Little Ruby Fig

[NativeSun]

So on Saturday I am about to go with a friend to Just Fruits and Exotics in the panhandle. My wife looked at me and held up one finger and said " O-N-E T-R-E-E" (ya gotta stretch out the letters ... y'all have probably heard this before... you know, the 'im talking to you like you are stupid' tone of voice.)

Saw where they carry a variety called Little Ruby. Ok, so its neat that it is a dwarf ... it'd be cute... but I can't really enjoy cute unless it is also tasty. Anyone have experience with this fig and can give me a taste test report?

So she said one ( O-N-E) tree...

Pineapple plants are not trees.
Blackberry and Raspberry brambles are not trees.
Grapes are technically vines...
Guavas are actually shrubs...
And a banana is just big root with leaves coming out of the top.

Should not have talked to me like I'm stupid

[don_sanders]

You can also grow a fig as a bush instead of a tree. Just saying....

[eboone]

Your rationales look good, except the banana line - that one won't fly

[lauralou]

I have a Little Ruby that I bought as a tiny tissue culture plant in October 2015. I planted it outside in spring 2016. I didn't notice that it was much smaller or grew less than any of the others I bought at the same time. In fact, it got planted in the ground because it was outgrowing pots so fast. So I don't know how much of a dwarf it is. I guess we'll see in 2017.

It tried to make figs, but it was too late in the year, so I knocked them off. I have searched and watched threads about Little Ruby, and I haven't seen anyone comment on getting a ripe fig and how it tasted. It's a newer release as I understand it, so maybe we'll all get figs this year and hopefully people will talk about it.

I also made a few plants from cuttings in late summer, and I've had those inside, under lights, all winter. The biggest one, and it's pretty big, has a figlet forming now. Come to think of it, the next biggest one has a figlet on it, too. So it's definitely a plant that wants to produce. It's also healthy and vigorous, with pretty leaves. A nice plant in general, but the figs are a mystery.

[NativeSun]

@ Don -- it's that kind of thinking that gets me into trouble -- and do not think for a second that I will not reference your post if she tries to bust me "See , other people confirm that it is a BUSH
@ Ed -- oh, Sir, Ive already thought of that... Im simply going to point to the "bowl" in our backyard that is full of dead trees from the flooding after Matthew and say.. "You know what would grow GREAT there? BANANAS! PLUS, as an added bonus, you will have the view of the crappy neighbors' house blocked by all the LUSH FOLAGE ! Besides... our daughter LOVES bananas and , gosh, you gotta feed the kid, right?"
@ Laura -- Love to hear a tasting report when its ready.

I've decided that the "One Tree" will be another Mayhaw, methinks...

[lauralou]

I will definitely post a tasting report.

[m5allen]

Your "one tree" technicality will backfire....just wait until the next time your wife goes to the mall...I have seen this happen.

[NativeSun]

hahahah she works for lawyers so I know all about "technicalities" ... thus I am very , very careful in how I frame all requests and responses, ahahha

[Evelynisgro]

You sound like me, except now I have a basement and so long as I manage it well I get a little peace. She is very happy that I am sending out 60+ rooted trees this spring. So happy she hasn't noticed I added 30 more in the rooting process

[FigMania]

How is that different from a cutting I received called Ruby #4 ? I think my two cuttings are taking. Roots and small leaves.

[ross]

Quite different from what I understand, Bill. Although I'm pretty sure there isn't a single photo of a ripe Little Ruby fruit anywhere on our community.

[CoolClimateFigger]

Any info on Ruby #4?

[arachyd]

You can get around the 1 tree rule by grafting other varieties to that tree.

[NativeSun]

Good plan.... Or I could simply sneak the rest of the loot past her... yeah, 80% chance of getting caught but (A) its not like I waste my money on golf and (B) I can always simply point to a closet full of shoes... heh

[lilfiggy]

don't do the shoe thing because I know for a fact that she has shoes hidden in the trunk that she will gradually edge into the house. See how pretty they are all lined up on the shelves. ahhh it makes you feel so good. How does my husband know one shoe from another. beats me. I would just get the figs when she is not around. She won't know one fig from another. and cluster them close together. If it come to words say "I am so stressed from work, growing things makes me feel peaceful and serene and it takes so little time". you might try buying something in a pot that has flowers on it. Put it in a prominent place. all attention will be focused on it.

[Evelynisgro]

I'm glad that I am not the only nutter around here that uses lousy excuses! The best thing you can do is to encourage your wife to find a hobby. Then she will be more accepting of yours.

[NativeSun]

Im from the punk rock generation..so my answers are a little more extreme : " Im so stressed from work , growing things is probably keeping me from having a heart attack or murdering a mouthy adolescent" hahah I bypass the heart-strings and go directly for a fear based response...

Now, granted,, she's pretty good at instilling fear herself... like on our second date, hahaha

[lilfiggy]

tee hee