[Edit] Thanks to members who are both knoweldgeable and willing to share information, this thread matured into something more beneficial than I expected. I moved the original post [Improved Celeste 2013] to a new thread. Here is the text that from that post:

I picked one fig at LSU that was covered in ants but it looked so good. I didn't even need chocolate. The ants didn't stand a chance.

All things considered your fig is quite lovely. I'm sorry I can't recall if there were any IP there. I don't think so.

Dr Charlie told me that the O'Rourke was the Improved Celeste, I asked the question about the pure three lobe leaf (Improved) as opposed to the three lobes with the "thumbs" (plain Celeste).  He was quite clear on that point.

I think he said that as far as LSU was concerned there was only one improved Celeste and it was the O'Rourke. The others along with the LSU Red, LSU 5, Thibodaux and others, were not of any value to LSU as they have no records of what crosses were used to make the trees.
He wasn't saying that they did not come from the LSU program but rather they had no complete records on them.
"gene"

Great looking fig.  I'm sure when the trees are larger and there are lot's of figs we will be able to laugh at ourselves but right now I have been cutting off the bird eaten side and having at a fig or two everyday.  Hey you gotta do what you gotta do.

goss

Gene and Charlie - I believe we are saying the same thing, as it was in reference to the LSU program.  I also think that the statement of "He wasn't saying that they did not come from the LSU program but rather they had no complete records on them" Is a major explanation of some of the lesser known LSU figs not being "officially released"

Hi Noss,

You said that very well. I agree completely. Little i or Big I makes a major difference. Of course in conversation you cannot hear the capitalization of a letter which results in misconceptions.

i know how you feel. since i work early, i don't check my figs until after work around 3pm.. by that time, lot of my ripening figs will look like that. lol

Vivian
Thanks for the clarification.  Your discussion is the most complete and I believe accurate that I have heard or seen.

Good points Vivian. I am going to retitle this thread A Discussion About LSU Improved Celeste because the information is pertinent, relevant, and good. Let the conversation continue...

Conclusion  --  LSU produce some outstanding figs. Its worth trialing them in my zone as I
have a green house. I like Celeste taste & it is found here. Unfortunately the issue on Celeste
figs dropping its crop is a discouragement. Hence any improvement to solving this problem is
something I look forward like having O'Rourke, Tiger, Champagne or Improved Celeste.

Good info guys. Thanks. Looks like I need to plan for next LSU open house(2014) and of course "real"
Cajun food. Yummie figs & Cajun food, Wow -- worth the trip & chance to meet some fig friends.

JD,
Thanks for starting this topic.

I purchased improved Celeste, LSU Black, Champagne, Gold, Hollier, O'Rourke, Purple and Tiger last year, after reading the recommendations of Dan_LA and Herman2 on the forum. The young plants were all healthy growers and they all produced figs their first season. The Improved Celeste was the most productive and prolific cultivar and ripened a few figs before fall. It was also one of the most cold hardy next to Hollier and Gold (LSU Purple was killed by the cold, and all the others had dieback).

   
Currently the improved Celeste has main crop figs growing at almost every leaf node. I would say it deserves to be trialed in more locations, and should be included in every collection, if for nothing else, than to guarantee ripe figs every season. The LSU cultivars definitely do not get enough respect.

I think the main problem is that outside of LSU Gold, the fruits are way too small.  LSU Champagne, for example, is largely a berry, as we would think of berries, and not scientifically.  Even LSU Tiger, as described in the release article, is only a medium size fig (for US values of medium).  In all seriousness, to be better than a minor hobbyist variety, figs need to average at least 30-35 grams.  In the old world, to be a serious variety, figs need to be above 50 grams and more like 60 grams plus.

Vivian you really gave a good explanation and I Thank you for that :)
I copied it and will keep it for future reference. Celeste is one of those varieties that makes your head spin~~~~

Would also like to thank JD for starting this thread.

This post is an update of my earlier post #14. The improved Celeste are ripening and probably will all ripen this season (except for the ones that developed in the last month and are being pinched). The O'Rourke has not started ripening any figs as yet, hopefully I will get a few ripe figs before the end of the season. They are both being grown in containers, 4 feet apart and got off to a late start this year.

I purchased an "O'Rourke" from Edible Landscaping this spring, the tree that I received is actually the improved Celeste (improved Celeste PP) as pictured in the above post 1-3 lobed leaves and ribbed figs, it is not the LSU Improved Celeste Aka O'Rourke.
Is anyone else growing the O'Rourke EL cultivar?

What would be a reliable source to purchase LSU Champagne & Improved Celeste(Not O'Rourke) - thinking of getting them for my brother.

Paul,
Just Fruits and Exotics is reliable and had both the last time I was there (2013).

Thanks JD. I do have them in my collection but seeing pic's of them tells me there are different
strains that I should get my brother to try as he is in similar growing zone like you. I personally
like LSU variants & they have done well here -- Tiger, Champagne and O'Rourke. As is, O'Rourke
holds much promise for my zone as my tree is loaded with main crop and should ripen. This is
excellent as it compliment other variants where I can harvest some decent main crop figs in my
cooler zone in late Sept.

good thread.

Pete, I purchased one from EL as well this year thinking it was the real O'Rourke. It hasn't done a whole lot yet but we can easily compare notes. My Improved from PFTP is doing great and has a boatload of figs this year.

JohnnieB,
Thanks for the reply.
I have a few figs on the O'Rourke EL (improved Celeste EL) and will post pictures of the ripe figs in this topic.
I also have an O'Rourke which was purchased from PFTP (PP) labeled as Tiger and it is currently loaded with figs, about 100 and is in a 5 gallon bucket.
  .

I am somewhat unhappy about the fact that EL's is not the real deal. I have been trying to obtain the real deal with no luck so far. Hopefully this newer EL tree will turnout to be a winner like the PFTP tree.