Looking for Fig and Grape cuttings

[Chris Byers]

Looking for people willing to let us take some cuttings off of fig trees and grapevines. The variety does not matter, just looking for people willing to allow trimming some pieces to see if I can generate some new plants from cuttings.

[grrlscout]

I can tell you where you can get both -- at one of my foraging spots. It's around 19th Ave and Bethany Home. It's overgrown, so wear long pants and hiking shoes or boots. I've also encountered a homeless man sleeping under the fig tree before. He's probably harmless, but be wary, just in case.

Directions:
It's behind a small strip mall that contains Oz and a Trails. From Bethany Home, go north on 18th Ave. Almost immediately, you'll see the property on your left / straight ahead. It's a small grassy lot, with a large fig tree. There's a grape vine near the back of the lot. Here's a pic:

I don't know which variety either are. The one time I looked at the grape vine, it had white grapes on it. The fig tree is a variety that has large holes on the blossom end, and beetles get in there. They are a PAIN to get out! So I don't know if you want that kind.

[Chris Byers]

So what kind of long pants are you wearing? :)
Thanks, I live close by and will take my two body guards with me to take cuttings. Most people decide to leave me alone when they see them looking at them and they love the walk. They love me and Ruthanne, but not so much anyone else.

I am interested in all types because this is kind of an experiment really fostered by the mother of a coworker of my wife. This woman has a huge number of trees, vines and plants in her yard everyone from donated cuttings. She started over 30 years ago and gives fruit away to the neighborhood. So the ones that grow and I have problems with will teach me how to over come the problems and trees and vines growing without care are desirable because I know they will do well here.

[grrlscout]

LOL! That was my second visit. So I knew enough to change my shoes, but not enough that I thought to wear jeans.

Sounds like a really cool experiment. I hope you'll keep us updated.

Oh and let me know if there are any figs on that tree. I haven't been back to it in months.

You might find some other interesting things back there too. I'm always in a hurry, and don't have enough time to look around. Also, you know my track record with identifying plants -- not the best!

[Chris Byers]

Will do, thanks. When I have my body guards with me I am able to take more time because they do most of the look out for me!

[Chris Byers]

grrlscout, went to look at the fig tree and it looks pretty good, was not ready to take cuttings at the time. Someone has come in and cut all the low hanging brances away and it looks like the grape may have died, making me sad, but I am not sure it is very overgrown with a number of vining plants one of which I think is a tomillito, fruit about half the size in the store, so need to keep track. There was a lot of water which made it hard to get around, I do not like wading. When I go back to take cuttings I will decide more. The fig does have new fruit, it is very green at this time but it does have quite a bit of it set. The old fruit is very dried, but looks like a pretty good variety. The ones I cut open had a nice looking interior even if it had the consistancy of shoe leather. Did not find any bugs or bug remains so it does have promise, very healthy tree, worth saving.

[grrlscout]

Bummer about the grape vine. :(

And I wonder why the lot was so wet. Is it still getting irrigated?

Here is a pic of the stuff I got the last time I went, so you can see what the figs look like ripe:

I forgot that there was also some mint there too.

the apple is from a branch that was hanging over from the neighbor's yard.

[Chris Byers]

Nice looking apple, I was wondering about it. When I go back I think I will take a cutting from it also. Think this fig is a brown turkey, the information and photos I have found match up best with them.

Yes I also found the mint, did not notice it at first as I was attempting to not step in a ditch, (fell in one, grass had it covered over) and not step into a water filled hole, then this wonderful aroma came up to me. Fair amount of mint, must have been a nice backyard at one time.

Couldn't tell where the water was coming from but one area was about a foot deep where the ground dropped down. When I go back for cuttings I will be better prepared and then I will be able to tell about the grapevine, will let you know.

[Michael and Lylah Ledner]

Of course you can come take from our Peter's HOney Fig anytime....Cactus and the 101 area. Give Michael and jingle.

And.....did you find out how to generate new plants...the one Greg from Urban Farm gave us....bit the dust. Put in sandy soil with water.

[Chris Byers]

Well I will let you know how well I have studied this after I have all dead sticks or some live plants. :) I have done some before and it is always mixed results, the most crucial time is the first two hours after taking the cutting and then the next few weeks. It is something that has lots of preparation to plant and then lots of finger crossing. It is best to have more than one cutting and you need to protect it from water loss as soon as it is cut. I have read lots of recommendations on the soil to use, and one thing I have seen and read is there are lots of opinions on what works best.

It will all work out one way or another and I always have fun trying, even when some times it is over and over. :)

[Janine]

we have thompson grapes and red flame you can take cuttings off of. 35th ave and peoria. we are also going to see you at the class on sat, so remind me and i'll bring some cuttings. we also have grapes growing on one of the vines. this particular vine gets watered and fertilized with duck poo water, and it's doing really well.

remind me.

[Chris Byers]

I will do that, are you still bringing you "volunteer"?

[Michele]

I researched on-line and in books about different methods of generating plants from cuttings and so far I have 4 different kinds of fig and 4 kinds of grapes, in all looks like 8 dead twigs. However, I know that it is possible! I succeeded with herb cuttings (majoram, oregana, mint), lemon grass from root separation, transplanting volunteer tomatoes and palm trees, and papaya plants from seeds (not yet through the winter) and plan to try an apricot next.