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Subject: What is your Best Method to Ship Cuttings..??? Replies: 16
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,018
 
I like USPS Priority mail service, mostly the small boxes.  Cuttings I send are dry, placed in a Zip-Lok storage bag and damp, squeezed out long spaghnum moss mixed in sparingly.  Lightly dampened paper towels also work well. Too much moisture in the shipping bag seems to be worse (causing mold), than not enough. From 8 to 20+ fig cuttings will go in  a Priority mail small box, plus the convenience of taking the box home free in preparing shipments and todays cost is $5.80 sent across the US.  Padded envelopes work well for few cuttings but the envelopes can seldom be purchased one at a time.

Subject: End Of Season Update (2013) Replies: 17
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,096
 
Great video Vince.  Very well planned out.  Nicely pruned and thinned trees.  Thanks for sharing.  We have had our first killing frost here so my plants will go to the well house, garage tool room, barn and any other place I can store them. With this unusual summer, the very last figs were the best.

Subject: Sachet bag bird protection Replies: 20
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,584
 
The Organza bags have worked well for me, especially when a small tree has figs for the first time and most of the surrounding trees figs are being punctured, and dehydrated by bees and birds.  A Malta Black and Dark Portuguese were able to give me 5 figs each after being covered with green bags.  They definitely decrease spoilage.  It seems if insects puncture the skin, the fruit sours quickly even if there has not been rain in a few days.  So far, bees have left the bag covered fruit alone.  Some fig trees in my back yard have had ripe fruit disappear lately and I suspect wild turkeys; they have been hanging around lately since my 2 old watch dogs died and went to a better place in the last 6 months.  I got a new dog pound dog hoping he would be a good watch dog, but he seems to be the type who would show the turkeys where the best figs were!!

Subject: Skardu Black Replies: 2
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 369
 
My Skardu Black is finally beginning to make some good growth but late in the season.  It has not been fertilized since mid June with Osmocote.  A large breba was aborted earlier and these 7 or so main crop figs will have to face the sun before cold weather sets in if they are to ripen.  Any others with this years experience with Skardu Black. Most of those tasting figs on my property this year are not talking but flying home full to my neighbors bee hives. The fig shown is now in about a 2 gal pot.  It will be kept until I get to eat a ripe fig from it.  It has been a long wait and too late to give up on it now

P9090092_01.JPG 

Subject: My Visit with a F4F Member! Replies: 6
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 510
 
Thanks Sophie and your husband for the visit.  You brought the sunshine for a change.  Good pictures too.  Hope your trees do well for you. Thanks Martin for your kind words. I am looking forward to the SE gathering in NC in Sept. Though I have had notes In US and around the world, this is my first meeting with a forum member face to face, thanks Sophie. Unfortunately, this year has been a year for excess rain, excess birds and excess hungry stinging insects such as honey bees, wasps, yellow jackets, bumble and carpenter bees, etc.  The rain has caused even my figs with the tight eyes to split and the fig open like a book and the varmints devour them in short order.  Most of my fig eating this year has been sharing with birds and bugs.  I have used the Organza olive green bags on Malta Black and Black Portuguese and had good success.  On a better note, Chater Green fig tree from Encanto had a few figs on it this year and they were delicious, not big, little bigger than Celeste but with an amber inside, and so far they have dodged the hungry #@!*'s cept me.   

Subject: Todays Figs 8-4-13 Replies: 7
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 479
 
Tasty looking figs Mike.

Subject: Hi, I'm New Here... Replies: 20
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 822
 
Just peachy. I sent you a personal message

Subject: My new bird deterrent Replies: 14
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 677
 
I went to a resort in Sevierville,Tn and it had a bird deterrent, noise maker that sounded like a jet fart every 30 seconds and was very annoying but the birds seemed to like it. I have a Phoebe who built her nest atop a dusk to dawn light on my detached garage. The flycatcher birds and purple martins earn their keep at my house.

Subject: Leaf hoppers Replies: 9
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 601
 
I saw a group of immature assassin bugs all dressed out in red Friday on a fig fruit.  I went for the camera and when I came back, they had moved on. Did not know what they were until your reply and I looked them up. Thanks.  Maybe between the good bugs and the amphibians it will be a good year.  I have seen several common warty toads and skinks in the garden so it is a good thing. 

Subject: Companion Plants for Fig Trees Replies: 29
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 7,889
 
All the companion plantings in my pots have been done by varmits.  Small pecans, acorns, maple, sweet gum, Chinese dogwood, smilax.  I may give hens and chicks a try in some of my smaller pots if they don't take too long to cover the soil surface..  They take little water and might catch some unwanted seeds.  Oaks and pecans take some effort to pull out of pots due to tap roots. I have planted Zinnias near my fig trees and both seem happy with the relationship..I have some alpine strawberries I got from the Montreal fig a few years ago and planted a small fig cutting nearby  that has figs on it now. Not sure if the strawberries and now ripe blueberries are telling the birds to hang around and eat the figs and pears when they finish with the other berries for a Spring thru Fall feast.

Subject: Leaf hoppers Replies: 9
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 601
 
This year has been a real pain for me when it comes to leaf hoppers.  I don't know how much damage they do, but I believe I have a specific variety for each variety of fig I grow.  They are green, grey, brown, speckled and also of slightly different shapes and sizes.  To add to the pain of having to see them and try to pinch them, they will move to the back side of the branch to avoid capture, much like a squirrel does in the fall when he knows you are looking at him.  Anyone else having to deal with these buggers this year?

Subject: Patrick Super Giant brebas Replies: 9
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,051
 
TVA Shawnee 1969 and 70.  TVA Paradise Fossil Plant  1983-84 after "Mr. Peabody's coal train done hauled it away"  There was a song that went," Daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County, down by the Green River where Paradise lay,  I'm sorry my son but you're too late in asking,  Mr, Peabody's coal train done hauled it away".

Subject: How do I tell when my HC fig is ripe? Replies: 14
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 641
 
Dang, Martin, that is a thousand word picture. Good thing it has your name on it.  I have very few Hardy Chicago brebas but the main crop is loaded.

Subject: Patrick Super Giant brebas Replies: 9
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,051
 
Pattee, I just ordered 100 moss green 4x6 Organza bags, because birds are not bad on my Green Italian.  Thanks for the information.  

Tim let me know  by personal message this Autumn, say late Nov and I will fix you up with some PSG cuttings. As for zone 6B the only outside planting advice I can give is plant in near a building preferably on the south side, so it can see the sun all day East to West and protected from the harsh North Weather.  I worked in Paducah, Ky. years ago and also Paradise, Ky, and the winters are KKKKold!!!  

Tami, the PSG brebas have been good, not great.  I eat all the fig and my wife, eats the inside and pulls off the skin, but hey, I eat a peach with the skin.  The color has been tan to light brown with amber to light pink inside.  The taste has been subtle figgy, not intense other flavors and not real sweet. I cut them up and put on my morning cereal.  I pruned the trees heavy in late winter so my breba crop was what I left untrimmed for that purpose and not many at that.  IMHO, Patrick Super Giant is excellent for preserves due to its large size and ability to get a good sweet preserves without adding a lot of sugar.

Subject: Patrick Super Giant brebas Replies: 9
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,051
 
My Patrick Super Giant brebas have been ripening for the past few days and I have been eating 2 each day.  This morning I checked and birds, and bugs have sampled several.  Disappointed, I started to leave and saw a nice one on the ground, undamaged.  It was excellent tasting and not watery.  I ate the other half on the saucer before the pic.The main crop figs are growing great.  My trees are too big to net, so hope there is enough for me after the birds and bugs eat their share.

Attached Images
jpeg PSG_breba_7-20-13.JPG (914418, 68 views)
jpeg PSG_breba_2013_7-20.JPG (897302, 67 views)
jpeg PSG_breba_coulda_been.JPG (1022578, 53 views)

Subject: Old Arab Israeli Grafting His Trees Replies: 15
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 935
 
Great, informative video.  Definitely knew what he was doing.  I'm going to try that next year. Thanks for sharing.

Subject: found this guy on CdDB this morning... Replies: 14
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 677
 
Multifunctional frog. Protects the figs from bugs and calls the turtles and mockingbirds when they are ripe.

Subject: Fig growers from France? Replies: 23
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,032
 
Ancolie, , I have 4 fig trees growing in a similar situation as yours. The trees are in a protected courtyard planted near brick and block walls where they absorb the heat and protected from harsh winds and low temps. So far after several years the building foundations seem to be unaffected. The trees are in a mini climate and thrive. Bernie, that tree sounds like a winner.

Subject: ton of turtles on the road of late. Replies: 19
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 663
 
The mockingbirds told the turtles they could have any of your figs that get knocked to the ground.

Subject: Tree frog on fig tree Replies: 5
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 538
 
Thanks for the frog pic Barry. Last year I had a similar experience with a North American grey tree frog on a fig leaf. He spent most of the summer eating a lot of leaf hoppers. It's amazing how a tiny animal such a frog on a fig tree can give so much enjoyment.

Subject: Is this ready to pick? Replies: 17
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 965
 
Still looks a bit too early.  As big as the fig is, the largest area should probably bump against the main stem when its neck is broken.  It is now close to a critical time, if it should rain, you would be better off picking it a little early than to leave in on through the rain, especially if it has a large eye.  Rainwater will run down the side of the fig to the eye and it will sour quickly if left on the tree.

Subject: ENDERUD UCR 228-20 I like it Replies: 13
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,279
 
I picked this Independence Day Enderud breba in the rain, still with a closed eye.  It was watery, but still good.  My wife thinks it tastes mildly figgy, I don't.  It appears to have a grainy texture near the eye but it doesn't

Attached Images
jpeg Enderud_228..jpg (960381, 67 views)

Subject: Ripe breba pic......Need an ID Replies: 5
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 550
 
??Paradiso??  I have a green Greek with those shaped leaves, but too young to bear.

Subject: Hopeless Replies: 17
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 869
 
Sounds like an all too common true self diagnosis :-)

Subject: Fig Hedge Video Replies: 5
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 500
 
Great video Frank.  Nice varied collection.  Thanks for sharing.

Subject: It's always something! Replies: 10
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 701
 
We are in the same ark here in east TN Dennis with fig brebas swelling quickly to much more than their normal ripe size.  Mockingbirds are sitting sentry on every nearby tall tree,  power line and roof top, just waiting.  So far all the brebas I have picked have been somewhat watery making it a bad year to judge quality. It is raining here now, with days more forecast, darn!!.  The only good outcome for me has been in moving potted trees from my flower bed, my wife's flower bed and other unlikely places to an old round pen in the nearby pasture.  The overcast and rainy skies has made the move less traumatic for the potted trees.  They are in an area now with more sun and easier to use the almost rusty sprinkler again.Inline image 

Subject: Janice Seedless Kadota vs Mary Lane Replies: 23
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 2,221
 
Dennis, I have a 3 gallon potted UCR 2009 Mary Lane and today after a long wait, my one Breba was ripe.  It weighed in at just over 2 1/2 oz.  The eye was tight shut with a very thick lower part.  The fig was  good, not watery considering all the rain we have had. The taste was very mild,lightly sweet but not fig like at all.  One main crop fig is about the size of BB, probably too late to ripen before cold weather. I don't have Janice.Inline image

Attached Images
jpeg Mary_Lane_7-2-1320130702_01_02.JPG (1023606, 54 views)

Subject: Southeastern Fig Gathering - CANCELLED Replies: 60
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 4,000
 
Dennis, I will do my utmost to be there Sept 21 and bring a few 1 gal plants.

Subject: OT: Mulberry Cuttings Revisited Replies: 14
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,426
 
This year is my first try at mulberries from cuttings.  Mine arrived  from UCR about June 22, green with leaves with what appears as more aged wood and the lower end.  I got 6 varieties with 5 cuttings each.  I put 5 of each variety equally spaced in a 1 gallon pot of promix BX with a mix of pine bark chips.  I stripped about half of the leaves off.  I keep them in a 16" tall sterlite container with the lid closed and several holes drilled in the lid for some air exchange.  Each day I remove each pot and spray them with a very fine mist pressurized well water for about 30 seconds being careful to not over saturate the soil.  So far, so good.  I saw the video of the Florida grower and am tempted to plant a few in ground and use the sprinklers.  I plan on planting mine away from the house.  The birds love mulberries and load up on them and look for clothes lines loaded, new cars and any large moving object to bomb.  My cuttings arrived in super shape, so any failure on my part, I claim.

Subject: Will this fig be a CROISIC ? Replies: 4
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 586
 
Have you tasted it? If the wasps like it, that is what matters, right? Would the wasps live in a sterile caprifig?

Subject: Hi Replies: 23
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,031
 
Welcome to the forum. Your tree should do well for you.

Subject: ENDERUD UCR 228-20 I like it Replies: 13
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,279
 
Bob, if I could , I would. Too bad them wasps like hot weather most of the time. I have a Zidi and Nazarti trees that are trying to make friends with Enderud.
Arabic student, in the varieties section of the figs4fun website, Enderud or UCR 228-20 is listed as an edible caprifig with a very good flavor and I agree for sure. Hope it can stand zone 7 winters in
ground here protected
because when it is least expected, farenheit temperatures can
go into single digits or lower. :-((





Subject: ENDERUD UCR 228-20 I like it Replies: 13
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,279
 
Today I picked my first caprifig, Enderud and ate it. The yellow fig, medium size with a very long neck had a very good taste,  slightly canteloupe and pepper!!! I got the tree from UCD a few years back and it was just one of the many (wait & see)potted figs I have.  This year, it had 4 figs on it with no sign yet of a second crop.  I will keep it just for the unique taste and that it is an edible caprifig.  I recommend it.

Attached Images
jpeg Enderud.jpg (38395, 84 views)

Subject: Up potting a Black Madeira fig tree Replies: 7
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 884
 
Tom, I enjoyed your video, you have a neat operation.  I am going to add Black Madeira to my wish list. 

Subject: Nazarti, breba & main crop Replies: 7
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,101
 
Eli, how is the quality of  breba crop of Nazarti, since it was imported from Israel?  I am in zone 7 so it is much too cold for that wonderful wasp.  If I only get a breba crop, I hope it improves with age of the tree.  My one fig was very bland.  Give me an optimistic answer :-). Thanks

Subject: Nazarti, breba & main crop Replies: 7
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,101
 
Looks are deceiving.  This morning, the beautiful Nazarti fig was laying on the ground.  I picked it up, washed it, weighed it at 2 1/2 oz or 60 grams after a few assorted insects had taken their bite.  The eye was still closed and appeared to be plugged.  The interior color was pale amber and the seeds were small but crunchy. On a scale of 1 to 10, taste was a 1.  It was watery. with very little taste.  Hope the main crop, if they hang on are an improvement.

Attached Images
jpeg P6230165.JPG (1017062, 83 views)

Subject: Picture Replies: 12
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,581
 
Racoons are called masked bandits for a reason, I am glad that beautiful fig was not one of them

Subject: Hello - new here Replies: 17
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 867
 
Welcome Valerie

Subject: Yard Sale Jackpot Replies: 29
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,743
 
Good eye Addison, your tact paid off, good luck with your cuttings.

Subject: Nazarti, breba & main crop Replies: 7
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,101
 
My UCD 2009 Nazarti, potted in 3 gal pot single stem has one huge breba on it, with beginning main crop babies forming.  On June 17, I came home to a breba that was hanging down but still firm.  On June 22, it is still hanging on, but beginning to soften a little,  the eye is still closed through 2 recent rains.  I will try to weight it and take some more pics and how it tastes.

Attached Images
jpeg P6220162.JPG (1026378, 80 views)
jpeg P6170148.JPG (924620, 77 views)

Subject: any info on Super Patrick's Giant? Replies: 6
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 857
 
Yes, I do like Patrick Super Giant.  In zone 7 in a somewhat protected environment it will give 2 equally good fig crops.  Taste is subjective, but it is a fairly large fig, tan to light brown with crunchy seeds and fairly thin skin and amber interior.  Though not my favorite  for taste, it is still very good.  I consider it excellent for preserves with a minimum amount of sugar for a great taste.  Have not tried drying them.  I think it is a very overlooked fig.  The Celt,  did your TYTY  PSG grow to fruiting size, if not, PM me.  The tree should grow in NJ and some are large enough to stuff.

Attached Images
jpeg P6220163.JPG (201578, 37 views)

Subject: Happy Fathers Day Replies: 10
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 633
 
It is a good day to remember and to be remembered as Dads.

Subject: what do you think about this soil mix? Replies: 8
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 571
 
Reads exotic to me

Subject: Still here !!!!!! Replies: 8
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 580
 
Welcome back Tony. Glad you still remember the forum and your friends. I second that Puppy Pics Please note.

Subject: In Praise of Unknowns and Heirlooms Replies: 24
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,318
 
Well said Pattee, I totally agree.  Most UNK's are proven performers.  Thanks for that great comment.

Subject: What is wrong with this picture? Replies: 31
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 1,700
 
Jonny, this is your first post, be careful of stones that you throw.  We all have one thing in common on this forum.  We all like figs.  Read the forum topics and respond positively.  Get to know the forum members and be nice.  Sometimes tempers flare, but please let it pass, don't air dirty laundry on the forum.  Many times I have asked a forum member a question and get a reply days or weeks later.  We all have lives outside of growing figs.  The two varieties that were recommended to you, why not just ask on the forum what 2 varieties that are similar and will suffice for your situation and seek the alternative. then buy the sticks you mentioned from named sources and grow them to suit yourself from cuttings.  You will come closer to getting the results you desire with a more gentle approach.  Welcome to the forum, if you go to your profile section and give us some info as to what part of the world you live in and your agricultural zone.  PS Be good.

Subject: Do you have main crop embryos ,visible at this time? Replies: 80
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 4,094
 
Atreano RR    pot             Main crop figs as of Jun 1 some large enough to be sure 
Black Mission  pot                others marble or  larger size.
Branca          pot
Brunswick      in ground
Celeste            ig
Down's Celeste  ig
Hardy Chicago   ig
Green Italian     ig
Red Italian        ig
Lange           pot
Preto            pot
Unknown Dark Purple  ig
Unknown (first year to bear)  ig
Patrick Super Giant ig

Subject: The oldest fig in England? Replies: 8
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 755
 
Thanks for sharing Matthew.  Great gnarly old tree.  Wonder how many figs found their way their way to the bottom of an ale glass at your pub?

Subject: This could get interesting... Replies: 17
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 979
 
2013 Negronne from 2011  cutting.  Some interesting FMV patterns

Attached Images
jpeg Negronne_2013_FMV.JPG (987461, 25 views)

Subject: Narragansett Fig Replies: 16
Posted By: sirlampsalot Views: 3,073
 
I got 3 cuttings this Spring of Narragansett from Jon and kept 2 and gave one to a F4F forum member.  All three cuttings rooted quickly and mine are now in 1 gal pots in full sun..  So far, so good. When they have figs, I'll be ready and waiting.  Those dead leaves in the background are from a Serviceberry tree that is loaded with berries.  The tree can't hold all the berries, mockingbirds and leaves at the same time so a few leaves gotta go.

Attached Images
jpeg 20130522_19544105222013.jpg (207367, 20 views)