Here in central Arizona the fig season is just about winding down. I have 12 trees in the ground here. 8 of them produced fruit this year. A few are still ripening fruit now. Most of them are in the process of going dormant.
Overall it was my best year so far growing figs. I'm pumped for 2012.
The best figs of 2011 are:
Desert King - This tree was an aggressive grower. It produced dozens of main crop figs. Their quality was from poor to good. Large size. Average texture. Fruit rating 6. I can’t wait to eat brebas from this tree next year.
Joe's Jersey (unknown) - This tree was a moderate grower. It produced dozens of main crop figs. Their quality was from good to excellent. Small to medium size. Good texture. Fruit rating 9. This unknown looks similar to Hardy Chicago; it was the best fig this year during the summer.
LSU Purple - This tree was an aggressive grower. It produced dozens of main crop figs. Their quality was from poor to good. Medium size. Good texture. Fruit rating 6. I expect lots of improved fruit next year.
Violette de Bordeaux - This tree was an aggressive grower. It produced a dozen brebas. Their quality was from good to excellent. Medium size. Good texture. Fruit rating 9. It produced many dozens of main crop figs. Their quality was from poor to excellent. Medium size. Poor to good texture. Fruit rating 8. The most productive in my collection; it was the best fig this year in the spring and the fall.
The ones that show promise are:
Barnissotte - This tree was a moderate grower. It produced a couple dozen main crop figlets that I picked off while still small. Fruit rating unknown. This plant looks healthy enough to start producing figs next year.
Black Madeira - This tree was an aggressive grower. It produced a couple dozen main crop figs, but only one ripened. Its quality was poor. Medium size. Average texture. Fruit rating 2. I expect lots of improved fruit next year.
Col de Dame White - This tree was a moderate grower. It did not produce any figs. Fruit rating unknown. Can’t wait to taste the fruit.
Hardy Chicago - This tree was a moderate grower. It produced a dozen main crop figs. Their quality was poor to average. Small size. Average texture. Fruit rating 4. My old favorite; I know it will improve next year.
The ones I am not sure about:
Black Mission NL - This tree was a poor grower. It did not produce any figs. Fruit rating unknown. I’m not sure why this one is not thriving; it needs to improve or 2012 will be its last year.
Celeste - This tree was a poor grower. It produced a couple dozen main crop figs, but only a handful ripened. Their quality was poor. Small size. Poor texture. Fruit rating 2. This one needs to improve or 2012 will be its last year.
LSU Gold - This tree was a moderate grower. It produced a dozen main crop figs but only 2 ripened. Their quality was poor. Large size. Poor texture. Fruit rating 1. This one needs to improve or 2012 will be its last year.
Smith - 2 months ago I planted this baby tree. It appears to be healthy but did not put out any new growth. I hope this one will grow strong next year.
The one that died:
Marseilles VS - This tree died over the summer. I don’t know why it died. I’m sure it is a good variety. Maybe the wind blew some Roundup spray on it while I was doing yard work? I can’t figure it out.