Lamentation: Murder of Fig Trees as Art and Science

W

wyanokie

Well-known member
Can I get a witness?

I'm pretty new on my fig growing journey. Other friends of mine see the success I've had in my short time and ask me what I do. My answer? I pay attention to them. Basic things, food, sunlight, water. They grow. I've got nothing more to go on. No secrets or insider tips.

So they express interest. I gladly start cuttings or give away my extras. What happens next varies wildly from person to person. A few people do what I tell them, and they have success in terms of beautiful trees, lush foliage, growth, figs, etc.

Some other folks don't do what I tell them, but they have success anyway. They might not use the recommended soil, fertilizer, pot size, etc., but they have success. You know, lush foliage, growth, figs, etc.

But those people aren't the topic of this post. The topic of this post is somewhat of a silent scream, holding back a profanity laced response in reaction to the photos that I've been sent of the trees that I've gifted them, almost always accompanied by them explaining that they did the exact antithesis of what I told them, and ending with the question: "what's wrong with my fig tree"? I can't believe how adept some people are at destroying any signs of health in these trees, and waiting until the last bits of life are clinging inside a few inches of green stem before they reach out with a photo that looks like the tree was hit with a military-grade herbicide.

I know that this happens, but sometimes it happens, and sometimes it HAPPENS. Does this happen with anyone else?
 
I’ve been told that in our circle we feel all our knowledge is everyday stuff that everyone just knows. When we leave this fig circle we are now the experts to those not in the know. When you look from the perspective of a newbie after years of growing it helps to understand why people do things you would never do to the fig tree. Every little detail is new to them and easily forgettable. Your failures and set backs have engraved the knowledge into your brain forever and they just need to experience it themselves to remember.
 
For emphasis to everyone, I really hope I don't sound like a condescending jerk. We all make mistakes, run into obstacles and learn along the way. I have certainly had my share of mistakes and setbacks too. I'm more flabbergasted by a situation where someone really seems to want to become a fig tree owner and then makes a series of decisions which almost reflects contempt for the tree.
 
wyanokie said:
For emphasis to everyone, I really hope I don't sound like a condescending jerk. We all make mistakes, run into obstacles and learn along the way. I have certainly had my share of mistakes and setbacks too. I'm more flabbergasted by a situation where someone really seems to want to become a fig tree owner and then makes a series of decisions which almost reflects contempt for the tree.
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No worries, I think we’ve all been in your position seeing something we’ve care for destroyed by what we see as careless. Just part of the process. I know when I shared cuttings that I would normally get 75% to root without any extra effort some new people would complain they rotted immediately. The fine details you don’t realize you do is what they are missing. Ask some questions and point them in the right direction then you should help them be a better grower.
 
@Bofig great advice, although the situations I was thinking about were those where people did the opposite of what I told them when they asked!

You know, I'm thinking about it and what was meant to sound amusing to others probably does sound a bit condescending, unintentionally. I might delete this thread, maybe this was not my best moment.

@TorontoJoe can we delete the thread? Just didn't land the way I wanted it to (in an amusing way).
 
wyanokie said:
@Bofig great advice, although the situations I was thinking about were those where people did the opposite of what I told them when they asked!

You know, I'm thinking about it and what was meant to sound amusing to others probably does sound a bit condescending, unintentionally. I might delete this thread, maybe this was not my best moment.

@TorontoJoe can we delete the thread? Just didn't land the way I wanted it to (in an amusing way).
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I didn’t find any condescending more so frustration. I wouldn’t worry this is something we all go through eventually sharing the hobby and maybe this thread could help others that experience it. Some people won’t listen no matter how much you tell them and that’s on them 😂
 
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