I have 4 fig plants right now in my container fruit garden. Space being limited, I can only add one more fig variety in the future. So my question was, is there any must have container figs that perform well in Southern California climate?

I have Kadota, Brunswick, Vista, and LSU gold. I am at the point of wait and see right now with the fig plants. But if there is that special must have fig, or one with great breba crops I am all ears! Also would love to hear input on the varieties I listed above.

you are missing VdB. must have for everyone.

Is Vista similar to VdB in fruit quality and bearing? I am up for adding a VdB, but if its similar to Vista it will be redundant for me.

that i do not know. however, VdB is regarded as one of the better cultivar that is being grown by many members here. my VdB is just super. its taste is second to none and it grows and puts out figs like no other trees that i have.

This is Jon's list from 2 years ago. I don't know if his list would still be the same. If I remember correctly, DNA testing showed that Vista and VdB were the same fig.

I'm in SoCal too, and am also interested. I've heard Panachee often recommended for both taste and appearance (striped). I've seen two mature trees of that, and they both were very healthy and had lots of fruits.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Best-figs-at-your-location-4800578

Vista is the same as VdB by DNA testing done at USDA/UC Davis. For me, it performs better than the other VdBs I have. I have plants available.

Get a Black Madeira, I trully do give you props for controlling your self with only 5 good for you.

5? What's 5? Give it time. Figs will consume you. I've lost track.

Get the Vista from Jon- It's a good choice.

nelson,

Black Madeira, I have heard of this fig a lot on these forums. It surely meets the qualities in a fig I am looking for. Thank you for the suggestion. I would love to collect more figs... but I must contain my impulses for adding new fruiting plants.

Just to give you an idea... an overview of a section in the garden.



NYPD,

I got a Vista fig from Jon back in 2010 CRFG fruit festival.

No, I think what probably would suit him best is JH Adriatic.  Most different from the rest.  Alternatives would be Hunt/Hollier/O'Rourke.

I've read comments about Black Madeira, and while it's taste is supposed to be superior, perhaps even unparalleled, it's been my impression that it is one of the more slow growers and not extremely productive. It might be worth trying to grow, but perhaps not if you are limited to only 5 plants.

Sorry missed that in your collection. Yeah then I wouldn't get a VdB or Negronne.

There are a lot to choose from- Battaglia, JH, Ronde dB, Atreano

Took at a look at Hunt and Battaglia at the figs4fun varieties list. Both varieties look very good, could not find JH Adriatic. I would be up for trading for some cuttings in the fall, if anyone is interested.

You might consider ditching the Brunswick and Kadota in favor of some of the better figs, too.  JH Adriatic, Bataglia Green, Alma, Smith, Salce perhaps.

Hardy Chicago. Easy to acquire, prolific grower and oh so tasty.

So many choices, you guys are not making it easy for me... So Brunswick and Kadota are sub-par with flavor?

I see JH Adriatic is recommended a lot. I may try that out, any leads on sources to obtain it?

Now I am pondering giving away or trading Kadota. And getting Battaglia green in its place! Or I can just do the easy thing and give into my impulse and get 6 trees... lol you guys are a bad influence! I am really trying to restrain myself, if I had the acreage I would have 20 figs or so.

I thought JH Adriatic is a good variety because it seems to be easy to grow and reasonably prolific in a wider variety of climate.  Sorta the White VdB.

Brunswick tends to have people pleased with the flavor.  It's not favored because it does not produce quality fruits under a wide variety of circumstances.  Specifically, it's really for very medit climes, with dry and less humid air during fruiting.  Kadota has been around for millenia, produces plenty of fruit, but really good tasting fruit requires an especially good year, weatherwise.  Yeah, probably should ditch those two once you have growing starts of better figs.  Brunswick should do okay in SC, though, maybe, depending on the strain.

Also, I think you could also consider Italian 258, or I-258, which is slightly similar to Black Madeira but more vigorous, productive, reliable.

Shah8,

Thanks for the info. Any comments on these varieties; Dark Portuguese, Sal's Fig, Salem Dark, Verte? I was looking through treesofjoy, the varieties in stocked looked interesting. I would love to hear first hand experiences with the varieties, if they are worthy for a 5th spot.

The climate im growing in is a Sunset Zone 21, hot dry summers with average highs in the mid 80s humidity around 20-30%.

Null what you may consider is rotate them in and out of your yard.

In other words have your 5 plants and give them a chance for you palate.
Then if any are similar in taste or not to expectations get rid of it and replace with another type to find the best you like and ones that do well in your particular climate.

Everyone has there own opinion of whats a good fig and have different palates .

Edit - dark portuguese i used to have its a real good fig for my palate but got rid of it cause it kinda mimicked my hardy chicago and no need for 2 somewhat similar types.

EL Sals fig is a reliable fig like above and more of a sweeter type fig and good producer and very reliable grown in container near chicago.

Martin nailed it!  Let them produce, see what works and what doesn't.  You could send the ones that don't to me.. ;-)

Suzi

Did the search on Dark Portuguese Fig, decided to go with that for now (already ordered :)). Going to see how the Kadota and Brunswick turn out. Then I guess decide where to go from there.

EDIT: