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2014 Cuttings Update & First Ripe Fig of 2015

Here's an update on the UCD cuttings I received in April of 2014 so all were rooted in last 9 months.

First, I have two Calverts and a Black Madeira that all have severe FMD and have been VERY slow to get started, as you'll see when compared to everything else rooted at the same time.

Here's the two Calverts on the left and BM on the right:

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This UCR 291-4 will have some ripe figs soon, even if only a few:

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Soon after those UCR 291-4's are ripe, I expect to get some ripe Excels from what has been the most vigorous grower of all the cuttings I started in 2014:

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Here's a closer look at the Excel figs:

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This Panachee is doing well, although no figs yet:

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This VdB is being trained into tree form.  It was putting out tons of figs and was over 4' tall before I cut it in half.  It's now branching out nicely, but hasn't put out any new figs yet:

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This VdB, on the other hand, has been growing naturally as a bush so it hasn't been pruned and has a couple of nice clusters of figs:

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And, in that cluster on the right is my first ripe fig of 2015:

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Here's a pic for size comparison:

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And, here's a pic of the inside:

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It was absolutely delicious with a sweet raspberry flavor and I would definitely recommend this variety for any other South Florida growers!  One of the best figs I've tasted to date!

I forgot to get a pic of the UCR 143-36.  It's also done well, maybe a little bigger than the Panachee, but also no figs yet.


Just wait out the virus stricken varieties, the rest look great!

Wow, ripe figs on February 2! Good growing, Figaro, thanks for the update.

Nice pictures. That vdb looks amazing right now.

Wow, really nice.  Definitely a huge difference between south and central Florida - most of my figs are still dormant. 

Strong work!  It's great that you have fresh figs in Feb.  We'll want to know how they compare with figs that ripen in the summer.

Zone envy!

Calvert is very much infected worse than Ischia Black.
Get a healthy Adriatic JH,and you have a fig just as tasty and ,way healthier without losing anything in flavor and taste.
I removed my Calvert before it will pass on the disease,it has to other healthy plants.

Wow they look delicious.  Nice job growing them.

Lucky you! They are beautiful and nice to see.

Mike in Hanover, VA

Wow figs in February.....I'm jealous.....lol

Thanks everyone for all the positive comments!  I apologize for causing any zone envy, but if it makes you feel better, I'd be willing to bet I have space envy of most of you with the small lots in these South Florida developments!  One of the benefits is the most of my trees don't really experience a dormancy like they do up north.  Most just have slowed growth and retain all of their leaves and figs.  Some lose their leaves, but usually this only lasts a few weeks before new buds start breaking.  Of course, another benefit is that the rain shovels much easier than the snow! :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by waynea
Just wait out the virus stricken varieties, the rest look great!


Thanks!  That is the plan!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Herman2
Calvert is very much infected worse than Ischia Black.
Get a healthy Adriatic JH,and you have a fig just as tasty and ,way healthier without losing anything in flavor and taste.
I removed my Calvert before it will pass on the disease,it has to other healthy plants.


Herman, thanks for the wise advice and I may just have to try a JH Adriatic, however, as I mentioned, my plan is to wait out the virus and see if I can get some semblance of a healthy Calvert.

The reason is that, it is my understanding that the UCD Calverts have pretty much died back to nothing and it may be a while before any Calvert cuttings are available (through UCD).  I'm sure there are other sources out there, but I expect (possibly incorrectly?) the variety to start getting somewhat rare and wanted to do my "part" to preserve it.

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