#118609
Aug 26th, 2007 at 06:53 AM
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I love black/purple figs. As a child, my Italian uncles grew full-sized fig trees in Newark, NJ! I'm in zone 5b (valley of Pocono area). I saw mini-fig trees on sale at Park seed (BOGO!) Company for $20. Says they get 4-6 ft and can be potted, indoors north of 7-10. Any thoughts out there? I'd love to start one and direct plant after first yield. Thanks, kat
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Joined: May 2006
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Joined: May 2006
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my grandma's neighbor (in TX) had figs and I always got into trouble for picking them. I'd sneak over the gate & always got caught! I never see fig trees for sale here, I may have to keep an eye out! Does the Park seed place have a website I could check out? That is a great deal you found on your fig tree PS~Sorry I don't know anything about planting fig trees, just about eating the figs!
Land of the FREE, home of the BRAVE
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Yeahyeah, ksgardenr, it's www.parkseed.com thanks for sharing! kat
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Fig trees wont really do well planted outdoors in zone 5, in fact it will be winter killed in zone 5, Both of my parents are from Italy, so they always grew figs, but they were in zone 6 or 7. Even in zone 6 and seven they need winter protection. My dad used to trim them back in fall, and wrap the tree with wire mesh leaving space around the tree, and fill it in with leaves to insulate it during the winter months. But in zone 5 that may be a useless thing to do as your winters are too cold. Ive read that some people actually dig up a fig tree, and plant them sideways in the fall- cover them with dirt in trenches, then in spring redig it up- seems like too much work. They can be grown in pots, just get one big enough to support the roots, and dont keep the soil too wet. You can keep it outside during the warm months, and bring it inside during the cold months. Figs are also easy to propagate as well!
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That isn't good news, except that I can do a mini-fig in a pot or pots. But your response is greatly appreciated. The fig trees in our neighborhood~which was Newark, NJ (Soprano Land)~ were also bound up in the winter. I'm now in the mountains, and I was worried. That's why I asked. Thanks, kat
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I live up in the mountains too, my mom and dad are moving to this area as well, unfortunatly, there figs trees are staying because they wont do well. My sis in law has one in a pot that my parent gave them- its does ok, but not nearly as good as it would outdoors. If you have a nice sunny room, it may thrive well. I used to visit NNJ- outside of Paramus for Technical training. Sopranos was the best show ever on TV!! lol
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Mister Mystery
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Mister Mystery
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I am in zone 9 and have several fig trees in plastic pots. I think the mini-fig tree will do as well in containers even if you are in zone 5b. If you decide to buy it now and plant it in a pot, the fig tree will have a month or two to grow, then let the fig go completely dormant before you bring the pot in to overwinter. See tips for overwintering container figs.
Amor est vitae essentia. Love is the essence of life.
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papito~super advice and great website! thanks, kat
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Hi. My parents live on Long Island NY and have a fig tree - which looks more like a bush. It somehow survives the winters and makes lots of figs. Only one problem. Ants. In the figs. Yep. How do ya' get rid of those things?????Anybody know?
flowerpot
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California Queen
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California Queen
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Try sprinkling corn meal all around under the tree. If they are the right kind of ants that will do it. And they sell stuff called tanglefoot that is a sticky thing to put on the trunks but will need to be reapplied as it fills up with ants. If the ground stays dry then sprinkling boric acid around the tree will also help. But when it gets wet it is useless.
~Tina Drama Free Zone. What every gardener loves the most, Begins and ends in rich compost. (Tina)
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Hi Tina: Hope you see this reply. I'm new at the Forum.
About the ants in the figs. Inside the figs! Bummer huh?
Anyway, I'm going to look up "tanglefoot" for the trunks as you suggested. I think my dad is looking for a systemic cure, and that could mean a poison that is claimed to be okay; so I have to find a solution before he kills himself. Anyway, thank so much for the info. It is worth checking out. I think he waters a lot so the cornmeal and/or boric acid might end up soaked. Maybe he waters toooo much.
Thanks again.
flowerpot
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Mister Mystery
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Mister Mystery
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I am thankful that don't have ants problem with my fig trees; but, in your case you may want to look into using/sprinkling diatomaceous earth or powdered chalk [chalk ground to a powder form] around the tree.
Amor est vitae essentia. Love is the essence of life.
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