Sphagnum Peat Moss is a versatile and natural gardening material harvested from live sphagnum moss, then dried and processed into long fibers. Known for its remarkable water retention and lightweight, fluffy texture, sphagnum peat moss is widely used in gardening and horticulture.

This moss can absorb and retain up to 20 times its weight in water, making it an excellent choice for tasks requiring moisture control, such as pre-rooting, transplanting, and soil mixes. It promotes excellent root aeration and is commonly used for rooting cuttings, growing bulbs, reducing soil erosion, and soilless gardening setups. In addition, it serves as a perfect filler for hanging baskets and potted plants, providing both structure and hydration. Bagged and ready for use, sphagnum peat moss is a go-to solution for various gardening projects, offering both efficiency and adaptability.

Long fibered sphagnum moss

The stagnant stage in fig cultivation refers to a period during the growing cycle when the fig tree's growth or fruit development slows down or temporarily halts. This stage often occurs in late winter or early spring before the tree fully resumes growth for the new season.

During the stagnant stage, the fig tree is not actively producing new shoots or ripening fruit. It’s a natural phase of dormancy or rest, allowing the tree to conserve energy and prepare for the more active growing and fruiting periods later in the season. For collectors and growers, understanding the stagnant stage is important for proper pruning, care, and timing of harvest.

Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) is a small but highly destructive fruit fly (Drosophila suzukii) that poses a significant challenge for gardeners and farmers alike. Unlike other fruit flies that target overripe or damaged fruit, SWD females use their serrated ovipositors to lay eggs inside healthy, ripening fruit. This can cause rapid spoilage and make fruit unsuitable for consumption or sale.

SWD primarily targets soft-skinned fruits like figs, berries, cherries, and peaches, making it a notorious pest in orchards and gardens. Its ability to infest crops quickly and prolifically earns it a reputation as a royal PITA (pain in the anatomy) for growers.

Effective management includes timely harvesting, removing infested or fallen fruit, and employing traps or insect nets. In severe cases, targeted insecticides may be necessary to control populations. Staying vigilant and taking early action can help mitigate the damage caused by this persistent pest.

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.

Tissue Culture: An alternative to rooting propagation that produces seedling like trees. Most in the US are produced by AgriStarts and resold through many nurseries.

Thierry Demarquest is a very well known fig collector in Europe and is becoming increasingly so in the US. His collection, Figues du Monde (Figs of The World), is a nursery dedicated to fig varieties from around the globe, with more than 600 varieties.

Todd Kennedy, recognised mostly for importing the numbered Italian fig varieties which he sourced from Dr. Grassi in Italy. While moving to Rome, the names of the varieties were lost, hence the numbered varieties like the famous I-258.

Todd Kennedy, recognised mostly for importing the numbered Italian fig varieties which he sourced from Dr. Grassi in Italy. While moving to Rome, the names of the varieties were lost, hence the numbered varieties like the famous I-258.

Trifera refers to fig varieties that produce three crops per year: the breba crop (from previous season's growth), the main crop (from the current year's growth), and a third, often smaller crop that typically ripens at the end of the growing season.

This rare and highly prized fig characteristic offers an extended harvest season and increased fruit yield. Trifera figs are particularly valuable to collectors and growers due to their unique cropping behavior, though they are not as common as dual-crop or unifera varieties.

University of California, Davis: Fig variety strains with the UCD heritage often contain the UCD suffix, (e.g. Black Maidera UCD).

UCR (University of California, Riverside) is a renowned research institution with a significant breeding program for figs and other crops. Fig varieties developed through the UCR breeding program are labeled with the UCR prefix, indicating their origin. These varieties are often the result of extensive research and cultivation efforts aimed at improving traits like fruit quality, yield, and disease resistance.

For example, the variety UCR 278-128, also known as Golden Riverside, showcases the innovative work of the program. UCR figs are highly valued among collectors and growers for their unique characteristics and adaptability, making them a staple in both research and home gardening circles.

Unifera refers to fig varieties that produce only a single crop per year, unlike types that have dual crops (like breba and main crops). In unifera figs, all fruit is produced on the current season's growth and typically matures later in the growing season.

These figs are popular for their simplicity and reliability, as they don’t require the complicated pollination processes needed for dual-cropping varieties. For collectors, unifera figs are valued for their consistent fruiting patterns and ease of cultivation.

Unknown (aka U. or Unk.) is a designation used to describe fig varieties with uncertain or unidentified origins. This label is often applied to varieties that are previously undocumented or do not match the characteristics of the variety they were initially labeled as.

Figs marked as "Unknown" are typically evaluated by collectors and growers for unique traits and potential value. While their history may be unclear, they often contribute to the diversity and intrigue of fig cultivation, providing opportunities for discovery and study within the fig-growing community.

Up-pot (or Up-potting) refers to the process of transplanting a plant into a larger container to accommodate its growing root system. This practice allows the plant to thrive by providing more space for roots to expand, promoting healthier growth and preventing the plant from becoming root-bound.

Up-potting is a common step in container gardening and is essential for maintaining vigorous plants, especially as they mature or outgrow their current pots.

Up-pot (or Up-potting) refers to the process of transplanting a plant into a larger container to accommodate its growing root system. This practice allows the plant to thrive by providing more space for roots to expand, promoting healthier growth and preventing the plant from becoming root-bound.

Up-potting is a common step in container gardening and is essential for maintaining vigorous plants, especially as they mature or outgrow their current pots.

United States Department of Agriculture: Also known as the Agriculture Department, is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety, protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and internationally.

Vasile Surugiu: Herman2 was his screen name on figs4fun. Hermansur is his eBay name. Some fig variety strains are attributed to him, (e.g. Marseilles Black VS).

Fig Wasp (wasp) is a tiny insect that plays a critical role in the life cycle of certain fig species through a unique mutualistic relationship. These wasps (Agaonidae family) act as pollinators for specific fig varieties, particularly Smyrna and wild caprifigs, by entering the fig's ostiole to lay their eggs. In the process, they transfer pollen, enabling the fig to produce viable seeds.

The fig-wasp relationship is highly specialized, with most wasp species adapted to specific fig types. Without fig wasps, many figs would fail to develop properly, making them indispensable for the reproduction of these varieties. This intricate interaction highlights the fascinating interdependence between figs and their tiny pollinators.

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