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nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
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.
bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
you are missing VdB. must have for everyone.
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Pete
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"don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill
"the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher

***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
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.
bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
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.
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Pete
Durham, NC
Zone 7b

"don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill
"the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher

***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 

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


Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon

Please post you state, zip code, and the 5 best figs that you grow. Best meaning overall good taste and sweetness, along with good productivity. More or less the 5 varieties you wouldn't be without.

I am California 92114

Black Mission NL
Celeste
LSU Purple
Paradiso
Vista/Violette be Bordeaux/Negronne



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pitangadiego

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
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.
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nelson20vt

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Get a Black Madeira, I trully do give you props for controlling your self with only 5 good for you.
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nypd5229

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
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.
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Dominick
Zone 6a-MA
nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
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.
shah8

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
No, I think what probably would suit him best is JH Adriatic.  Most different from the rest.  Alternatives would be Hunt/Hollier/O'Rourke.
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
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.
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nypd5229

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
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
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Dominick
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nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
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.
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
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.
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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
FMD

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Hardy Chicago. Easy to acquire, prolific grower and oh so tasty.
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Frank
Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b  
 

North Florida Figs
nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 

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.
shah8

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
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.
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
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%.
Dieseler

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
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.
DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Martin nailed it!  Let them produce, see what works and what doesn't.  You could send the ones that don't to me.. ;-)

Suzi
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Gina

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Quote:
 I am really trying to restrain myself, if I had the acreage I would have 20 figs or so.


Only 20?????  ;)

If you want more information on various fig varieties, you can always use 'search' located to the upper right. Some people get offended when this is suggested, but I use it often and take full advantage of all members' opinions, past and present. I prefer to search for a particular fig in 'subject only' and find entire threads devoted to the variety I'm interested in learning more about. There is lots of good information there, and you can lose yourself for hours in interesting reading. :)
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nullzero

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 
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:
Quote:
Only 20?????? ;)


I love figs but got to save the rest of the acreage for the other fruits I enjoy. Avocados, Mangoes, Persimmons, Pomegranates, etc.
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