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Subject: Are fig trees deer resistant? Replies: 17
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 262
 
I thought raccoons were rare in the country. Don't they need a steady supply of trash to maintain the huge populations we have to deal with in cities?

Subject: Local street Raleigh Fig Replies: 11
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 191
 
If your interested in public fruit, there's a map for that. There's 5 figs mapped in Raleigh.

https://fallingfruit.org/

Subject: How many trees Replies: 12
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 376
 
One, if you want to maximize productivity. Two, if you want to maximize number of varieties.

Subject: I would like to ask Replies: 7
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 290
 
Growing one from seed is about like expecting LaBron James' offspring to be just like him in basketball. You gotta a 99% chance its worse, and 1% chance its better. Sexual reproduction (which is what you get if you don't use cuttings/tissue culture) never turns out like the parent.

Subject: Vegetation progress in zone 6 and 7 Replies: 12
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 304
 
Zone 8a for comparison... same tree two angles. Most brebas lost when it got to 28 degrees a few weeks ago.  IMAG0524.jpg 

IMAG0523.jpg 


Subject: Pruning suggestions for VERRRRY LEGGY fig Replies: 14
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 433
 
I'd prune at the red lines and hit it with a nitrogen heavy fertilizer.

 Prune.jpg


Subject: Help pick figs to ground Replies: 19
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 339
 
Low maintenance, productive, hardy, common figs tend to be underrated on this forum. All too often this forum leads people to rare varieties that produce just a handful of amazing figs. If I had only 4 spots, I would definitely use one spot for celeste. Sure everyone has one, but that's because its low maintenance, hardy and produces copious amounts of figs every year.

Subject: PANACHEE seeds on ebay... Replies: 5
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 163
 
Is this how new cultivars come into existence?

No. Assuming these are fertilized fig seeds (they're just as likely to be carrot seeds), there is a very small chance that it will be a common fig and an even smaller chance it will be worth sharing. No one who has spent a minute reading anything about figs would even consider making that purchase. Outside of the LSU and UCD varieties almost none of the figs worth having come from seeds but from cuttings handed down for centuries.

Subject: blueberry source? Replies: 14
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 260
 
Dan Finch sells good blueberries out of NC.

http://www.danfinch.com/

Subject: OT - Southeastern Fig Festival - Charlotte, NC Replies: 116
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 4,407
 
From what I know, the original tree was brought from Greece by George Photopoulos (along with an olive tree that he kept in a heated pot at the entrance of the restaurant). The tree overhung the sidewalk and a few times, I saw people grab figs from the passenger side of the car. The restaurant closed last year and the tree has since been cut down. Thanks to Dragos, this one was saved. The original tree is still visible on google maps.

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2015/08/27/whats-next-for-greek-isles-after-closing-south-end.html

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.2169174,-80.8541785,3a,75y,242.81h,83.01t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sP01C_a820tsDLb5Pp85Fgg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Subject: What would kill a fig budding, temperature or frost in the spring? Replies: 23
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 523
 
It got to 29.5F at my house last night (under 32 for about 5 hours). I only see minor damage to my inground trees. The trees near the house (south and west facing red brick) only lost around 5-10% of leaves. The trees further from the house show about 50% leaf loss.

I actually covered a couple of the smaller trees with thin table clothes and they have more leaf damage than the ones that were left uncovered. I've got no idea why.

It actually got down to 25 in a mid April freeze last year and my figs had no damage to the wood. Just leaves and new growth died. My "hardy" pomegranates were another story. Of my four trees, two died and two died to the roots.

Subject: ideas to extend growing season Replies: 6
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 252
 
If you have a south facing office, you can use it as a greenhouse...
 IMAG0451.jpg 


Subject: Does amount of daylight affect fig trees? Replies: 18
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 426
 
The days may be longer up North, but the sun angle is much lower. This means the sun is providing far less energy. If you don't believe its much of a difference, compare 12 hours on a Northern European beach with no sunscreen to 3 hours in Costa Rica without it. You'll be hurting much more with the latter.

Subject: Gourmet figs vs. Common figs Replies: 9
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 413
 
1) Almost any fig grown in proper conditions picked at peak ripeness.
2-4) Any variety under sub-optimal conditions picked before or after perfectly ripe.

Growing conditions is at least 40% of what makes a fig great, ripeness is at least another 40% and variety is at most 20%.

If you could only preserve a couple of varieties it would have to be some of the highly productive ones like Chicago Hardy, LSU purple or Celeste. I'd rather have 1000 figs that are 8/10 then a dozen that are 10/10. 

Subject: OT - Grass Replies: 7
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 171
 
The great thing about Charlotte is you just have to mow the lawn and it is always green. The problems start when you take the job of 100 different plants and try to replace it with a single grass. March and October are the best when you get an emerald colored carpet of white clover.

Subject: OT - too late to plant paw paws? Replies: 13
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 290
 
I just planted a pawpaw and a persimmon, both in full sun. The persimmon dropped all of its leaves and the pawpaw only lost half a leaf (I assume the deer decided it wasn't worth finishing). The pawpaws I planted this spring needed to be watered way too often (at least twice a week even with a screen covering from June-Mid August). I would assume fall is a better time to plant paw paws considering they don't do well in full sun until a root system is established and they are very cold hardy. I am hoping to avoid watering at all next year by planting in ground now.


Subject: ants in my figs? Replies: 10
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 323
 
I also eat the ants with the fig. One time out of curiosity I isolated them from the fig to see what flavors they were contributing. They are kind of a sweet peppery flavor. The closest thing I can think of to it is mango skin.

Subject: ID Help Replies: 6
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 208
 
Please help ID this fig tree. I got it from a lady who said it was brought by her father from Karpenessi Greece. So far its been the first of my trees to leaf out and the last of my trees to loose leaves. Fruit taste is definitely in the honey flavor category. The eye seals up with honey too. Kapenissi Fruit.jpg  Kapenissi Leaf.jpg  Kapenissi Fruit2.jpg

Subject: This Longue d' Aout deserves the spotlight Replies: 17
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 577
 
Can you post a picture of the leaves? The fruit looks exactly like Nordland.

Subject: Lazy Man's Guide to Air Layering Replies: 4
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 289
 
1. Fill pot
2. Bend branch
3. Place rock

layer.jpg 


Subject: Hooray ! We have the first rain of the summer! Replies: 11
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 357
 
I got about .15 inches yesterday in Charlotte. Still only have 1.9 since April 20th (should be around 12 inches). A few miles south of me has had inch+ rains about 5 times in the last month. Seems like their is a rain shield over my house.

Subject: Tissue Culture vs fruiting wood Replies: 8
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 304
 
...but any fig lover would be willing to give up fruit to not have the ravaging fig mosaic virus.

/ sacr off

Subject: The Weather Replies: 8
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 306
 
Lows are usually around 7:30 AM here. Maybe you're looking at the wrong timeframe. The temps are still dropping in that screenshot.

Here's a better hourly forecast.

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.59460&lon=-105.014&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical

Subject: Can you ID these figs? Replies: 5
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 398
 
#1 looks a lot like the Chicago Hardies I'm getting now. They seem to lighten up a lot once it gets cool.

Subject: Controling ants Replies: 15
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 622
 
I add a spoonful of honey to my borax/sugar traps. The smell really brings the ants out.

Subject: My fruit again disease? :( Replies: 5
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 377
 
You didn't let us know how it effects the taste or smell. IMHO, food is better if you don't look. If we judged with our eyes, we would all be eating the flawless, but bland and underripe fruits from the grocery store.

Subject: I hate deer. Now what? Replies: 8
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 430
 
I reached the conclusion that they don't really like figs either, but when you live in city you have to contend with dozens of deer each taking a sample. I've found that milorganite will keep them away for a few weeks.

I envy the people outside the cities. They can just make jerky out of trespassers.

Subject: Introducing East Martin Luther King Replies: 24
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 819
 
Looks just like the BG I have. It is my favorite fig so far as well. New name doesn't seem necessary.

Subject: Nordland Availability? Replies: 27
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 1,560
 
Dan,

If you don't get it, you obviously haven't used enough LSD.

Subject: Kesariani Unknown Greek Replies: 4
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 425
 
My first cutting from the forum 18 months later. Thanks again Marius. It was very good despite ripening in 2+ inches of rain (thankfully I missed the 4+ inch torrent Dennis got) and highs in the 70's this weekend.

It also made it through this winter very well with only a few inches of die-back. Down below 10 on 3 nights and it only got a blanket + a black garbage bag for protection.

It has much better flavor than my Celeste and is much sweeter Chicago Hardy. Seems to ripen about 5 days earlier than the CH it is next to.
Fig_Kesariani4.JPG 

Fig_Kesariani2.JPG


Subject: How to get Seeds from Turkey? Replies: 12
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 605
 
I have some fig jam from Turkey in my pantry (bought it at Super G International store). I'd be willing to bet some of the seeds are still viable.

Subject: proper way to save cuttings Replies: 3
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 358
 
I've never thought cleaning them was necessary. The more we learn about bacteria, the more we learn that many are helpful, and often the helpful bacteria keep the harmful ones in check. In my mind, its equivalent to giving an antibiotic to a healthy person just because you know they are crawling with billions of bacteria. I would not clean them unless you know exactly what you are trying to kill. You also know that clorox is harmful to you and your health is way more important than any tree.

As far as FMV is concerned, +1 for Rob's post.

Subject: Fig Art! Replies: 35
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 1,871
 
This is for my wife's cousin. He's a Greek orthodox minister. I hope it works. 
IMG_1990.JPG   


Subject: Fig Art! Replies: 35
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 1,871
 
Back splash tile from my mother in law. She also did raspberries, blueberries, persimmons, plums and pomegranates. IMG_1989.JPG 

Subject: Virus free Replies: 9
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 528
 
"The only way to kill FMV is to put the tree through serious stress.  Expose the roots to 120 degrees F for many days.  The tree will be stressed, and will drop most leaves.  Many roots will die.  Soak the pot for 3 days, and then flood it with Miracle grow.  The tree will recover and be FMV free.  Heresy, I know.  I did it.  It worked, but I let that tree die at the hands of workers at this house with their wrought iron spray.  It couldn't take that punishment.  It lived through the heat, but chemicals killed it."

Thanks for confirming the "cure" is worse than the "disease". I think thats what everyone really needs to know.

Subject: Heresy alert: What's your favorite fresh fruit? Replies: 43
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 858
 
Can't believe no one has mentioned Mulberries. Not sure if they are really my favorite or if I'm biased because they ripen in May. At that point I've eaten nothing but grocery store crap for 6 months.

Subject: OT: This Time of Year Replies: 9
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 461
 
Can't beat it. Got my first real tomatoes (not cherry) yesterday, first blueberries today and there's enough blackberries my kids let me have some. Everyday brings a new bounty. Just wishing I was in Dennis' boat eating brebas.

So what are yall enjoying for the first time since last year?

Subject: Fig cuttings? Replies: 17
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 894
 
If you can spot a fig tree, you can find cuttings. I live far from fig heaven, and its still easy to spot branches (cuttings) overhanging public areas.Practice a bunch this summer and you'll be ready by the fall.


Subject: Moving to shade Replies: 8
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 442
 
Wrap the container and shade as much soil as possible with aluminum foil. Most of the heat in the pot is coming from the sun's radiation being absorbed not conduction or convection from the hot air. Aluminum foil is a very effective radiant barrier and will keep the soil much cooler when in full sun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiant_barrier

Subject: OT: NBA Finals Anyone? Replies: 18
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 453
 
My prediction: after the series is over, none of them play hustle defense until the payoffs next year.

Subject: Sicilian Miniature Replies: 17
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 777
 
I think that's the legendary big rock candy mountain fig.

One evening as the sun went down
And the jungle fires were burning,
Down the track came a hobo hiking,
And he said, "Boys, I'm not turning
I'm headed for a land that's far away
Besides the crystal fountains
So come with me, we'll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
There's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes
And you sleep out every night.
Where the boxcars all are empty
And the sun shines every day
And the birds and the bees
And the cigarette trees
The lemonade springs
Where the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
All the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs
The farmers' trees are full of fruit
And the barns are full of hay
Oh I'm bound to go
Where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall
The winds don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
You never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol
Come trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats
And the railway bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew
And of whiskey too
You can paddle all around it
In a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
The jails are made of tin.
And you can walk right out again,
As soon as you are in.
There ain't no short-handled shovels,
No axes, saws nor picks,
I'm bound to stay
Where you sleep all day,
Where they hung the jerk
That invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
....
I'll see you all this coming fall
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains


Subject: Suspected FMV Replies: 10
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 593
 
FMV is a non-issue for figs (if it was, Jon would have a sticky thread because it is ubiquitous). This sounds like a case of loving your plants to death. Try to do nothing for a few months. If that doesn't work you can get new trees next year.

Subject: Wet looking stem. Replies: 4
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 373
 
Check for borer holes. A wet spot like that is why I looked closely enough to spot them on my trees.

Subject: Borer Beetle Damage Replies: 6
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 474
 
I sprayed pesticide in the hole then painted over with latex paint. I did not notice any other beetle holes on any of my other trees.

Subject: Borer Beetle Damage Replies: 6
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 474
 
Trying to decide if I should cut back below the borer hole. Please advise. (My other trees have mature leaves now so its much slower to leaf out.)

First picture is the tree.
Second picture is the branch removed that had a borer hole. Beige in first picture.
Third picture is the borer hole on the main trunk. Red circle in first picture. tree.JPG  left espalier branch.JPG  borer hole.JPG 


Subject: question regarding taking cuttings. Replies: 14
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 751
 
I guess I'll go prune now.

Hopefully no more days below 10 degrees for a few years while mine get established. All 10 of my first year in ground trees made it, but most do have some copper tones at the top. Even the ones that were in a cage full of leaves.

Subject: question regarding taking cuttings. Replies: 14
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 751
 
Mine are showing a copper color at the end too. This is it on my Chicago Hardy. It has one small breba and is just starting to leaf out. Not sure if the copper parts will leaf out but the copper part looks like it is alive (but barely).


IMG_1894.JPG


Subject: OT: that time of the week again. name your beer. Replies: 77
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 1,963
 
I had a fig brew at a local brew club and tried Mother Earth's. Both were ok but I think I prefer them separately. I'm hoping to start a fig mead later this summer. I think that would be a better brew.

40b41a239b9de346b76d404942c49ed3_640x640.jpg 


Subject: Compost Bin Fig Replies: 7
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 504
 
I pull them out of my compost every year. All the wood scraps too small to be a legit cutting go in and quite a few make it out. They are great to pot up and give to people that want a fig tree and don't care what kind.

Subject: OT: that time of the week again. name your beer. Replies: 77
Posted By: barnhardt9999 Views: 1,963
 
Looking for some Lagunitas Brown Shugga Substitute Ale. Until I find it, I'll be workin' on my Serria Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA. I still have my fingers crossed that Stone builds their East Cost brewery in Charlotte. I would love to have some local Arrogant Bastard.