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[TorontoJoe]

Research shows that in some cases, they only ripen by a matter of days earlier. You may get a week or two max, but that is it. Anyone who says they ripen sooner than that is not being truthful or is misunderstanding something else going on, such as spoiling.

California has had caprified figs for over a hundred years and other places around the world have had caprified figs for thousands of years. If they ripened a month or more sooner, we would know. Commercial growers would be using that knowledge to bring figs to the market sooner.

I’m only commenting on that because someone, or a few, has been saying otherwise and it is extremely misleading.

For me, i've had times where even a few days meant the difference of a hundred figs. Even if that's all the benefit.... I'll take it.

For me, if I have a chance of buying myself one week... it means a lot of figs that I wouldn't otherwise have.

 

[RosyPosy]

For me, i've had times where even a few days meant the difference of a hundred figs. Even if that's all the benefit.... I'll take it.

For me, if I have a chance of buying myself one week... it means a lot of figs that I wouldn't otherwise have.

I’m not saying it isn’t worthwhile, just that accuracy of the situation is important. Some would take the time & space of growing a caprifig & hand pollinating for several weeks difference, but not for a few days. Don’t want people thinking they’re getting something they won’t have, (though that is rampant in the fig world at times.) I feel bad for people when it doesn’t work out like they were led to believe.

 

[RosyPosy]

In my area there is no wasp. I brought them in before as you know. But do not have them now. So can say for sure pollen does ripen figs a week or two earlier.

And based on my experience, I can say for sure it doesn’t. Probably 1/3 to 1/2 of my figs are wasp pollinated, so I have direct side by side comparison. It isn’t the pollen “ripening” the figs earlier… at least, not all pollen.

People should consider that the act of putting sugar and water (which is probably not sterile) into a place where water is not meant to be may be doing some things too. Also, the protective barrier is compromised when the needle goes in opening up the inside to more air exposure. All of these could have an impact on gases, microbes, and whatever else is going on in the fig. Maybe that is hastening “ripening”, but it isn’t quite the same as being normally ripened. It’s like unripe fruits picked early and then exposed to ethylene gas. Is it technically ripe that way?

Please understand, I’m not against it. I have a hard time ripening late varieties here and so would love for it to be a “fix” so that I could enjoy them. But I am trying to be realistic with people so that for those to whom it matters, they aren’t wasting their time or buying varieties they otherwise wouldn’t. People are being told they’ll have greater figs much earlier and that simply is not the case. They will have some spoiled figs and some really good figs at about the same time as always, maybe a few days earlier.

Enjoy your night Mike

 

[GoodFriendMike]

And based on my experience, I can say for sure it doesn’t. Probably 1/3 to 1/2 of my figs are wasp pollinated, so I have direct side by side comparison. It isn’t the pollen “ripening” the figs earlier… at least, not all pollen.

People should consider that the act of putting sugar and water (which is probably not sterile) into a place where water is not meant to be may be doing some things too. Also, the protective barrier is compromised when the needle goes in opening up the inside to more air exposure. All of these could have an impact on gases, microbes, and whatever else is going on in the fig. Maybe that is hastening “ripening”, but it isn’t quite the same as being normally ripened. It’s like unripe fruits picked early and then exposed to ethylene gas. Is it technically ripe that way?

Please understand, I’m not against it. I have a hard time ripening late varieties here and so would love for it to be a “fix” so that I could enjoy them. But I am trying to be realistic with people so that for those to whom it matters, they aren’t wasting their time or buying varieties they otherwise wouldn’t. People are being told they’ll have greater figs much earlier and that simply is not the case. They will have some spoiled figs and some really good figs at about the same time as always, maybe a few days earlier.

Enjoy your night Mike

I do find it interesting your not seeing the same results as many others. Whether I use water and pollen in a syringe (no sugar) Wasp or I do the old needle and thread method. I still get better tasting figs that ripen earlier.
A few studies have shown that the pollen from different Capri will have different effects. I have not tried to compare the ones in my collection as I feel the study would be flawed.
I don't have the means to count/measure pollen to make sure each fig receives the exact same amount. That is another factor. How much pollen is being injected into the fig?
Time for more coffee. Good subject to think about first thing in the morning.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I’m not saying it isn’t worthwhile, just that accuracy of the situation is important. Some would take the time & space of growing a caprifig & hand pollinating for several weeks difference, but not for a few days. Don’t want people thinking they’re getting something they won’t have, (though that is rampant in the fig world at times.) I feel bad for people when it doesn’t work out like they were led to believe.

Totally… this if anyone says this is the secret trick that will double your harvest, then it’s just like all those stupid AI generated YouTube videos… That’s absurd.

I figure it’s worth a try to see what happens. I go in to this sort of thing with the idea that it’s an experiment. If I see some success, great. If I don’t, then I learned something. Either way I’ve gained.