Herman, that is so interesting. Also at the same time so very, very confusing. But, one thing you can count on, I will start keeping all of my fig suckers from now on. Thanks for that bit of hard earned knowledge. It just goes to show us that we have very little understanding of cold hardyness in figs, or anything else. I hope someone who understands plants more can make a comment on your observations. It seems to me the smaller first year suckers should have been the most tender. This is why the fig forum is so important. If we all report things that seem to work for increasing hardyness, maybe one day we will all be able to grow just about any fig in a cold climate, without winter protection. The one thing here that is confusing to us is the use of high phosphorus fertilizer in early spring. We started noticing this about three years ago. We had been trying to get several different types of plants through our cold winters without much luck. Then out of desperation and not having anything to lose, we started giving the plants Miracle-Grow with low urea, in early spring. Then all of a suden the plants that were being winter killed started to slowy endure the winters here. In my mind this makes no sense what so ever. Increasing fertilazation should have caused more winter kill. I hope all us who are trying to grow figs in cold climates report anything they think might contribute to all of us being able to grow more figs without winter protection. For those reading this posting, please keep in mind the use of Miracle-Grow seems to have worked for us. But, does not mean it will automaticly work for you. If your going to try the Miracle-Grow it would be wise to first test it on a test plant that you would not mind losing. Bob

Wow, good observation, Herman.

I noticed this year that the Brown Turkey on the south side of the house, in full sun all winter, had the most difficult time getting through the winter.Figs on the North and East side of the house are fine. Even smaller figs in pots did better. Even though the 2" thick branches of the Brown Turkey are just barely budding and the tips of the branches are dead, the little thin suckers you are talking about at the base have been leafed out and growing for two weeks.

Scott