I am hoping to start a fruit business in the next couple years, and trying to propagate as much of the planting stock as i can to cut down on start-up costs. In particular i am searching for someone growing Arguta kiwiberries and figs who might let a young guy come take a bunch of prunings to propagate them. It would be even better if the names of the varieties were known, but i'm open on that.
I am in SW washington, and am willing to drive a bit if the opportunity arises. Any hints or tips y'all can offer?
THANKS.
Noah,
I would be happy to share fig cuttings with you. I have:
Hardy Chicago - good. Survived the worst winter in local history without a single dead twig. Dark, fairly complex flavor.
Petite negri which might be Aubique Petite or Negronne or... Also survived that winter, exposed. Beautiful figs, black outside, red inside. Slow grower. Mine is in Vancouver, I have not been able to establish it in Battleground.
Lattarula - probably the fastest grower and easiest to grow from cuttings. Vigorous. Sweet green figs.
King also called Desert King - very big and productive, July crop only.
Brunswick also called a lot of things - ripening is a challenge, mainly late fall and a lot of them spoil. Very very sweet.
Smith - might not be suitable here, mine is in container. Legendary, dense complex flavor.
Champagne - might not be suitable here, mine is in container. Yellow, small figs.
LSU Tiger - Small, mine survived last winter at Battleground, so it might be suitable.
Carini - from fig forum member (Frank), not a formally named fig. Large, red-ish, survived last winter at Battleground.
Sal's - mine is small, it is slow growing, but takes every type of abuse. They are a dark, dense fig.
Atreano - I think these will be good but mine are too young to say. I can give you a started tree this fall after I eat the figs, it is in a container. I haven't eaten them before.
Dominick - also from a Fig Forum member (Coop). A hardy Italian type fig from NE, reportedly very hardy. I have not tasted them yet. The name was given it by the grower, not a formal fig variety.
I think you would do best taking dormant cuttings in winter. If you know how to grow summer cuttings, that's fine - I have never done it that way. Almost all of mine, I grew from cuttings in Jan or Feb. I'e started dozens of fig trees from cuttings, most to give away as gifts.
I also might have some Celeste, if the cuttings grow. I abused them, left them in fridge from Jan to June. When I found them, I placed them in potting soil. They have grown leaves, but are at that stage where some die and others grow.
Noah,
You should be able to get a few varieties at the Scion exchange in the Spring.
Johns
PDX OR
Holy crap Daniel, i just googled "carini fig" and your blog was the second link. Took me a second to realize they had the same author. Thats an impressive backload of blogposts you've got. You seem to have quite a lot of interesting horticultural adventures happening. I tried a bunch of dormant fig cuttings this year but had little success, which is why i am trying summer propagation.
Thanks for sharing!!