - packed the cup with damp spaghnum moss

4 - lid in place

5 - back up a bit to take this photo

6 - wrapped with aluminum foil to keep out the sun

7 - now you know why I was air layering this tree.....very lanky.

8 - plenty of roots on July 5  : )  I really didn't think this was going to work since I couldn't remove all the bark and with all the rain, many time the entire cup was at least half full with rain water.

9 - cup off, now you can get a good look at the roots, I cut off the bottom of the branch you can see in the photo

11 - cut this off since it was going to be at or below soil level

12 - branch gone

13 - finished product.  Will keep in a shaded area until new growth is seen.

Attached Images
jpeg air_layer_1_4-26-14.jpg (123969, 36 views)
jpeg air_layer_2_4-26-14.jpg (107106, 36 views)
jpeg air_layer_3_4-26-14.jpg (115877, 36 views)
jpeg air_layer_4_4-26-14.jpg (112565, 37 views)
jpeg air_layer_5_4-26-14.jpg (112050, 32 views)
jpeg air_layer_6_4-26-14.jpg (128141, 32 views)
jpeg air_layer_7_4-26-14.jpg (146772, 32 views)
jpeg air_layer_8_7-5-14.jpg (118488, 35 views)
jpeg air_layer_9_7-5-14.jpg (137134, 32 views)
jpeg air_layer_10_7-5-14.jpg (105370, 32 views)
jpeg air_layer_11_7-5-14.jpg (139702, 36 views)
jpeg air_layer_12_7-5-14.jpg (180891, 37 views)

Subject: Bird problem solved--at least for now Replies: 38
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,592
 
I share your pain Ken.  I was lucky last year and the mocking birds left me alone.  This year I haven't had a single RdB thanks to those effin' birds.  Well then they started going after my inground Celeste.......that's it, this is war.  I started doing the PVC route with bird netting.  I'm hoping they find a way in and can't get out then I'll off them one by one.

Subject: DiRedo pics Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 457
 
Chivas,

DiRedo is a lot like Salce in that I find it needs the least water of all my fig trees.  You are probably right, it likes hot and dry climates.

Subject: Atreano - 1st fig pics of the season Replies: 11
Posted By: omotm Views: 672
 
Cal - don't hold out much hope for those Conadria I gave you.  I think mine isn't the good strain.  Could barely eat mine last year.  I just threw one away last night that was rotting on the tree.  My tree is loaded this year but if the taste is bad.......its going to the chipper!

Steve - this fig was main crop.

Subject: DiRedo pics Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 457
 
OK, not much to look at, but looks can be deceiving.  Fig was sweet and juicy with a very slight seed crunch.  Texture was creamy, almost melts in your mouth.  Good resistance to rain and has a nice closed eye.  I had trouble coming up with a flavor description for this one, not that it was bad, I just couldn't place the flavor profile.

Attached Images
jpeg DiRedo_fig_7-2-14.jpg (113759, 37 views)
jpeg DiRedo_Eye_7-2-14.jpg (85630, 51 views)
jpeg DiRedo_halves_7-2-14.jpg (116579, 56 views)

Subject: Atreano - 1st fig pics of the season Replies: 11
Posted By: omotm Views: 672
 
James (of Austin fame) gave me this tree last year at Danny's Fig Gig in Marshall.  It was looking very sad at the time, but it made a big comeback this year after I up potted it this spring to a 3 gallon nursery pot.  I'd guess there are 9 more figs on this tree and am looking forward to them.

Slightly sweet, slight seed crunch, slight melon flavor (?), thin skin, delicate texture, good resistance to rain, tight-small eye and the birds don't touch them (so far).

Thanks again James!

Attached Images
jpeg Atreano_7-1-14.jpg (118068, 57 views)
jpeg Atreano_eye_7-1-14.jpg (74692, 73 views)
jpeg Atreano_halves_7-1-14.jpg (115487, 75 views)

Subject: Acciano...A must have fig Replies: 46
Posted By: omotm Views: 2,304
 
Ditto....0 for 3 of Acciano, but all 3 of my Salce rooted and are doing fine thankfully.  Looking forward to the Acciano challenge next year. : )

Subject: Sweet Black Jack Replies: 19
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,459
 
It was one of the three trees I lost this winter. : (   Yup, even in Houston.

Subject: Searching for cuttings or trees anywhere around southeast Texas? Replies: 8
Posted By: omotm Views: 514
 
I'd take a ride out to Durios nursery in LA.

http://www.durionursery.biz/

Subject: My 1st ever fresh fig! (and it was awful) Replies: 9
Posted By: omotm Views: 642
 
I had my first Conadria last year and it was awful.  So were the other 3 or 4.  Seems as if they may be different strains out there.  People that have the good pedigre line get good figs and people that have the questionable line......not so good.  I'm sure I have the "not so good" type.

Subject: Prayer and thoughts Replies: 43
Posted By: omotm Views: 985
 
Speedy recovery Charles!

Subject: Beall & Lattarula breba - 1st figs of the year Replies: 2
Posted By: omotm Views: 406
 
Well, for those of you that saw my post a few weeks back about the RdB breba I was waiting for.......the effn' mockingbird got that one.  They are all over down here in TX.  Surprised that one didn't find my trees last year.  Lucky for me they missed a Desert King breba (wasn't very good), a Lattarolla breba (not very good) and the attached Beall and Lattarula breba from today.  The Beall and Lattarula have suffered through some tremendous rains lately and didn't split and the Lattarula kept a closed eye while the Beall eye was sealed with resin.  The Lattarula was just edible, but the Beall was very good.....very slight figgy flavor and sweet.  Kinda reminded me of a Celeste except much bigger in size.  Considering the rain, the Beall is a real keeper, hope the main crop is as good.  Someone at last years LSU fig day gifted the Beall to me and I'm very happy they did.

Attached Images
jpeg Beall_&_Lattarula_1_6-3-14.jpg (120671, 59 views)
jpeg Beall_&_Lattarula_2_6-3-14.jpg (127169, 59 views)

Subject: My first time rooting cuttings Replies: 13
Posted By: omotm Views: 603
 
The cuttings that did root look really nice, good job!

Subject: Hello Replies: 26
Posted By: omotm Views: 718
 
Welcome.  You need to meet up with some of us if LSU has a fig day this year.  Met a few figgers from LA that can help you with good choices for your area.  Might even be able to set you up with a couple of uncommon unreleased LSU fig varieties.

Subject: LattarOlla....Whats the Verdict? Replies: 14
Posted By: omotm Views: 939
 
OK, my last post on this, I promise. ; )

Found my post from last summer regarding Lattarolla:

Moderately crunchy, slightly to moderately sweet, slight figgy flavor, very nice fig with good size....definite keeper. Beautiful looking interior. Thanks for the cuttings Barry! Also a very, very vigerous grower. At the end of this season this fig tree will be my tallest and largest diameter of all those that I started last fall/winter

Subject: LattarOlla....Whats the Verdict? Replies: 14
Posted By: omotm Views: 939
 
Rob,

Here's the figgy line up for comparison.  Left to right - Sunfire, Enola 3, Lattarolla.  I started the cutting on Jan. 26, 2013 and it is 1.5 inches in diameter at the base today.  Also found some fig photos from last summer at the end of Sept.  Note the very large eye, but it did not split completely or spoil.

Attached Images
jpeg Lattarolla_Sunfire_Enola3_5-14-14.jpg (120566, 59 views)
jpeg Lattarolla_eye_9-25-13.jpg (353281, 58 views)
jpeg Lattarolla_fig_9-25-13.jpg (336770, 62 views)
jpeg Lattarolla_fig_halves_9-25-13.jpg (404793, 59 views)

Subject: Thanks and did I cheat? Replies: 23
Posted By: omotm Views: 727
 
Not cheating at all.  When I first got the fig bug last year, I bought a Celeste from Durio and a Hunt and Smith from Just Fruits and Exotics.  Then I learned about cuttings and the rest is history........54 trees later.  Welcome!!

Subject: GO Ronde GO Replies: 5
Posted By: omotm Views: 500
 
This will be my first RdB fig to taste and my first breba.  Maybe the breba will not be the best, but it has got to be better than no fresh figs from one of my trees for close to 7 months. The photo with small figs and leafs was taken on March 16, 2014.  The photo of the fig was taken today, May 14, 2014.

Another example of how kind the members of this forum are.  Totally unexpected, I was handed this tree at Danny's fig gig last year in Marshall, TX by one of the sharing members of this forum attending the meeting.  I was so surprised I almost fell over.

Attached Images
jpeg RdB_3-16-14.jpg (469273, 62 views)
jpeg RdB_breba_5-14-14.jpg (367733, 59 views)

Subject: psyched about Salce - which are you waiting for? Replies: 6
Posted By: omotm Views: 400
 
Tami,

Each person has their own personal tastes, likes and favorites.  Salce is the only variety that I wanted triplicates of.  Keep watch on the figgy forum late fall or early winter.  Bill/Mario offered a few varieties this past year available as cuttings at a reasonable price.

Subject: psyched about Salce - which are you waiting for? Replies: 6
Posted By: omotm Views: 400
 
Many thanks to Bill and Mario for sharing this fig with the community here.  I count 11 figs on my tree right now and really hope they all make it (and more).  Can't wait to taste that carmel, slightly burnt sugar flavor again.

Subject: Tree trade, I'm looking for a Vista. Replies: 3
Posted By: omotm Views: 402
 
Calvin,

As long as you throw in the can of soup we might be able to work a deal. : )  PM me please.

Subject: Still a sleep? or Dead? Replies: 4
Posted By: omotm Views: 441
 
Agree, give them some time.  I still have two or three yearling trees in pots here in the Houston area that are just barely starting to wake up, believe it or not.

Subject: LattarOlla....Whats the Verdict? Replies: 14
Posted By: omotm Views: 939
 
Rob,

My Lattarolla is my best grower by far.  I started a cutting last year thanks to Barry and it was put in a 6-7 gallon self watering pot late last summer I bought at Home Depot.  Trouble is it already wants to be up potted again.  Barry warned me it was a vigerous grower and it certainly is.  I like to refer to it as Lattarollazilla.  It might be my first fig tree I move to a half whiskey barrel or similar.  I had one or two figs from it last summer and it was very tasty.  At last count there are probably 12-15 figs on the tree now, who knows how many I'll get by the end of the season.  On cold nights here this winter I threw a sheet over it and it had no damage at all this spring. Go for it!!!

Subject: Cuttings in the bins for 1, 2, 3 weeks -- too late to score? Replies: 2
Posted By: omotm Views: 331
 
Jim,

Give them more time.  It doesn't make sense, but for me cuttings started in the spring seem to take longer than cuttings started in the winter.

Subject: lessons learned - failed cuttings Replies: 3
Posted By: omotm Views: 407
 
This will be a supplement to Pete's recent post regarding "winter rooting and what we have learned".

I wanted to share my observation from this past winter/spring attempt at starting cuttings.  I'd say about 90% of my cuttings started using my favored method of 32 oz deli container in a covered Rubbermaid type container with heat mat and 60/40 sifted perlite/Mircale Grow Organic Potting soil.  (Note: watch out for fungus gnats with the MG organic potting soil.  I always use WDG gnatrol at the first and subsequent waterings.  If I see any sign of those flying beasts I also use a spray with pyrethrin).

I started to pay careful attention to cuttings which did not root/show leaves or died shortly after (1-3 weeks) showing roots, leaves or both.  This is what I found.....no suprise.....an over abundance of water killed them brought on by uneven distribution of perlite and potting soil.  Either the mix showed areas where the potting soil was the majority of the mix through the height of the deli container or the potting soil had accumulated at the bottom of the container, either was fatal.  The attched photos from the same deli container may not be the best, but I hope you get the idea. 

My corrective action was to increase the amount of perlite in my starting mix to about 80/20 perlite/potting soil.  I also watch more closely as I fill my deli containers.  If it appears as if there are areas of highly concentrated potting soil I will empty the deli container (sometimes 3 or 4 times) and refill until I am satisfied with the uniformity of the mix in the conainer.

Attached Images
jpeg soil_1.jpg (384144, 45 views)
jpeg soil_2.jpg (375628, 45 views)

Subject: Bournabat ??????? Replies: 6
Posted By: omotm Views: 828
 
Danny,

Here is a photo of my 1+ year old Bournabat.  I started it as a cutting from Encanto Farms last spring.  It was a somewhat vigerous grower and seemed to want to put on a lot of figs last summer.  I picked off all but three which never ripened.  This year may decide its fate - keep or wood chipper. : )  You are more than welcome to it if it fails to produce this year.  It may do better in your slightly milder climate.

Attached Images
jpeg Bournabat_5-10-14.jpg (129015, 16 views)

Subject: What is this beastie? Replies: 9
Posted By: omotm Views: 430
 
Hmm, kinda looks like Mothra's babies from the old Godzilla movies.

Subject: Terra cotta clay pots? Replies: 11
Posted By: omotm Views: 641
 
Might be a silly question, but has anyone ever used terra cotta pots for fig trees. I have a Lattarolla in a 6 gallon self watering pot (not a SWC/SIP). Wind keeps blowing it over. I was thinking a larger square terra cotta pot might add some stability.

Subject: New Additions to the garden Replies: 45
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,205
 
I'm coming over to see your bunnies (and trade some cuttings / figlets). I'll be back in a year to buy some fresh rabbit. : ). I had roasted rabbit with fennel in Italy. It was delish!!!

Subject: Still no sign of breaking dormancy in zone 7 Replies: 48
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,705
 
Way down here in the Houston area all my potted trees are leafing out nicely. Black Jack, Battaglia Green, Hardy Chicago, Strawberry Verte and White (green?) Ischia all want to sleep in a little longer and only have leaf buds about the size of a pencil tip.

Subject: Perlite Is... Replies: 15
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,502
 
Hmmm, wonder if the figs will turn blue? ; )  Remember the old science experiment in elementary school using blue food coloring in water to turn celery blue.

Subject: So What Would You Do? Replies: 18
Posted By: omotm Views: 575
 
Mike,

I would stay away from any type of plastic, period.  I've tried plastic bags and over turned garbage cans, doesn't seem to work very well especially if a leave comes in contact with freezing cold plastic it is as sure as gone.  A simple cotton sheet draped over the tree works OK.  Even better is an old blanket or light weight quilt.  With the heavier coverings like a blanket or quilt, a fabric blend such as cotton/polyester works in this case, doesn't have to be 100% cotton.

Good luck.

Subject: Atreano from James (the James in Austin) Replies: 7
Posted By: omotm Views: 443
 
Rewton,

The spots?  Well, we are officially in spring here and the pollen has been the worst I've seen in many years, north or south.  There was a short thunderstorm here last night, just enough to spot up the leaves with pollen.

Subject: Atreano from James (the James in Austin) Replies: 7
Posted By: omotm Views: 443
 
Meghan,

Good to see you back!  I have a photo for you........ I'll try to post in the next few days.  That LSU Tiger you picked up for me is also alive and well.  It is going to be the subject of my first air layer.

Subject: Atreano from James (the James in Austin) Replies: 7
Posted By: omotm Views: 443
 
James kindly let me adopt this Atreano complete with its homemade fabric bag at last years fig gig in Marshall, TX (thanks Danny).  This spring it started putting out leaves in earnest so it was transplanted to a 3 gallon nursey pot.  See James, it wasn't dead at all.  Just another example that you do need to beat up a fig tree really bad to kill it.  Apparently this one wasn't beat up sufficiently!

Attached Images
jpeg Atreano_from_James_3-24-14.jpg (184496, 50 views)

Subject: Covering drainage holes Replies: 43
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,537
 
I used to use spaghnum moss stuffed in the holes then I tried Rafed's suggestion (post #4).  It's a freakin' great idea, the adhesive holds the piece of drywall tape in place while you fill the pot.  This IS the best idea since sliced bread. : )

Subject: The Little Fig Ranch Replies: 40
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,077
 
Hey Tami, good to see you posting again.  Home Depot, no way!  I looked all last summer and couldn't find it anywhere locally.....Home Depot, Lowe's, the bigger nurseries.  Do you still have the bag?  Can you post a photo of the bag if you have it or a close up of the limestome particles?  Thanks a bunch.

Subject: The Little Fig Ranch Replies: 40
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,077
 
Tami,

What is the white material on top of the potting soil in the last photo?  Limestone?

Subject: PIX: Dominick's Fig and Maltese Beauty Replies: 20
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,082
 
Wow Pete, they're beautiful.  Did you use grow lights or start them extra early?

Subject: How Did You Loose Your Tree Tag? Replies: 38
Posted By: omotm Views: 1,103
 
Silver sharpie on the pot, aluminum can strip with name "engraved" by pen in the soil and aluminum tag and wire around the tree trunk.  Triple redundancy can't fail. Or can it???