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Subject: Seattle Fruit Show, Saturday October 8, 2016 Replies: 5
Posted By: Harpmama Views: 137
 
I hope to join you, was thrilled Saturday to find a fully ripened main crop fig on my brown turkey variant here in Shoreline just north of Seatlle. Couldn't believe my good fortune, and yes it was delicious!

Thanks again Kikiwbob,

Chryssa

Subject: Disappointing Crop Please Advise Replies: 17
Posted By: Harpmama Views: 553
 
Thank you all for your additional posts, I am sorry I went silent I was vacationing and my cell phone died.  Just catching up now. 

I learned from Kiwibob that I WAS picking my figs too early, and that although the figs resemble Vashon Violet at first blush they are not. 

We came to the conclusion that mine must be some type of Brown Turkey.  I appreciate hearing that others think that too, and that jdsfrance recognizes mine as a European BT cultivar.  The trees are still ripening brebas and I picked more this evening.  They are good but not as sweet as the Desert Kings grown nearby that I was given.  I have a fantastic microclimate for growing figs on this property, and am really excited to do so for years to come.  Still trying to figure out where I should locate the new starts Kiwibob so generously gifted me, and whether or not I should put them where my current figs are (espaliered on a warm fence facing SW in prime location).  These BT figs are doing really well in this location, but they have a mild taste and I believe all of the starts he gave me will have superior flavor and will perform well here. 

Kiwibob is a double bonanza for me as I also recently became interested in growing kiwi berries and he is the ultimate guide for growing those as well!

Best,
Harpmama

Subject: Disappointing Crop Please Advise Replies: 17
Posted By: Harpmama Views: 553
 
Yes, the world needs more people like Kiwi Bob! I am bowled over by his kindness. I was able to pop over to his place this evening and had a wonderful time tasting figs and learning about the myriad cultivars he has assembled there. I now have a much better understanding of how to judge when figs are truly ripe. And I will always treasure the starts he gave me, which I am extremely grateful for!

Thank you Kiwi Bob, and I look forward to visiting you again to discuss hardy kiwi, and will come bearing gifts from my modest homestead here in Shoreline.

Chryssa

Subject: Disappointing Crop Please Advise Replies: 17
Posted By: Harpmama Views: 553
 
Thank you both so much, very helpful guidance! I googled images of Vashon Violet and mine resemble it closely. I did not know about latex will look for that. And I suspect I am overwatering. I will get some DK cuttings ASAP. If there are any other varieties you recommend for the Pacific NW please let me know. Again, thank you!

Subject: Disappointing Crop Please Advise Replies: 17
Posted By: Harpmama Views: 553
 
I am near Seattle and a few years ago I planted 8 figs along a fence in full sun with the idea of training each as an espalier to maximize fruit in a minimum of space. My property faces southwest and is much warmer than your average Seattle garden (I harvested 400lbs of tomatoes on my suburban lot in 2014). The figs starts came from a plant that was known to do well here so I assumed they were Desert King. It appears they are not. Two weeks ago I was gifted some beautiful green figs with sweet strawberry colored interiors that must have been DK. They were all ripe in this area and done in July, while my breba crop was still green, hard and small. Now my figs are becoming plump, soft, and turning brown/purple. I have tried a few and the interiors are barely blushing pink. Some are better than others but none are good. Just not as sweet as a fig should be and far inferior to the DKs I was gifted.

1). Do you think I have some type of brown turkey cultivar? I am sorry I tried to post a picture but this website won't let me due to file size. They are not fully purple but maybe I am picking them too early?

2). I have the figs on drip irrigation with a timer, they have been getting 1-2 gallons of water each per day. Do you think I am overwatering and washing the flavor out? It gets dry here in the summer and they are only in their second year in this location so I thought they should be watered.

3) I am picking when very plump, soft, and color changes from green to mostly brown/purple. Should I wait until fully purple? Am I picking too early?

I am wondering if I should get cuttings from the green figs I was gifted and replant with a better variety. I hate to tear these out and waste years of effort, but I was so looking forward to delicious figs and these are not.

Any advice greatly appreciated!