Years Later Here Are The Fig Trees That I Moved At Large Size. 7.3.22

 Here is the Brunswick fig tree that I moved from Vancouver to Battle Ground in late November, 2012.

On the pickup trick.  (I really can't believe I did that)

Ready to replant.  The roots were more shallow than expected.

Here it is today.  This tree settled in and established the first year.  Gradually, most of the original scaffold branches died.  Underground shoots grew quickly to replace them, creating a multi-trunk tree.  Originally, I grew this tree from a cutting, so I know that underground originating shoots are identical to the original tree.

Here is the second large tree that I moved.   This one was "Petite aubique" (supposedly).  I moved it in late  November, 2017.  Originally, I planted this tree in 2001.  I had bought it by mail order from a nursery that was located then in S. Carolina.  They marketed it under different names, originally Petite negri.  I later corresponded with fig enthusiasts who decided it was Petite aubique.  This tree is not vigorous, but over time can grow to a good size.  Here it was when I dug it up, Nov 2017.

 Again, it settled in during that winter and the following year, although new growth was slow during the first year.  This also is a non-grafted tree (almost all figs are not grafted), and habitually sends out new shoots from underground buds.  Gradually, most of the scaffold for this tree also died, and was replaced by new shoots.  I could have trained it again to a single trunk, but I'm fine with the multi-trunk method.  A clump of lemon balm came along with the tree, and is still growing around the trunk.

I usually don't water or fertilize my fig trees.   However, I wonder if I did, would shy or late performers produce more, or earlier, or larger fruit?  So this year, I'm planning to give each of the smaller varieties or slower / later / less productive ones, some general purpose fertilizer once monthly and a few buckets of water every week.

Here are fig buds forming on the Petite aubique fig tree now.

It's not the most clear photo.  I posted it because it shows a "little friend".

What's Blooming? 7.13.22

 Here are some daylily hybrids I created some years ago while playing mad scientist.

This one is more lavender in person.  Cellphone doesn't catch the true color.

This one is not so good.  I think I'll get rid of it and plant a better one in its place.

The Alstroemerias that I bought are responding to the TLC I gave them.  It's mostly just opening buds that were already there.   I think more will develop soon.

This looks better in person.

Sedum in a barrel.  This is a few years old.  I started it from a bunch of discarded pieces about six inches long, just piking a stick into the ground to make a hole, then pushing the sedum pieces into the hole.  Sedums are incredibly easy to start and grow.  This barrel never gets watered or fertilized.  They are too packed in together for weeds to grow.  It's a great plant.

Ant Protection For Ripening Figs. 7.3.22

 When figs are ripening, ants usually find them and tunnel inside.  They can bring molds and spoil the fig before it's fully ripe.

I usually forget until the figs start to ripen, but not this year.  It's a simple treatment.  Wrap plastic wrap fairly tightly around the trunk, the spread on some Tanglefoot,  Tanglefoot is a very sticky, gooey substance, thicker and more persistent than vaseline.  Ants can't climb past it.

Now they are protected against ant damage.  It's a good idea to remove the Tanglefoot strip after the fig harvest.  I've forgotten at times, and fungi grew between the plastic and the bark, damaging the trunk.

Now the fig trees have "The four protections"-

(1)  Pruning height to deter deer.

(2)  Yellow Jacket traps to deter yellow jackets.

(3)  Scare tape to deter birds.

(4) Tanglefoot to deter ants.

Will there be figs this year? We should know in a few more weeks.

Sandwich Bread. 7.2.22

 Today I broke in the new electric range, baking a loaf of sandwich bread.

The flour must have been more moist than usual - by the time I kneaded in enough for the right  consistency, there was enough for an extra mini-loaf.

I didn't know if I would like electric.   The bread loaf baked more evenly and a little faster than the gas oven.  I think it cane out perfect.  Cookies (gingersnaps) baked the same as with gas, but again, about a minute faster.  

I'm not sold yet on having a glass cooktop, but at least it should stay cleaner.  Pots seem to boil faster, but I can't use cast iron so will have to adapt.

Cleome Seedlings. 7.2.22

 Today I planted the cleome seedlings into the meditation garden.  They were small, so not root bound.

Cleome is a warm weather plant, so I had waited until recently to start them.  There were about nine usable seedlings, which is plenty.  

I started these seeds May 23rd.  The germination was slow and uneven, so the plant sizes are variable.