LSU Field Day 2016

[m5allen]

Anyone have info on the 2016 LSU Field Day? It is usually held mid-July, right? Who is planning on going?

[JohnnyK]

I wish I could go... maybe I need to just change the destination of my summer vacation to LSU.

[dkirtexas]

The LSU Fig Field Day has not been a regularly scheduled event. I have been to the last 2 and would recommend it to all, but sadly, there may not ever be another one.

[Darkman]

The Burden Field figs are being moved to Slidell. It is my understanding that Dr. Johnson is retiring. I doubt there will be a field day this year but I believe there will be some in the future.

[MSfiglake]

to Hammond. their field is still empty, but they have plenty of figs in pots ready to go

[quackmaster]

Well this is sad news! I hope they don't plan on bulldozing this orchard also. I'm glad I was able to make it to the one last season. Towards the end when they said we can take cuttings it was like letting a group of kids loose in a candy store, lol. I'm really thankful for my smith cuttings because until that day I've never tasted them and IMO they were the best in the orchard by far.

[Darkman]

That was my third trip and each one I learned something. Hopefully after a year or two the Slidell location will have a Fig Field Day!!!

[pukzpukz]

They are in the process of moving the trees and yes Dr. Johnson did retire late last year I will find out about this I think they may leave one roll of the main trees

[RyanH]

Would like to go if they do it this year. Hope someone finds something out.

[pukzpukz]

It does not look good this year they have been moving trees I will try an see later this week . Some times it takes a few days or longer to return phone calls

[jmaler]

The trees currently being grown, are they only the officially released named ones or do they have some of the numbered ones and lettered ones growing?

[pukzpukz]

Jerry No number ones or rare ones are at that location

[RyanH]

Any idea where the Buddy Lee is being grown at? Hammond, Slidell?

[RyanH]

I think I found something on a "Fig Field Day". May 19, Olive and Fig Field Day at the Hammond Research Station, Hammond. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/profiles/...e1456160755446

If anyone knows anything else about this event, please share. thanks.

[COGardener]

Why couldn't it be in June... I might have been able to make that.

[DBJohnson]

Two weeks earlier and I'd be there...spending some time with my mom in MS.

[MSfiglake]

What part of Mississippi?

[DBJohnson]

East Mississippi...Newton County.

[MSfiglake]

i stopped by the Hammond Research Center yesterday. They had just started planting figs. They have about 75 in the ground so far, with a few more to add, and plenty of more room for future growth. They have starts from all of the trees from Burden. They are not moving trees from Burden to Hammond. The Burden trees are not in danger for this season, but may be on the chopping block after all the trees are established at Hammond. The field day on may 19th will not be like the ones in the past. All of the trees are young so no cuttings will be offered. because they are young and the date is early there will not be ripe fruit either. Figs will not be the centerpiece. They lost a great resource with Dr Johnson's retirement. The current staff is learning more about the figs everyday. They may apply for a grant to do DNA testing. They are very under-funded, and have few resources.

[Wisner]

Do you know what time it will be on May 19th? I looked at the calendar for the Hammond Experiment Station and did not see it on the calendar.

[RyanH]

I e-mailed them asking about the time. But I have not heard back yet.

[Isaac-1]

I wonder if they might have a cutting side trip to Burden on the same day it is only what 50 miles

[RyanH]

I found a picture online of the fig field they are planting in Hammond. This was posted recently.

[Darkman]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for the picture. What was the spacing for rows and in row?

Did you ask if they plan to grow all of them as single trunk trees?

With the space I think they should grow some multi-trunk examples. Especially for those varieties like LSU Purple that seem to just demand more than one trunk! Next time your up there maybe tell Jason that. It was Jason right?

[RyanH]

If I remember correctly, they recommended 20' spacing for both. BUT they had there spaced 15' between rows and 20 foot' in row. Someone piped up and asked why they did that if its not what they recommend? Jason explained this was previously a grape orchard and the rows already existed at that spacing. Since they were short on time it was faster to plant to use what was already there so thats what they did. They just felt they would need to prune more but should be fine.

They are trying to grow theirs as single trunk trees to make it easier to keep all of the grass removed from the rows. They felt having no grass in an orchard setting on the rows was very important. I am not sure exactly why.

[Darkman]

More pruning equals more cuttings!

I agree with their assessment for no grass between rows. Unless they need growth to stabilize the ground there is no need for competition. All fertilizer will be used by the figs. Also no host plants for bugs or beneficials. I wonder if they are going to mulch with hay to help keep soil moisture high?

Sure wish I had been there. May have to join that group so I can go next time!

[quackmaster]

Looks like it's gonna be a nice place

[RyanH]

They also said they do not recommend mulching.

[Darkman]

Reason why?

[RyanH]

I was not sure on that one either. These will all be good questions for next time