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Subject: Wilting of rooted cutting Replies: 34
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 502
 
I am convinced that sometimes you can do everything right and this still happens. That doesn't stop it from hurting, particularly if it's an expensive cutting, but it may be something about that cutting and not your fault. I had this happen with one particular variety, every single one ended up dying like this.

Subject: Malta Black Replies: 9
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 476
 
Top notch photography too, as  always.

Subject: Mushroom compost? Replies: 11
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 220
 
I had some mushroom compost analyzed by Rutgers about 10 years ago. At the time I had it analyzed it was about 1 year old in my yard. It came from a mushroom farm in PA. I only had it analyzed for Potassium and Phosphate and trace elements not Nitrogen. However the reaction of plants I grew in it told me it was high in Nitrogen. It was very high in Potassium and Phosphate (high but balanced). Had sufficient micro nutrients and was mildly basic (7.1 I think).

I did not have it tested for pesticides. But if there are pesticides it is not from growing mushrooms. The mushroom growers sterilize in with heat. Then they innoculate with the mushroom spores. I do not believe they use any pesticides in the growing process.

Edit: Well, never mind that. Apparently Pino is right about the pesticides. Unless grown organically they do use pesticides to grow mushrooms.

Subject: CDDB 2016 Replies: 14
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 252
 
Hi Pete:

Boy they are very, very nice CDDB's. You are so lucky to get these in the midst of all this relentless mist and rain. 

How do you move 55 Gal SIP's. Forklift?

Subject: Nutrient deficiency?? Replies: 23
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 329
 
Please let us know the lab results.

Subject: Fig plate for a dreary fall day Replies: 15
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 176
 
Hi Pino. Thanks for that post and pics. Blowing Northeast here 25-30 mph and rain. Makes me feel better even though my figs are out in it.

Subject: Black Madeira 2016 Replies: 18
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 562
 
Man they look good. I'm jealous:)

Subject: Black Madeira Replies: 19
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 501
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tsparozi
Amazing to see such thick mains  in a 5 gallon bucket. That is one healthy looking plant!


Must be those soy sauce 5 Gallon buckets!

Subject: Vasilika Sika (VS) Replies: 20
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 354
 
Herman: The reason I mentioned about the long neck (not just long but fat also) is because I do believe it occurs in figs other than just Col de Dames group. 

Subject: Vasilika Sika (VS) Replies: 20
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 354
 
Steve: Do those leaves match yours?

Subject: Vasilika Sika (VS) Replies: 20
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 354
 
I have this fig rooted this winter. It actually grew to over 6 feet tall before I started to top prune it. It put on a bunch of figs but were late so I allowed only three on the main trunk. The 1st one is ripening now and looks to be 35-40 grams. But, maybe they are  a little larger because I only let a few grow. Not really sure.

I can take a picture tomorrow of the figs and leaves. What is interesting to me is that the figs have the collar characteristic of the Col de Dames which have caused so much commotion recently.

Actually just found some pics taken earlier in the summer. IMG_1234b.jpg  IMG_1233a.jpg

Subject: Bills figs festival Replies: 15
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 460
 
I wish I were going. Have to work.

Subject: Bills figs festival Replies: 15
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 460
 
I believe it is tommorrow and not today

Subject: root them now ??? Replies: 3
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 127
 
I say root them now.

Subject: My first video: The Power of Graft & A Giveaway! Replies: 4
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 141
 
Good video. Thanks for posting it. So, how many grafts did you do and how many were successful? Did you try any chip bud grafts?

Subject: Please look at my airlayer Replies: 20
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 430
 
Well here is an update. Turns out this is not a Black Madeira LOL!. I am sure just an honest mistake but a yellow fig(I think it's a yellow fig , we'll see very soon)? Ha ha ha. Not sure why I think its so funny. Very interested to see what it really is! Yellfig2.JPG  YellFig1.JPG

Subject: Wellspring Gardens plants Replies: 14
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 427
 
I have pinched them off. They will typically sprout  a sucker when you do that. Let the sucker grow and it will surpass the pinched stem. If that is what you want. Not sure what you are  trying to accomplish.

Subject: Help with struggling figs! Replies: 25
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 530
 
Mayoke, I would start to move your figs into full sun gradually. Over the course of a week or so you should be able to get them to tolerate as much sun as that location is capable of providing. They want as much sun as they can get. If the plant is able to put out leaves and use the sun the plant will likely solve most of its problems on its own.

In the meantime if your soil is too wet it's not gonna have  a healthy root system (and its not gonna put out leaves). I prefer to use a  scale to water my plants. You might think about it. Here is a one I use. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SMHWZ42/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 

Good luck.

Subject: Bills SIPS Replies: 63
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 978
 
Sam my father is concerned about this type of thing with plastics also. He's constantly sending me articles about Monsanto, Dupont and all related stuff about food. My father is a highly intelligent man. But honestly, I kinda listen with half and ear when he starts going on about some of this stuff.

Don't get me wrong, someones gotta pay attention to it. But I have a lot of things to worry about already. It's just not my nature to worry about everything. That doesn't mean its not a  good question.

Subject: Too much heat for new Figlets??? Replies: 19
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 382
 
I definately recommend getting a  scale like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SMHWZ42/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Water by weight. You should have  a minimum weight and  a max weight. When it gets to the minimum weight you add water until it reaches the max weight. If a fig is wilting simply because of the heat and not because of lack of water, and you try to remedy by watering it you will likely kill it.

I just went to Costa Rica for a week and left my 15 year old son in charge of about 100 plants (mostly figs). Not one single plant died. I am very proud of him. But there is some credit to the method also.

By the way. Couldn't find a  single fig in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

Subject: Bills SIPS Replies: 63
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 978
 
Hi Jodi:

To my knowledge mushroom compost is cow manure which is sterilized and then used to grow mushrooms. For reasons that are beyond my recollection it can only be used once. They then sell it as mushroom compost or mushroom dirt. The stuff I got was considered "hot", meaning it needed to be further aged as it had too high of a nitrogen content and would burn plants. Luckily for me there is a major mushroom growing outfit in Pennsylvania which is geographically close to me in south New Jersey. Trucking cost more than the actual mushroom dirt for me. Short answer is look to see where the nearest mushroom growing outfit is to you. But, my guess is that where you are located, AZ, they are far away.

Subject: Bills SIPS Replies: 63
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 978
 
Coop: Do you mind if I ask how old is that tree?

Subject: Bills SIPS Replies: 63
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 978
 
Sas: Why do you feel it is important that it is burlap instead of weed barrier?

Subject: Bills SIPS Replies: 63
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 978
 
"I should also add that the fill tube can be made superfluous by adding a drip line over the top into your SIP, which Bill does and as of last year, I am also doing."

Rafaelissimmo, are you saying that the drip emitter is inserted into the overflow pipe (so the water goes in and out the same pipe?)

Subject: Bill's Figs Last Weekend Replies: 14
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 389
 
I was at Bills this past fall. All of the large pots with large trees that I saw were covered in black plastic. Not covering them must be something new.

Subject: Burnt Leaves Replies: 13
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 389
 
I notice when I rotate some of my plants they get sunburn. Should I not rotate them? (When I say "rotate" I mean if one side of the plant faces south one day, the next day the other side of the plant faces south.) Do you guys do this or should I just let the plant face the same way all the time. (Which is the way a plant in the ground is  since you obviously cant rotate it.)??

Subject: What's my [fig] problem and how do I fix it! Replies: 13
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 484
 
It's a good point Kenny Ray.

I use solution at 6.0 ph Aqua Canna flow through solution in perlite (Rich's method). Sometimes I get lazy and I don't keep the ph low enough. The leaves start to get pale. As soon as I get the ph down the leaves start to green up within 4 to 5 days. Also, we use Promix HP which is peat based and although I havn't tested it I bet it is somewhat acidic.

A fully developed root system and leaf structure i guess they transition to wanting a higher ph. It would be interesting to understand exactly how this transition occurs and exactly when.

Subject: What pH is your fig tree? Replies: 28
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 3,194
 
I have used this one with good success http://www.amazon.com/Accuracy-Measurement-Resolution-Handheld-Household/dp/B00W4PH6OC?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

People will tell you that a cheap ph meter won't work. That's totally not true with this one. Once calibrated it reliably tests ph of known solutions with what I consider a very reasonable degree of accuracy (+ or - .15 ph or better).

Testing a solution and testing soil are two entirely different things. You must develop a method of testing the soil that is reliable and repeatable. Is it easy? NO. But neither is driving samples or mailing samples to your county Ag extension office to be tested.

Subject: Please look at my airlayer Replies: 20
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 430
 
Thank you Jamie. Yes, happy Spring to all. :)

Subject: Please look at my airlayer Replies: 20
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 430
 
I just wanted to follow up with this. I cut the air layer off 9 days ago on March 11th. There were a lot of fine roots but they were not what I would describe as vigorous looking. However, I knew they were alive because I was watering the air layer every day with 10 to 15 ml of water and it was always on the dry side.

So, now 9 days later the air layer is pushing a few nice white roots to the side of its container. Its base is rigid (I had to prop it up with tin foil for 4 or 5 days since it doesn't extend into the soil very far). Both the original plant (which had gone into sleep mode) and the air layer are pushing out new buds.

Thank you to everyone for their advice.

If I had one take away from this it would be how much water that air layer needed. Black3.jpg 

Subject: Looking for improved Celeste cutting. Replies: 16
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 620
 
The article by Mountain Figs is here: https://mountainfigs.net/answers/orourke-and-improved-celeste-2-distinct-cultivars/

Subject: Rooting the 3 year old cuttings Replies: 11
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 432
 
3 Years? You have to be kidding. I can't even root them after they have been in the fridge for a couple months.

Subject: Fig Grow Room Project 2015 Replies: 50
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 1,121
 
I have been wondering about this. Thank you for posting.

Subject: drip irrigation system ideas? Replies: 6
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 177
 
If you mix pots like some clay, some plastic, some ceramic spray wont work well. You will be forced to overwater some to keep others from being underwatered. Drip emitters come in a variety of outputs and will  give you more control. You can water a 5 Gal Plastic, a 1 Gal clay and  a 20 Gal Ceramic pot all on the same 10 or 15 minute cycle. Also will not wet anything but the soil. I use micro emitters on stakes also but not for potted plants. Could be wrong and I'm always willing to learn but that's what I have found works best.

Subject: OT - Very painful injury Replies: 77
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 809
 
Dennis I am sorry to hear about this. It looks very painful. Must have been unusual circumstances for ice to form and not be obvious on those brick steps which have natural porosity and traction. My steps are are wood and I NEVER trust them in near freezing weather. Maybe that's a blessing in disguise. I wish you a speedy recovery.

Subject: Improved Celeste Replies: 49
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 744
 
Ah ha ha ha. I was waiting for this reaction from one of the veterans! Wouldn't be a complete thread without it. 

Subject: Bag Rooting Techniques Replies: 108
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 4,080
 
Thank you Jodi, I like that.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jodi
I have a little set of rules I try to use before I open my mouth or use my send button.  I ask myself "Is it true?"  "Is it necessary?"  AND  "Is it kind?"  My thanks to all the generous, tolerant, wise people that have shared their experiences for the benefit of others, including Mai and so many others.  Remember the heart of the figs and let there be peace in the fig forums, so there can be more peace in the world.  Have a blessed nite all.  

Subject: Valoze Fig Tree Replies: 60
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 1,039
 
Just to save every ones time (including Valoze's). I called them. They were very nice. They said they don't sell cuttings. They don't ship. They said once they put the rooted cuttings for sale they sell them quickly (couple weeks). The woman I spoke to felt bad for me and said I could buy some from such and such nursery, and that they ship. I said but are they Valoze figs? And she said no. LOL

Subject: Improved Celeste Replies: 49
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 744
 
Thanks Grant. I have heard that what they represent as Improved Celeste is actually Improved Celeste, But, I have a couple coming at this point. Thank you though.

Subject: Improved Celeste Replies: 49
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 744
 
Pino: There are a lot of posts about this so I am only drawing from what I have read. The Improved Celeste, although it came out of the LSU breeding program was never officially released. It was not named "Improved Celeste" by LSU. OK, so now. we have to remember that any fig which had Celeste as a parent and was considered improved compared to Celeste could be considered an improved Celeste. Notice the caps. There is where all the confusion comes in.

There are a number of improved Celestes, O'Rourke being one of them. But there is  a fig, however it got named. that is Improved Celeste(O'Rourke not) which is a different fig. If you're not confused yet....I am.

Subject: blueberry source? Replies: 14
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 260
 
I am a fan of Nourse Farms also. I highly recommend you get at least one or two plants of a variety called "Reka". They are very tolerant of imperfect soils. Also, based on your location I recommend you only buy Northern Highbush Blueberries. Don't mess with Southern Highbush or Rabbiteye blueberries. While they may stay alive for a year or so they will not thrive. You may, or may not have luck with some of what they call half high blueberries which are a  cross between Northern Highbush X Far Northern Lowbush. I live in south Jersey and that type doesn't like the high humidity summers. Lives but really doesn't do that well. Good luck.

Subject: Improved Celeste Replies: 49
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 744
 
Well. This is an old and exhausting argument. Kinda like "Who's on 1st". But if what you have is the O'Rourke it is not the one I am looking for. I do appreciate the offer though.

Subject: Improved Celeste Replies: 49
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 744
 
Richie thank you. But I need Improved Celeste-Not O' Rourke. I can hear the groans coming out of the gallery. "Oh no, not this argument again" LOL

Subject: Improved Celeste Replies: 49
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 744
 
Anybody know where I can buy some Improved Celeste cuttings now? For some reason it's one of the few ones I failed to root. As a second choice I would be willing to buy a plant. I am not looking for a gift.

Subject: Fig adventure in Europe Replies: 79
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 2,493
 
I find it hard to believe that someone would plant a fig tree that had bad tasting fruits 400 years ago. More likely, it is as you say, that it needs  a warmer and longer growing season. I have to wonder if 400 years ago they might have had a warmer and longer growing season at that location. Also, there have almost had to have been years which had uncharacteristically warm season and the figs may have ripened.

I any case, to me a cutting of a 400 year old fig tree has great interest. And to think nobody really knows, if grown under the right conditions if the fig is a good tasting fig is almost crazy. We want a fig because it comes from a famous movie, but we don't want one that it took many different peoples lifetimes to protect and keep alive? And we just don't know....

Subject: Grow your own Saffron. Replies: 16
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 455
 
Ha ha. I would LOVE to try this! But I think they would go the way of my Easter Lillies and Hybiscus and a lot of other bulbs. Feeding the pine vole population. 

Subject: Chemical that causes budding Replies: 2
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 118
 
Thank you!

Subject: Chemical that causes budding Replies: 2
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 118
 
I recently saw a post from a fig enthusiast in Thailand or Cambodia (I think) who was using a chemical that applied to the dormant bud would accelerate the bud development. I cannot find the post. Please if anyone can direct me to the post I would appreciate it. Thank you.

Subject: What is a well rooted cutting waiting for delaying shoots for many weeks and sometimes months ? Replies: 30
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 642
 
I have just had a similar experience. Five cuttings of varying thickness. All off one stem. All cut from a  local unknown so the. cuttings were very fresh. My 1st attempt I used rooting hormone. In a matter of less than a week it had pushed a bundle of roots out. Put it in Promix HP....nothing. Never a leaf.Thinking it was the rooting hormone I did not use it the 2nd time. But I did score the cutting. Same thing. Large bundle of roots in less than a week. But no leaves ever appeared. The cutting shriveled and the roots eventually died. Third time I did not score and no rooting hormone. Roots appeared quickly. No leaves. No bud swell. 4th 5th. Now I will go in the spring when there is active growth. It may be that particular stem just had some type of defect. 

Subject: Floral scented leaves Replies: 25
Posted By: Blackfoot Views: 311
 
LJ Figgy: I believe the citrus plant you are referring to is commonly known  as Kaffir Lime. I currently have two I have grown from seed. They are  a wonderful plant used in Thai and other asian cuisines.