Artificial supplemental lighting for indoor growing.

Gene [Hosey] Strain: See GH.

Insectiferous refers to plants, like certain types of figs, that rely on insects for pollination. In the case of figs, this relationship is most notable in varieties like Smyrna and San Pedro, which depend on fig wasps to transfer pollen from male caprifigs to female flowers.

This mutualistic relationship allows the figs to develop fully while providing a habitat for the wasps to reproduce. The term highlights the intricate ecological bond between figs and their pollinators, a key point of interest for collectors and horticulturists alike.

(1883–1981) was an American horticulturist who studied subtropical fruits, including the fig, the olive, and the avocado. His contributions to the fig community were extensive. In addition to his exhaustive fig research, testing, and breeding, he wrote a number of books on figs, including: The Kadota Fig, Fig Characteristics Useful in the Identification of Varieties, Fig Culture in California, The Fig, Caprifigs and Caprification, and the comprehensive tome, Fig Varieties: A Monograph.

In Search Of

Just Fruits & Exotics: Some strains of fig varieties are attributed to this nursery.

Joe Morle of figtrees.net

Just one more fig.

Keith Karausky: Most notable for the strain of Black Madeira KK.

Louisiana State University: In the context of figs, this refers specifically to the LSU AgCenter fig-breeding program. Known to have bred figs many years ago with some introduced to the public.

Mark Albert: Pineapple Guava Tour, New Seedling Varieties From a Feijoa Collector and Breeder.

The main crop is the second, and often larger, crop produced by certain fig varieties, typically on the current year's growth. It ripens later in the season, after the breba crop (if the variety produces one).

Main crops are usually the most significant for consumption, offering a sweeter and more developed flavor compared to the breba. Figs like Smyrna and San Pedro rely on pollination for their main crop, making this stage crucial for successful fruiting. Collectors appreciate the main crop for its size, flavor, and the extended harvest season it offers.

Also known as the over winter crop. Or the carry over crop. Simply put. This is where the wasp stays during the winter. When temperatures rise. The wasp leave this crop and enter the developing profichi crop.

The Mamme fig is a rare type of Ficus carica that produces fruit known as the mamme crop, which develops in the winter and matures in spring. These figs are typically found in caprifig trees and play a crucial role in the life cycle of fig wasps, as they provide a habitat for the wasps during colder months.

Mamme figs are small, less palatable, and not usually grown for consumption. Instead, they are essential for pollinating certain fig varieties that depend on fig wasps. Collectors and growers often find the mamme fig fascinating for its ecological importance in fig reproduction.

The mammoni also known as the summer crop (Think main crop on your female figs). Is where the wasp that did not go pollinate your female figs went. They will lay there eggs in these figs. They will also pollinate these figs. As these figs also have female flowers. It is very rare in the wild for the seeds to develop and later sprout. As the wasp larvae consume them. You can hand pollinate these figs and get viable seed.

Marcotting, also known as air layering, is a propagation technique used for fig trees and other plants. It involves making a small cut or removing bark on a branch, applying a rooting medium like moist sphagnum moss, and wrapping it to encourage root development. Once roots form, the branch is cut and planted as a new tree.

Marcotting is popular among collectors and growers because it produces genetically identical plants while maintaining the parent tree's traits. It is especially useful for preserving rare or desirable fig varieties.

Montserrat Pons i Boscana is a renowned fig expert and conservationist based in Mallorca, Spain. He has dedicated his life to the study, preservation, and promotion of fig varieties, particularly those native to the Balearic Islands.

Professional Background and Contributions

• Fig Collection and Conservation: Pons manages a significant fig collection at his estate, Son Mut Nou, located in Mallorca. This collection includes over 1,700 fig trees representing approximately 800 different varieties from around the world, with a strong emphasis on those from the Balearic Islands.

  Porta Holiday

• Authorship: He authored the book "Les Figueres a les Illes de Balears" ("Fig Trees of the Balearic Islands"), a comprehensive work detailing the 251 indigenous fig varieties of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands. The book serves as a valuable resource for fig enthusiasts and researchers.

  Trees of Joy

• Public Engagement: Pons actively shares his knowledge through various platforms, including interviews, articles, and videos. He has been featured in publications discussing the significance of figs in Mallorca and has contributed to discussions on fig varieties and cultivation techniques.

  The Mallorca Photo Blog

Impact on Fig Cultivation and Collecting

Through his extensive research and conservation efforts, Montserrat Pons has significantly influenced the understanding and appreciation of fig varieties, especially those native to the Balearic Islands. His work has provided valuable insights into the history, cultivation, and characteristics of various fig types, benefiting both amateur and professional fig collectors and cultivators.

Watch this video: Monserrat Pons ,Son Mut Nou the largest fig trees experimentation field in the world.

National Genetic Resources Program: See GRIN.

newbie: Someone new to growing figs and all the idiosyncracies involved.

National Plant Germplasm System: A collaborative effort to safeguard the genetic diversity of agriculturally important plants, including figs. The mission of the NPGS is to support agricultural production by acquiring, conserving, evaluating, documenting, and distributing crop germplasm.

Ostiole is the small, natural opening at the apex of a fig fruit, often referred to as the "eye." This structure serves as an entry point for air, water, and pollinators, such as fig wasps, in certain fig varieties.

The size and shape of the ostiole can vary between fig types and significantly impact the fruit's resistance to pests, diseases, and splitting. In some varieties, a tightly closed ostiole helps protect the fruit, while others with more open ostioles may require careful monitoring to prevent damage or spoilage.

Harvested dead moss that had sunk below the living spaghnum. It is actually the dead, decayed plant matter of sphagnum moss that settles at the bottom of the sphagnum bogs. Dried and ground.

Persistent figs, also known as common figs, are a type of Ficus carica that do not require pollination to produce fruit. Both the breba (first) and main (second) crops develop parthenocarpically, meaning they mature without the need for fig wasps or pollination.

The term persistent is used for figs that do not require the wasp to ripen fully. It is used for both male and female figs. But when we say a Caprifig is persistent. It means the tree will ripen it's crops with out the wasp. But it also means that if we use it for breeding. About 25% of it's offspring will be persistent Caprifig and 25% of it's offspring will be common female figs. The other 50% male and female. Will require the wasp or manual pollination.

Potential of hydrogen - measure of acidity or basicity of aqueous or other liquid solutions. 7 is neutral.

Plant Introduction: Another identification system used by the National Plant Germplasm System to track its fig varieties. For example PI 18847 has the common name of Bourjassotte Grise and is also known as DFIC 339.

To remove the apical tips of growing tips to induce side branching. Usually done during active growth.

Pain in the Arse

Interweaving branches together. Can be used to "fuse" two trees together so they look like one.

Interweaving branches together. Can be used to "fuse" two trees together so they look like one.

Petals from the Past, commonly used on the LSU Black variety.

Using any number of methods to get roots started on a cutting. The more popular methods are cups and bags but some even direct plant into the ground.

Profichi figs are the first crop produced by caprifig trees (Ficus carica, male fig trees). These figs play a vital role in the life cycle of the fig wasp, as they house the wasps' larvae and provide pollen necessary for pollinating certain types of edible figs, like Smyrna and San Pedro varieties.

Profichi figs are not consumed due to their poor taste and texture but are essential in fig cultivation, particularly in areas growing pollination-dependent figs. Collectors and growers value these figs for their ecological importance in sustaining fig-wasp symbiosis.

Everyone's favorite male crop. The profichi crop grows on last years wood (Think female figs breba crop). This crop is the one with all the pollen in it. If you have the wasp. They will come out of this crop coated with pollen and pollinate your female figs. If you do not have the wasp but have a Capri with persistent profichi. You can remove the pollen and manually pollinate your figs.

to cut off parts for better shape or more fruitful growth. Usually done while dormant. Here is a very helpful writeup and explanation by Pete.

Patrick Shafer (PS) provided most of the comments below on each fig. Patrick’s figs are growing in the Anderson Valley (near Philo, west of Ukiah) with daily highs in the 90s from June to September, but with cool nights

Relative Humidity of the ambient air.

Root-knot nematodes are microscopic roundworms that attack plant roots, including fig trees. They belong to the genus Meloidogyne and are a common problem in many agricultural and garden settings. These pests create swollen, knot-like galls on the roots, disrupting the plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients.

Symptoms

• Stunted growth: Plants infested with root-knot nematodes often show reduced growth and vigor.

• Wilting: Even with sufficient watering, infected plants may wilt due to compromised root systems.

• Root galls: The most obvious sign is the formation of small, swollen galls on the roots, visible when the plant is uprooted.

Effects on Fig Trees

For fig trees, root-knot nematodes can lead to decreased fruit yield and overall plant health. Young trees are especially vulnerable, as the damage can stunt their development early on. Older trees may tolerate mild infestations but can still suffer from reduced productivity.

Management

• Crop rotation: Planting non-host crops can break the nematode life cycle.

• Resistant rootstocks: Using nematode-resistant fig varieties or rootstocks can mitigate the issue.

• Soil treatment: Solarizing soil with plastic sheeting can kill nematodes in the top layers of soil.

• Organic amendments: Adding organic matter like compost or planting cover crops (e.g., marigolds) can suppress nematode populations.

Root-knot nematodes are a persistent issue but can be managed effectively with proper soil care and preventive measures, allowing fig growers to maintain healthy trees and good yields.

Getting a cutting to grow roots using any number of methods. " Rooting figs is the process of taking seemingly dead sticks of wood and turning them into fig trees". Read more...

Getting a cutting to grow roots using any number of methods. " Rooting figs is the process of taking seemingly dead sticks of wood and turning them into fig trees". Read more...

A female fig that has a persistent breba crop and a caducous main crop.

The San Pedro fig is a unique variety of Ficus carica known for producing two crops each season: a breba crop on old wood that matures without pollination and a main crop on new wood that requires pollination by fig wasps.

Collectors value San Pedro figs for their dual cropping and the challenge of growing the main crop in regions without fig wasps, adding to their appeal for enthusiasts and gardeners.

Sub-Irrigated Planter (SIP), also known as a Self-Watering Planter (SWP), is an innovative gardening container or raised bed system designed to provide plants with consistent moisture while conserving water. The design features a water reservoir at the bottom, separated from the soil by a barrier or wicking system. Water is drawn up into the soil as needed through capillary action, ensuring that the roots receive steady hydration.

SIPs are ideal for gardeners in drought-prone areas, as they minimize water loss through evaporation and allow plants to access moisture even during dry periods. They also reduce the frequency of watering, making them a convenient and eco-friendly choice for growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs. These planters promote healthy root growth, prevent overwatering, and are especially beneficial for urban or container gardening where water efficiency is a priority.

Smyrna figs are a type of Ficus carica that require pollination by fig wasps to develop mature, edible fruit. The fig wasps transfer pollen from caprifigs to Smyrna flowers, enabling the fruit to ripen.

Smyrna figs are known for their large size, rich sweetness, and chewy texture. They are primarily grown in regions where fig wasps are present, like parts of the Mediterranean and California. Collectors prize Smyrna figs for their historical significance and the complexity involved in their cultivation.