I had to go Cold (brown) Turkey!

[The Figster]

This spring (2015) the fig bug interested me, by early summer I was completely hooked, by late summer I was listing and relisting my collections. I love eating what I grow, my two young boys have become quite adepts at planting, watering and harvesting and eating so I am keen to share my love of home grown. But this fig thing took over me like a tsunami - (my youngest gets the words tsunami and salami mixed up! ) being taken over by a salami is no fun

So in early September I decided to take a 3 month brake. Take care of the plants I have was never in question, but no more lists, no more ebay searching and no more ourfigs!

I went cold turkey and it was a strange feeling. The reason was to take a step back and not end up with plants that would not grow in my limited space in coastal New England.

So what have a learn in my time away?

1 There will always be a plant you want - Dall' Osso or Ponte Tresa anyone?
2 Picking your own fresh figs is the ultimate end game.
3 Giving cuttings is a great way to meet new people
4 Plants have been surviving temperature extremes for years
5 And I think the key to winter survival is to manage the effects of wind chill. A fully dormant fig and a reduced wind chill has a great chance to thrive.

So here is to a great 2016, may you all pick figs to your hearts content

Ian

[SarinaP]

Welcome back! I've only been here a couple of months and I'm already taking a step back on new acquisitions as well! This year I'm going to try to espalier some hardier varieties along the side of the house, root at least 75% of the cuttings I've received, and give away my excess to newbies like me.

[The Figster]

What will be your espalier pruning method?

[SarinaP]

I'm going to try what Pete has posted: http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...-espalier-form

The side I'm looking at is about 20-25 feet long, but on a slight slope so it will be more to see if I can make them lay flush against the exterior wall for protection/interesting formation.

[drphil69]

I have also take a sabbatical, mostly due to my move from Delaware to Texas (Houston area). I have 16 trees in pots waiting to be put in the ground, which I plan on doing in February before they begin growing strongly again. I decided no new starts for this year, at least until the ones I have are in the ground.

I'm pretty new, started my collection in 2014. Counting my NC property I have about 30 trees, give or take a few, and over 20 varieties. Add to that pomegranites, persimmons, nectarines, oranges and grapes. And I'm looking for some blackberry varieties that will produce in my TX climate.

[The Figster]

That is a big move, any risk of your plants cooking in the truck?

[drphil69]

Already here, all the trees made it unscathed. 😁

[cjmach1973]

I have slowed down, but only due to the weather. I prefer to buy a plant rather than buy cuttings. So this time of year, I end up buying seeds for new types of perennials for butterfly gardening, and seeds of cacti and succulents. The only other problem I have is that I can't throw away sticks when I prune, so I end up with little 3 inch copies of plants that I already have.

[The Figster]

What have been your best produces in zone 5?

[cjmach1973]

So far my best producers have been in pots. I have a couple of Hardy Chicago outside but I haven't perfected wrapping, them yet. Last year it hit -18 degrees and they died back pretty much to the ground. Most of my other trees are just babies in small pots, because the plant addiction didn't really hit until late February, and they are hiding in the cellar.