Figs Going To The Ground.

We are left with Pinggo De Mel (Drop Of Honey), Black Mission, Breba Branca and an Unknow ID Portugal Fig.

Pinggo De Mel.

Only Pinggo De Mel had bear fruit and I had tasted it. It is refreshing, but not as the name suggested, A drop of honey. I don't feel that it is that sweet. Black Mission bore fruits but dropped. Brena Branca & Unknown are still having fruits, yet to ripe.

Pinggo De Mel, so juicy & refreshing.

We had managed to propagate 2 baby Pinggo De Mel. I start on these as am certain that it can fruit in our condition.

Baby Pinggo Number 1.

Had transferred the Pinggo & Black Mission into the farm and had them planted on the ground. Shall check back next month on their progress in their new home.

Mama Pinggo Number 1.

While transferring I inspected the roots, it is developed, but not the much. I shall have to modify the media so as the roots shall grow better on the newer potting. 

Black Mission going into ground on a cliff.

Black Mission going into rocky ground.

Marcotting / Air Layering Breadfruit Tree.

Had been reviewing my procedure for preparing our planting material for the past few months. Looking for method to produce quality planting material in quantity with a limited budget for our own planting in the shortest incubation time.

The Breadfruit tree next to the wooden column.

My first trial on Air layering was about 3 years back, was a tourist farmer at that time with practically zero knowledge. Did quite a numbers of trial on Breadfruit & Avocado trees, all failed. It kind of left an impression with me that it's difficult & don't work.

I didn't took notice that it had rooted until my helper informed me.

Since I am having difficulty in propagating Breadfruit and Pomegranate, it kind of make me access  Marcotting / Air Layering again. Decided to try on Breadfruit first, it being seedless. Since I had finished my task early before I go on leave on July, decided to have some fun and tried on a total of 4 Breadfruit trees.

Breadfruit tree rooted.

Breadfruit No. 1 potted.

Out of the 4, 1 failed.

Failed marcotting. I had it re-do on a lower level.

Since the top still looks good, decided to pot it anyway and hope it'll grow.

I tried some with the coco peat disk. It comes dried so have to soak it in water for a couple of hours for it to get re-hydrated. It is more convenient and light weight.

Using Coco peat disk.

This disk are only in small size, I wish they have a bigger ones. As it is, it's only suitable for small size stems.

Another air layering using the disk.

Harvested successful Air Layered Breadfruit tree.

Lovely roots.

Hope it'll grow into a productive Breadfruit tree.

Made more air layering on Breadfruit trees.

Air layered Breadfruit tree, in the making.

Air layered Breadfruit tree in both trunks, in the making.

Air layered Breadfruit tree, in the making.

Need to wait for re-growth.

There is a Breadfruit tree, after harvesting, liquid is flowing out from the cut. Had it sealed, but there are still stain. Shall be incubating this and wait for re-growth before attempting further air layering.

Did 3 trial on the Pomegranate. I only realized that there are some sort of thorns on the pomegranate while doing this. On the matured stems, removing the bark is difficult. I then tried on a green stem, which is very easy to remove. Made a date stamp on all the marcotting and check back in about 3 weeks.

Other plants that I would like to try this on include Jackfruit (since it's a close relative of Breadfruit) Fig,  Lime, Wax Apple, Mango and even Avocado.

Australian Avocado.

Since I've not been able to source overseas avocado planting material, I've decided to try some out of seeds. Managed to get some seeds of Avocado from a friend. These were kept in the fridge. I collected them, had them skinned and dipped them in water. Shall try to bring these back to my nursery and have them germinated as soon as possible.

These seeds do look different from our Borneo Avocado.

Hopefully they can germinate.

I now have about 26 seeds of unknown varieties but of Australia origin. Am only guessing that these could be Hass. Hope to germinate as much of them as possible, plant them and make them grow fast.

Some of the seeds had cracked and roots growing.

Didn't expect these small seeds to sprout so soon.

Some seeds cracked into 2.

Had been away from our farm lately. Looking forward to my next trip as I've got many things in my head that I want to do at the farm.
 Just got in a second batch last night. Had them skinned and soak in water. Guess there are about 50 seeds.

Another batch of 50 Australian seeds.

 The more the merrier.

Starting Fig Cultivation In Malaysia.

Cultivating Fig in Malaysia is an expensive game. Ever since I wanted to start on Fig 2 months ago, I had been trying to get some cuttings to start off. Getting cuttings from Malaysia is rather pricey (personal opinion). Also I feel that most are moving from cuttings to air layering. As with roots and leafs, it is even more pricey. Some are moving to potted plants, the bigger the plant, higher the price.

Black Mission.

LSU Gold.

Was thinking of keeping the cost down as I wasted to start off with some cuttings to expedite the incubation time. So I look into bringing in cuttings on my own. Brought in a couple of batches, some were good, most are not. Things to consider while bringing in on your own.

Black Jack.

Seller,
A reputable seller should knows how to handle the cuttings, packaging and shipping. Depending on where it's from, shipping takes a long time. An experienced international seller would had all these issues sorted out. Unfortunately it's difficult to find.

Time of buying,
Depending on where it's shipped from, freshly cut budding cuttings are important. Some sellers cut and store the cuttings. Early part of the year is a better time to buy as the trees had just came out of dormancy. Some better seller does tell you, no not this time.

Shipping,
Look into shipping cost. There are EMS, International Mail and etc. Courier is the fastest, but cost is highest. You'll need to work out between cost & speed. Being in East Malaysia is even worst as all shipping has to go to central for custom inspection, then ship again to East Malaysia.

Portugal.

Another major factor is that being a newbie, I just don't have the experience of taking care of Fig, let alone sick Fig. Some batch arrived DOA (dead on arrival), and you don't even have any chance of nursing it.
Other risk as customs confiscation, lost in transit....& etc.

My opinion is that for a newbie and if you don't want to over spend your budget, just try to get 1 locally, a potted growing plant. Even with a high cost (since it's just 1). Play & learn with it. Get the cheapest that you can find.

For me, I choose bringing in on my own, it is fun, adventurous and a very good challenge. A great experience. Yes, you does end up using more funds but then the joy & grief  outweighs it. Moreover you get to go on a fantastic journey. As with all hobbies, be caution, it is ADDICTIVE. Just do it at your own pace and limitation.

More FIG.

Had found more sources for FIG from overseas, but have to stop for a while, get these planted first.

LSU Gold Fig.

 LSU Gold is a huge bright golden fig with amber flesh that is tender and very sweet. It is a vigorous grower. LSU Gold produces large flattened green figs that ripen to greenish yellow, yellow, or yellow blushed with red. The flesh is pink to amber and is very sweet with excellent flavor.

Made an order for LSU Gold Fig. Unfortunately it was held up while in transits and arrived 1 month later.

Great packaging.

Zip lock bag, individually wrapped.

Packaging were great. Paper shred, zip lock bag, each cutting individually cling wrapped.

Unfortunately, most are dried and the heat had caused them to fermented. Soak them over night in clean water.

Dead cutting, dried & woody.

I still see some green in the skin.

Rotted tip, dried cutting.

Next day, I cut off the rotten part. Clean off some of the sealing wax. Planted them on the raise bed next to the avocado cuttings. As I shall be away for the next 10 days. Don't have any expectation for this batch as 6 of them are real dried. The other 4 may have a tiny chance.