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Subject: Thank you Driveway Farmer!!! Replies: 26
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,408
 
Kerry is a pillar of this community and one of the greatest people one could ever hope to meet.

Subject: rain gutter sub irrigated greenhouse figs Replies: 16
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,240
 
Fantastic! Brilliant! Thanks for the video.

Subject: Good reading Replies: 9
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 591
 
Frank, isn't there some chance the roots are still alive?

Subject: UC Davis Cutting delivery STARTED !!! wohoooooo. Replies: 105
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 4,660
 
I set up a UPS account for UCD to use. Shipping cost was $27. Cuttings arrived on March 19th.

Subject: Success Rates Replies: 28
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,274
 
Your greenhouse will be a tremendous help to you for lengthening the growing season.

I have a small 12'x16' greenhouse with about 15 one and two year old trees in it. They are leafing out nicely while my neighbor's in-ground, outdoor tree (from which most of mine came) is still completely dormant.

Subject: how often can you order from USDA/UCD? Replies: 35
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,710
 
OK, Harvey, thanks. I'll look into this for next year.
My initial research doesn't look promising.

Subject: how often can you order from USDA/UCD? Replies: 35
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,710
 
Harvey, are there any poms suited to the Pacific Northwest? We have warm summers but very cool, windy winter/early spring weather.
I do have an unheated greenhouse and would like to try poms in the ground or in pots.
Appreciate any advice.

Subject: Convert any small container into a SIP...Sub-Irrigated Planter for Growing Cuttings Replies: 58
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 10,536
 
Thanks for the exhaustive research, Pete. Amazingly generous contribution.

Subject: Dominick's Fig Tree Cuttings Update Replies: 32
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 3,004
 
Cuttings arrived today, Coop. Thank you so much.

Looks like two of us here in Southwest Washington will have a chance to spread the legacy of this tree.

Funds on the way.

Subject: GNAT! Replies: 46
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,903
 
Thanks, Dave. I'm gonna try cheap and easy first since I have cinnamon and chamomile already in the house. The dryer sheets is a great idea.

Subject: GNAT! Replies: 46
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,903
 
Has anyone here tried cinnamon and/or chamomile tea? Looks like those get mentioned quite a bit on the 'net for controlling fungus gnats.

Subject: GNAT! Replies: 46
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,903
 
Oh - thanks for the pix. I do have some of those. About no damage, tho, someone posted that they had lost cuttings to gnats, so I'm curious about that part.

Subject: GNAT! Replies: 46
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,903
 
What do the gnats look like and what damage do they cause?

Subject: Pretty affordable nursery containers. Link added. Share your best places to buy your garden goodies. Replies: 8
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 726
 
Greg, I'm pretty sure you could put in a "practice" order to see what shipping costs.

I found the shipping to be quite inexpensive but it does skyrocket once the pots exceed the 10 gallon size.
They are very sturdy pots that will last many years; I also like that they have a wide bottom which makes them more stable when it's windy.

Oh by the way, as everyone probably knows, but I'll mention anyway, those nursery manufacturers live in some parallel universe, where the capacity of a 7 gallon pot is actually 5.6 gallons, etc.

Subject: Pretty affordable nursery containers. Link added. Share your best places to buy your garden goodies. Replies: 8
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 726
 
I've ordered those very same blow-molded pots. I don't recommend them. They are thin, flimsy and do not hold their shape. The "handles" are useless.

Spend a little more and get injection molded pots. 5 times the quality. I like these by Gro Pro. I've bought several different sizes. They are thick and sturdy.

http://www.urbangardensupply.net/pots-containers/round-pots/gro-pro-premium-nursery-pot-7-gallon/

Subject: Celeste Cuttings Replies: 31
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 2,295
 
Hi Gloria,

The cuttings arrived today, safe and sound and damp. Thank you very much! Your generosity epitomizes all that's good about this forum.

Subject: Shaping a greenhouse JH Adriatic Replies: 24
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,992
 
Beautiful tree and figs, thanks for posting.

Subject: My greenhouse project. Replies: 29
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,454
 
You will love your greenhouse, once completed. Thanks for the pix and keep us posted on progress.

Subject: Air layer success with Desert King Replies: 9
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 584
 
Thank you all!

It is really great to learn and successfully pull off a new propagation technique, especially with fig trees, of which there are never enough.

Subject: Air layer success with Desert King Replies: 9
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 584
 
Hi everyone,

I had never heard of air layering before joining the forum. It captured my fancy and I had to try it.

I found an errant, sideways growing branch on a young Desert King. It was a no-risk situation; if the air layer failed, at least it was on a branch I didn't want anyway.

The air layer didn't fail. I'm happy to report that air layering is simple, fun, and really works.

I cut off about an inch of bark, roughed up the cambium layer, slit a 1 quart cottage cheese container and its lid, put it over the branch, stuffed plain old peat moss in it, taped it closed with packing tape, and covered it with foil.

[ALDK2]

2 months later, lots of roots.

[ALDK3]

And now, junior is off to live her own life unattached to Mama. Straighten up there, youngster!

[ALDK4]

That's a little seaweed water in the saucer to help with the shock of transplant, although I didn't disturb the roots.
Using a cottage cheese container was a mistake; something clear would be much better for monitoring progress. Next time...

Subject: Is this greenhouse pointless? Replies: 11
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,244
 
Chrome, not sure what to say about the green covering, but a more normal transparent covering would be a big help to you both in the fall and particularly in the spring.

I'm south of you, east of Vancouver. My little trees were in my greenhouse this past spring, enjoying 75 degree days while the temp was 55 outside. My greenhouse is unheated and uninsulated, but nevertheless, it really was like gaining an extra month as the trees broke dormancy earlier and eventually the figs ripened earlier than they would have outside. I was so pleased that I'm adding a little 54 sq. foot extension to the greenhouse right now. That's what happens when you hang out here on the forum with these fig addicts; you find you need more trees and then more space.

That said, I've read that the HF greenhouses are very flimsy and you may want to invest in structurally reinforcing yours if you plan to leave it up as the fall winds hit.

Subject: Negretta, Chris Black, Smith, Violette de Bordeaux (Negronne) and Brown Turkey Photos Replies: 41
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 2,812
 
Thanks for the pix and report, Tam. Nicely pruned container trees.

Subject: What is this insect? Replies: 5
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 558
 
Ah-ha! Thanks, fellas.

I was just researching what could be causing a mottled appearance to the leaves of some of my trees.

Now I see this:

"Both adults and nymphs feed by puncturing the undersides of leaves and stems and sucking out plant juices, leaving a mottled appearance."

Subject: Fig of the day - Negronne 08-27-2013 Replies: 24
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 4,612
 
Beautiful trees, Pete. Thanks for posting.

Subject: What is this insect? Replies: 5
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 558
 
Light green, they scurry to the underside of the leaf or jump away upon being approached.

They congregate on all my young fig trees, and seem to prefer them to any other plant.

bugs.jpg 

Subject: HC (Inground Espalier) Replies: 7
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 404
 
Nice job rescuing the suffering tree, and thanks for the excellent pix.

Subject: This guy ate 15 figs for breakfast Replies: 22
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,029
 
Adorable kid, Jimmy. I'm with Rewton, I didn't eat a fresh fig until I was 56.

Subject: Atreano,Largest tree with largest fruits size here! pix Replies: 22
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,225
 
Beautiful tree!

Subject: Some notching success Replies: 9
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 500
 
Bobby, look closely at the pictures and you'll see the notches. Figure out where you want a new branch (in terms of height from the base of the tree), then find the closest dormant bud that faces the direction you want the branch to grow. I made the notches 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the selected node.

I used a rat tail file, as instructed in the links provided in Ottawan's post of April, 2012.

See post #5 in this thread:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/How-to-encourage-fig-tree-to-grow-stems-5817030?highlight=notching

Subject: Some notching success Replies: 9
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 500
 
No, I did it on July 7th. I think the tree should be out of dormancy and growing well when it is notched.

Subject: Some notching success Replies: 9
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 500
 
About 7 weeks ago I saw a thread from last year in which Ottawan mentioned notching a tree trunk above a dormant node in order to encourage that node to sprout a branch.

Several of my young trees need lower branches, and since pinching the top doesn't help with this problem, I decided to try some notching. Well...it works and it is an absolutely fabulous technique. I tried 4 notches and had a 50% success rate. I was too timid, now wish I had done several more. Next year I'll be much more aggressive.

Following are a notched node, then a close-up, then another notched node.

      Notch 1.jpg    Notch 2.jpg    Notch 3.jpg 

Thanks very much to Ottawan for bringing this technique to my attention.
 

Subject: Introducing...Sbayi! Replies: 21
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 2,003
 
I love the toilet seat vent on the chicken house. Now that's creative! Is that yours, Ruben, or the neighbor's?

Subject: OT Off to Surgery Replies: 63
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,676
 
Glad to hear you're OK.

Subject: Black Greek fig tree find---SCORE! Replies: 67
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 3,602
 
Gorgeous tree, great find! Thanks for posting.

Subject: Alma on Ebay Replies: 97
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 4,691
 
Wow, good on ya. Mine arrived a week and a half ago and they have no signs of life at all.

Subject: Alma on Ebay Replies: 97
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 4,691
 
Thanks, Tami. By the way, I did tell the seller that javajunkie sent me. I don't know if he selected the best available trees at the time, but there was a little "F4F" written on the side of the box.

Subject: Alma on Ebay Replies: 97
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 4,691
 
I received a couple of these about 10 days ago. Soaked the roots and potted up in 5 gallon pots.

So...should these bare little 18" trees be put in the full sun with all my other fig trees? Or in the shade? Or somewhere else? Days here have been in the low to mid 80's.

How long do they take to come out of dormancy? How were they kept in dormancy 'til now?

Questions, questions.

Subject: Is my first-ever homegrown fig ripe? Replies: 7
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 562
 
Ah, OK, Daniel. It will remain a mystery until I see what happens with the main crop. And maybe it will still remain a mystery after that.

Subject: Is my first-ever homegrown fig ripe? Replies: 7
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 562
 
OK, I finally harvested my first ever homegrown fig a few days ago. It was a long awaited, exciting moment. Excellent flavor!

Here's the tree

Inline imageThe fig

Inline imageThe cross section

Inline imageI took cuttings from my neighbor's tree last spring and to be honest, I don't know the variety. I'm guessing it is either a Lattarulla or Desert King. This is a breba. If the main crop ripens, I'll have to say Lattarulla. If the main crop doesn't ripen (or ripens just a few), then Desert King is more likely. I asked my neighbor if his tree had one crop or two, and he didn't know. OK, he's 75 and has never paid much attention to the tree, which someone gave him several years ago.

Unless anyone can say without a doubt from the pictures that it is one or the other, I'll have to wait.

Subject: No new growth...what next? Replies: 43
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,601
 
OK, Pete, thank you very much. I made my mix with about 1/2 as much lime as I should have. I will experiment based on the formula you showed.

Subject: No new growth...what next? Replies: 43
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,601
 
Pete, I have a big bag of Soil Sweet fine grade dolomitic lime. I recently made up some potting soil and up-potted, but I know now that I went too light on the lime. Can you recommend a tbs/gallon of water ratio and frequency of watering to add some lime at this point?

Subject: My new nemesis Replies: 16
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 761
 
John, your writing style is delightful!

Subject: Is my first-ever homegrown fig ripe? Replies: 7
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 562
 
Thanks, Pattee. The figs are huge!

Thanks, Rafed, I'm going to wait one more day and then will post a cut-in-half picture.

Subject: Is my first-ever homegrown fig ripe? Replies: 7
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 562
 
I know it's not life or death to miss by a day, but I'm thinking my Desert King has a couple of ripe brebas on it. The figs are soft and drooping and getting some very small indentations. Would love to harvest them, but if anyone wants to venture an opinion, I'd be grateful.

Inline image  Inline image Inline image

Subject: UDATE On Air Layers Replies: 30
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,372
 
Here is another product that might be worth exploring; I haven't tried it but it looks interesting.

http://www.airpropagator.com/buy_online.php

These are clam-shell globes that come in various sizes, held closed with zip ties and are reusable.

"The Growing Medium is a compound of pete (sp) moss and coconut powder, dry hydro gel, and other secret ingredients compressed under 200 tons of pressure. This growing medium is a crucial part of the success of our revolutionary new propagation system."

Subject: A little pruning help Replies: 6
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 465
 
I guess my thought was to prune the top back a ways in order to:

Keep the tree from getting taller,
and to force the growth of some lateral branches for next year's breba crop.

So you guys have given me a new question:

Would the air layering technique force out the laterals I want, or would the tree just keep getting taller as the roots formed on the air layer?

Robert
S.W. Washington, 16 miles NE of Portland

Subject: A little pruning help Replies: 6
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 465
 
Hi everyone,

I've been so thrilled with the success of last spring's (2012) cuttings from my neighbor's tree that I've kinda been afraid to touch them. But now, they're getting away from me and I need to take action.

I intend to grow these in pots, and I think they are Desert Kings, will ask the board later when I have ripe fruit.

So they're getting too tall and I need to prune the main leader.

Any problem with doing that this time of year? I'm in the Pacific Northwest, trees will go dormant in November.

Also, if I cut far enough from the tip, it seems like I could root the cuttings. Yes?

First pic is of one of the trees, second is where I would like to cut, at one arrow or the other.

Appreciate any help.

Robert
Zone 8b, SW Washington

Inline image Inline image

Subject: Suckers - good for something? Replies: 12
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,155
 
Thanks for the suggestions! This looks like a great opportunity, and what I'm really happy about is that it will present itself every year. My neighbor says there are a ton of suckers every year, and he has no interest in propagating them.

I really like the technique of using pots at the base of the tree.

If I were to cut some suckers off at the base, i.e. no roots, is there a simple way to root them?

TIA

_____________________

Robert
SW Washington
Zone 8b

Subject: Suckers - good for something? Replies: 12
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,155
 
I mentioned on another thread how my neighbor has a tree that produces green figs that are delicious. I took cuttings last year and have 7 trees now, very vigorous and so far, healthy. Will be asking the forum for ID help later when the figs on my neighbor's tree ripen.

I went over the other day to see his tree in order to see how the figs are progressing. The base is surrounded with suckers. I don't know if they have roots, or sprouted from the trunk, or what.

So is there a use for these? I hate to see them go to waste.

Inline image

Subject: Soils and Fertilizers Replies: 26
Posted By: RobBanks Views: 1,653
 
Hi everyone,

I'm wondering about formulas for homemade potting soil. I'll be repotting several of last year's cuttings to bigger pots soon.

Here's what I have on hand:
Well rotted horse manure
Compost, almost decomposed to the point of being soil (but protected from rain all the while)
Peat moss
Perlite
Vermiculite
Garden soil

Any suggestions on these and also other ingredients, like lime or bone meal? I see pine bark mulch mentioned above; don't know that I need it and pretty sure I can't get it around here.
What proportions of each item?

TIA

Robert
Zone 8b, SW Washington