RIP Phineaus

May 2009 – May 2010

The little twig I brought home in May of ’09, that I watched grow and flourish throughout the summer, that I beamed for every time I saw a new leaf unfold, that I carefully wrapped in a blanket and tucked away into the corner of the shed so he could go dormant over the winter is no more. Sniff.

I named him Phineaus. Now I don’t normally name my plants, but this fig was special to me. I imagined summers years from now, picking plump, ripe figs from his branches. Drizzling them with honey, or slicing them thin and putting them on the perfect thin crust pizza with pear and prosciutto. Oh I had plans for Phineaus. Glorious, delicious plans.

I didn’t even see it coming. I mean he looked ok when I took him out of the shed. Two long stick protruding out of a comfy clay pot.

Is he supposed to look like two scraggly sticks? I researched. Yup, stick-like is ok. They should bud and come back.

So we moved him into the breezeway in May. Buds emerged. Yeah. I had hope. He was coming back and then….progress stopped. That’s how he stayed. In stick-form. No other buds formed except the two that originally emerged.



He just needs more sunlight I reasoned. So out he went into the warm sun on the deck where he had spent all of last summer.

Weeks passed…..nothing. The once plump buds dried up. The stick started to wither. I had to face the facts. Phineaus was gone.

I have to say, it really made me sad. Genuinely heartbroken but I’m not giving up.

Hell no.

Meet Thor. My baby Brown Turkey Fig.



Yes I know he doesn’t look too impressive right now and he may be a wee bit little for his pot. Two little stick and two small leaves, but give him time. I have faith in Thor.



Why Thor?

I’m sure you must be thinking, oh she choose it cause it’s a strong name. Thor – God of Thunder. Warrior. Viking.

Ummm, no, sorry. I named him Thor for one of my favorite characters on Nurse Jackie, Thor the gay, diabetic, cake-loving male nurse. He’s big but sweet. The same qualities I hope my fig tree Thor will have.

Wish us luck!