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Subject: Suckers as cuttings Replies: 9
Posted By: APORTO Views: 204
 
Another related question:

Instead of using suckers as cuttings, can you air-layer the suckers now and produce rooted saplings by spring?  Or will dormant trees not produce roots at all?

Subject: Will figs that did not ripen stay for next spring Replies: 13
Posted By: APORTO Views: 281
 
Last year I had a immature Brown Turkey that was late to ripen.  Almost all (10) shriveled and fell during the winter.  There were 2 that did not shrivel and ripened early this year.  They were my very first 2 figs and tasted pretty good.  So from my limited experience, most may shrivel and fall, but you may get a few to hold out.
Good luck,
Andrew

Subject: Question on Figs and Low Temperatures Replies: 5
Posted By: APORTO Views: 218
 
Thanks Steve and Dave.  I'm confident it was frost as all plants left outside experienced curled leaves.  Last year the 2 fig trees I had turned brown and dropped leaves in a more traditional manner.  It is strange we are almost in November and all plants had vigorous green leaves until this week.  I'll wait for leaves to fall and bring them all into the garage.

Subject: Question on Figs and Low Temperatures Replies: 5
Posted By: APORTO Views: 218
 
This week we have been seeing lower temperatures and I noticed the leaves on all the fig plants are wilting.  They are still green, but curling.  I did have a plant go dormant last year, but I don't remember the leaves curling.  Is this normal before they brown and fall off?

Subject: dormancy or grow lights??? Replies: 38
Posted By: APORTO Views: 520
 
As a few more experienced people pointed out, it is absolutely possible to keep your figs growing over the winter.  All you need is a warm room and grow lights.  But the question is should you grow over the winter?  For me, 4 hours of spring sun in a single day un-did all the benefits of the entire winter.  Once the leaves got sunburnt, there was nothing to be done but watch them slowly dry, brown and one by one fall.  Then there was a month where I thought the plans were dead before they began sprouting new buds.  Three months later at the end of summer, all the plants survived and look great, however, I missed out on a year of figs all because of that 1/2 day of sun.  If you have fruiting trees and these are an experiment, go for it.  But if these are all you have and you are new to fig growing, you might want to take the safer route.
To make matters worse, I will have to pick a hundred plus un-ripened figs off the trees in a few weeks while still not tasting a single one.  Actually I got 2 from another tree.
Good luck and let us know what you choose and how you make out.

Subject: dormancy or grow lights??? Replies: 38
Posted By: APORTO Views: 520
 
Last year was my first year with figs and I asked a similar question.  I had babies that I was worried wouldn't survive dormancy so I built a little indoor greenhouse with a clear plastic bin, heating elements, LED grow lights, etc.  At first it worked great, and I saw similar results as reported by Danny.  Then the plants outgrew the greenhouse and I tried to extend by using plastic wrap.  Unfortunately the plastic wrap was a poor insulator and the heating elements didn't do their job in the colder months or the plants were overcrowded.  They slowly lost their leaves 1 by 1 and it was a project to keep them alive.  I keep the spare rooms at 60 degrees in the winter.  Then there was the fungus gnats!  They were controllable with sticky tape, but there was always a few flying around and it drove my wife nuts.

In Spring, the weather warmed up to 65-70 and I took down the greenhouse and began moving them outside during the day and inside at night.  Well the 2 older plants I let go dormant woke right up and started sprouting leaves.  The greenhouse plants went into shock and lost all of the remaining leaves and stayed that way for a couple weeks for the good ones to almost 2 months for the stubborn ones.  I thought my Smith plant was a goner until it started sprouting leaves in mid-July.  Now its October, all plants have recovered and grew tall, but all of the greenhouse plants have tons of immature figs due to the late start.  I don't know if the baby plants would have survive the dormancy, but this winter I am going to let my baby fig plants go dormant and see what happens.  I think if you have mild winters (Texas) or keep your house warm and are extremely careful about weaning your plants from grow lights to natural light, it will work, but there is a lot that can go wrong.
Good luck,
Andrew

Subject: Newbie cold weather question Replies: 9
Posted By: APORTO Views: 315
 
Hi Mike, It doesn't look like our Local temps will be lower than 50 for the next 2 weeks.  I have a bunch of unripen figs and I am still holding out hope.  But that hope is lessening with each day.  I am trying to decide whether to keep the 100+ unripe figs as Brebas or to pick them and focus on next year's growth.

Subject: Breba formation? Replies: 17
Posted By: APORTO Views: 858
 
Last year I had 2 fig trees producing their first figs in fall.  One was a Chicago Hardy with marble sized figs and the other is an unknown Brown Turkey with figs 3X the size of a marble.  Being the first figs I have grown, I left them over the winter.  The smaller figs on the Chicago Hardy fell off by themselves while the very large Brown Turkey figs went dormant and ripened this spring.  There were 3 and they tasted very good; sweet and juicy.

This year, the Brown Turkey did not produce any figs except for those 3 breba, while the Chicago Hardy exploded.  Unfortunately, it was late in the season and I don't think there will be time for them to ripen.

Do people find that allowing trees to produce breba's hinder the main crop or affect it in any way?  Do you have to grow extra trees and designate them as breba?

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: APORTO Views: 28,721
 
Before anyone further criticizes / accuses, or discussions turn ugly, or before anyone even posts; I suggest you go back and read James' original offer on page #1.  He details out his entire plan and offer.  He estimates the dates but makes no guarantee he will be able to fulfill.  Here is a excerpt:

"This is a special offer to sell you trees for little more than it costs me to produce them, but only if you pre-pay to cover those expenses.  Doing things this way allows me to know how many of each variety I need to grow, and it gives me the money in advance to cover the costs of growing them. "

Is this an interest free loan - Yes, but there was nothing underhanded as James fully explains that up front.  $7 for much more expensive trees based on the fact they do not yet exists.  If you ordered trees, you agreed to these terms.  James has so far honored everything he said he would.  On top of that he is still honoring his original refund offer:

"If any of the trees you order aren’t ready by July, perhaps because of slow growth or excessive demand, I’ll ship the ones that are ready and give you the choice to either get a refund on the others or to wait and receive them whenever they're ready."

From my understanding of the original arrangement, James can hold his head high and has not deviated in the slightest.

Andrew

Subject: My first fig! Big smile today! Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 318
 
Hi Mike,

Looking very good!  Is that the same Dark Italian you gave me or a different variety?  I kept 3 of the plant you gave and gave away one.  All 3 have figs, but none will ripen in time.  Most of my plants are in the same situation and I'm debating whether to leave them as breba for next spring or remove to make room for the main crop.  I had just 2 figs ripen last year and I'd hate to remove 100 of the little guys spread over 10 plants.  congrats!

Andrew

Subject: Mixed Second Year Results Replies: 5
Posted By: APORTO Views: 140
 
Thank you to all who replied.  Since this is year 2, I wanted as much growth as possible and have not pinched or pruned at all, just left the fig to its own.  I will prune the low-lying sucker growth this fall, and hold off on the pinching.  It's time to You-tube Fig pruning to figure this out.

For fertilizer, I am using Miracle Grow Shake-n-Feed Tomato, Fruit, and Vegie.  Shaking a small amount once per month, maybe once per 6 weeks.  I read somewhere a little goes a long way and over fertilizing is bad and can shock your plant.

The Brown Turkey was a gift from a non-fig person who received it from some one else, he said it might be a brown turkey.

I am growing 10 potted fig plants in a sunny area on my driveway.  It gets sun from 9AM-7PM with a 2 hour break mid-day.  I chose this inconvenient spot because it gets the most sun on my property.  I do see JDS' point about the Turkeys having small leaves and favoring the right side which happens to be pointing towards the sun.  Additionally, there is no new growth on the old branches, just a ton of suckers sprouting from the pot.  However, the other fig plants are in the same area only a foot away and are doing very well.  Large leaves, a lot of new growth, and producing figs.  To add to the mystery, I actually have 2 plants of this unknown BT variety.  One in the large container and another in a 20 gallon.  Both have the same issues of no fruit, no growth, small leaves.  Something is going on with these 2.  Additionally, the large 55 gallon container has a large sealed water reservoir at the bottom with 5 nylon cords for capillary action, it is closer to a 40 gallon container.

What's even more confusing is the Smith plant which I purchased mid last year from a reliable nursery is a foot away, has large healthy leaves and over 30 figs.  My understanding was that Smith preferred a lot of sun and warmer climates than my zone 6B.  I purchased this plant more as a test, not expecting to get results.  I expected the Unknown-BT to take off like a weed.  Even the Desert King cutting I received from DesMoinesWAfig and rooted over the winter is a foot away from the BT's, 6 feet tall with 1/2 dozen figs.

Examining the 2 Unk-BT's, both have no new growth on existing branches and small leaves, but only the one I up-potted has all the new suckers.  I think they might have been root bound in the 20 gallon pots and went into a non-growth phase.  The up-potted (55 gallon) may have awoken this summer to grow more roots at first and now is spending its energy on suckers.  Maybe I'll get results next year if I prune the suckers and force it to grow its existing branches?  Does this seem plausible to the experienced?

All-In-All, this is a fun hobby/experiment.  It is somewhat inexpensive (As long as you're able to get containers).  It is something I would have never thought to start without stumbling upon this forum.  Thanks to all and I look forward to someday preparing a plate of figs with several varieties to taste and compare.


Subject: Propagation Confusion Replies: 52
Posted By: APORTO Views: 668
 
I've read that sunlight stimulates leaf growth while darkness stimulates root growth.  While leaf growth is a positive sign they are not dead, root growth is what you prefer.  People root out of direct sunlight.  I don't know if it is beneficial to move the cuttings out of direct light if they are in it at this point.  More of a question for the experts.

Subject: Mixed Second Year Results Replies: 5
Posted By: APORTO Views: 140
 
Hi All,

Last year was my first year "with" fig-tree.  It was an unknown variety possibly Brown Turkey.  It was rooted in spring and at the end of last year bore 3 figs which went dormant and I ate early this year.  since it was year 1 with the BT, I did not prune.  This year, I expected more growth and I saw very little new growth and not a single new fig.  I did see a lot of new "Bushy" growth, but the branches from last year did not grow more than an inch or two.  See picture below.  I up-potted to a 55 gallon air pruning self watering contraption I built, still nothing but the green busy growth.  Any suggestion regarding what I did wrong?  Explanations why I received no fruit?

IMG_0008.JPG 


On the positive side, the Smith tree I received from Almost Eden took off this year and is bearing a lot of fruit.  Although I'm afraid it wont have enough time to fully ripen, the dozen + figs look pretty healthy.

   IMG_0009.JPG 

IMG_0010.JPG     


I expected the Brown Turkey to be a heavy producer of lower quality and the Smith to be a very slow producer of high quality.  But it turns out to be the opposite.  From the pictures, you can see most of the Smith is green meaning it grew this year, while most of the Brown Turkey is brown, meaning very little growth this year.  They are sitting side by side on the driveway and each receives similar sun and watering.


Subject: 1st year plants from cutting Replies: 19
Posted By: APORTO Views: 744
 
Nice plants.  I made the label mistake with my first-time garden this spring.  Now I have a garden full of jalapenos and habaneros and very few bell peppers.  Needless to say I wont make that mistake again!

Subject: Chicago Hardy - one outstanding fig Replies: 23
Posted By: APORTO Views: 926
 
Very Exciting.  My Chicago from Hirts has a single, lonely, raisin-y, little fig growing.  Hopefully it will rise to meet everyone's description next year.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: APORTO Views: 28,721
 
I'm with the majority of posters and thankful for James' offer.  Falling behind schedule is understandable considering the undertaking of this project.  I seem to remember uncertainty in the original offer with phrases like:  "I will try" and "If everything goes well".  I also understand people's excitement with receiving a large quantity of in-demand trees.  I volunteer to go to the end of the list as I am struggling with what I currently have.

Subject: $7 fig trees for spring/summer delivery, around 150+ varieties Replies: 775
Posted By: APORTO Views: 28,721
 

For people in the north where it starts getting cold mid to late September, what is the recommendation?  Pot and let the leaves fall off as the nights get cool, then allow to go dormant within the first few weeks of arrival?  I'd prefer not to struggle to keep them warm and well lit throughout the winter.  It was more difficult than I thought and the plants struggled a lot more than the dormant ones to adjust to the outside move come spring.  I think the dormant plants had an extra month of growth where the inside plants sat dormant after moving outside.

Thank you,
Andrew

 


Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Hi Dennis,

I'm trying to send a PM and getting the following message:
Your message was not sent due to the following error(s):
  The recipient "snaglpus" has not verified their email address.

Do you have your PM blocked?

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
The poop is bigger in diameter than my thumb.  The size of a cigar.  Looks bigger than a coon, smaller than a bear.  Maybe the size of a coyote?  but a coyote couldn't climb the fence.  I am ready to take extreme measures.  Sending Dennis a PM.

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
This is a new development, but related to this topic.  So I am adding to this thread instead of starting my own.  I am continuing to see bite marks in the tomatoes, but I have 40 plants so I have been able to get tomatoes for myself.  This morning I checked on the garden and was very upset to find something big was able to get over the 7 foot fence and took out every one of my corn.  I had 75 plants growing.  Not a mark on any fence and whatever it was, it must have been big.  I also found a present in the corner of the other end.  It is not a deer.  Does anyone have any idea what it could have been?  What to do to keep my tomatoes / peppers / eggplant?
   
IMG_0589.JPG

IMG_0590.JPG 

IMG_0591.JPG 

IMG_0597.JPG 


Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Hi Mike,

The woodchucks have been relocated to Orange.  After 2 woodchucks, the rampant destruction has subsided.  I lost all cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, and cabbage.  Only tomatoes, corn, peppers and eggplant remain.  But the gashes in the picture above are from something else.  I have seen a turkey in there.  I have a 7 foot fence and it flew over the top as I approached.  No deer have gotten in.  I couldn't bring myself to hurt the little guys.  I drove them to a trail park in Orange and let them loose.  The last critter I caught was a skunk...  That was a tense situation, but we got through it.  I released where it was.  It looks like the "gashes" have also stopped.  Only 2-3 tomatoes had them so far.
--
but back to the new question.  Has anyone has experience deterring birds by hanging mirror discs on plants?  Similar to another post who used CDs with success.

Subject: Birds, squirrels and possums, oh my Replies: 22
Posted By: APORTO Views: 348
 
I just updated my older post with something similar.  I bought 2 products:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMK49DC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019FAMT4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I put them out, forgot about them, and they startled me the next day.  Pretty life-like.  Hope they work.  I think the discs are similar to Pana's Cd's.  They spin and look like much bigger movement out of the corner of your eye.

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Adoresfigs, I never escalated and tried to make peace while I was bad-mouthed and scowled at.  I wish I was more like you, looking back, if I returned some of the "negativity" I think it would have lessoned some of what I received.

Because of the claw marks in my tomatoes, I researched bird issues and bought some deterrents.  Since bird issues are bird issues regardless if they are eating your figs, or clawing your tomatoes, this post is back on topic.  The on-line recommendations stated birds were skittish and deterred by shiney discs and lifelike birds to scare them away.  I bought 2 items:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMK49DC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019FAMT4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Both came and I put them in the garden, went inside and forgot about them.  The next morning, I took my normal stroll around the garden to make sure nothing happened during the night.  On the way to the gate, I froze in my tracks at the site of the owl, forgetting I had been the one to put it out the previous day.  So I shook my head and continued on and then was startled by something moving out of the corner of my eye.  It was the reflective discs!  So if I was the one that put them out and both startled me, I have to assume they will work even better for birds.  Has anyone tried either of these?  Do they work as well as I think they will work?

The owl is amazing, the wings gently give way to the breeze and it really looks life-like.  But the discs are very reflective (mirrors) and if they move at all, it looks like something big rustling around in that direction.

Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 
So here is an update and maybe a question.  Its been about a month since I took the pictures above.  In the picture, I had 2 Brown turkeys (Up front with breba and in the back right).  these 2 started to fig last year where they also grew like crazy.  This year, the leaves look healthy, but almost 0 new growth.  without new growth, no new figs.  Since I had 4 or 5 last year, I was expecting 6-12 this year but nothing.
Meanwhile, many of my cuttings started in October and December have figs growing.  The Smith in the light tan pot grew and has 6 or so figlets emerging.  So what happened to the 2 Brown Turkey's and also my Hardy Chicago?  No new growth?  I'm not complaining, because I'd much rather see figs on Smith and Petite Nigri than BTs.  but I am wondering why these guys stopped growing?  I thought they might be root bound and I up potted 1 of the Bt's in a 55 gallon barrel, but I am thinking something else might be going on.  Is it common for some plants to have explosive growth while others have noting right alongside each other?  Is it common for last year's stars to be this year's dogs?
Should I be worried about the BT's or just assume they are saving their energy to grow next year?

Subject: Shout Out to Harvey/James & Friends Replies: 69
Posted By: APORTO Views: 1,087
 
How do you cut the grass??

Subject: Please help- growing figs indoors! Specifically- LIGHT BULBS :/ Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 308
 
Hi Jeff,

I had some cuttings that had just rooted last fall and I was afraid to let them go dormant due to their age.  so I invested in heating pads and 2 of the Tao lights you described.  I mounted them just several inches above the plants in the top of a humidity box.  At first (Oct-Jan) the plants thrived and I was proud of myself.  Then in late Feb they slowly started losing leaves, it seems like every week another leaf would fall.  I think it had to do more with the temperature than the lights, but in the end it was a waiting game hoping spring would get here before the plants died.  When spring arrived, there were few leaves left, but I'm happy to report they all came back and are doing much better outside.

Figs like heat, humidity and sun.  They are best grown outside and best to let them go dormant when colder weather comes along.

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Who knew gardening can have so many supernatural dangers?  Maybe I should go back to condo living where the only thing I had to worry about was my mean old lady neighbor...  And walking my Chihuahua without a leash.  I spent some time in San Juan and the Chupacabra is nothing to be messed with!

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Dave, Tomatoes are red and juicy.  I was thinking whatever it was, maybe I should just stay away!

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Thanks to all, I wonder if Neem oil will deter birds?  Its pretty nasty and I don't much care for it.  I'm applying today.  Just ordered tape, reflective ornaments and an owl.  That should do the trick!

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Oh, so the 2 gashes might be claw marks?  Those 2 gashes were on 2 others as well.  All 3 were low-to-ground so I thought rodent, but they were also the only 3 that have ripened so far.
Thanks, hopefully I will get others to corroborate.

Also, if it is birds, what is prevention?  Do I need to enclose entire garden with netting?  Or just hope they go away?  they don't seem to like tomatoes because they don't eat anything.

Subject: OT-Help Identify this Bite Mark Replies: 28
Posted By: APORTO Views: 309
 
Hi All,

A little background on the subject.  I am 3 years in a new home coming from a condo.  So I am a complete newbie on Figs, tomatoes, lawn, shrubs, etc.  I am enjoying my newfound hobbies, but have run into difficulty with my new garden.  I cleared a 900 sq. ft. area off in the woods and planted lettuce, squash, carrots, onions, corn, egg plant, cabbage, peppers, and of course... tomatoes!
I put up a 7 ft. fence to keep deer out, not really thinking about the smaller critters.  Early on, something came in and destroyed my lettuce and cabbage.  When there was nothing left, it turned on my squash.
I bought a have-a-heart and caught/relocated 2 very plump woodchucks before catching a skunk.  I was able to release the skunk without incident, but have stopped trapping because it scared the crap out of me!  I did not relocate the skunk, just talked to him a bit to calm him down and then released him right where he was.

Since then, the surviving squash and cucumber plants are returning and the tomatoes are ripening.  So far I have picked 2 tomatoes and both have the same bite marks as in the picture below.  I don't want to have a rodent take the first bite out of all my food and am thinking of resuming trapping.  But, if it is a skunk, I may sacrifice the lower fruit and wait for the upper fruit to ripen.  Any suggestions as to what this animal might be?




Bite.JPG 



Subject: costco figs arrived in So Cal Replies: 3
Posted By: APORTO Views: 193
 
CT Costco has them as well.  The 3 I had were all flavorless, mealy and dry.  I was so excited when I saw them and so let down when I tried them.  If only my 1.5 year old BT would give me some figs.

Subject: Moldy Soil Replies: 7
Posted By: APORTO Views: 78
 
Hi Drew,

It resembles the dog vomit mold.  I am watering every day which is more than I should, but the plants are responding well to the extra water.  As long as there is no harm caused, I will move this plant away from the others and not worry too much about it.  If I ever see any figs forming, I will rethink the watering frequency.

Thank you.

Subject: Moldy Soil Replies: 7
Posted By: APORTO Views: 78
 
Hi Rob,

I'm pretty sure its mold.  It is very powdery and created a dust cloud when I stuck my finger in it.  It is the consistency of baking soda that was wet, then dried.  Kind of caked together.

Subject: Snake bite today Replies: 83
Posted By: APORTO Views: 1,243
 
Hi Dennis,

Sorry about your snake encounter, but glad to hear the worst is over.  Good luck with potting your plants.
Andrew

Subject: Moldy Soil Replies: 7
Posted By: APORTO Views: 78
 
Hi Everyone,

I know we are supposed to wait until soil is dry between waterings, but my plants do very well with hosing the pots everyday and I haven't had any real fig production to be concerned with splitting the fruit.  Yesterday I went out and saw 1 pot was covered in white, powdery mold.

I am ready to reduce the frequency of watering.  Do you think the fig is any danger?  Should I take any other measures or just allow soil to dry between waterings?  Should I quarantine?  I don't want to not take action now and have bigger issues later.  The fig looks as healthy and happy as could be.

Thank you,
Andrew

Mold.JPG 


Subject: Fig Thief. Can You ID Footprint? Replies: 47
Posted By: APORTO Views: 620
 
Would Neem oil put enough of a bad taste of the figs to deter rodents?  Its not as harsh as ammonia, but it still unpleasant.  I agree with whomever said a raccoon would have been able to remove the fig from its cover.

Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 
Thanks Mike,

That is what I was asking, can I just cover the pot with plastic or do I need to bring them in whenever it rains.  I'll cut some garbage bags and give it a try.  I planted my first garden this spring and have 20 tomato plants.  Haven't had the misfortune of having any split because none have ripened.  I do have a bunch of green ones that should ripen end of next week.  If you want any, feel free to stop by and take some anytime.  20 Salem Road, Woodbridge.

Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 

So now I have my first fig problem.  I had 2 breba figs ripening.  I picked the riper of the 2 and it was pretty darned good.  I was waiting for the second fig to ripen and a heavy rain storm came through.  I checked the fig after the rain and it was cracked wide open.  So now I am wondering, did the fig crack because of the water absorbed through the roots or does it get absorbed directly through the fig?  If I get more figs growing later this season, I should move the pots inside when a storm rolls through?
Thanks, Andrew


Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 
Hi Mike,
I repotted everything in the spring with fertilized potting soil so no extra fertilizer for most plants.  The 2 plants from last year were given a handful of tomato fertilizer at the beginning of the season.  As my friend Mae from Scotland told me: "The fig doesn't know its not a tomato!"  Its probably funnier when its said with a Scottish accent.  That sounds like a lot of fertilizer to me, but I know nothing;-)  All 4 of the plants you gave are doing very well.  The white fig plants have huge leaves.  Thank you.  I cant wait for more figs!

Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 
Figinfever, The plant you are talking about is a Smith and is over 24 inches tall without pot.  Last week the leaves must have gotten too heavy and it pulled the main branch down.  You can see it drooping between the 2 smaller black pots to its left.  Maybe Smiths have flexible bark and need support?  I will tie it to an upright stick.  I have heard good things about Smith and wanted to give it a try even though I am not expecting much success in my climate (6A).

Verynew, When I posted my lonely 2 figs, I never expected to make anyone jealous.  I do not have a green thumb, but I have power lines going across my property.  While there are debates about health risks for people, I think the plants really benefit.  Plants seem to do very well here compared to my previous homes.  My tomato plants are over my head and have hundreds of green balls I am waiting to ripen.  Last year was first growing anything and this is my first year with a garden.  I am happy with my results, but it is definitely not me ;-)

I can't wait to have enough figs of multiple varieties to be able to compare.  I am guessing it will be a couple more years before that happens.  In the meantime, I will continue to read posts from others and have nothing of any value to contribute.

Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 

Thanks for all the information.  I got my first 2 cuttings June last year and they started to produce by the end of the summer.  Most dropped, but 2 remained over the winter and I ate my first today.  It was juicy and sweet enough that I want more.  There is one more you can see in the top right corner!  I acquired a dozen more plants at the beginning of this year (a Chicago hearty dropped a little fig in March) thanks to many folks on this site (Mike and Shirley and indirectly from Harvey).  I assume that since the tree produced its first year, it will produce a little better this year (year2).  But after hearing 4+ years, I guess I may be a little impatient.  At least I know if I don't see anything by mid July, then I'll be looking at 2017.
Andrew


ripefig.JPG 



Subject: Newbie Questions Replies: 18
Posted By: APORTO Views: 286
 
Hi,

I am wondering when potted figs in zone 6A (CT) start to produce figs?  I have some large plants that I expect to produce this season but so far I don't see any discernible figs.  Nodes are forming, but I'm not sure if they are figs are branches.

Also, what is average amount of time for a fig to mature once it is identifiable as being a fig?

Subject: Air pruning technic Replies: 23
Posted By: APORTO Views: 465
 
Hi All,

Wanted to share my air-pruning enterprise.  I started with a 55 gallon plastic drum with and end cut off.  Maybe 40 gallons remaining?  A hole saw, a lot of sanding, specialty paint, gaffer's tape, and some homemade straps.....  I think it looks pretty good.  I hope the little fig likes his new home.

IMG_0373.JPG  IMG_0378.JPG  IMG_0382.JPG  IMG_0385.JPG 


Subject: Bills SIPS Replies: 63
Posted By: APORTO Views: 978
 
My go-to plant caddy is:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_607936-27607-52427___?productId=50328213&pl=1&Ntt=plant+caddy
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00466Q7WY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For under $35 you get an attractive cast iron dolly and somewhat durable wheels.  The plastic ones that came with the caddy broke the first week.

Has anyone had experience with Air-pruning?  I am working on a pot made from a 55 gallon plastic drum.  I imagine it will work as advertised to prevent root bind, but I suspect the air will dry the roots requiring more watering.

Subject: OT: Peaches. What to do with them? Replies: 17
Posted By: APORTO Views: 360
 
I can recommend music to listen to while you preserve/use them in the fashion you decide:

enjoy!

Subject: Almost Eden - extremely poor service to the little guy. Replies: 5
Posted By: APORTO Views: 201
 
I purchased 4 plants from Almost Eden and had no issues even with special orders, such as holding on to plants and shipping at later dates.  Sorry to hear you had a bad experience, but John has always treated me well and I felt like I was receiving personalized service.  Hopefully he will do right if you give him a second chance.

Subject: Improved Brown Turkey breba Pics Replies: 21
Posted By: APORTO Views: 522
 
My first fig tree was gifted to me last June and I was told it was a Turkey.  It was a leafless stick in a pot and less than 12 months later it is a full size tree which will probably be my only producer this year.  Based on your description of not being Hardy, I would have to guess this tree is a plain variety Brown Turkey.  What are the differences between the 2 fruit (BT/IBT)?

Turkey.JPG 


Subject: Help with new fig plants Replies: 7
Posted By: APORTO Views: 214
 
I am bringing larger plants into my garage and smaller plants into the house at dusk each day.  Looks like there is a frost warning for tonight so I will be sure they are all snug-as-a-bug.  The 3 smallest plants I bought in March have lost all previous leaves and are being replaced with new growth so I think those will be good.  My 2 biggest were garaged all winter and the new leaves budding don't seem to mind the sun, wind, and temperature.  I have 2 medium sized plants that were bought in December and grew over the winter.  They dropped 1/2 of their existing leaves, and the ones that remained turned very dark.  They are the 2 on the right in the second picture and I am keeping a close eye on them.  I think the damage has been done and continuing to expose them to outside during the day.  I plan to leave them out when the lows hit high 40's.

JDS, using tomatoes as examples did not help because I also brought a few tomato plants outside as well.  The leaves drained of color and turned translucent, but they seemed to adjust better than the figs.  I recently moved from a condominium and this is second year with figs and first year for garden (tomatoes, corn, peppers, egg plant, etc.).  The garden is going in a field behind the trees in the second picture.  I hand-cleared and shovel-tilled 900 square feet of very rocky soil.  I had no idea how much work it would be when I started.
hopefully the first year is the hardest!

Garlic Mike's Dark Italian is the second from the left and doing well with the move to outside.  The 3 white Italian's are still in house, waiting for better rooting before bringing outside.

A big thanks to all who helped with information.  It is amazing how much there is to learn and I look forward to the days when I can worry less about survival and play with all the cool topics like air-layering and self-pollination.  First, I just want one fig to taste.  At some point this summer, I will ask for advice on watering container plants.  Then how to prune at the end of the season.  But for now, I am focused on leaf-retention ;-)



 fig2.JPG  fig1.JPG 


Subject: Best place to purchase potted fig trees Replies: 11
Posted By: APORTO Views: 502
 
Ive bought 4 plants from Almost Eden in LA:

https://almostedenplants.com/

Price is reasonable and they arrived here in CT in excellent condition.  They were small, but rooted and leafy.  I think you want to buy before it gets too hot as that can cause issues with shipping.