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Subject: 1st Fig...finally Replies: 0
Posted By: greenbud Views: 44
 
After almost 6 years of growing figs I had my first fig to share with my husband.  Because I used permanent marker to identify them the type is unk.  Faded out or washed away.  I believe it came from Beyond Vineyard.  It was 73 grams and sweet but a little watery.  We have had lots of rain...  My husband was elated that we finally had proof that I could produce a ripe fig in WI.

I have figs on Swizzle's unk and on my cutting/tree from Brooklyn.  Unless I get a small greenhouse built before mid Sept. their chances of ripening are slim.

The oldest tree still has not produced a fig.  If not next year I will cut it back and start grafting.  I've got Desert King, Black Jack and several figs from a dear lady in NYC. 

I'm planning to rig up a pulley in the pole barn to remove the 6 yr. old tree from it's pot and root prune and put fresh growing medium in.  It will consist of barn compost, mushroom medium growing (used wheat chaff) and I'm not sure what else.  I have to get this huge, non-producing tree lighter.  Still have to rig up something to put it to bed in the basement for the winter... right now it's called son in law...

Subject: Snake in Fig Tree Replies: 40
Posted By: greenbud Views: 690
 
Some areas in FLA began importing non-venomous snakes to help reduce the population of rattlers.  This was done thru the DNR.  You might want those non-venomous snakes if the rodent population explodes.  It would help reduce the amount of fleas that carry all sorts of nasty germs...  for instance the bubonic plague...

Subject: Honeyberry YES or NO? Replies: 26
Posted By: greenbud Views: 614
 
I bought 2 varieties a couple of years ago on sale.  We're zone 4.  The yr. I bought them they produced a couple of berries and I liked them.  Not quite as sweet as blue berries.  Last fall I mulched one and didn't get around to mulching the other.  The one I mulched is 2x larger than the one I didn't mulch.  I planted them on a hill and we have sandy soil.  A late frost last Sat. took out 80% of the red grape harvest in our area.  Also messed with the 15 to 20 yr. old apple trees from seed that bloomed for the first time this year in our yard. 

The honey berries look fine and I will continue to work with them to produce more berries and expand the varieties in the future.  One thing you need to do is pick the berries dead ripe to get the best flavor...  We have 1 Cinderella and 1 Tundra.

Subject: Moving Day!!! Replies: 16
Posted By: greenbud Views: 343
 
Sometimes we learn more from our failures than our successes.  Hope you have such an abundance of figs this season that you are in a quandary on which way to preserve them!

Subject: blueberry source? Replies: 14
Posted By: greenbud Views: 260
 
I have one Patriot blueberry purchased from a local source.  I have bought currants from Stark and I was very happy with the Champagne currant. 

There was a thread from a yr. or two ago about growing blueberries and I rec. the recommendation of using acid diluted to make the soil more acidic.  The acid sits on a shelf in our pole barn but this year with instructions in hand and a whole face visor and googles on I plan to mix the solution.  I really want to have happy blueberries.   I plan to buy some Rubels to get the high anti-oxidant content.

If you haven't tasted a "ripe" honeyberry you are missing out on a very desirable fruit...

Subject: Floral scented leaves Replies: 25
Posted By: greenbud Views: 311
 
I plan to get the Makrut Lime this summer.  Plan to use the leaves and the rind from the fruit. 

Thanksgiving I took choc. mint, bay, rosemary, citrus and pineapple mint.  I had envisioned it to be a special new experience for our young grandson.  Mostly is was a source of humor among the adults.  Oh well...

Subject: Are there any apple growers here? Replies: 21
Posted By: greenbud Views: 409
 
In WI there is an orchard that has an extensive selection of apples.  I plan to buy grafts next spring.  Hope I can make them take.  I have two healthy trees (trunk diameter 4") from seeds that have not bloomed yet and I would like to increase my odds of getting some apples.  I also think I have a source (tree over 100 yrs. old) for cuttings of Duchess of Oldenburg.  At least from the looks it appears to be this apple.


Weston's Antique Apples is the name of the orchard.

Subject: Ripening figs with shelter Replies: 2
Posted By: greenbud Views: 137
 
Thanks! I'll start bringing it in.  If I don't get them ripe this year maybe I can rig up a homemade greenhouse on the south side to start warmer temps. earlier next year...  If the tc fig doesn't produce next year after root pruning I will use it as tree to graft onto.  I also plan to start grafting apple trees next spring. 

Subject: Ripening figs with shelter Replies: 2
Posted By: greenbud Views: 137
 
I have a three foot fig tree with three figs that are almost full size.  Still quite green and haven't drooped.  I took a homemade tomato cage and put a large, clear plastic bag with a hole in top to increase the temp.  It appears that the figs plumped up a bit but it got so windy I was forced to take the bag off.

Anyone care to comment on the possible effectiveness of this approach?  Zone 4 and surely running out of time for a ripe fig.  This is not my 4 yr. old tissue culture tree but a cutting from Brooklyn I rec. last fall.

Subject: Fig tasting notes from a 6 year old Replies: 6
Posted By: greenbud Views: 280
 
She's right!

Subject: I May Have Outdone Myself! Replies: 9
Posted By: greenbud Views: 352
 
Looks so good!  I have three figs that may mature this fall and one will be eaten fresh but this recipe would due justice to the other two...

Subject: OT It's a Boy! Replies: 51
Posted By: greenbud Views: 617
 
He looks so alert and ready for this adventure called life.  God bless him and all those who love him!

Subject: Fungus Gnat - death by nematode Replies: 3
Posted By: greenbud Views: 310
 
Thanks for sharing this. More ecological options to fight the war are usually a good thing.

Subject: How I transplant my fig cuttings Replies: 13
Posted By: greenbud Views: 514
 
Thank you Tom for the info.  I will plan on letting the young ones go dormant in October along with the bigger ones. 

Subject: How I transplant my fig cuttings Replies: 13
Posted By: greenbud Views: 514
 
Very easy to listen to and seeing takes the guess work out of the equation.  Do you sift or wash the finer parts of the perlite out before you use it?  I thought figs liked a more alkaline environment.  Do you add lime in the mix the next time you repot?  If those are 1 gal. pots, when do you think you'll need to go to a bigger pot?

Will those cuttings be kept under lights this winter or be allowed to go dormant in a cold space?  I hope you will answer these questions.  Didn't have much luck with a broad enquiry previously.  If you do not, guess I'll just have to wing it the best I can and not expect any feedback in the future as well...  Might make learning a little harder and time consuming but I'm up to that.

Subject: Late start on cuttings, advice? Replies: 0
Posted By: greenbud Views: 112
 
I bought several cuttings in spring and started the Blue Celeste at that time.  There was an illness in the family so the others stayed down in the vegetable drawer.  The first batch all rooted and are about 7" to a foot high.  Look good.  I am starting the rest now and I was wondering, do I have to keep them under lights and keep them growing instead of going down in the basement with the bigger figs?  Down there pretty much dark and the temps. range from just above freezing to 45 or 50.

My big TC tree did not produce again this year (4) :=0 (    so next August if no figs I leave it outside for the winter...  Let me tell you, I drenched that thing in MGrow, repeatedly...

My Brooklyn cutting(gift) from this spring is up to about 2 1/2 ft. and has three little figs.  I repotted it yesterday and was surprised to find the roots compacted and circling.  I didn't disturb the roots but will have to untangle or lop off early next spring.

Subject: Figs in the ground Replies: 21
Posted By: greenbud Views: 726
 
Thanks for the pictures and the info!  I have a fig cutting that arrived from N&Y with a lot of roots.  I put it in a big plastic pot and planted bush beans around it.  I thought the living mulch and the possibility of extra nitrogen from the roots a good thing.  Last night we each had a serving of beans with bacon ends, onion, new potatoes and fresh bay leaves.  The fig seems content with its room mates.

Will you need to relocate any of the figs because of crowding?  Neat little melons.

Subject: Picture Unknown Large Dark Fig, Excellent Tasting Replies: 16
Posted By: greenbud Views: 832
 
Thank you for the additional info.  I hope it has a long and productive existence in your yard.  Here in zone 4 everything is potted and has to b relocated to the basement for the winter.  I am starting some cuttings that I bought and I'm thinking they will have to stay under lights for the winter upstairs.  You didn't mention how tall the tree is... 

Subject: Picture Unknown Large Dark Fig, Excellent Tasting Replies: 16
Posted By: greenbud Views: 832
 
So beautiful!  How old is your tree?  Are you in a zone 5?  I have a 4 yr. old TC that will not have figs this year either but I have a fig from a cutting in NYC from last fall that has 2 little figs on it.  I know I should remove them but after 4 yrs. of patience, that is not gonna happen...  That cutting is over 2 ft. tall now.

Subject: Hooray ! We have the first rain of the summer! Replies: 11
Posted By: greenbud Views: 357
 
Happy for ya!

Subject: Adoption of BT at Lowes Replies: 8
Posted By: greenbud Views: 475
 
Whatever variety you bought I hope it exceeds your expectations and provides you and your family with tasty, healthy food!  Sometimes the discoveries you're not searching for provide you with the greatest amount of joy...

Subject: A neglected fig tree In Texas Replies: 34
Posted By: greenbud Views: 937
 
Quite impressive!  How many cuttings did you get?

Subject: OT small space herb garden Replies: 5
Posted By: greenbud Views: 268
 
Your basil and sage look nice!  I can't tell what other herbs you have there.  As long as you keep everything well watered they should get a lot of extra heat from the brick and sidewalk late into the season. 

If you like eggplant I would think an eggplant like the long thin type would do well with the extra warmth...  I'm growing some Ping Tung but if we don't have a hot summer I'm not too hopeful.

Subject: Picture of a Spider on my Tree. Good or bad? Replies: 9
Posted By: greenbud Views: 485
 
Look up pictures of black widow, brown widow and brown recluse.  The last one is probably the most harmful if you get bitten.  If there are any other poisonous spiders in NY I hope folks will chime in.  Some people with kill every spider, snake and inconvenient creature without a second thought.  Be safe but also knowledgeable of the creatures in your living area and how to co-exist.

Subject: Bourjasotte Gris First Crop Plated! :-) Replies: 14
Posted By: greenbud Views: 705
 
Besides eating them fresh or drying them how do you use them?  I recently saw a salad dressing with fig in it that I want to give a try.   Bernadette

Subject: OT -want kaffir lime - trade for fig Replies: 10
Posted By: greenbud Views: 385
 
I hope you are able to get your lime tree.  Just a word, I got censored on another site for calling it K..... &  and got chastised by a family member for calling it that.  I think the acceptable word is leaf lime.  Maybe also makrut but I'm not sure.  I plan to get one this summer to use in cooking and making cleaning products.  It is not allowed in Fla. because of some bug or disease.  The K word is some kind of ethnic slur...

Subject: Branching at every node at the same time. Replies: 23
Posted By: greenbud Views: 585
 
Did you intentionally keep it with one central trunk?  I know now with the tip off it has multiple stems but it seems with one trunk it would be easier to bring inside through doors if necessary.  Very nice looking!

Subject: Organic Fertilizer Replies: 13
Posted By: greenbud Views: 602
 
I use fish fert. and MG.  I have a garbage can full of wood ashes and a couple of days ago I sprinkled some on top of the soil in an about a 4  gal. container with one of my special figs from NYC.  The leaves that are pushing up around the base of the cutting look very happy.  So today I put some on the other pot.  If anyone thinks this is bad, please speak up.  I only know what I'm seeing with the plants.  I also grind up dried egg shells in a used blender that I bought from St. Viny's.  I spread that around too.

Subject: The Reason I am a Jerk Replies: 10
Posted By: greenbud Views: 603
 
Tim, we all make mistakes and with a little wisdom, they can turn into learning experiences...  Those are the majority of my education.

Subject: Morton Bay Fig Tree in San Diego Replies: 9
Posted By: greenbud Views: 377
 
I've never seen a tree of any kind that large.  Impressive.  Does it bear fruit?

Subject: Fig heaven, South Florida? Replies: 18
Posted By: greenbud Views: 1,061
 
I have a friend in zone 9 that I want to send fig cuttings to.  I'm assuming I can do this from WI without incurring the wrath of some governmental authority.  She just harvested some grape tomatoes from seed she removed from some past-use grape tomatoes.  I am encouraging any kind of gardening for her and us too because of the rising cost of food. 

Sunnilab makes some kind of treatment utilizing sesame seed.  I will go to Madison and get some fresh sesame seed to grind and use for my chickens for round worm(along with pumpkin seed).  Maybe I'm trying to apply one thing to a different situation but what the heck...  Besides enriching the soil I bet there are other natural ways to stymy the nematodes.  Talk to the old people and to people who have successfully fought different predators.  There is still a reservoir of wisdom, drink from it before it is gone.

Subject: cheap rooting .... in the air ! Replies: 7
Posted By: greenbud Views: 627
 
Wow!  Look at those roots.  I am envious...

Subject: Crazy Cuttings! Replies: 4
Posted By: greenbud Views: 487
 
I hope you have many more successes than failures.  The spark of life retained in those cuttings is a miracle.

Subject: Tomato Sauce the old way! Replies: 22
Posted By: greenbud Views: 536
 
Thank you for sharing this.  I never heard of the gentleman but I now think I'll be reading/seeing a lot more of what he has to say.  I grow different types of tomatoes and this year some of the new ones are Japanese Trifle Black which was developed in Russia and Costoluto Fiorentino.  I still have Stupice frozen whole to cook down.  A very prolific plant but maybe not the most flavorful.  I love the smell of the tomato plants when I brush by a plant. 

Subject: Redneck greenhouse- almost free Replies: 27
Posted By: greenbud Views: 845
 
That is impressive and a good visual example what some of us other folks could rig up.  Thanks for sharing!

Subject: CA water restrictions Replies: 99
Posted By: greenbud Views: 2,408
 
Ctrunbar, I assure you I appreciate our rain and aquifers.  We moved to WI in 1991 from No. VA.  There we were on city water and some summers the cracks in clay were frightening.  I mulched and watered and worried.  One summer here I spent more that an hour a day carrying buckets.  Right now we are about 3 inches below normal from the first of the year.  I'm not sure what's coming up for the summer.  I will be mulching heavily, and looking into future key hole growing areas.  Can't take anything for granted...

Subject: CA water restrictions Replies: 99
Posted By: greenbud Views: 2,408
 
Crunbar, I'm happy your hard work and ingenuity paid off.  Hope you weren't sitting out there in lightening, though...

It's in the mid thirties here in WI, raining, lightening and thundering.

Subject: CA water restrictions Replies: 99
Posted By: greenbud Views: 2,408
 
Tim, did your plan work?  What modifications would you use the next time?

Subject: Happy Easter! Replies: 30
Posted By: greenbud Views: 493
 
Happy Easter and God bless us all!

Subject: OT: Honey berry/Haskap/Blue Honeysuckle Replies: 9
Posted By: greenbud Views: 604
 
The two varieties I bought should get to about 5 ft. tall I believe.  It is nice that you can pick out the height that is most desirable for you.  Also they do well over such wide growing zones.  I need to research their nutritional value a little more.  I figure between the figs, berries and fresh vegetables I'll be doing as much as possible for my husband and I to have access to quality foods. 

I have 2 more fig trees, not cuttings, coming for NY tomorrow and I told my better half that I wasn't leaving the house until they are safely planted and getting comfortable in their new residence.  UNKs but in my way of thinking they may be the best tasting figs on the planet.  Might be a season gone by whether I'll second that notion but I am so grateful to have the opportunity.  An opportunity to dream wide awake...  :0)

Subject: Greenhouse seems to be working Replies: 14
Posted By: greenbud Views: 503
 
Thanks for answering the questions.  What you are doing seems to be working out real well for you.  I use fish fertilizer also.  I thought it was the same one as you use but it is "Alaska".  I also use MGrow.  It is amazing how much growth your figs accomplished over the last three weeks!

Subject: Greenhouse seems to be working Replies: 14
Posted By: greenbud Views: 503
 
What variety is that with the brebas?  How much % wise did it increase your electric bill from Oct to April?  Beautiful fig tree!  Will you repeat the same heating assist next season or try another method? 

Subject: OT: Honey berry/Haskap/Blue Honeysuckle Replies: 9
Posted By: greenbud Views: 604
 
I planted Tundra and Cinderella varieties last summer.  The leaf buds are starting to plump up so, they made it through their first winter.   :0)   The plants bloomed in their pots and had a few berries on them.  I really liked the taste and thought besides jams or jellies they would be good in baked items and cooked with meats.  I hope I don't have too big a problem with deer... 

Anyone else finding honey berries a good permaculture kind of shrub?

Subject: It's No Big Deal Or Anything, But... Replies: 50
Posted By: greenbud Views: 1,038
 
May God bless you both with many reasons to smile!  Beautiful pictures.  Thanks for sharing.

Subject: Free! Huge Fig Tree / Bush! Replies: 13
Posted By: greenbud Views: 751
 
Hope you share some photos in a month or two of the big one relocated.  I wonder what kind of crop you'll get of it this year. 

What will you be doing to amend the soil before you set it in?

Subject: OT: free Mason bees (local pickup only) Replies: 35
Posted By: greenbud Views: 706
 
Willwall, thanks for the additional information.  They are definitely interesting creatures.

Subject: OT: free Mason bees (local pickup only) Replies: 35
Posted By: greenbud Views: 706
 
Why do they need the deeper holes to produce more females?  On one of the posts or sites I read we should also have mud available close by for the bees. 

Subject: OT: free Mason bees (local pickup only) Replies: 35
Posted By: greenbud Views: 706
 
Willwall, I wish you success in your generous offer.  I also thank you for starting this thread.  I have learned a lot because of your post!

Subject: OT: free Mason bees (local pickup only) Replies: 35
Posted By: greenbud Views: 706
 
I love to see red bud blooming.  As a child this was a sign for the beginning of spring in VA.   I will try to plant one in the next year or two here in WI.  The next was the dogwood but that will not grow in zone 4.  Another sign of spring was the wild day lilies pushing up.  Up here in zone 4 my sign of spring is the turning of the willow branches from mustard to chartreuse.  I am happy to say that has begun!  Yessss!  We have survived another winter!!!   : 0 )

Subject: OT: free Mason bees (local pickup only) Replies: 35
Posted By: greenbud Views: 706
 
Thanks BrightGreenNurse!   I will check out their site tomorrow.  I will look forward your posts.  It is good for us to learn about nature but even more valuable if the future generations can appreciate the beauty and nurture it.