skip to main content

Help! I promised a little kid a fig tree!

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b

13 years ago

What was I thinking? He is the son of somebody I used to work with, 11 years old, and my little facebook buddy. I showed him the You Tube tutorial on Hypertufa pots, and he is very excited to make his mom a pot. Then he asked me to send him a seed.

Here is where I got stupid. "Hey," I tell him, "How would you like a real baby fig tree?" I told him my fig tastes like raspberry jam. I made it worse! Now he is very excited to get that little tree.

My tree has several branches I can air layer, and about 15 figs. You know, tie a plastic bag on the limb filled with damp potting soil, cover it with foil, and it should root, right?

How long does this rooting process take? Will it go faster if I wound the branch a little? Should I do this on a newly pushing branch, or on an older one?

What was I thinking? I can't disappoint a little kid!!

I look forward to your expertise!

Suzi

I'm, going to start by taking a picture of the mama tree with his baby waiting to get rooted. That way at least he'll have something. I might make a farmer out of him!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

thisisme
13 years ago
I would air-layer on last seasons wood just below this years growth. It does help if you scrape the wood a little. The process takes about 6-8 weeks. Here in the desert do not let it go dry or the roots will die. Provide shade to the medium or it will over heat and kill the roots.
0
thisisme
13 years ago
I just saw your post in another thread about sending this to Canada. This may be a problem with customs. It would be for sure if it were being sent from there to here. If their laws are anything like ours a dormant cutting would be ok to ship but not a rooted cutting as it then becomes a plant.
0
Related Discussions
should I fertilize my little container fig tree ?
Q
Comments (6)
Sm - container soils provide VERY little in the way of nutrition, as ALL elements are locked tightly in hydrocarbon chains and only become available as soil organisms cleave the chains so nutrients end up in elemental forms that plants can utilize. You need to shoulder the responsibility of making sure nutrients are available in a favorable ratio and at favorable levels. The easiest way to do this is to furnish regular applications of a soluble fertilizer that furnishes nutrients in as close to the ratio plants use as possible. The commonly formulated ratio that achieves this is 3:1:2. A 'RATIO' is different than the NPK %s, so don't look for the numbers 3:1:2 on the box or jug. Look instead for NPK %s like 24-8-16, 12-4-8, or (one of the best) Foliage-Pro 9-3-6; all are 3:1:2 ratios. For more about fertilizing plants in containers, see the link below that discusses it in greater dept. Al Here is a link that might be useful: More if you click me.
...See More
HELP! Have I killed my fig trees??
Q
Comments (8)
in southern MD- My fig tree looked awful last year summer '09 and produced fewer figs than usual. There was less fruit and very few ripened. They stayed green and hard, and were small. This tree had been a very prolific tree. I was wondering how your trees produced last summer. So far this year I have very little growth on old wood and some long new growth from the bottom. Top looks bad. Any advice is welcome. Not sure weather is only factor. There is a groundhog hole nearby. Could it be eating the roots? It did not get the fruit because I was keeping a close eye.
...See More
How do I help this fig tree?
Q
Comments (2)
Mulching beneath the fig tree would be good. The fig tree would like it, and it would look better. You can prune the fig tree as little or as much as you'd like, and it will come back out and grow vigorously. However, it's probably best to prune in late winter (before the tree breaks dormancy and starts pushing out new spring growth). Do you know what kind of fig tree you have? If not, what do the figs look like when they are ripe (size, shape, color-both inside and out)?
...See More
My little Italian Fig Tree
Q
Comments (20)
Hi, yapt51: Here is some websites for you: http://www.stevenbiggs.com/contact/ The writer of this website is a garden writer and he has about 30 types of fig in his garden. Last year he said he charged $10.00 for 1 fig cutting. He lives in Toronto. Another website but the place is in Quebec: http://brugmansia-quebec.com/Catalog%202013.html Besides the fig plants, you need to pay for shipping also when ordering from this company. I've ordered 4 fig plants from them so I will be waiting for the shipment in Spring. So far, I like their service as they are prompt in answering any inquiries. Another website for fig plants (prices are higher) http://figsforlife.ca/catalogue/figs/ Finally, 1 last website for you to see: http://www.adrianosfigtrees.com/varieties.html He is a collector of fig trees, good luck if you can get a hold of him! If you happen to have Italian or Greek friends, ask them if they can help you to find a fig cutting. Maybe visit their community centres and ask! I know Italian people loves fig so much they winterize their fig trees by burying the trees in winter. It is such a big effort! Give the person a nice gift such as a box of chocolate or some money when he gives you that fig cutting! Tell me about your proceedings of the fig adventure after what I've told you, will ya?
...See More
northeastnewbie
13 years ago
If it is going to canada I would cut my loses and contact one of the garden centers in canada and buy one have it shipped professionally to the kid and explain the process of shipping horticulture out of the country.. Then you can facebook the kid and walk him through taking cuttings and making his own baby tree from his own tree. it is time consuming and some kids just do not have the patience to wait several weeks for results. I know I am doing my hobby with my 12 year old son and from personal experience he gets frustrated at times without instant results.
0
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
13 years ago
oh no! Gosh, maybe I should just buy a plant for him and send it. I was wondering about customs. Jeeze.
0
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
13 years ago
I think our posts crossed. Any Idea who in canada sells Violette Du Bordeaux? He wants that one. The "better than raspeberry jam" one!
0
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
13 years ago
So I found this nursery. They didn't answer their phone, and I did send an email. Anyone deal with them in Canada? They do have Violette Du Bordeaux.

Burnt Ridge has it but they don't ship plants to Canada. Sigh.

Here is a link that might be useful: Adrianos Fig Trees
0
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
13 years ago
thisisme, I forgot my manners! I was so worried about Customs! Thanks for the great advice! I'm going to do the process of air layering because I want a couple more trees, and my grandkids would love one too! I'll get a couple started now, so by September/Oct, maybe I can gift my grandkids a tree with ripe figs on it! They can remove the figs, and the roots will be able to support the leaves. Right? I hope!! :-)
0

Related Stories

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

HOUSEPLANTS Play Up Some Fiddleleaf Figs for a Lively Indoor Tune

By creative jewish mom.com

Strike a dramatic chord in a minimalist scene or a country note in a rustic setting — fiddleleaf fig plants harmonize with any style

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Kicky Colors and Patterns Promise Fun

By Becky Harris

Snag a peek at a basement makeover happily inspired by a fabric swatch and done for less than $10,000

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

DECORATING GUIDES The Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own

By Mike Dietrich

Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

ORGANIZING Help for Whittling Down the Photo Pile

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Consider these 6 points your personal pare-down assistant, making organizing your photo collection easier

GREEN DECORATING 8 Questions to Help You See Through Green Hype

By Laura Gaskill

With the ecofriendly bandwagon picking up some dubious passengers, here's how to tell truly green products and services from the imposters

LANDSCAPE DESIGN The Weepers and the Creepers: 10 Intriguing Trees for Your Garden

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Bring something a little different to your landscape with a tree that dives, twists or crawls

MOST POPULAR The Most Incredible Kids' Tree House You'll Ever See?

By Sarah Greenman

Duck your head to enter this unforgettable Dallas wonderwork, lovingly crafted with imaginative delights

Sponsored

More Discussions

Hello everyone...

1

Spring is here and fig season just in front the gates

3

Winter Fig Tree concerns

3

Fig is dying out

4