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Subject: A cold hardy fig, Stella Replies: 3
Posted By: smithmal Views: 182
 
Does anyone know how bad die back is for in ground Stella trees?  It would be nice to know the minimal continuous temp that Stellas can handle without tissue damage occurring.

Subject: Heads up, gnats galore in Mg Moisture control soil Replies: 15
Posted By: smithmal Views: 332
 
I use ProMix-BX and still from time to time have had issues with gnats.  If the surface of your soil is wet for any extended period of time, then gnats will propagate.  To get around this, buy a 10lb bag of sand and create a 1/2" to 1" layer of sand on your top layer.  That will inhibit gnats from laying since the sand dries out very quickly and will also cut down on mold issues.

smithmal

Subject: Propagating Ponte Tresa Replies: 20
Posted By: smithmal Views: 931
 
Figaholics is closed for the season and will not offer cuttings again until next winter so the question of where to obtain PT cuttings is still a valid one.

smithmal

Subject: Beal, the Rodney Dangerfield of figs Replies: 8
Posted By: smithmal Views: 1,310
 
Confused...

This nursery has the Beal (Beall) as a purple fig.  Maybe Beale is purple and Beal is red?  Does anyone know why there are two totally different fig varieties with basically the same name?  I'd love to know the history of these two figs.

[Beall] 


According to the website here is the Beal (Beall) fig history:

"This purplish-black skinned, amber fleshed large fruit has a delicate, mildly sweet flavor. Produces 2 crops and is good for fresh use. Moderately vigorous tree was introduced in Santa Clara, CA by W.A. Beall in 1924." 

So, if it was introduced by W.A. Beall, then it should be officially called the Beall fig right?

Anyone know the history of the Beale fig?

Subject: Re Corky's Honey Delight Fig Replies: 5
Posted By: smithmal Views: 249
 
Jeez... $100 for a fig tree of a relatively unknown variety like Uncle Corky's is pretty steep.  That being said, if they are selling them on the East coast its a good bet then that the tree doesn't need the wasp for produce viable fruit.

Subject: Lemon Fig Replies: 14
Posted By: smithmal Views: 1,448
 
Bump on an old thread...

Two questions:

1.  Alias' of Lemon would just be Blanche then?  Lattarulla (Italian Honey) and White Marseilles are different varieties correct?
2.  Are their others that grow Lemon that can confirm the taste improves over time?  If so, at what age?

Thanks. 

Subject: Starting figs in ProMix Replies: 120
Posted By: smithmal Views: 7,016
 
Harvey,

Another quick question...

Many of my cuttings I choose to root come from the terminal end of a branch and therefore buds are emerging from the tip.  For this reason, I'm unable to wrap the end with parafilm.  I'm wondering if I note bud formation on the terminal end of a cutting, is it safe to assume that dehydration would not occur and therefore wrapping is unnecessary?  Since this are very young cuttings, would it be better to just cut off the bud from the terminal end, wrap it and then wait for buds to occur along the shaft of the cutting?  I read that many prefer not to root terminal end cuttings as the risk of mold issues increases.

Also, what is your watering technique using these tall pots?  Do you water from the top, or do a quick bottom soak (10 minutes) and then put it back in your growth environment?  How often do you water and at what point to you begin to feed your cuttings?

Thanks for all the quick responses, I appreciate it.

Subject: Starting figs in ProMix Replies: 120
Posted By: smithmal Views: 7,016
 
Harvey,

Thanks for the response.  I'm going to pull my cuttings out of the box, wrap the top in parafilm and expose them to heat and light and see if they take off.

To answer your question, no, I did use rooting hormone with these cuttings, but have others using a separate growth technique (see "My Rooting Method" on Bountiful Figs forum) and saw rapid bud growth.

Has anyone done experiments with rooting hormone (I'm using CloneX) in which cuttings from an identical tree were rooted with and without hormone?  It's my understanding that the benefits of rooting hormone are up for debate at this time.  I wonder if exogenous rooting hormone's activity is dependant upon the fig type...

 

Subject: Starting figs in ProMix Replies: 120
Posted By: smithmal Views: 7,016
 
Harvey,

Quick question:

I'm using mini tree pots (Stuewe&Sons) and ProMix HP as well.  I keep my cuttings in a dark bathroom.  To keep up the humidity, I fill a large plastic tote with about 1" - 2" of water, put in a couple of bricks and then put my tray with pots on top of that.  I then put on a top lossely to allow a little air exchange.

What I've found is that cuttings are budding, but slowly.

I'm thinking this is due to the lack of heat and possibly light so I'd like to transfer the whole shebang to a growth self with with a heated mat.

My question is, how important is it to keep humidity up with these cuttings?  I didn't notice you capping your pots at all, only wrapping the top of your cuttings with parafilm.  Is keeping the cuttings in a humidity chamber necessary?

Thanks,

smithmal

Subject: Dealing with wasps Replies: 11
Posted By: smithmal Views: 331
 
I throw all my yard waste in a small 4x8 trailer.  Once the trailer is full, I haul it to the dump so it can be recycled into mulch.  This year it took a good 2.5 months to fill the trailer.  When I got to the dump and began pulling out the sticks and such, an army of yellow jackets that made a nest in the trailer came out to greet me.  I got stung once, but it was in the meat of my ear.  You'd think that wouldn't be so painful, but man, my ear swelled up like I was a college wrestler.  I spent two hours at the dump that day trying to pull everything out of the trailer while dodging dive bombing yellow jackets...

Lots of fun.

That being said, I also have problems with the European hornet.  From reading the reviews, the knock on this product is:

1. The fabric material doesn't hold up well over the course of a season
2.  The wasps eventually figure out that the nest is bogus and may even decide to move in if it isn't moved around every couple of weeks.


Another option is to get a soda bottle, spray is with foam and then spray paint with coats of grey, brown and yellow.  This should give you a weatherproof version of the waspinator that you can hang each year. 
 

Subject: Maryland Fig Review - 2014 - Prepping for Winter Replies: 114
Posted By: smithmal Views: 4,320
 
Mark,

Can't wait to hear your final thoughts on the 2014 growing season.

Malcolm

Subject: Young fig trees - What to do during winter months Replies: 6
Posted By: smithmal Views: 422
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by garden_whisperer
I grow many indoors under grow,lights during winter. Getting things ready for this year now.


Dave,

What type of grow light do you use?  I have a bunch of 3-bay T8 fluorescent lights that I use to start up seedlings for spring planting.  I'm not sure if these will suffice for the fig trees though.

With your setup how much growth do you see over the winter/early spring period?  Aside from getting more growth out of your tree by continuing to have them grow throughout the winter/early spring months, are there any other benefits to continuing to grow throughout the dormant period?

Does growing them throughout the winter screw up their ability to harvest breba or main crop the following season?

Thanks.

Subject: Young fig trees - What to do during winter months Replies: 6
Posted By: smithmal Views: 422
 
I have two very young fig trees (VdB and Olympian) that I got as TC's from Wellspring earlier this summer.  

My concern is if I let them go dormant and overwinter in my garage they'll die.  I was considering keeping them indoors under growth lights for the winter season and then putting them out again after next year's frost date.

Is this a good option?  Or would letting them go dormant and keeping them in a protected area with temps between 30-40 be a better option?

If I don't let them go dormant, is there a thread that discusses growing them under growth lights over the winter?  Couldn't find one.

Thanks!

Subject: Maryland Fig Review - 2014 - Prepping for Winter Replies: 114
Posted By: smithmal Views: 4,320
 
Mark,

Now that the season is done, can you give us some highlights of the season for your fig trees?

I'd specifically be interested in the following:

1. Best tasting black, white and green/adriatic
2. Best producing black, white and green/adriatic
3. Biggest duds
4. Fastest growing
5. Your #1 fig variety for the year 

Subject: Plum tree question for NorthEast (Zone 6) Replies: 7
Posted By: smithmal Views: 320
 
I'm in zone 6B and get all my fruit trees (including plum) from Schlabach's Nursery (Medina, NY):

Schlabach's Nursery
2784 Murdock Rd, Medina NY 14103
phone: (585) 798-6198 (best time to call is AM)
Toll-free voice mail for catalog requests only: 1-866-600-5203.

They are an Amish nursery, but have great prices and ship very healthy bare root trees using good rootstock.  Give them a call at 585-798-6198 to request a catalog.  They sell both Japanese and European plum trees @ $16 per tree plus shipping.  I've been ordering from them for the past 7 years without issue.  The only catch is since their Amish, they have no webpage and all payments must be done by check or cash.  Not really a big deal, but I thought I'd mention it.

Personally I'm growing a Green Gage Plum tree which is self-fertile (make sure you check on this as many plum trees need a cross pollinator).

Subject: Azomite: Anyone Using It? Replies: 7
Posted By: smithmal Views: 707
 
I use Azomite in combination with HP Pro-Mix and 18-6-12 Osmocote.

This was my first year growing, but from what I understand, trace elements (i.e. Azomite) are almost as important as fertilizer.

Subject: Cold Hardy Fig List by Flavor Replies: 61
Posted By: smithmal Views: 6,293
 
Kelby,

Thanks for taking the time to create this list.  It is absolutely chocked full of great info when deciding upon which varieties to grow in cold climates.  The only thing I might add to your list is a column dedicated to the productivity rating (using the A/B/C system).

Also, some other CH figs you might think about adding to your list:  Desert King and Beall (Beale)



 

Subject: Espalier fig project - Japanese method Replies: 61
Posted By: smithmal Views: 3,182
 
Pete,

Ahhh... thanks for posting that link.  That makes much more sense.  It also answers the question whether or not one should have one or two horizontals does it it not?

Subject: Espalier fig project - Japanese method Replies: 61
Posted By: smithmal Views: 3,182
 
Anyone have any idea the trunk caliper size of a fully mature fig tree?  It would make sense to ensure you have enough height of your horizontals to accomadate a full mature size horizontal trunk(s).

I'm reading people considering training their horizontals at 6" for the height of the surrounding soil.  Is this high enough when dealing with a fully mature trunk size?

Also, regarding the waterproof insulation idea, was their a product in mind that would be optimal for this?  I found a product called Insul-tarp which seems like it might do the trick...

smithmal

Subject: Would like advice on keep mailing costs down Replies: 28
Posted By: smithmal Views: 719
 
Dennis,

Interesting idea.  I'm not able to find "Watersaver Gell Cubes"

But did find this.

Is this the same product or were you thinking something different?

Subject: Maryland Stepover Fig Project Replies: 10
Posted By: smithmal Views: 932
 
Rob,

I'm really interested to hear how this progresses for you.  Are you planning on doing several rows of stepovers or just one continuous one?

The question of how to deal with the horizontals is perplexing.  If you did two going in opposite directions, you could have branches that intertwine eventually and grow together (such as what occurs when braiding).  The possible problem with this is if one of your trees comes down with some sort of catastrophic disease.  All trees that are braided together down the line in your stepover could be more susceptible to disease.

In terms of spacing the verticals I would give as much spacing as possible to promote good air circulation.

In terms of spacing the actual trees, you wouldn't want a scenario where they become stunted because of their roots are being crowded due to inter-twining.

I too would start off with some tried/true varieties that are known to be hardy, productive and tolerant to our zone to prevent die back scenarios as much as possible.

Speaking of die back, I would think die back occurring to the horizontal trunks would really set you back from a tree training perspective.  I would definitely recommend having your winter protection methodologies in mind when devising your system (i.e. being able to quickly erect a hoop house, etc. if the temperature plummets below what standard winter protection is capable of dealing with).

When are you planning on starting your stepover project?




 

Subject: Clone your cuttings & never see gnats! Replies: 400
Posted By: smithmal Views: 9,299
 
I really like this idea, especially if rooting in the winter months.  Thanks for linking the vid.  I have a couple questions:

1.  I believe this is the tote from lowes.  Just so I'm understanding this correctly, you manually drilled all the holes in the lid to hold the 2" net cups correct?  What size hole saw blade did you use (this might sound dumb, but I'm wasn't sure of the OD for the inner lip of the cups is actually 2").
2.  From your experience with the 5 gallon paint bucket cloner, excessive heat from the pump can be an issue.  What is your internal temperature with the 27 gallon rig you built?  Could this system be amended to use a non-submersible pump that is housed on the outside of the water reservoir container?  This would eliminate heat issues (also, I already have a non-submersible pump which I use for making compost tea).
3.  Would there be any benefit to adding some small weeping holes in the side to provide extra entry points to promote oxygen exchange with the roots?  I understand you could also lose some humidity this way, but if the pump is continuously cycling....
4.  It's my understanding that fig cutting roots are very fragile.  Would cuttings suffer any root damage when removing them from the neoprene inserts?
5.  When you say your rig is leaking, I'm assuming you mean around the sprinkler head ports, or is it somewhere else?
6.  What is your pump's on/off cycle times?
7.  With a constant humidity at 100% is there a concern about the cuttings rotting?
8.  Since water vapor is being constantly sprayed onto the cuttings is there a concern about FMV contamination from one cutting to another?  I know that the virus' natural vector are mites, but I've read it can also be spread via vegetative propagation.  I'm wondering since these cuttings are not isolated from each other during the rooting process, if there would be a infection control issue.
9.  Finally, what improvements would you do to your cloner if you were going to build a v2?

Thanks. 

Subject: Maryland Fig Review - 2014 - Prepping for Winter Replies: 114
Posted By: smithmal Views: 4,320
 
Mark,

Great photos and thanks so much for the updates.  It is much appreciated.

I've got a couple questions for you:
1. Can let us know what you're fertilization and watering schedule is like for your potted figs
2. How old/caliper size is your potted figs
3. What container size are they presently in
4. How much sun per day do they tend to get?


BTW, you're making us Maryland peeps look good as fig growers!

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
bump... figs are producing now, please record how well (or bad) your trees have done from their exposure to the past winter.  I'm sure new fig tree owners will find this very useful especially for the upcoming winter which is forecasted to be colder than normal for the NE (as cold as last winter? Probably not).

[forecast] 



Subject: Tree survival in the coldest winter in my area Replies: 16
Posted By: smithmal Views: 697
 
Dennis,

The information you provided earlier was awesome.  If you could ensure that the information I placed into the spreadsheet on your trees is correct and add any information that you think is relevant it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

ps - what is "a cube"

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
Holy smokes... the Nordland seems incredibly hardy...

  • Exposure to 6F temp
  • 1 year old fig
  • In-ground planting
  • Winterization via black bag only
  • 5% die back
  • Figs produced following summer

Granted this is zone 8a, but 6F is more like what you'd see in a zone 6/7 during a typical winter season.  I've got a Long d' Aout and I've read that the Nordland and the LdA are the same variety (is this true?) so I'm pretty stoked about that.

Thanks for the data barnhardt9999.

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
Gene,

Thanks for your input.  There is no "save" function for the spreadsheet.  It saves instantaneously so as soon as you put in your info, you can close the page.  If you're concerned as to whether it took or not, you can always reload the doc link to confirm.

ps - the trunk size data point was transcribed on the DB as a data rather than a measurement.  Not sure if that's a issue with the DB or not.  If it is, let me know and I'll try and get it fixed.

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
Also added a data point for the presence of FMV as in theory that could play a role in overall hardiness.

Subject: So.... I've started to root a few green cuttings..... Replies: 19
Posted By: smithmal Views: 591
 
I would be very interested in seeing if someone here can ID your fig after you post pics of the fruit and leaves.  Sounds like a really hardy variety.

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
I agree about caliper as well.  Especially since different figs grow at different rates.  Some three year old faste growing figs may have trunks as thick as a slower growing variety at six years.  I will add this data point to the database.

Thanks for everyone that has posted to the table so far.  Keep them coming.

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
I added tree age to the table.  Good thinking.

Subject: Tree survival in the coldest winter in my area Replies: 16
Posted By: smithmal Views: 697
 
Dennis,

Wow!  This is great information.  Your very thorough write up has spurned me to create a spreadsheet to collect this data and hopefully be a diving board for others to leap in and share their information.

If you don't mind, I took the liberty of adding your information listed above to the spreadsheet.  The thread discussing this spreadsheet is located here.  If you could, please take a look at it to ensure that I wasn't in error with any of the data I included on your fig trees.  Also, there are a number of "?" data points that need to be filled in.

Thanks.

Subject: Fig Hardiness - Survival & Production Data (Winter 2013 - Summer 2014) Replies: 18
Posted By: smithmal Views: 722
 
As mentioned ad nauseum, the 2013-14 winter conditions were apocalyptic for fig trees across the US.  There are several threads discussing fig die-off, but none discuss that eventual production of the fig later that year.

With that said, due to the severity of last winter, this growing season should give us an excellent indicator of how hardy fig varieties are to stressful winter conditions.

Dennis' (snagplus) very informative thread (located here), provided good detail on his fig tree's growing condition, winterization, survival rate, die back and fig production during the following summer season.  Moreover, a majority of his figs were not protected which is the "dream" maintenance we'd all like our fig trees to need to defend themselves for the upcoming winter.  

I've taken the liberty to re-create his information into a data table which should provide all of us with data to make informed decisions on what types of figs do well "in-ground"/"in containers" following a stressful winter season.  The spreadsheet is located here. 

Please take a look at it and let me know if you think any other data points should be collected.  At this time, I'm leaving the table open for editing so anyone can add data to the table.  If you have done so, please respond to this thread letting us all know that you added data and for what varieties.  If it looks like the table is getting corrupted over time, I may lock it down and ask that you provide you information in text form within this thread and I'll transcribe them to the table.

Any information you can provide on your fig survival & production rate from the last winter's season would be really helpful and greatly informative to fig newbs (such as myself) everywhere.

Thanks.

 ps - the default sort on this will be according to fig name.  If you have additional information you'd like to add to your fig, you can easily do so by clicking on the "F4F Name" column and then resorting to that all of the varieties that you added to the database are grouped together.  After editing, please return the sort back priority back to fig name.

Subject: Tasty description of figs Replies: 37
Posted By: smithmal Views: 2,560
 
I would agree, creating some sort of Flavor Database would be great, but taste and, moreover, taste is greatly affected by fig type, tree age, planting environment, soil/fertilizer combinations, zone location and yearly weather.

For this reason, as pointed out, this list is lacking in detail to provide good recommendations to "Joe the Fig Grower" in location "x."

If one were REALLY interested in obtaining good fig flavor data there is one group of testers that I can think of that would be extremely experienced and passionate in such a task .... US!

I suggest during the several annual "get togethers" across the country, it would be an ideal opportunity to capture good fig flavor profiles by using a standard Fig Flavor Survey.

We could all work on creating an effective survey template that everyone could use during these "get togethers."  That way, we are all using the same survey parameters as well as collecting appropriate data.  Over the course of time, I'm certain a somewhat accurate flavor database could be created and be tremendously helpful to F4F members and fig growers in general.

I'd be willing to create a draft survey template and house the database if there is a general interest in this.  I'd especially like to get feedback on this idea from individuals that attend fig gatherings or host them.

Even more data could be created by creating an "Elite Fig Tasting Tester Group" which members mail figs to for taste testing.  That way, we could have a defined group of experienced tasters surveying identical figs from all around the country.  This one might be a little bit more "Pie in the Sky" but, if people were willing....

Subject: Impressive Nebraska Greenhouse Replies: 17
Posted By: smithmal Views: 690
 
Here's a different article discussing Russ Finch's setup with more info.  Sort of a Pit Greenhouse with a geo-thermal twist.  
Here's a webpage that specializes on Pit Greenhouses.  

Very cool stuff.

Subject: Tasty description of figs Replies: 37
Posted By: smithmal Views: 2,560
 
bump on an old thread...

Fig Taste Ratings and Flavor Chart
link here: http://cajunfigs.blogspot.com/2012/05/fig-taste-ratings-and-flavor-chart.html

 
This chart was developed by Ken Love, a fig researcher from Hawaii.  He convened a panel of professional chefs to help develop this fig taste/flavor data. This information was taken (with his permission) from his website: 
http://www.hawaiifruit.net/index-figs.html

Fig Name1 to 101 to 5 FLAVOR
 (taste)(intensity)     Description
    
135-15s84strong berry
135-4s33acidic
143-3632little taste
143-3832slight acid
152-4s43slight molasses
153-1795Honey
184-15s84strong berry
184-15s84strong berry
200-4343acidic
200-4373mild berry
Adriatic62slight sweet
Aked64mild berry
Alma53slight molasses
Armenian74mild berry
Barnissotte42slight molasses
Beall85slight honey
Black Fig I43melon
Black Madeira85strong berry
Blanquette53slight sour
Bournabat74strong berry
Brunswick53slight melon
California Brown Turkey64berry
Calimyrna73melon / berry
Calvert75strong berry
Capitola Long54melon
Capitola Long73melon
Castle Kennedy74Honey melon
Celeste64Honey
Col de Dame75strong berry
Deanna52mild
Early Violet84strong berry
Excel43earthy
Excel63Honey
Flanders63berry
Genoa85strong berry
Giant Amber53slight molasses
Giant Amber64melon / berry
Golden Celeste64slight honey
Gulbun Selection 284-1174strong berry
Ischia Black73strong berry
Ischia Green64mild berry
Ischia White95strong berry
Ischia White94honey
Kadota 164slight sweet
Kalamata84melon
Karayaprak44slight honey
King74Honey
Marabout74molasses / mild berry
Marabout C.smyrnay74mild berry
Marabout C.smyrnay93jam
Mary Lane43melon
Native De Argentile75strong berry
Native De Argentile84molasses  
Orphan42melon
Osborn Prolific63mild
Palmata Hybrid64strong berry
Panachee84strong berry
Panachee95jam
Pied De Boeuf74strong berry
Rattlesnake Island42slight molasses
San Pietro43slight honey
Santa Cruz Dark94Honey / berry
Santa Cruz Light Or White (morgan S44earthy
Selection 326-152slight molasses
Selection 337-243mild
Selection K-7-1142melon
Skardu Black63Honey melon
Snowden64mild berry
St Jean53sweet
St Jean62sw
Sucrette53earthy
Tena52slight sweet
Trojano32mild
Trojano42mild
Ucr 276-1433slight sour
Ucr 276-4923slight molasses
Ucr 278-12853slight molasses
Ucr 29142slight honey
Ucr 309 B-164slight molasses
Ucr-291-433slight sour
Verdal Longue63mild berry
Vernino74mild berry
Verte84berry
Violette De Bordeaux84mild berry
Walker63mild berry
White Texas Everbearing62slight sweet
Yellow Neches83slight honey /melon
Zidi84complex / molasses  
Dauphine63mild berry
Flanders63slight honey
    
Source: Ken Love   
http://www.hawaiifruit.net/index-figs.html

Subject: Smith 7-30-14 Replies: 34
Posted By: smithmal Views: 1,280
 
Mike,

Man oh man does that look good.  Thanks for the pics.  Can you let me know some more about Smith?  I have one on order as an air layer...

1.  Does it get a breba and if so, how does it taste
2.  Main crop ripening time in your area (logic would say late July... duh, but just checking)
3.  How did you obtain your Smith and how long did it take to start producing figs
4.  Is your Smith in ground or in container
5.  Is it a fast or slow grower

Thanks.

Subject: Smart Pots/ Fabric Pots/ Root pruning Pots Replies: 16
Posted By: smithmal Views: 3,299
 

bump on an old thread....


I'm interested in learning more from other members that have tried the smart pots/DIY smart pots using landscaping fabric.

My questions are:
1.  Who has tried this?
2.  Is it worth it over just purchasing smart pots/regular containers?
3.  If tried, what fabric/product did you use and what weight was the material it?
4.  If a DIY, how did you construct it (sewing, stapling, folding, etc)?
5.  What is the optimal potting mix for water retention?
6.  How well did up-potting go when the tree needed to be removed from a smaller fabric container to a larger one?
7.  How did you store your tree during the winter and did you need to water it?
8.  Would you do it again?


Also I've noted several owners grow their trees in containers with holes drilled in the sides to promote oxygenation.  What are the pros/cons to doing this?

Thanks.


 

Subject: Olympian Replies: 139
Posted By: smithmal Views: 9,882
 
A word to the wise regrading initial potting and maintenance of TC type figs from Wellspring...

I should have known better, but TC fig plants obtained from Wellspring need to be gradually hardened off.  I immediately potted mine up and put it out in full sun and saw significant stress on them the next day.  I'm so used to obtaining plants from F4F members which originate from cuttings that have been meticulously maintained for 3-4 months and already hardened off, I didn't even think twice about putting TC plants out in full sun.  I would have been helpful if Wellspring mentioned this in the packaging by adding a brief insert regarding care and maintenance.

They are now back to shade and will hopefully bounce back with gusto.

smithmal

Subject: 1 Month Ar-Layer Pictures Replies: 28
Posted By: smithmal Views: 705
 
Wow!  That's pretty cool.  There was a thread the other day concerning root pruning.  One of the posters mentioned that we should put our heads together to create a self root pruning pot since root pruning after 4 years is a bear of a job.  Looks like air-pot beat us to the punch.  From an air layering perspective, the product looks like it does a wonderful job.  I wonder from a container growing standpoint how well it does.  The info commercials suggest that it works great as a container grower as it greatly reduces root circling and therefore growers can extend their growing time by double or more before one needs to up-pot.

My question is how quickly does the soil in the air-pot dry out?  I'm assuming growing a fig in an air-pot would need ALOT more daily water than a conventional pot.  I could also envision individuals adding a wicking basket to the bottom of the air-pot to turn it into a SIP.

How did you keep your moss moist during the air layering process?

EDIT:  search and you will find... this post indicated that air-pots were prone to significant moisture loss and if using them as a container, potting soil recipes should be amended to enhance water retention.  Also, up-potting was a bit of a pin as the roots grow into the air pot walls making it hard to separate the pot from the root ball.

Still... root production seems to be extremely prolific in these things and a combination of the air-pot with a SIP system might create a great container environment.

Thanks.

Subject: Automatic watering system for SIPs Replies: 13
Posted By: smithmal Views: 743
 
Pete,

Thanks for the link and pic.  Very informative.  I'm still wondering about root rot though.  I'm in the process of rooting some cuttings, and one of the golden rules is to watch how much watering you do or you'll get root rot.  With classic SIPs, you manually fill the bottom of the SIP reservoir when necessary so the soil isn't constantly wet.   With the two automated systems noted in this thread, the reservoir (be it a tank, gutter, etc) would always replenish the SIP(s) with a given level of water until the reservoir runs out.

So... is root rot a concern in regards to creating an automated SIP watering system?  If it is, the water level of the reservoir could be easily adjusted using a battery powered hose timer (which I have).  I was just wondering whether or not it would be needed as I haven't noted it in any one's system.

Thanks.

Subject: Automatic watering system for SIPs Replies: 13
Posted By: smithmal Views: 743
 
Frank,

Regarding automated SIP system mentioned above (gutter system)....

With the gutter system using a built-in float I'm assuming the following:

1.  Gutter water volume depletes constantly due to SIP wicking and evaporation.  
2.  Water level is replenished immediately by the built-in float and rain barrel
3.  Fig plant has a constant source of water

Not sure if the above statement is true or not, but if it is, wouldn't one be concerned with root rot?

Subject: Olympian Replies: 139
Posted By: smithmal Views: 9,882
 
Frank,

Thanks for the response.  I'm surprised that more is not known about this variety.  I would bet that Denny McGaughy, the originator of the variety, would know this.  Evidently he got cuttings of this variety in 2003 and sent it off for DNA analysis in 2009.  Does anyone know if he is active on this forum?

Thanks.

Subject: Olympian Replies: 139
Posted By: smithmal Views: 9,882
 
Any idea of the ripening time for the Olympian?  Getting mine from WellSpring as well.

Thanks.

Subject: Violette De Bordeaux/Negronne Source? Replies: 19
Posted By: smithmal Views: 1,103
 
Never heard of Wellspring before.

Got VdB and Olympian plants.  Can anyone post a pic as an example of what they received from Wellspring?

Seems like a helluva deal.

Thanks.

Subject: UPDATE + PICS : Brebas Adriatic, Peter's Honey and Hollier Replies: 15
Posted By: smithmal Views: 920
 
Grasa,

Sorry, newb question here...

What does "coiling its branches" mean?

Thanks.

Subject: Tree Labels Replies: 15
Posted By: smithmal Views: 808
 
bump on an old thread...

Need to get some permanent labels on my fruit trees and incoming fig trees.  I've read on-line, that tags made by PawPaw hold up over a long period of time:  

http://everlastlabel.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=104


I'm thinking of using the HDE: Heavy Duty Rose Labels and drilling a hole in the top center so it can be screwed to the tree's trunk.

Thoughts?

Subject: A bug from Hell? Replies: 17
Posted By: smithmal Views: 764
 
Check out this link....

Evidently, the sting from a tarantula hawk is rated as being the most painful sting of all insects.  Good thing, as Gascony mentioned, that they are not very aggressive.

They are a very striking looking wasp.


This is a great vid of the wasp fighting the worlds most aggressive and poisonous spider, the Brazilian Wandering Spider.  A tarantula has got nothing on the BWS.  When the tarantula wasp stings it, you can see loads of poison coming out of the spider's fangs....

Subject: --- yeah, this is IT, Strawberry Verte (PIX) Replies: 49
Posted By: smithmal Views: 2,440
 
To answer my own question... I've come up with the following info on SV (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Hardiness: Zone 7 - 9
Ripening Time: Early ripening (late July to early August for zone 6/7).

Subject: Strawberry Verte vs. Calvert Replies: 12
Posted By: smithmal Views: 1,336
 
bump on an old thread...

So has the question been answered regarding Strawberry Verte vs. Verte vs. Ischia Green vs. Calvert?  Since Michael Tucson has all four growing, I would think he'd be able to provide some illumination on this.

I'm in the process of acquiring a Strawberry Verte, does anyone know how cold hardy it is and it's ripening time?

EDIT:
  • hardy to zone 7
  • early ripening (late July/Early August for zone 7)
I've ready once it ripens, it keeps kicking out fruit until frost.  Is this true?  If so, that's wonderful.


Thanks.