The King has finally arrived

[jake44141]

Planted this Black Madeira KK in ground in April. Finally, it's about to ripen the first fig. It's about 10 days later than Figo Preto. I would think that it will ripen the entire crop of about 60 figs by the end of the season. I have a few tricks to try and expect it to ripen earlier next year if it survive the winter in ground.

[Michael]

First year in ground and you got 60? Not bad.

[Timbotide]

That’s a good looking fig for sure.

[Drfig]

Nice

[Figology]

Experiment: Try some radiant barrier on the ground, underneath the tree, to reflect heat and light back up.

[jake44141]

I installed a thermal pipe under ground in March before planting the trees on the top of it. Will put up the high tunnel over the trees soon.

[Figology]

The geothermal greenhouses are awesome. Check ‘em out on YouTube

[jessup42]

Can you explain “thermal pipe”
I know climate battery & ground air heat exchange. Thermal pipe intrigues

[Rewton]

Do you have it in ground just for the season or will you dig it up and overwinter in a protected area over the winter? I've never attempted to grow the BM types in-ground here in zone 7a after hearing other's reports. They take too long to ripen. I grow mine in a container and give them a GH start now. That seems to be the way to go in zone 7 and colder.

[jake44141]

It's in ground permanently. Hopefully, it won't die in the winter. I have buried a thermal pipe underground before planting the tree. So,, it should ripen earlier than the potted trees.

[mwhight34]

I’m so jealous, I wish I could plant my figs in ground. You’ll enjoy those BM figs when they ripen, I have Violeta which is allegedly the same fig. Had my first figs this summer and they’re definitely delicious

[jessup42]

Why cant you, the OP is cleveland zone 5!!! Lol

[mwhight34]

jessup42 due to my current living situation I’m not allowed to plant anything perennial in ground😕 for now I get by with 5 gal buckets for the baby figs and 20 gal barrel SIPs for the semi-mature figs

[jessup42]

Oh bummer. I thought the obvious. Always hard to believe the results in zone 5. Greenthumb for sure.
20 gal pots are plenty big though!!

[jessup42]

What is this thermal pipe mechanism you speak of? Ground air heat exchange? Climate battery?

[jake44141]

I setup a cheap high tunnel over the garden plots in the cold months. And I buried a 125 ft corrugated pipe 20" underground. When the outside temp is 60, inside temp can be as high as 105F. The hot air is pump through the pipe and comes out at 45F degree in March. This raise the soil temperature that enables the fig to grow in early spring, at least that what I believe. The pipe was buried in March this year, and the trees were planted in April. So, next year, we will see whether it works.

[MJA829]

Excellent fig, its my top variety so far.

[jake44141]

MJ, all inspired by you from last year.

[MJA829]

Yours in ground 😃, now I need to try this myself, maybe inside the greenhouse. Thanks