OMG My Smith Has Rooted

mech_pa said:
I heard that Smith is very different depending on the source. I wonder if it's like Chicago Hardy including lots of similar figs.
Click to expand...

It’s possible. I’ve only ever had one that I cloned for additional trees. I was once asked for a copy of mine because the one the person had wasn’t producing well.

My understanding is that even when cloning, there can occasionally be genetic drifts or mutations. I don’t completely understand the science but apparently the case
 
mech_pa said:
My 1st year Smith had 0 figlet last year. My 3m Cessac cutting is loaded with figlets at every node!
Click to expand...
Interesting to see everyone’s experiences. My Smith cutting that I got from @Italian4u this winter is producing like your Cessac. Set figlets starting at the very first node. Growth stalled slightly, while all the figlets kept gettng bigger so I have been cutting off figlets as they form.
 
IAK said:
Interesting to see everyone’s experiences. My Smith cutting that I got from @Italian4u this winter is producing like your Cessac. Set figlets starting at the very first node. Growth stalled slightly, while all the figlets kept gettng bigger so I have been cutting off figlets as they form.
Click to expand...
Keep feeding it well with liquid fertilizer. 1/4 teaspoon per gallon every time you water. When those figlets start popping out if you do not remove them right away they play suck a drain on the cutting so very important to push through that stall with fertilization on a regular basis.
 
Italian4u said:
Keep feeding it well with liquid fertilizer. 1/4 teaspoon per gallon every time you water. When those figlets start popping out if you do not remove them right away they play suck a drain on the cutting so very important to push through that stall with fertilization on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

That’s what I’m doing already. I lost all my trees during a move and I’m re-establishing. It’s just interesting because when I was growing Smith a few years ago, it didn’t set any figs until the second year. The Calderona I have from you is growing really well and setting figlets as well. The one I grew a few years ago was pretty lackluster as far as growth and fruit production.
 
IAK said:
That’s what I’m doing already. I lost all my trees during a move and I’m re-establishing. It’s just interesting because when I was growing Smith a few years ago, it didn’t set any figs until the second year. The Calderona I have from you is growing really well and setting figlets as well. The one I grew a few years ago was pretty lackluster as far as growth and fruit production.
Click to expand...
I’ve never had a fig not produce fruits year one. Everting has produced figs year one. I’ve had some figs drop their figs a few years before it started to hold onto them. Like Pastiliere dropped them for 3 seasons straight but not hold onto them just fine.
 
Italian4u said:
I’ve never had a fig not produce fruits year one. Everting has produced figs year one. I’ve had some figs drop their figs a few years before it started to hold onto them. Like Pastiliere dropped them for 3 seasons straight but not hold onto them just fine.
Click to expand...

I'm curious... since you're basically in the same growing zone as me. Actually I'm probably warmer because of how close I am to Lake Ontario. How much artificial light do you add to your trees early on? I ask because I do have some trees that are stubborn to produce figs.
 
TorontoJoe said:
I'm curious... since you're basically in the same growing zone as me. Actually I'm probably warmer because of how close I am to Lake Ontario. How much artificial light do you add to your trees early on? I ask because I do have some trees that are stubborn to produce figs.
Click to expand...
Only rooted cuttings get artificial light. My main trees are in the garage until I’d say end of March beginning of April. Really depends on the weather. Usually I’m lucky and trees are still dormant when I take them outside. This past year my trees went outside mid April and fully dormant by mid November. My main trick is to get them to start to push main crop figs by mid May. I got them facing south in a microclimate. So they get allot of sun and the added heat.
 
Last edited:
Brian V said:
So some varieties root easier than others? I bought smith cuttings from 3 different sources hoping to increase my odds. Hopefully at least 1 will root for me. 🤞leaving the cup sealed won't affect the roots ability to get oxygen? I always wondered about that .
Click to expand...
Yes there are some that seem rather difficult to root, but none are impossible. lol

As for the wrap staying on and there being enough oxygen...they will indeed be fine.
Fig pops are sealed up for over a month before opening.
Also...I did the same thing with Smith, I got it from 3 or maybe 4 different sources.
Not only to ensure one roots but to compare with others that people were saying might be a little different.
 
My one-year-old Smith recently woke up. It has been weeping from the pruning cut I made in December and the new leaves are pale green with a ridge of blue green around their rims. We'll see what happens....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top