North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Hans Brinkmann <hans-brinkmann@t-online.de>]

Hallo Bill,
figs have been proposed in former days as fruit-trees in Germany!
We have (had) temperatures less than minus 25°C!
In former days specialists proposed, to mulch each year during winter all
"fruit-bearing-branches" complete with straw, mulch or even (carefully) 
with soil,
by bending them down.
Not only to protect branches from freezing-damage, but
to PROTECT the unripe FRUITS (looking very small)!
In our climate figs do need always TWO YEARS to ripe and they will ripe 
only with a winter protection.
I think in Mediterranean areas figs have two different kinds of  
flower-types.
Not so in Germany and other cold regions.

Now-a-days this knowledge is lost, and most Germans are keeping their 
figs outside -  usually without fruits,
but sometimes as very nice bushes/trees, or inside (winter) as quite 
small bushes, with chances of fruits.

With your Greek background, I think it is a MUST to grow your own figs - 
with winterprotection and outside the whole year!

ciao
Hans






Hal Love schrieb:
> Bill,
>
> I would think that they are exagerating things quite a bit. You could
> probably ripen the figs there, but I doubt it would survive without heroic
> measures to protect it outdoors. I have it here, and it survives outside
> unprotected, but does suffer die back. Hardy Chicago would be a better
> choice for you, as it ripens earlier and is quite hardy. You would still
> have to grow it in a container, and move it into a basement or unheated
> garage, or wrap it really well with burlap or at least mulch the roots
> really well. Dessication from cold dry wind is the biggest problem, so plant
> in a well protected site.
>
> Hal
> zn 6b, TN
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>
> To: "NAFEX List" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 10:44 AM
> Subject: [NAFEX] Zone 5 figs?
>
>
>   
> > Speaking of figs,... I noticed the Brown Turkey Fig in the Stark Bro's
> > catalog, where it loudly proclaims, "Grow figs as far north as Zone 5!"
> > After a web search that included the NAFEX Fig Page, I see that this fig
> > can crop on new growth after the tops are winter-killed. Would that
> > really be practical - well, not exactly practical, I'm sure, but...
> > possible - here?
> >
> > I'm in Zone 5a (AHS Heat Zone 7), and it got below zero several times
> > this winter (twice to -8, I believe). Could I still grow this fig if I
> > mulch it heavily with straw for the winter (expecting that the top would
> > die back each year, but it would re-sprout from the roots)? If so, how
> > should I manage that? Cut it off at ground level in late winter, or just
> > wait and see what happens? And how big should I expect it to get each
> > year (i.e. how much room would it need - the absolute minimum)? It would
> > probably sprout in bush form, wouldn't it? So I'm guessing it wouldn't
> > take much room (always an advantage). Any other tips? I'm thinking about
> > planting one in the spring of 2008, if it looks feasible.
> >
> > OK, I realize it's probably weird to think of planting a fig in
> > Nebraska, but that's part of the attraction. And the fact is, I've been
> > planting so many fruit trees and bushes in my yard that I'll never be
> > able to eat all of it, anyway. So I don't mind experimenting with
> > something like this, unless it's completely ridiculous. If it doesn't
> > work, that won't be a big problem.
> >
> > Also,... this brings back my youth. Many years ago, I spent a couple of
> > weeks in September camped on a Greek island next to some abandoned fig
> > trees. They were loaded with ripe figs and with figs that had completely
> > dried on the tree, and with figs at all stages in between. All were
> > delicious! (I'd never eaten a ripe fig before.) I certainly never
> > expected to grow figs in Nebraska, but this catalog entry really caught
> > my attention! Please tell me it's possible. :-)
> >
> > Incidentally, it's not practical for me to bring a potted tree inside
> > for the winter, so that option is out. My house is too small and so is
> > the garage (not to mention that it's an old, detached garage which
> > wouldn't be much shelter).
> >
> > Bill
> > Lincoln, NE (cold zone 5a, heat zone 7)
> >
> > --
> > If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out? - Will
> > Rogers
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nafex mailing list
> > nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
> >
> > Reproduction of list messages or archives is not allowed.
> > This includes distribution on other email lists or reproduction on web
> >     
> sites.
>   
> > Permission to reproduce is NEVER granted, so don't claim you have
> >     
> permission!
>   
> > **YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO POST!**
> > Posts from email addresses that are not subscribed are discarded.
> > No exceptions.
> > ----
> > To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the bottom of this page (also can be
> >     
> used to change other email options):
>   
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex
> >
> > File attachments are NOT stripped by this list.
> > TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES!
> > Please do not send binary files.
> > Use plain text ONLY in emails!
> >
> > NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/
> >     
>
> _______________________________________________
> nafex mailing list 
> nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
>
> Reproduction of list messages or archives is not allowed.
> This includes distribution on other email lists or reproduction on web sites.
> Permission to reproduce is NEVER granted, so don't claim you have permission!
>
> **YOU MUST BE SUBSCRIBED TO POST!**
> Posts from email addresses that are not subscribed are discarded.
> No exceptions.  
> ----
> To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to the bottom of this page (also can be used 
> to change other email options):
> http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex
>
> File attachments are NOT stripped by this list.
> TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES!
> Please do not send binary files.
> Use plain text ONLY in emails!
>
> NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/
>
>