I got an update on the fruit bush / tree. Apparently it is an Asiatic cornelian cherry. Even though it has ācornelian cherryā in the name, it appears to be a separate species. I think this might be a Cornus officinalis. I thought the fruit tastes pretty good.
We used to have a bunch of thimbleberries at the border of our property. But the neighbors thoughtfully cleared the vegetation on their side and took most of them out
Thatās good. This year, will only have a few. It didnāt set well, and I pruned it aggressively, and attempted some plum grafts, since it was getting bare wood for the first 6 feet. Trying to get new growth closer to the ground.
How are the hoop house figs doing for you? I know a guy in Germany who has an ongoing quest to get fruit from his fig trees. I think he is also a zone 6, though certainly a much wetter version than eastern Washington. So do you uncover them during the warmer months and then protect them when the cold winds start to blow? Are you familiar with the so called Chicago Hardy fig? I donāt know much about it, just that many people recommend it for colder regions. I have no clue if it stays outdoors all winter or if it must come in or live in a greenhouse. Iām kind of a figgy lunatic so I like learning how people make it happen. Iām often shocked how so few people grow figs here on the west side of the Cascades. Iām not suggesting itās uncommon, just not as widespread as I expected. I moved here from California where figs are a weed, and fully expected to see way more fig trees growing in the various nooks and crannies of this region. The only thing I can think to do is be a fig pusher. I have dozens and dozens of baby fig trees I start in my greenhouse which I give away to anybody willing to take them.
Iām east of the mountains so itās a lot more dry, but the winter is far too cold. the hoophouse is insulated with bubble wrap and has a small heater that keeps it above 37Ā°F inside in winter. I use a shade cloth over it to keep them asleep. only one is in the ground so far, this year Iāve got big plans for rebuilding parts.
I do get negronne and Chicago Hardy to eat so far, each year. Iām hoping that my rebuilding plan, with the figs in ground, will give me more.
any fig will die to the ground here in winter and it may even kill the roots. I donāt like to do the work of burying or wrapping trees so they go in the hoophouse into spring. they live with no protection at all in full sun from spring until fall. when I lived in Oregon, coastal region, I had a big fig tree in my yard that was fine
edit also Iāll take any cutting or scion or start youāve got, Iām obsessed with these lol
Yeah, the figs grow really well here on this side of the mountains. Iām in the Willamette Valley and there are some huge trees in these parts loaded with sweet figs that I feast on. Mine are still rather young, but I got a nice little crop from the desert king and neverella last summer. This spring I started a fig nursery in my greenhouse and rooted 40 cuttings from 10 varieties. The cuttings all came from successful trees in the Pacific Northwest. One in particular is from a massive tree down the road thatās covered with probably 1000 of the sweetest green figs by August. I mean this tree has got to be 30 feet wide. Reminds me of the mission fig trees from my childhood in Southern California. So, anyway, Iād be happy to share some of what I have. Iāll send you a direct message with the list.
My name is David
I live in Port Orchard
mostly interested in Figs and Grapes- especially muscat flavor grapes.
I grew out a bunch of Turkish fig from seeds. They are doing well - interesting variations in growth habits.
Always interested in trading.
Theyāve discovered my pawpaws again now that they are finally leafing out, seems to be one of their favorite snacks in my yard. Might have to put copper around them or something, last year one of them had like 80% of the foliage eaten by slugs even though I went out with a flashlight and picked them off basically nightly.
It turned out to be aphids. I began spraying weekly, detergent with neem oil. Totally eradicated them. All the new leaves are healthy. Unfortunately, it wasnāt in time to save this yearās plum crop. Looks like Iām only going to get about 20.
slugs are happy.