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Is Possible to speed up ripening?

15 years ago

Hi Forum,

My Fig is having a bodacious fig crop, its first. I only have a month or so til frost, how do I know when to harvest? Is there a way to save the crop?

Thanks,

KK

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Comments (7)

sshuang
15 years ago
You can try putting a thin layer of vegetable oil around the tip of the fig. It worked for me last year to ripen the figs quickly. Now would be the time to do it (~ one month before first frost).

Sherman
steve_nj8
15 years ago
Question for the group - I am also interested in trying this because of the late fruiting and cool weather. I understand that timing of oiling is important. When is a good time measured in days from first fruit budding? If it takes 70 days to mature a fig, should one wait until 50 days? Or 60 days? I also understand that figs mature through 3 phases: first rapid growth, then no visible growth and then rapid ripening. Is it best to wait for the ripening phase?
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xgrndpounder
15 years ago
My two cents worth,

I have did the fig oiling thing, they ripened, but did not taste very good.

Cecil
fignut
15 years ago
From what I'm seeing, the variety has to be able to ripen in that particular area. Some figs will ripen with taste in cool temperatures - others will not. I've got figs ripening, that is they are swelling and softening, that just will not develop taste because our temperatures are too low as they "ripen".
I tried oiling and got the same result as Cecil - no taste.
That's not to say your figs are not going to ripen kadasuki. Your season is longer than mine, and I'd bet you're a good deal hotter. It probably depends on what variety you are growing, what stage they are at now and how warm your area is.
I hope you get to enjoy them. But if they don't get quite there, next year you could try to tweak conditions. Heat traps in the area of the fig, and perhaps cut down on the number of figs ripening by pinching or removing the figs near the tips of branches. You could probably do that now - these small "newer" figs have the least chance of ripening. Taking them off might give the others more of a chance.
Good luck.
User
15 years ago
I agree with the posters abova:Oiled figs do not taste good.
Try other methods,like cutting off some branches to let the sun ,in,and reducing the numbers of figs by half,at this time.
kadasuki
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks ya'll. I have no idea of the type of fig, it was a pass it on plant. It has grown about 10 feet this year, still growing, still putting on figlets. I Guess I'll pinch the tips, I mean I'll get my husband to as they are 5 feet over my head now. And I'll knock off all the itty bitty ones.
Thanks
Kat
evladi7654
12 years ago
The best thing to do is to try several varieties and find the one which will be the best for your climate..and you. It will not take long as figs grow fast and you will see the results in your life time. By the way I will have many cuttings this year of different varieties with different ripening time..evladi7654@aol.com You will see it on Amzon and Ebay Good luck!

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