Loving your videos Lou full of facts and interesting tidbits. You have answered something ive been pondering over and getting mixed info on re" not pruning my fig branches. Everything i read and everyone says to "prune else you get no fruit," so as a novice ive been snipping off the ends of every branch.Your explanation has cleared my mind on this. Being a novice is no fun- well thats not quite true- I'm hooked on figs and slowly adding to my collection- albeit that have to stay in pots. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and youd make great company. Novice figster Perth Australia. Cheers Lou
Thank you Professor Lou for another excellent seminar on Figenomics 101; by the way I have planted one Fuyu and one Jiro Persimmon in 55 gallon barrels on the rooftop garden here. The Jiro produced one persimmon which I picked a couple of days ago but have not yet eaten. Thanks again for your excellent advice Lou!
That persimmon looks amazing! I have two, one Maekawa Jiro in the ground and a Sheng potted, and hope I live long enough to enjoy the fruit some day. I ate so many great persimmons, of so many varieties, in Korea, for many years. They also are wonderful dehydrated. Thanks for the main video too! I am going to try your ground bag technique this coming spring, too, even though I am in Zone 5B.
Thank you Lou for the very informative video. I did enjoy watching; benefiting from the info therein. I also had a good laugh all through the video. God bless you and your plants :)
Nikita’s gift doesn’t mind the windy spot? I assume it’s windy because of the big open field. I was going to put a persimmon tree at a property that gets constant wind but was worried about cold hardiness so I went with Rosseyanka instead of Nikita’s gift. Now i’m regretting and wish I did NG. Did your NG drop a lot of fruits early on? Or has it always been dependable? Thanks!!
another great video. really informative. without sacrificing breba, do you recommend pruning off at least a half inch to inch of tips to encourage additional scaffolding branches to increase main crop fruit yield?
Would I recommend trimming the ends off of your fruit bearing branches? There are too many variables to discuss in these text messages. However, to respond to your question, Nicka, generally no! Only if your desire to shape the tree for the potential of greater future production outways the guaranteed sooner benefit of leaving the established fruiting branches undisturbed! Sometimes a comprise, with a mixed approach, is in order. Good luck! Lou Monti
@@loumonti10 Big Like. thanks Lou. Assuming its a common variety, the compromise (for me personally) may be lesser quality and quantity breba in say, July, versus increased and higher quality and quantity main crop 1 month later, say, in August. Since I am in los angeles, i may be able to get away with this trade at low risk.
Your video inspired me to go pick some of my neighbors persimmons . The tree had no leaves left and the fruit was very soft but they were still a tad bit astringent and puckered me up. Do persimmons always keep a bit of astringency or did I pick it too early? Is there a special technique for knowing if it’s ready?
It depends very much on the varieties, types of Persimmons, and the weather at the time of year they are picked. Every year is a little different. Generally speaking all or most of the astringency can be eliminated. It's to vast a subject to cover here, but there are a number of very good vidios available on TH-cam that cover this subject thoroughly. Regards, Lou Monti
Do you have to keep doing these dig and plant every year, what if you left the tree out the ground through winter? I’ve seen fig trees growing nicely in the yard in New York City.
Hi, Tinee! Well, my ground bag method is best used in colder zones where serious Winter dieback is likely to occur without extraction. If you live in an acceptable zone for growing figs in the ground, then, by all means plant your tree directly in the ground. Thanks for watching and happy figs!! Lou Monti
Hi Lou ! This year I tried something different. I brought my fig plants inside to my cool family room down stairs and placed them all by the glass patio door in the fall. It is Feb. now and half are starting to grow so I put my grow light above them and seem like doing o.k. My question is they have been dormant for three month`s and wondering if that`s enough time to be in dormancy? Also ,yes they get some light from the patio door but in natural habitat would get light during dormancy anyhow . Is this wrong for me to do because when in the past I have kept my plants in a dark room all winter they end up not doing good or dieing. I appreciate your video`s. Thank you so much ! P.S. I planted an Akita persimon tree in my yard ! LOL !!
Hi, Mark. Well, to be honest, your description of exactly what dormancy procedures you followed is confusing. However, in my opinion, three months of dormancy is quite sufficient and I have never had any problems storing dormant fig trees in total darkness or in daytime natural light. The most important factor in order to maintain dormancy is maintaining low enough temperatures. A dimly lit or dark storage room will tend to discourage early awakening in the Spring, however. Personally, I do like to provide my fig trees with warmer temperatures and as much natural light exposure as I can early in the Spring. This practice will ensure an earlier ripening during the Summer harvest. Kind regards, Lou Monri
Hi Lou Thanks for your videos on figs and persimmons! Question on fig cellar: What is your thought if I create a cellar about 2 ft deep, and permanently plant the figs in the cellar? The top would come off in spring, and recovered in the fall to protect the figs all winter. I’m thinking 8’ x 30’ and plant figs 3 ft apart. Would fit 30 trees this way. And would avoid having to dig up each fig. I’m afraid the roots would not get warm enough. Any suggestions??
That's a very complicated subject and requires far more explanation than I can provide here. I invite you to watch my videos, many of which cover various growing conditions conducive to growing figs successfully. Always keep your figs on high ground in a well drained area! Figs spoil and split very easily in wet soil and do much better when high and dry. Good luck! Lou Monti
I have a ichi- kikei persimmon and have trouble holding its fruit , you think a nikitas gift will make it threw the winter for me in Boston,great video lou , have nice thanksgiving you and family.
Im so torn about a 2 yo Smith that spent the Summer in the ground . It’s 11/21 and as you know it’s been cold this week. I’ve been busy at work. I mounded compost and leaves and tired it up. Today it’s wrap it or pull it 3-4 ft tall Help me decide if I should dig it up!!!!
Hi, there! Actually, I don't think it's a decision that I should participate in. I'd feel responsible if the results weren't good. Additionally, you haven't provided me with sufficient information. Out of curiosity, what zone are you located in, and are you using my ground bag technique, or is the tree growing freely (entirely) in ground? I am still trialing Smith as far as Winter hardiness is concerned. I'm generally quite slow to conclude certain enquiries before making a final decision. I have grown Smith (entirely in ground) in zone 7-B, but it was only for one Winter, an average Winter, and the tree, although it survived without any dieback, seemed to lack vigor the following Summer. I haven't finished my assessment yet and I will carefully observe my Smith tree this coming Summer with hopes that the tree resumes it's normal vigor and vitality. Generally speaking, I think it's always a good idea to protect any valuable tree as much as possible to reduce the chance of damage. Good luck, and thanks for watching! Lou Monti
HI Lou. First time fig grower here. I have a sapling fig tree growing in a container. Variety is unknown, I misplaced the seed pack :( In any case its grown to about a foot tall. The main truck is about a 1/4"-1/2" from top to bottom. there are four branches that are coming off the main "trunk" close to the base. Aside from some fig rust, she seems to be doing fine. I was hoping you could let me know about some resources and some tips to help keep her healthy as she grows. Since i planted the seed and shes sprouted, I haven't done and pruning. Should i be tending to these side growth? How do you properly prune a sapling? Any advice from anyone is greatly appreciated.
I wouldn't be very aggressive towards pruning your young tree. It can certainly wait until Spring. At that time, there are plenty of You Tube videos that will help guide you. You might want to add a known variety to your collection. Good luck! Lou Monti
Hi, Scott. Yes, I have a Rosseyanka and it is a very good cultivar. The taste isn't very different than Nikita's Gift. It's a very tasty persimmons variety. They are a little smaller than Nikita and my tree isn't as productive as Nikita's Gift or Saijo. Since it is also a cross between a pure Japanese persimmon and a native American, it is very hardy and can survive temperatures well below Zero. I can easily reccomend Rosseyanka, but my two all time favorites are Saijo and Nikita's Gift. Thank you for your question! Lou Monti
Hi, Kristyle. I'm not familiar with a wide selection of Dehydrators, but I've been using a 9 tray Excalibur for many, many years and I have been very satisfied! Kind regards, take care! Lou Monti
I wouldn't think it practical. Even if the the tree did survive the harsh Winters, still, the fruit would likely never ripen on time. Take care! Lou Monti
Loving your videos Lou full of facts and interesting tidbits. You have answered something ive been pondering over and getting mixed info on re" not pruning my fig branches. Everything i read and everyone says to "prune else you get no fruit," so as a novice ive been snipping off the ends of every branch.Your explanation has cleared my mind on this. Being a novice is no fun- well thats not quite true- I'm hooked on figs and slowly adding to my collection- albeit that have to stay in pots. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and youd make great company. Novice figster Perth Australia. Cheers Lou
Thank you Professor Lou for another excellent seminar on Figenomics 101; by the way I have planted one Fuyu and one Jiro Persimmon in 55 gallon barrels on the rooftop garden here. The Jiro produced one persimmon which I picked a couple of days ago but have not yet eaten. Thanks again for your excellent advice Lou!
That persimmon looks amazing! I have two, one Maekawa Jiro in the ground and a Sheng potted, and hope I live long enough to enjoy the fruit some day. I ate so many great persimmons, of so many varieties, in Korea, for many years. They also are wonderful dehydrated. Thanks for the main video too! I am going to try your ground bag technique this coming spring, too, even though I am in Zone 5B.
Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, Lou!
Better then ourfigs. Thank Lou !
Thank you Lou for the very informative video. I did enjoy watching; benefiting from the info therein. I also had a good laugh all through the video. God bless you and your plants :)
Thank you for the video. It helps a lot in understanding figplants. How big are the growbags?
Thanks Lou you just convinced me to put my lattarulla in the ground next spring. Great video
Nikita’s gift doesn’t mind the windy spot? I assume it’s windy because of the big open field.
I was going to put a persimmon tree at a property that gets constant wind but was worried about cold hardiness so I went with Rosseyanka instead of Nikita’s gift. Now i’m regretting and wish I did NG. Did your NG drop a lot of fruits early on? Or has it always been dependable? Thanks!!
Hi there! NIKITA'S GIFT has always performed excellently for me. I Highly recommend it! Regards from Lou Monti
I had three fruits from my first year fuyu persimmon
I bought grafted tree from Law’s
Thanks brother for all the good videos
another great video. really informative. without sacrificing breba, do you recommend pruning off at least a half inch to inch of tips to encourage additional scaffolding branches to increase main crop fruit yield?
Would I recommend trimming the ends off of your fruit bearing branches? There are too many variables to discuss in these text messages. However, to respond to your question, Nicka, generally no! Only if your desire to shape the tree for the potential of greater future production outways the guaranteed sooner benefit of leaving the established fruiting branches undisturbed! Sometimes a comprise, with a mixed approach, is in order. Good luck! Lou Monti
@@loumonti10 Big Like. thanks Lou. Assuming its a common variety, the compromise (for me personally) may be lesser quality and quantity breba in say, July, versus increased and higher quality and quantity main crop 1 month later, say, in August. Since I am in los angeles, i may be able to get away with this trade at low risk.
I have some fig trees. I protect them with corn plants and then with plastic. It work very good and is not difficult at all.
I planted a fuyu and a chocolate this year. Can't wait for fruiting to start, probably be a while, but certainly worth the wait I think
Your video inspired me to go pick some of my neighbors persimmons . The tree had no leaves left and the fruit was very soft but they were still a tad bit astringent and puckered me up. Do persimmons always keep a bit of astringency or did I pick it too early? Is there a special technique for knowing if it’s ready?
It depends very much on the varieties, types of Persimmons, and the weather at the time of year they are picked. Every year is a little different. Generally speaking all or most of the astringency can be eliminated. It's to vast a subject to cover here, but there are a number of very good vidios available on TH-cam that cover this subject thoroughly. Regards, Lou Monti
Lou, please tell me what size grow bags you use for your ground bad method? They look like 5 gallons.
FIVE, AND SEVEN ARE EASIER TO HANDLE, BUT UP TO 10 IS MANAGEABLE. GOOD LUCK! LOU MONTI
Do you have to keep doing these dig and plant every year, what if you left the tree out the ground through winter? I’ve seen fig trees growing nicely in the yard in New York City.
Hi, Tinee! Well, my ground bag method is best used in colder zones where serious Winter dieback is likely to occur without extraction. If you live in an acceptable zone for growing figs in the ground, then, by all means plant your tree directly in the ground. Thanks for watching and happy figs!! Lou Monti
What size grow bag do you use for this (in) ground bag method?
Hi Lou ! This year I tried something different. I brought my fig plants inside to my cool family room down stairs and placed them all by the glass patio door in the fall. It is Feb. now and half are starting to grow so I put my grow light above them and seem like doing o.k. My question is they have been dormant for three month`s and wondering if that`s enough time to be in dormancy? Also ,yes they get some light from the patio door but in natural habitat would get light during dormancy anyhow . Is this wrong for me to do because when in the past I have kept my plants in a dark room all winter they end up not doing good or dieing. I appreciate your video`s. Thank you so much ! P.S. I planted an Akita persimon tree in my yard ! LOL !!
Hi, Mark. Well, to be honest, your description of exactly what dormancy procedures you followed is confusing. However, in my opinion, three months of dormancy is quite sufficient and I have never had any problems storing dormant fig trees in total darkness or in daytime natural light. The most important factor in order to maintain dormancy is maintaining low enough temperatures. A dimly lit or dark storage room will tend to discourage early awakening in the Spring, however. Personally, I do like to provide my fig trees with warmer temperatures and as much natural light exposure as I can early in the Spring. This practice will ensure an earlier ripening during the Summer harvest. Kind regards, Lou Monri
Hi Lou
Thanks for your videos on figs and persimmons! Question on fig cellar:
What is your thought if I create a cellar about 2 ft deep, and permanently plant the figs in the cellar? The top would come off in spring, and recovered in the fall to protect the figs all winter. I’m thinking 8’ x 30’ and plant figs 3 ft apart. Would fit 30 trees this way. And would avoid having to dig up each fig. I’m afraid the roots would not get warm enough. Any suggestions??
That's a very complicated subject and requires far more explanation than I can provide here. I invite you to watch my videos, many of which cover various growing conditions conducive to growing figs successfully. Always keep your figs on high ground in a well drained area! Figs spoil and split very easily in wet soil and do much better when high and dry. Good luck! Lou Monti
Have you looked into creating a micro climate? Look at the walled orchards near paris, Montreuil walled gardens. They could grow peaches there.
You're the Columbo of fig videos....."Just one more thing , Sir".... :D
I have a ichi- kikei persimmon and have trouble holding its fruit , you think a nikitas gift will make it threw the winter for me in Boston,great video lou , have nice thanksgiving you and family.
Do you still suggest this method?
Is 15 gallon grow bag good?
Thanks!
I don't think I've ever recommended that! Five to ten gallons are recommended. 15 gallons is not a good idea in most cases. Lou Monti
Im so torn about a 2 yo Smith that spent the Summer in the ground .
It’s 11/21 and as you know it’s been cold this week. I’ve been busy at work. I mounded compost and leaves and tired it up. Today it’s wrap it or pull it
3-4 ft tall
Help me decide if I should dig it up!!!!
Hi, there! Actually, I don't think it's a decision that I should participate in. I'd feel responsible if the results weren't good. Additionally, you haven't provided me with sufficient information. Out of curiosity, what zone are you located in, and are you using my ground bag technique, or is the tree growing freely (entirely) in ground? I am still trialing Smith as far as Winter hardiness is concerned. I'm generally quite slow to conclude certain enquiries before making a final decision. I have grown Smith (entirely in ground) in zone 7-B, but it was only for one Winter, an average Winter, and the tree, although it survived without any dieback, seemed to lack vigor the following Summer. I haven't finished my assessment yet and I will carefully observe my Smith tree this coming Summer with hopes that the tree resumes it's normal vigor and vitality. Generally speaking, I think it's always a good idea to protect any valuable tree as much as possible to reduce the chance of damage. Good luck, and thanks for watching! Lou Monti
@@loumonti10 I am I’m 7b
HI Lou. First time fig grower here. I have a sapling fig tree growing in a container. Variety is unknown, I misplaced the seed pack :( In any case its grown to about a foot tall. The main truck is about a 1/4"-1/2" from top to bottom. there are four branches that are coming off the main "trunk" close to the base. Aside from some fig rust, she seems to be doing fine. I was hoping you could let me know about some resources and some tips to help keep her healthy as she grows. Since i planted the seed and shes sprouted, I haven't done and pruning. Should i be tending to these side growth? How do you properly prune a sapling? Any advice from anyone is greatly appreciated.
I wouldn't be very aggressive towards pruning your young tree. It can certainly wait until Spring. At that time, there are plenty of You Tube videos that will help guide you. You might want to add a known variety to your collection. Good luck! Lou Monti
What type of Persimmon you recomande? You convince me, I have to put some of them. I am in zone 7a in Leamington, Ontario
Hi there! I reccomend several persimmons in my videos and I talk about climate zones and other important considerations. Good luck! Lou Monti
Based on your recommendation I bought a Nikitas Gift and a Rosseyanka. Do you have any experience with the Rosseyanka?
Hi, Scott. Yes, I have a Rosseyanka and it is a very good cultivar. The taste isn't very different than Nikita's Gift. It's a very tasty persimmons variety. They are a little smaller than Nikita and my tree isn't as productive as Nikita's Gift or Saijo. Since it is also a cross between a pure Japanese persimmon and a native American, it is very hardy and can survive temperatures well below Zero. I can easily reccomend Rosseyanka, but my two all time favorites are Saijo and Nikita's Gift. Thank you for your question! Lou Monti
Could that be done in zone 9b?
Good video💚What brand of dehydrator do you recommend?
Hi, Kristyle. I'm not familiar with a wide selection of Dehydrators, but I've been using a 9 tray Excalibur for many, many years and I have been very satisfied! Kind regards, take care! Lou Monti
can i grow a persimmons in Montreal?
I wouldn't think it practical. Even if the the tree did survive the harsh Winters, still, the fruit would likely never ripen on time. Take care! Lou Monti