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Subject: water moisture meter Replies: 12
Posted By: smatthew Views: 189
 
For cuttings isn't the most accurate moisture gauge a scale?

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: smatthew Views: 28,715
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HarveyC


Scott, why on earth speculate who Babylon is and throw out a name with zero evidence?  I had communication with "Babylon" a day or two ago and won't disclose who it is but it surely is not Wills.  It's not a competitor, just someone concerned for the welfare of others.  I would suggest a different approach but everyone is entitled to express their own thoughts in the manners they chose.


Harvey - how the heck am Ii supposed to know that you've been talking with Babylon?

It was just a question. Not a statement of opinion. And there is enough bad blood between the two that the question deserved to be asked.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: smatthew Views: 28,715
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Babylon
To ensure everyone is understanding what James posted. You are looking at a minimum of 10 weeks for "easy" varieties, which is only half of the orders. Your plants do not exist yet. Being realistic, odds are they will not ship until 2017, as in 10 weeks it will be too cold in many places to ship a live plant ( mid November). This means, by his own admission, that 2017 orders will also be delayed since greenhouse space for them does not exist if 2016 orders are kept over winter. With the cutting presale also occurring, I imagine that cuts into stock for 2017 production as well, leading to further delays. In essence James is receiving interest free loans with no set time to make good on it. Best of luck, hope you get your plants. If I have this wrong, please correct me.


Is that you WillsC?

Subject: UCD/USDA No More? Replies: 8
Posted By: smatthew Views: 396
 
The issue is manpower. They have enough wood to fill orders on 99% of the varieties they have, but no way to package and ship the volume of orders in a timely manner.

Subject: FYI - Figaholics gathering August 20th 10am-2pm (limited attendance) Replies: 8
Posted By: smatthew Views: 225
 
Harvey, have you sent out invites yet? I emailed you back on 7/18 and never heard back from you.

Subject: I know you are going to thank me for this one Replies: 20
Posted By: smatthew Views: 773
 
oh google auto-translate

Screenshot 2016-08-07 06.08.13.png 

Subject: aphids Replies: 18
Posted By: smatthew Views: 237
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chucklikestofish
~if you want to go organic 2 tbs. of non scented regular dawn dish soap per gallon of water.,this is what i use it works for me~


There are plenty of organic pesticidal soaps out there - but dawn isn't one of them.

Subject: Limited opts. Am I in, or out? Replies: 12
Posted By: smatthew Views: 268
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffpas
.   My long term successes have been with clay stake bottle waterers like this:

 

Potted fig growers, do you think this would be enough?  



I've used those waterers before - they should work fine. You would need to use multiple, and I'd recommend using a larger water container - magnum wine bottle or a 2L soda bottle. The fig tree will quickly surround the clay with roots and take as much water as it wants.

Figs don't usually suffer from aphids - so no worries there. 

Subject: Moldy Soil Replies: 7
Posted By: smatthew Views: 78
 
What's your potting mix? Probably fungal growth decomposing something. 

Subject: What is the best fertilizer 4 potted figs? Replies: 5
Posted By: smatthew Views: 311
 
I'm a big fan of controlled release fertilizers. Osmocote Plus is pretty complete - except for calcium. Works best if you mix it into the potting mix. I believe it will work in a self watering pot as long as it's buried in the moist layer.

Subject: Growing organic figs? What do you use on figs? Replies: 22
Posted By: smatthew Views: 492
 
First you dry the worms out, then you put them in a tea bag. Steep that in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes and you have worm tea!

Or take worm castings, put them in a bucket with water and an air source and let them brew for a day. Don't drink!

Subject: UC Davis/GRIN question Replies: 11
Posted By: smatthew Views: 529
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TahomaGuy2
Here's a tip:
If you're travelling to the area, 
contact them several weeks ahead of time to gain access to the grounds and meet with 
someone willing to put aside valuable time to escort you around. The operation is Federal and security
is very tight. Also, due to limited resources, they are very busy. Arrange to go when figs are ripe and
you likely will be allowed to taste some exotic cultivars you would never get a chance to sample. I am passing on
what I was told. 


I'll second this. The guy in charge of the orchard has to check the whole place over once every week or two - and he's happy to bring someone along and tell them all about the place. When I went, plums were ripe so we sampled some delectable varieties.

Subject: I live in the country and some have strange ideas Replies: 10
Posted By: smatthew Views: 332
 
And if you have clay soil - the sodium can bind to the clay, ruining the soil structure. It's then called "Sodic Soil" - and it's nasty gunky digging-is-a-nightmare stuff.

The best treatment for sodic soil is battery acid. Or Gypsum in amounts that would scare a farmer (3-5lb/square foot = 65-110 Tons/acre)

Stay away from table salt.

Btw - here's a great link that explains how plants use sodium and chloride, and why we don't need to add extra. http://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/role-of-sodium-and-chloride-in-plant-culture/

Subject: Pine Bark Fines in San Diego County? Replies: 9
Posted By: smatthew Views: 198
 
I switched from Pro Mix to Sunshine #4. Sunshine is available in an organic version which I like.

Subject: Grafting a fig tree with other type of fruit trees? Replies: 30
Posted By: smatthew Views: 7,293
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmercieca
Here is a good answer to your question, and there is proof that this is true, a university hortacologist has said so, I forget which hortacologist, yet she said that before pollination was used to change dna, grafting was used. What this person left out, it that if something is half way between the exact same, and totally different it can change the variety in a good way. Each plant variety, has at least somewhat different grafting requirements, so that could complicate the grafting success http://bulbnrose.x10.mx/Heredity/GraftHybrids/Hamilton1899.html


Wow - that's a horrible article. If grafting resulted in changed DNA, I would expect someone to have done a paper on it - complete with genetic sequencing. Not a "I grafted a fruit onto a different rootstock and it tasted a little different" paper. I mean, he cited "Encyclopedia Brittanica" as one of his main sources. 

Subject: How many trees Replies: 12
Posted By: smatthew Views: 376
 
two would work nicely.

Subject: Anyone else preorder the "Rare Fig Assortment " from Baker Creek? Replies: 50
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,777
 
Agristarts is a vendor. They sell tissue culture plants. Sometimes, in the tissue culturing process the plants biological clock gets reset and they think they're young again. Which is bad because then they take a few years before they start fruiting. But that doesn't happen every time.

Subject: Anyone else preorder the "Rare Fig Assortment " from Baker Creek? Replies: 50
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,777
 
yeah, that packaging guarantees that the contents are tissue culture figs from Agristarts. Not a bad deal if you're just starting out. 

Subject: Wire cages and Stopping Nibbling Deer Replies: 10
Posted By: smatthew Views: 192
 
Soap doesn't work with the deer around here (Northern California). I use rotten eggs. I take two dozen eggs, crack them, whisk them up, then pour them into a gallon jug, and add water til it's 3/4 full.  Then let it sit. Don't keep the lid on too tight or the jug will swell up and burst. The first time can take a while to go bad (2-4 weeks). Future batches will rot quickly. The deer don't touch anything sprayed with it - and it will hold up to light rain.

I make sure to tell all my friends "Don't throw out eggs. Bring them to me!"

Subject: bringing back cuttings from Sicily Replies: 31
Posted By: smatthew Views: 803
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by figpig_66
Trees probably in everyones collection has been brought here from other countries. Dont know why it upsets people. Confusing to me. When someone brings cuttings back and shows a beautiful fig everyone wants it. If someone talks about doing it it is frowned apon.


It's frowned upon because it's illegal. There is a legal way to import figs (which is how most of the figs got here), but it's expensive and takes time.

Subject: Propagating Ponte Tresa Replies: 20
Posted By: smatthew Views: 931
 
I can't wait until next year - maybe year after that when PT starts to become easy to get. So many people have it now - it's only a matter of time before it's a relatively common fig.

Subject: Rare Galicia Negra and others found at Wal-Mart Replies: 30
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,011
 
April Fools!

Subject: Rootmaker 1-gallon round pots Replies: 7
Posted By: smatthew Views: 289
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdFigs
Wow that's a great deal. I couldn't find locally and don't have a business account so purchased online at retail and shipping was really expensive for over 100+ pots of varying sizes. Next time I need to order more Rootmaker brand air prune pots I will just place an order with you since you can get them at such a bargain. :)


I get them at such a bargain 'cause I happen to be driving through Oregon. Shipping is a beast on high quality pots.

But check at your local hydroponics store. If they are a Hydrofarm retailer - they can get Rootmaker 1g pots and should sell them for $2.45 or less. ( https://www.hydrofarm.com/p/WG8010 ) If you're a regular customer, the hydroponics store should charge you $1.83 each (25% discount).

Subject: Rootmaker 1-gallon round pots Replies: 7
Posted By: smatthew Views: 289
 
$4 each? My local hydro store sells them for $1.87 each.I buy them direct from the manufacturer for $1/each.

Subject: What do you do... Replies: 19
Posted By: smatthew Views: 544
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoAnn749
...with all of the cuttings you root?


Don't ask such questions! People might start wondering "Why does smatthew have 250+ rooted cuttings. That's easily 100 more than he can use"

The best answer I can come up with is - they make decent barter. I started collecting cider apple varieties this year, and one enabler requested rooted figs in trade. Perfect! 

Plus I can help out friends who's cuttings didn't survive.

Subject: Getting cuttings from the USDA? Replies: 8
Posted By: smatthew Views: 262
 
a) they don't charge

b) yes, we're sure they've stopped sending scions from Davis to the public.

Subject: Fig doodle Replies: 34
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,062
 
I expect that it will work..... I have lingering worries about the roots getting enough oxygen, but the landscape fabric is porous so that shouldn't be a problem.  Can't wait to see the results.

Subject: Fig Pole Replies: 16
Posted By: smatthew Views: 429
 
You could also go for hormone treatments. The fig of course, not you! You could stimulate buds to grow by using 6-BAP, also known as Keiki paste and Maxcel. I use 7500ppm Maxcel in latex paint on my apple trees to stimulate branching. And I gave it a try on a fig I cut off over the winter - i painted the top 3 buds, and they've all popped open. Of course - they probably would have done that either way....

Subject: Can a HUGE cutting be rooted ? Replies: 32
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,194
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lolita1234
Thank you, mnedelcu

My next question : Can you air layer a cutting ?

Some of you might already saw some of my pictures before, but please tell me what do you think that air laying a cutting is possible or impossible


Why are you asking a question that you've already decided the answer to? To brag? 

Subject: Lazy Greek Transplant Method. Don't pamper your cuttings. Paddle them. Replies: 11
Posted By: smatthew Views: 307
 
And i thought this thread was going to be about fig punishment.....

Subject: Potting cuttings Replies: 28
Posted By: smatthew Views: 637
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by don_sanders
What about compostable corn cups?

http://www.ecoproducts.com/greenstripe_cold_cups.html


Those cups are only compostable in commercial composting facilities. If you buried it now, it'll still be there in 50 years.

Subject: Transplanting the darn thing without losing my sleep Replies: 24
Posted By: smatthew Views: 633
 
YES to the painting the trunk. There are quite a number of fig trees at USDA Davis/Wolfskill that were almost killed by sunburn after they were planted. 

Subject: Black Madeira cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,102
 
I don't recall there being black madeira at Prusch Park. It's my understanding that the BM cuttings came from Wolfskill/Davis and they do their own cuttings. My BM cuttings haven't rooted yet.

Subject: Show us your setup! Replies: 69
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,522
 
Lou - PM me if you need help with the electronics.

Subject: Black Madeira cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,102
 
Blue - I don't think the black madeira came from Prusch Park. I believe it's directly from Wolfskill.

Subject: activated charcoal...lots of it! Replies: 10
Posted By: smatthew Views: 357
 
I recall reading somewhere that if you want to add it to soil, it's best to "pre-charge" it with nutrients. 

Subject: Well..well..well....Jayspain says Hello! Replies: 46
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,096
 
Sorry to disappoint you, but I won't roll over and pay dead. You've admitted on a public forum that you attempted to evade US customs regulations by lying. That is a criminal offense.

Subject: Well..well..well....Jayspain says Hello! Replies: 46
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,096
 
oh no, a known criminal won't share with me! I'm too sad.

Subject: Well..well..well....Jayspain says Hello! Replies: 46
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,096
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by javusa


I REFUSE (not yelling at you, just emphasizing here) to be the sole culprit of this. They were the ones who let it go though when I "forgot" those cuttings in my luggage.


Your use of quotes around the word "forgot" implies that you did not forget about those cuttings, but rather deliberately placed them in your luggage and "forgot" to mention them in customs. Which is called smuggling, since "I forgot" isn't a legal defense. They did ask you "did you pack your bag?" at the airport, right? 

And then you brag about it on the internet. Hello - anything you write on the internet is there forever!

To save people the hassle of searching for your eBay listing - here's the incriminating part:
Quote:
It just returned from a trip to Spain and somehow I forgot these in my luggage with such luck they got through only to gladly discover them when I unpacked once here.

Someone might as well brag about the cocaine that they "forgot" to mention was in their suitcase. 

Subject: cuttings with roots but no leaves Replies: 28
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,528
 
If you used rooting hormones - excessive hormones could retard the growth of leaves. It's my understanding that those hormones start breaking down in about a month - so if you can keep on babying the cutting it should eventually put out leaves.

Subject: Best caprifigs for seed production and best for good tasting fruit? Replies: 52
Posted By: smatthew Views: 2,655
 
Wow - that second photo is slightly out of focus - but it makes the picture look like a watercolor!

Subject: Fig Addicts come forth Replies: 43
Posted By: smatthew Views: 768
 
I'm afraid some of you are going to end up at the airport giving pamphlets to strangers entitled "How Figs can Save Your Soul", and trying to get them to take a cutting home to root. 

Subject: Grafting carifig scion into female tree Replies: 11
Posted By: smatthew Views: 255
 
Blue - Any caudaceous caprifig (which Capri Z is) should work with Zidi. 

There may be issues regarding pollination timing. 

Subject: Grafting carifig scion into female tree Replies: 11
Posted By: smatthew Views: 255
 
Where are you located?

Subject: Where to buy Fig Cuttings? + Fruits which propagate and fruit easily from cuttings? Replies: 6
Posted By: smatthew Views: 302
 
OMG Harvey's store is amazing! Just placed my order

Subject: Triple Crown Blackberries Replies: 102
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,499
 
I like cake.

Subject: Pro-Mix HP vs Sunshine Sphagnum Peat Moss Replies: 10
Posted By: smatthew Views: 301
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rcantor
I haven't tried Sunshine #4, but #1 was terrible and full of fungus gnats.  I assume you folks haven't seen that with #4?


No fungus gnats - but I did get a shipment of Sunshine #4 Natural & Organic w/ Myc that smelled like a compost pile gone wrong. I spoke to the company at length - they assured me that i could just air it out and use it. True to their word - never saw any issues with it.

Edit: I like Sunshine #4 because it's available in an Organic Certified version. ProMix Organic is unavailable in the state of California. 

Subject: Symbolizing the Eden lioncloth Replies: 8
Posted By: smatthew Views: 207
 
How about Ice Crystal? All that fringe make it seem glamorous, if a bit revealing.

Subject: Spacing? Replies: 12
Posted By: smatthew Views: 273
 
I'm planting my figs 15ft apart

Subject: Triple Crown Blackberries Replies: 102
Posted By: smatthew Views: 1,499
 
I love harvey, but he didn't bring anything to the Scion exchange....  He was involved with the ordering of scion wood from Wolfskill though.

Gary was amazing with his two huge bags of RDB cuttings!