Community Orchard Fig Cuttings

A few weeks ago some fig cuttings were potted in one-gallon Root Pouch grow bags and set in the garage until Spring.  These are mostly Sister Madeline's Green Greek and a couple dozen of other fig varieties that were traded for or donated to the project.

Today we began to pot up some more that will stay on the front porch for the remainder of Winter.  These two rows are of Unk Pear Jelly and Sister Madeline's Unk Dark.  When finished filling in the border with pots it will all be covered with hay that neighbors donated after the holidays.

I suppose we should mention the construction of fig mounds in the back yard that will be used to get air layers from to be planted in the orchard.  

It's a very simple process I kind of learned by trial.  Some extra fig cuttings were buried out in the back yard in a small compost pile during early Winter of 2014, just wanting to see if they would sprout in Spring.

They did sprout and formed an instant fig bush that has provided many air layers. So it was decided to do the same with other varieties that will benefit the orchard

Fig cuttings are laid horizontal on a pile of compost and covered.  That's it. The fig sprouts have no trouble of reaching up through several inches of cover when the temperatures become fig friendly.  Having them elevated above ground level ensures they will not stay saturated and remain in the aerobic zone.

Here's a few photo's of newly created mounds and ending with the established Unk Lake Spur Fig mound, partially covered with dead grass and compost as Winter protection.

Unk Lake Spur Fig with Olympian in the background, covered with dry grass clippings in wire fence cylinders as Winter protection.  All exposed wood is dead from severe cold but under the grass is nice, fresh and green.

All varieties of fig need some Winter protection in our area until they form a thick, woody bark.  This is about the simplest way I know of to do it and it has worked well so far.  In Spring the grass will be spread away from the plant a bit and serve as top mulch and worm food that will translate into worm castings fertilizer for the plants.

I spoke with Mr. Travis at the local sawmill today about getting a truck load of pine bark.  He's going to discuss it with those who have say over that sort of thing and possibly make it as a donation for the project.  This would be super magnificent awesome.  He mentioned 18 wheeler. That would be a mountain of pine bark. 

Ending this post with some words of thanks to a few fig friends who have made some nice donations of cuttings toward the project.  You know who you are by these photo's and your kindness is much appreciated!