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Subject: help please... Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 702
 
Leon,

It's really great to "see" you, and thanks for the Twin Pines info. 

Leon is in large part to blame for my fig addiction/obsession :)

I've got some good guidance.  Thanks to everyone.

Bob, I think I got lucky with the MG soil I happen to get at Loew's.  All but a couple of bags were the least dense MG soil I had ever seen.  There won't be any issues with this particular batch of MG soil holding too much water and not enough air. 

We've had a lot of rain in the last two weeks, so I'm going to let things dry out a bit before beginning a fertilizing regimen.  I'll report back.

Thanks again.

Henry

Subject: help please... Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 702
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the input.  James and Paully...good to "hear" from you :)

Let me clarify a little more:  I repotted in MG potting soil that does have some fertilizer "built in".  All of the plants I'm speaking of are alive and have leafed out.  However, some of them have barely pushed out the smallest bit of growth and have grown little thereafter.  Also, some of the oldest ones really got hit hard by our near record lows of around 10 for two nights in a row.  That kind of cold just doesn't happen in central Mississippi.  So...some of these older plants have pushed a little growth out through the gnarly, freeze damaged wood on some branches and have grown little since.  Some branches are dead.  If I can get these older, larger ones to survive and recover this year I'll probably lop off all that damaged wood and let them basically start over.  There was also considerable root damage from the cold freeze, but I'm not really sure of the degree of damage.  All of these plants are past the point of where if the roots were completely dead it would show.  You know...I had a few that had some life in the wood but evidently the roots were too damaged.  These pushed out some meager growth only to shrivel up and die a week or two later.  So...the rest must have enough of a root system for continued growth, but some of them are just barely growing.  These are the ones I'd like to help out if I can.  For me this year is a transition year from neglect and freeze damage to attempting to nurse these plants back to health.

Would some root stimulator be appropriate, or should I stick with the liquid MG fertilizer regimen?  Other than the MG soil that came with some fertilizer I've done nothing else yet.

Thanks again.

Henry

Subject: help please... Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 702
 
Hello,
I used to be active on the fig forums, but don't have as much time as I used to (too much work).  Here's what I need help with:

I have dozens of potted figs that were somewhat neglected over the last 3 years or so.  Then we had a really bad freeze this past winter (Mississippi) that added more damage.  So...I have repotted all the survivors in Miracle Grow, but I'd like to give them a shot of something that would spur them along in their recoveries.  Suggestions?

Thanks.

Henry

Subject: Smith Replies: 17
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,525
 
Great looking Smith fig George.  It is definitely one of my favorites.

Also, regarding color...Smith figs can vary a LOT in color.  I've picked figs that were almost all green/yellow and figs that looked like George's - off the same tree in the same year.  However, normally they are less purple and more green/yellow with some purple striping.

Henry

Subject: Wuhan Replies: 47
Posted By: hlyell Views: 5,113
 
I had three nice looking figs on my young tree, but very early in the morning on the day I intended to pick them the squirrels had them for breakfast :(

Henry

Subject: Lazy fig trees, where's the doctor? Replies: 8
Posted By: hlyell Views: 652
 
Dauphine,

I agree with the others that airlayering is the way to save this fig  - especially since it sounds like you could not replace it.  However, assuming you can safely keep it in a "quarantined" area where birds, squirrels or other animals cannot pick up soil from it and carry it to your other pots, it might be best to let it grow next year as it is (figs can survive - and sometimes thrive - for a very long time when infected with RKN).  You want to be sure the size and hardness of the branch being airlayered isn't so delicate it breaks when you try to airlayer it.  I have quite a bit of experience with this.  I have received quite a few figs that had RKN.  Unfortunately, I did not discover this in some cases until other nearby plants had been cross-contaminated by squirrels.  What I have ended up doing with the infected plants is to isolate them as far from the others as I can.  Also, (and this has worked very well) I add a thick layer of pine bark nuggets to the tops of the pots.  When I do this the squirrels don't jump in to dig and thereby carry contaminated soil to other pots.  Then I airlayer "replacement plants" from the infected trees and eventually dispose of the infected root masses.

Anyway, if this is indeed an irreplaceable fig variety I would make sure it has grown enough to better insure the airlayer will work and the shoot will not break.

Henry

Subject: Battaglia Green Fig Replies: 6
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,957
 
Here in central Mississippi Battaglia Green (main crop only) ripens around the second week of august.  To put that into perspective, Celeste and other very early main crop figs start to ripen here around the first week of July.  Therefore, BG is really kind of in the middle of the ripening season here.  My BG came from Paradise Nursery, and my oldest one is around 6 or 7 yrs. old.  It is one of the richest tasting figs I've had.  It's a definite winner here.

I'm like the rest who've commented on Natalina.  Mine are definitely early ripening - probably a week or so into the ripening season.  My Natalina came from Ernie Grimo, in Canada.  I've read about the fig of the same name which is supposed to be such a late fig.  The fig we are talking about could never fit that description and must therefore be a different cultivar.  This year was my third year to have Natalina figs, and they are definitely very good figs with a lively fruity flavor.

Subject: question about LSU gold Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 932
 
Here's the typical shape of an LSU Gold fig.  I borrowed this picture, but I don't think the owner would mind it being used only to illustrate what this fig looks like.

Attached Images
jpeg FigLSUGold.jpg (11207, 47 views)

Subject: new fig and a question Replies: 9
Posted By: hlyell Views: 703
 
It would be too speculative to try to ID your fig based on the young tree with a single fig since there are literally hundreds of varieties of figs.  If your single fig ripens take some more pictures of the outside and inside when ripe (as you've seen here).  Post those pictures, and you could begin to narrow down the ID of your fig.

FMV = Fig Mosaic Virus  (do a search - there is LOTS of info available)

breba (breBa) is the term for the figs that some varieties produce on last year's wood.  Some varieties set a crop on the previous year's wood (breba crop) and another crop (main crop) on the current year's growth.  The breba crop (if produced) ripens around 4-6 weeks before the main crop.

Subject: question about LSU gold Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 932
 
I'm certainly not questioning Jon's LSU Gold figs, but I have to say that the "average" shape of the figs in Jon's pictures is definitely not the average shape of LSU Gold figs.  The vast majority of figs on my LSU Gold trees are MUCH flatter in shape than those in Jon's pictures.  I just went and looked today.  There are indeed a few figs on the trees that are not so flat, but 75-80% of the figs on my trees are distinctively very flat.

Subject: mold in the bag Replies: 8
Posted By: hlyell Views: 871
 
Two practices I used last winter that got the mold factor to near zero were:

1. Treat them this way:  Thorough clean the cuttings with a toothbrush and dishwashing soap (and rinse) at the time I got them - followed by a dip into the 10% bleach solution - then allow them to "air dry".  Then I put them into the refrigerator (properly stored).  If the cuttings stayed in my refrigerator for more than a couple weeks I would repeat this immediately prior to "bagging" them.  Of 8 or 9 dozen cuttings I treated this way I bet I didn't lose more than half a dozen to mold.  This includes some cuttings that never rooted after as long as 6-7 weeks in the bags.  The cuttings never rooted, but they also never developed mold.

2. Open every bag every other day and allow fresh air in.  I had my bagged cuttings divided into two groups, and I opened roughly half of them each night.  It was a nightly commitment of most of an hour opening each ziplock and carefully unwrapping each cutting - then re-wrapping them and putting them back into the drawers I kept them in.  I used newspaper last year too.  Leon told me he that newspaper is exposed to very high heat in the manufacturing process - making it virtually sterile.  He also told me he had heard or read that the ink used in newspapers contains chemicals that may actually retard the growth of mold.  It is also easier to roll and unroll when allowing in fresh air.

It's a good bit of work to do this when you are rooting a lot of cuttings, but it will certainly make mold much less a problem.

Henry

Subject: Fig Cuttings Replies: 2
Posted By: hlyell Views: 866
 

You have email Jeff.

Subject: MERRY CHRISTMAS Replies: 7
Posted By: hlyell Views: 713
 
Merry Christmas to everyone!

Jon, it isn't really unusual here, but it's Christmas day and pouring down rain :)

It went down to 23 Monday night.  Then the high yesterday (Wed.) was 75.  That's just winter in the deep South.

Henry

Subject: Anyone think this is Flanders? Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,229
 
Jon,

Based on the color of the pulp I would say no (with an exception noted below).  I had lots of really good Flanders figs this year, and the pulp was amber in color.  However, I know that when caprified some figs have red pulp that would not if they were not caprified.  Since we have pretty much established (haven't we?) that at least some of your figs are visited by the wasps, the red pulp in your fig may not rule out Flanders.

Even though it's sort of shriveled up the skin color looks like it could be Flanders (with the green and purple verticle stripes), and the pyriform shape is correct for Flanders.

Who knows? 

The Flanders that produced good figs for me this year came from Rolling River, and it wasn't until the tree's third year that it fruited.  They were larger than I expected too - probably 2 1/2" tall and 1 3/4" in diameter at the largest place.  It's been a rather slow growing fig, but it branches well and forms good "double"  buds at most of the distal branch ends.  I look really forward to the figs next year.

Henry

Subject: What are your favorite (and worst) brebas? Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 970
 
I would appreciate input on this.

This year I will have a good number of fairly young trees that would likely set their first breba crops next year.  That is - IF I don't prune most or all of the wood that would produce the brebas.

So...what you guys say about your experience with brebas will have a big impact on my decision about the trees on which I will leave some wood for brebas.

Please share what brebas have been exceptional and which ones have been bad or disappointing.

Thanks everyone.

Henry

Subject: Black Jack Vs. Black Spanish Replies: 7
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,049
 

What Jon said about Black Spanish, Blue Giant, (California) Brown Turkey also reflects my experience.  However, the Black Jack I have (Willis Orchards) is very different from the others.  It is smaller than these figs and distinctly pyriform in shape.  I only had a few figs this year from my young tree, but I have reason to hope the flavor will be richer than what I've experienced from the other figs mentioned.

Subject: tough fig Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 655
 

Definitely not Tena...and the leaves look a little "funky" for Brunswick to me.

Subject: English Brn.Turkey verses Bayernfeige Violetta_Pixes Replies: 17
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,853
 
V,

These are two different figs, correct?  The figs look similar, but the leaves definitely look different. 

My second year Violetta trees produced very good figs this year, but they had a little more violet color when ripe - but NOT purple or dark.  The pulp was dark amber.  They were very flavorful and sweet.

I have a BT from Rolling River Nursery with the same color pulp that has leaves that look like the leaves in the picture to the far right.  I don't remember what Marc at Rolling River told me about this fig, but it was also a very good fig.

Henry

Subject: New Jersey:A Few Recent picture of ripe choice cultivars! Replies: 8
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,599
 
V,

How is the 143-36?  What color is the inside?

Your unidentified black fig looks almost identical to a Black Mission fig I was given by Saxon Becnel, a nurseryman from Belle Chasse, LA.  I have some pictures of my ripe figs somewhere and will post some of them soon. 

H

Subject: Jurupa-Growers Experience Replies: 11
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,854
 
Jack,

My Jurupa fruited this year, and the figs were at least as good as any other white fig with lighter colored pulp I tasted.  In fact, I'd have to say it was definitely the best in that category.  Based on the disappointment in several other light/light figs that ripened before Jurupa, I was very pleasantly surprised at how good it was.  I'm not sure, but I don't think mine has FMV.

Henry

Subject: Is this tree too old to top? (pic) Replies: 2
Posted By: hlyell Views: 722
 
Forrest,

You won't hurt the tree when you chop it off.  Just do it during dormancy.  I cut mine back in late winter before they break dormancy.  Jon cuts most of his back to 16" every year.

Henry

Subject: Long Yellow Replies: 8
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,289
 
Hi Forrest,

I'm pretty sure I've heard Jon say that Smyrna type figs ripen for him even though he didn't have caprifigs nearby, but I may have this logged into memory incorrectly.  Jon?

Subject: My first fig Replies: 15
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,032
 
Ah yes, getting old and the old thinker doesn't think as well :)  New York/New Jersey....San Antonia/El Paso...Dan is right about the cities - I shouldn't have gone on memory - I should have checked my notes before posting. 

My point was that this fig was brought from Sicily many years ago by an immigrant family to the New York AREA where most all immigrant families entered the USA and later found its way to TEXAS, where cuttings were taken that were later acquired by Mr. Robin.  The reason I mentioned this was that it is interesting that such a good fig found its way from Sicily to a small nursery owner in South Louisiana - with no commercial stops in between.

I did not suggest there was any connection between this fig and the Sal's fig sold by Belleclare Nursery.  It would be a fluke if there were a connection.

BTW Dan, Marion still lives in Metairie.  Katrina didn't "flood her out"   :)

Subject: My first fig Replies: 15
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,032
 
Thanks Herman,
No, you aren't confusing me further.  It's just that the fruits on Bass's tree just don't look anything like the Hardy Chicago fruits I've gotten from two different HC trees this year (from two different sources).  After seeing fruit from Sal's (even the EL Sal's) and fruit from HC side by side in my hands (and also seeing Bass's picture here), I just don't see how anyone would think they were the same fig.

I hear what you have said about Mr. Robin's SB being earlier than Sal's Corleone yet very similar in appearance.  My SB (Mr. Robin) produced figs this year, and about half have already ripened.  I have to say those figs were as good as ANY fig I've tasted so far.  You know this variety came from Sicily many years ago.  The family who brought it lived in New York.  Then a family member moved to San Antonio, TX, and took cuttings with him.  It is from the mother tree in San Antonio that Mr. Robin got his cuttings.  Unfortunately, Mr. Robin can no longer get cuttings from this tree.  He has planted his last few SB trees in ground to use for stock, but it will be a while before they produce any significant amount of cuttings as they are slow growers - at least in the first 2-3 yrs.

Henry

Subject: My first fig Replies: 15
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,032
 
So, Herman and Bass, this is Sal's Corleone, right?  This one really doesn't look ANYTHING like Hardy Chicago.  The shape is wrong, and the eye is wrong.  The EL Sal's is the one that is similar-looking to HC, right?.  However, even the EL Sal's figs I got this year (GH) were noticeably different from Hardy Chicago.

Subject: Long Yellow Replies: 8
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,289
 
Hmmm...the two guys who have weighed in on this one are both in the land of the wasp :)  Is there any possibility this is a Smyrna type fig?  Anyone else gotten ripe fruit without pollination?

Subject: Lynnhurst white Replies: 8
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,576
 
Hi Bass,

My first main crop figs are going to be ripe any day now.  My tree is in a VERY large pot and is rather large - but in a pot nonetheless.  The brebas were very decent here.  I'll report on the main crop figs here in Mississippi in the next week or two.

Henry

Subject: new to site, could use some help Replies: 2
Posted By: hlyell Views: 684
 
It would be very helpful if you could take some pictures and post them. 

From what you've said though it sounds like your tree is slow-growing.    The "green fungus" is somewhat mysterious (again...pictures would be very helpful).  How much sun does it get?

When did you prune your tree last year (when you got less fruit)?  It is best to prune your tree when it is dormant (prior to leafing out in the spring).

Subject: UCD Genetic testing Replies: 3
Posted By: hlyell Views: 870
 
Jon,

So, did the Sal's fig that was tested originate from Belleclare, or are we off to the races again with the Sal's thing?  :)

Henry

Subject: Breba and main crop figs Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,746
 
This picture doesn't show the difference as clearly as Jon's, but you can (kind of) see the larger breba fig growing from the older, browner wood and the smaller main crop figs growing from the newer, greener wood.  When I took the picture I wasn't trying to show this difference.  I could have gotten a better angle.




 

Attached Images
jpeg breba_and_main.jpg.JPG (190084, 18 views)

Subject: Say goodbye to mold (for the most part) Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,125
 
Jon,

I agree with all your comments.  As you emphasized, washing with dish soap is key.

Paul,

You have probably identified my problem in the potting stage.  My mix is around 50/50 rather than 60/40 (perlite/soil).  Also, as you pointed out, the size of the perlite makes a significant difference.  The current bag I have is marked "coarse", but it is certainly smaller than the last bag of coarse grade perlite I used. 

Anyway, I have quite a few rooted cuttings in cups that I will be moving to pots soon.  I am going to definitely increase the ratio of perlite to soil with I pot them. 

Henry

Subject: Say goodbye to mold (for the most part) Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,125
 
I wanted to share this because I am a fellow veteran of past mold wars, but I am happy to report that I have decidedly won the most recent battles.

I "bagged" a LOT of cuttings on Mar. 2 and Mar. 6.  As I write this I have ONE of those still in the ziplock.  It was bagged Mar. 2, and it is a Pastiliere cutting from UCD.  When I checked it yesterday it had FINALLY rooted (one root about 1/2" long so far).

The reason I wanted to post this was to report that of the 45-50 ziplock bags from 3/2 and 3/6 (all with 2 or more cuttings)  I did not lose ONE SINGLE cutting to mold.  Some just didn't root, but it wasn't because of mold.

With these "batches" of cuttings I used Leon's method of preparing, bagging and storing the cuttings.  Here it is (as I understand it and used it):

1. Thoroughly washed (with a brush) the cuttings with dish washing soap and rinsed.
2. Dipped (not soaked) the cuttings in the 10% bleach soln. and allowed to air dry.
3. Used dampened newspaper instead of paper towels to "roll" the cuttings.  Leon said he read somewhere that this paper is heat treated to a very high temperature - killing any living thing.  He also believes the chemicals in newsprint ink further retard the growth of funk.  Also, roots don't grow into newspaper as easily as they do paper towels.
4. Put the cuttings somewhere away from light (I used an empty drawer in an upstairs chest).
5. Unrolled and checked each cutting every other day.  This is critical!  Getting fresh air (IMHO) might be the most significant factor in this.
 
The vast majority of them rooted in the bags.  After 6 weeks or so I gave up on a few that had put on lots of leaf growth but no roots, "planted" them in potting soil, and put them in the shade.  About half of these appear to have rooted now.  I'm not sure why I had left the one Pastiliere cutting bagged because I really had given up on it.  I think in the back of my mind I was wondering if it would EVER begin to grow mold.  I had "re-dampened" the newspaper twice on this one.

Bear in mind that ALL of these cuttings were very healthy and viable.  In other words, ZERO deterioration had begun on any of them at the time I bagged them.  I wish I could say that they were all healthy, stable plants now.  However, I lost a very disappointing percentage of them after moving them from cups of perlite/vermiculite to pots of perlite/soil.  I just don't have the moisture thing at this stage figured out yet.

In any event, there simply can't be a better way to implement the bag method of rooting cuttings.  When I think about how I have fought mold in the past it's nothing short of amazing how well this method worked to avoid the mold problem.

Cheers,

Henry

Subject: Ventura Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,034
 
Hi Jack,

Thanks for posting.  I hope my Ventura is the same as yours.  Yours sounds like a good fig.  George and I got ours from Just Fruits & Exotics, in Florida.  It looks like I will have a few figs this year.  I look forward to comparing them with your figs. 

Henry

Subject: Ventura Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,034
 
George,

Thanks for posting.  I guess you and I are the only ones (who have visited here recently) who have this fig.  Maybe somebody who's been growing it for a while will stop by soon.  I should definitely have a few figs to sample this year. 

Henry

Subject: Norman's Yellow Replies: 3
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,019
 
Jon,

Yeah, my tree is covered with main crop figs, but the reason I've posted about this fig is that I'd like to get confirmation that the main crop figs indeed require caprification.  This fig is supposed to be a San Pedro type fig, and until recently I probably wouldn't have questioned that.  However, I've learned that you guys out there in the land of the wasp aren't sure about whether certain figs need to be pollinated or not :)  Of course, this includes the folks at UCD!  I've asked them about several (including Bournabat and Aked), and they don't know if these (and several others) are common, San Pedro or Smyrna figs.

So...surely there's someone outside of California that can confirm that the main crop figs on Norman's Yellow do not ripen. 

Henry

Subject: Ventura Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,034
 
I also posted this at GW FF, so anyone who posts at either place don't bother posting to both threads.

I have a Ventura tree (from JF&E in Florida) which has made some main crop figs.  I'd like to hear from anyone who has this fig. 

The descriptions at figs4fun don't match the pictures (from the Richard Watts collection), and I was hoping to avoid more "fig confusion" if possible.  I'm really hoping to find someone who has the same cultivar I have.

Anyway, any information on this fig would be great.  Thanks.

Henry

Subject: Ebay Fraud Replies: 6
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,165
 
Jon,

Not only did they take your picture.  They used your description of Garnsey White verbatim.  Is Garnsey White in the UCD collection?  I noticed this ebay seller offers other not-so-common figs that appear to come from UCD.

Do you know who these people are (the ebay seller)?

Here's another of their ebay figs where they stole one of your pictures:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ficus-carica-BLACK-ISCHIA-FIG-Fruit-Tree-5-gallon_W0QQitemZ290036797482QQihZ019QQcategoryZ42353QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They also used your description word for word in this one too - including the "...replaced by Celeste" part - which, of course, has nothing to do with the description of the fig.   

I'm sure there are many more instances of this in the 800+ items they have for sale at ebay.

Henry

Subject: Norman's Yellow Replies: 3
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,019
 
Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone outside of California (and without Blastophagus) has confirmed in fact that Norman's Yellow is a San Pedro type fig.  My 3rd year tree only produced one breba fig this year (which is hanging in there so far), but in the last week or so the tree has set main crop figs at virtually every leaf (several dozen of them).  I was just a little surprised at this development.  I haven't seen much written about Norman's Yellow, so I thought I would ask.

Henry

Subject: spring/summer cutting rooting Replies: 6
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,052
 
Gatormd,

Yeah, I removed the leaves.  On a few I left a couple inches of new green growth still attached to the older wood.  However, in all but one case the new growth withered and dried up.  The cuttings still rooted though.  I would recommend going ahead and removing both leaves AND any new green growth and root only the 1 yr. (or older) wood.  These cuttings were VERY fast to root also.  The caveat to my experience though is that I have since learned this cultivar is an extremely healthy and vigorous variety.  I still think (generally speaking) you should be easily able to root just about any cuttings right now.

Henry

Subject: spring/summer cutting rooting Replies: 6
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,052
 
Cuttings will root just fine right now - of course, that is, if you use last year's (or older) wood.  Last year I rooted quite a few cuttings well into May here in Mississippi.  I rooted some in cups of vermiculite (inside in a humidity-controlled plastic box), and I rooted some by simply sticking them in a sandy potting soil in pots (with a little powdered rooting hormone).  After potting and watering them I simply put them in the shade.  I did not start any of these in bags, but I'm sure they would root easily that way also.  The rate of success for me with these was much better than with dormant cuttings.  Regarding leaving the cuttings outside in the shade that works just fine here where humidity averages over 90% in the mornings and just under 60% in the afternoons.  However, if you live in a drier climate this obviously won't work for you.  The cuttings need humidity.  I think cuttings will root just about any time, but right now is probably a pretty good time with everything being dialed into growth with the plants.  Good luck.

Henry

Subject: What would you plant? Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,411
 
Bass,

I was looking at your list again and noticed there weren't any "white" figs with red pulp on the list.  Do you have any of these in the ground already?  If not, you might consider Battaglia Green (formerly sold by Paradise Nursery).  So far, it is my favorite green fig with red pulp.  It is rich flavored and sweet (if you haven't tasted it).  I would also suggest Smith (yellow w/red pulp), but I have doubt about it's hardiness for an in ground fig in your area.

Henry

Subject: What would you plant? Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,411
 
LOL...Paul, great minds must think alike, huh?

Notice the post times of our posts :)

Subject: What would you plant? Replies: 10
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,411
 
Hi Bass,

My Sal's is still very small, but based on everything I've read and heard I would think Sal's would be a good choice.  I'm not sure about the hardiness of LSU Gold, but these are great figs for me.

Henry

Subject: Afghanistanica Replies: 39
Posted By: hlyell Views: 4,487
 
Bass,

The fig in the picture is growing on previous year wood, correct? 

Jon, was the single fruit you got on current year growth?

I was just curious.  My plant is still an infant.  It will be at least a couple of years before I see any fruit first hand.

Henry

Subject: Anyone heard of this one? Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 959
 
Hi Cecil,

Yeah, I saw that post after I asked the question.  I wonder what other name(s) we may know it by.

Henry

Subject: I Lead The Dogs out Replies: 7
Posted By: hlyell Views: 965
 
Hi Bass,

That's EXACTLY what happened down here (but over a month ago).  Twice after figs broke dormancy the night time temps dropped below 30.  There was also a later "scare" that it would do so for a third time, but it only dropped to 32 or 33. 

I know there for a few weeks that between hauling figs to safety from freezing weather, repotting and setting cuttings to root it was like I had a second full time job :) 

Subject: I Lead The Dogs out Replies: 7
Posted By: hlyell Views: 965
 
LOL George...I'm laughing WITH you and NOT at you.  It is indeed a lot of work.  Down here we had two freezes after the figs had broken dormancy.  It was a LOT of work hauling over 200 (counting little 1 gal. plants) potted figs either into my house or into the carport - then back outside.  Then this was repeated two weeks later :)  I also repotted well over 100 figs in Feb. - most 5 gal. up to 30" pots - with a lot of root pruning. Then came rooting cuttings...work...work...work!  Other than airlayering a few plants with RKN and potting rooted cuttings as necessary I hope most of the work is done for this year. 

I hope all your figs get acclimated quickly and safely to the new growing year.

Henry

Subject: Anyone heard of this one? Replies: 4
Posted By: hlyell Views: 959
 

Has anyone heard of a fig called "Black Celeste"?

Subject: What is a Black Jack? Replies: 6
Posted By: hlyell Views: 2,251
 
Good question George.

I have a third year BJ from Rolling River nursery in CA, and I have a similar sized but second year BJ from Willis nursery.  When the Willis tree arrived last fall it had a number of figs on it that had formed too late to ripen.  However, these figs were definitely shaped like a Mission fig and nothing like a BT.  I'm pretty sure I will have figs from the Willis tree this year.  I have not had figs yet from the RR tree but might have a few this year.  Hopefully I will so I can compare the two and also compare to what people have posted in this thread.

Henry

Subject: Mold free technique? Replies: 2
Posted By: hlyell Views: 1,182
 
Jon,

Just to be sure again...are all these cuttings that rooted in bags then were moved to cups?

Do you start ANY cuttings in cups of perlite/vermiculite (in boxes) from the beginning?

I think I've mentioned it in private emails to you, but here in the deep South, AKA land of consistent humidity, my most successful method of rooting is to put cuttings in a very sandy (extremely well-draining) potting soil in pots and put them outside in shade (only a little filtered sun).  I put out several dozen cuttings this way around the first of March, and it appears many of them have rooted.  Only a very few show signs of possibly not being viable any longer. 

Henry