so.. i saw the fig list on the forum. i know the nursery has gone out of business sometime ago. what is so special about this nursery that some of the members are still looking for their figs?

It was the largest exchange of international figs for its time.  Some of their figs are still considered rare and some of the better ones. This was in a time before forums and exchanges among members.

so its safe to assume that f4f is better. :)

I think it's safe to say they are different.

Dominic is correct. Now there are many excellent figs out there in both USA and Canada. Many of these
figs are closely similar in taste, But may be different in growing traits for differing zones.

weather here is ok. hot long summer. short mild winter. only it gets humid here once in awhile. and rain sort of dampens things now and then. but still i call this place my fig heaven.

BC was one of the first true fig nurseries with many figs from Europe. Some members of this forum started collecting many of BC's fig trees. I am so glad these members are sharing cuttings and airlayers from their BC fig trees. I'm trying to obtain as many of them I can find. Most nurseries are just out to make a profit, some are sincere about figs but those are hard to find. I wish BC was still around but they are not. We are the new BC and those with true BC figs should treasure them.

Pete...

Within a few weeks after being bit by the Fig "Bug", I learned about the Belleclare Fig Nursery.  I drove out to see what all the fuss was.  Unfortunately, I got to see only the final days of what must have been a a very extensive collection of exotic fig varieties.  They closed for good within the next weeks after my visit. 

The owners were very nice to me, an obvious novice, but Chris told me everything I needed to know about growing a fig tree in a container, and how to keep it alive over the winter.  I wish I had known about the nursery sooner.  After only one visit, I knew by instinct, that I would've been a frequent visitor.

The one tree that I can still picture in my mind is the 4-in-one, pleached/braided fig tree, growing four different varieties on one tree.

I hope the owners are enjoying their retirement.  They are missed.


Frank



EDIT:   Due to my age, and probably some pre-senility, the 4-in-one braided tree was actually a 3-in-one braided tree.
A good forum member contacted me to provide more accurate information, and informed me that many Belleclare trees are still alive and kickin'. 

Thanks, HJ for the help.


F

Speaking of which...Just recently came across this vintage interview with the Belleclare from the late 90's

http://www.marthastewart.com/907952/fabulous-figs

How about that Martha!  She asks all the right questions!  Thanks for posting that video!  Wish I knew what was on her list!  Too bad the nursery is closed.  I need some of that crushed limestone!

Suzi

I'll have to try putting lime on the top of the pots this spring. Don't know if I heard that correctly, an inch of lime? Sounds like an awful lot. I guess it'll be experimenting time this year.

That was a great video.  Thanks for posting.   I love her comment "This one probably could have used a few more days"  I laughed out loud.   I see that posted as a general disclaimer at least a dozen times a week in September here on the forum.   I loved it.   Also some great grower insight from Belleclare.  A real treasure.

Nice video!  I grew up about 5 miles from where they had the nursery and never knew about it.   When I lived there, I only knew about purple and green figs. 

Would be interesting to know how the DiPaola brothers are doing. Anyone here on this forum have connections with them?

Just watched the Martha Stewart video interview.  Now I wish more than ever that this fantasy land for figs was still up and runnin'.  Thank God for the history lesson preserved on tape, and thank you for the link to this archival interview. 

Frank

Thanks for sharing that video, Leon.

Most potting soils already have lime mixed in but not nearly at the quantity they're talking about in that interview.

Leon,

A very big thanks for sharing this video.  Time and time again, this website has shown me what a great resource it is, especially when someone comes up with an exceptional video like this one.  Is there someway this video can be saved, I'm sure one day this will become a broken link and this video will be lost forever.  It is sad to think that Bellecare is gone, but I'm happy to know some of the members here are continuing its heritage.

I really enjoyed watching that video. I guess I can't overdo it on the lime then. Wow, an inch and a half!

Leon, Great video! Thank you for posting it.

Frank:

The Video started to make me question my plans of burying my pots half way down in my garden. Did you catch that part?

I just watched the video once again.  Martha was just in her absolute prime, and so was Chris and his brother.  A breezy romp through a virtual orchard of different trees and delicious looking varieties.  Did you get a load of the size of those Black Mission trees!   They used so much granular limestone in their pots that it felt like a cement lid on top of the soil.  Limestone is key to healthy growth and for developing exceptional flavor.  Figs hate acidic soil.

I cannot wait for the next fig season.


The Belleclare Legacy lives on.  Thank you Martha for yet another video gift, and for Leon who provided us the link.  Bravo!

Frank
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EDIT:

Dan...

Just saw your question.  Yes!  They wanted the figs to cook a little as the fruit ripens.  When I first watched the video, this struck me as strange, that, and the fact that they purposely grew their trees on hard, hot cement, yet, look at the results that Belleclare got with crop sizes.  A few of the featured trees were just dripping with figs!

I wish I had the room to try both methods of containerized culture, i.e... some with pots half buried, and some with hot root-zone, and full, blazing sun, on a cement slab.

F

Nice video Leon. Thanks for sharing.

my timing if always little off. i would have loved to get to know the folks at Belleclare and Paradise nursery. i'm collecting Paradise nursery figs. i think i'll have to start looking into Belleclare figs.