Okay, don't laugh everyone! But I'm in NE MS and I was raised POOR!!! HECK, I'm still poor. Mackeral was nearly 80 cents or more cheaper per can than salmon. So both my grandmothers made fried patties out of it in lieu of the more expensive salmon. Just brown you some onions and celery in butter till soft. Dump the DRAINED mackerel into it. The juices are 1/2 the smell, I promise. Add an egg and some flour and a little corn meal. Fry it up in vegetable oil, flipping when brown. Mamma always served with homemade creamed potatoes and english peas. They're also great as leftovers between either a bun or bread slices with tartar sauce. Joan

I am not a fig expert but I will share what I know. The answer to your question depends on what variety of fig you have. There are 3 main classes of figs and the class is what determines if a fig wasp is needed for producing ripe figs for that particular variety. There are many varieties in each of the main two classes but fewer in the third class called the 'San Pedro class'. The first class is called (in America anyway) "Smyrna class figs" - these require the wasp to pollinate both the early or breba crop of figs and the main or late crop of figs, or else the developing fruits drop off. The other main class is called 'common figs' - these do not require the wasp at all - the figs will develop without pollination (both crops, if your variety makes 2 crops). There is a smaller 3rd intermediate class of figs called 'San Pedro class figs' which form a breba crop without the wasp but need the wasp for the main crop. I do not know what these classes of figs are named in Portugal. So without knowing the variety of fig you have, you cannot know if the wasp is needed. To make things more confusing, the wasp can pollinate both the common and San Pedro classes of figs also, which makes the developing fruit a little different - many feel the figs develop more flavor and crunchiness from seeds. So what you really need to find out is your variety of fig. Good luck! You might have more success with someone familiar with Portuguese varieties.

Thank you westelle. I thought that may be the problem ... often it's the simplest of things that are our garden problems. I had giant ants in my strawberry pot in which I grow cherry tomatoes but I got rid of them with soapy water and vinegar water (eliminates them and their trails) but I haven't seen evidence in the Bay Tree pot. I did then discover a small spider's web which I sprayed with soapy water but I wouldn't have thought that would cause the brown leaf problem. Again, thank you for answering.

Orchis: I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Check the photobucket album periodically...I will be adding more pictures soon. Never give up on your tree. Before you know it, the tree will be blooming. Sometimes certain trees take a little longer to bloom. I think it maybe genetics. It would love to see a pic of your tree. Have you ever thought about posting a picture of your tree? It is very easy to set-up a photobucket album and just copy the pic into the Garden Website. I'm sure all the non-believers would love to see it also. If you need help setting-up a photo album you can e-mail at avegas2020@gmail.com. for instructions. I'm adding pictures of the Sherman Heights and Commercial Street trees in San Diego, CA and the smaller Fullerton Arboretum tree located at Fullerton, CA. SHERMAN HEIGHTS TREE - PAST PEAK BLOOMING COMMERCIAL STREET TREE FULLERTON ARBORETUM TREE - PAST PEAK BLOOMING