What an interesting article. I have three RdB from three different sources. It’s one of my favorites but for me it’s a fussy tree. Some years it refuses to produce any fruit at all. Unknown Pastilliere, a Smyrna, is similar: round, black, very sweet, ripens around the same time but is slightly larger. It always fruits and has fruit on it now, unlike the RdBs. The trees are all under five years of age so that might be the problem.
I wonder what variety the Parisian tree is that they grow commercially.
“During the summer harvest time, I try to irrigate for three to four hours daily to keep the soil moist,” Hanro says. “In the hot season, it’s better to give the trees a little water daily rather than more water once or twice a week. I use a tensiometer to measure soil moisture and irrigate accordingly.”
I guess waiting for the leaves to droop before watering is too late. Keeping the soil in pots moist is a challenge here in extreme heat.
“Hanro says that for the two or three days around the full moon, the figs ripen faster due to the increased light. Heat also causes faster ripening.”
Has anyone else noticed figs ripening faster around the full moon?