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BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Luke (Lukeott) and Ricci (JazzBass) met at my place. I showed Luke around (Ricci had been to my place before)my yard to see my trees and he sampled a few of my figs. We then drove to Bisirri's to meet with Mr Bisirri. He was out in his garden area propagating "non fig" plants. We had quite a conversation about fig growing, propagation, feeding and the like. He insists he has only 2 types, purple and white. Ricci and I are certain we got 2 different dark figs. One has a more ornate leaf and produces small somewhat tear drop shaped dark figs. The other produces larger (medium) sized dark figs and is what I have been calling Bisirri Lightnot as it was sold to me as a light fig. This type is also what Ricci has been calling Bisirri #1. This is the true Bisirri Dark.  Here's where the confusion comes in. At Bisirri's, the larger fig, the true BD has a leaf that looks more like the smaller fig we have in our collections. So are they really 2 different figs??? Do they morph size shape and color? If they can do that they are probably the same fig, hey Herman what do you think? I think they really are different figs, the fruit looks distinctively different. At previous meetings with Mr Bisirri's son on different occasions, both Ricci and I were told that they get trees from friends and I'm thinking how easy they could wind up in stock along with the Bisirri trees.    

And now for the elusive Bisirri's White. Yes it does exsist, even if Ricci, Luke and I have each purchased multiple plants and only wound up with dark figs. Mr Bisirri explains that he has had problems with customers removing labels, I guess he has a lot of kids coming to his place. I noticed too that he has 4 stock trees of the dark and only one stock tree of the white so that makes the odds more in favor of winding up with a dark when you want a white. OK so still just ID by leaf right? Wrong. The white juvenile leaves are 3 lobed and look like the juvenile true dark. OK I hope that explains it.

What did we get? Luke purchased 2 trees marked White with some figs on them so he will know if they are white or dark very soon. Ricci and I didn't want to take the chance of another confusion so I asked Mr Bisirri if he would sell us some green cuttings directly off of his white tree which we could plainly see had white figs on it. He graciously offered them to us for free, "cut as much as you want" he said. So we looked for branches which had only tiny figs and cut those off. 

The first 2  pics are the stock dark trees, then a pic of the sales trees. The rest are the white trees including the pics of just the leaves. The broken open fruit White) was probably a couple days away from being ripe but Mr Bisirri insisted we take it. We ate a few figs from his trees but he picks them every morning at 6am so we only found a few that he overlooked. Quite a character, a real old time fig man, 89 years young.

Attached Images
jpeg Bisirri_Dark_stock_plants.jpg (296.74 KB, 108 views)
jpeg Bisirri_Dark_Stock_trees_close_up_of_leaves.jpg (288.76 KB, 97 views)
jpeg Bisirri_Sales_trees.jpg (321.79 KB, 123 views)
jpeg Bisirri_white_fig_open_and_early.jpg (348.77 KB, 144 views)
jpeg Bisirri_White_leaves_on_tree_visit.jpg (332.09 KB, 112 views)
jpeg Bisirri_White_leaves_from_visit.jpg (298.87 KB, 81 views)
jpeg Bisirri_White_leaf_visit.jpg (381.68 KB, 70 views)
jpeg Bisirri_White_cuttings_visit.jpg (334.82 KB, 96 views)
jpeg Bisirri_White_Scion_cut_and_ready_to_plant.jpg (351.88 KB, 127 views)
DesertDance

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
What a nice story, and so nice you can all get together!  Beautiful pictures too!  Enjoy your cuttings!  Hope they all live!

Suzi
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slingha

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Barry,

Are the Bissiri must haves or just ok?
BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Yes Suzi I think we all really enjoyed the fig talk and the visit. Avery good day! Tim, I haven't tasted a fully ripened white, neither has anyone I know excpet Mr Bisirri. The dark is awesome, best so far this year. It took me by surprise it was so good.  
lukeott

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Hey Barry, I'll start with I had a good day today meeting with you and Ricci. Looking at the white fig that was not ripe yet, sure looked like Lattarolla(SP). Sorry, If didn't spell this fig correctly. It looks like the one that Ed,(ejp3) post. Mr. Bisirri also told us that he lived north east of Rome. This would explain why they are hardier and can take the cold. The one dark one resembles Hardy Chicago. I'm very interested in what all these figs are.


luke  
james

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 

Thanks to Ricci's generosity, I  have Bissiri #3 growing in the field.  The thing is, I don't know it is what everyone refers to as "Bissiri Dark" or if it is a different tree.  I know it is not "Bissiri White" because of the leaves.  They are much smaller and more angular than the pics of the dark above.

~james
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In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
James, I haven't seen the one Ricci calls Bisirri #3 and Mr Bisrri didn't shed any light on what it might be as he insists he only sells the 2 kinds, purple and white. I have to say though that the different leaf shapes found  on one plant have had us all quite confused. Post pics of your tree when it ripens figs and maybe someone can ID it.  
jazzbass

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Barry,

Sorry, I am late to chime in. 

Yes it was a great day indeed. First to see again (it's always a pleasure).

It was Great to meet Luke, it's always good to meet the person behind the name. Really a nice person.

Mr. Bisirri is a funny person. Very gracious for the green cutting of his white fig.

Barry, Luke and I can agree to Mr. Bisirri stating that customers pull the name tags out of the fig pots. We, three saw the very large trees growing in ground at the nursery. I believe the three of us have a least one of the two (2) figs growing there. But I still say, I have two different figs other than displayed at the nursery.

I have commented in a previous post about the name tag problem. I also stated that Mr. Bisirri's son (Joe) told me that friends and family drop fig off at the nursery. Bisirri's has several large greenhouse. The friends and family come there to store figs over the winter. I am not sure who places the tags in the pots. I am not blaming the Bisirri family. I blame the customers. Who remove the tags, and never replace them correctly back where it belongs.

Hopefully, I can have Barry and Luke stop by my place to see if I am wrong.

So, for now the issue is still up in the air. Hopefully, it will be cleared up by next season.
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james

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
So, Bisirri 3 is an unknown? 

Early in my fig growing days (when I was growing in Houston), I received many unknown trees.  There was an extra element of excitement and anticipation not knowing what it was.  As of late, all of the tress I've acquired are known varieties from trusted sources.  I am still excited and still anticipate eating the ripe figs, but that I know what to expect.

It is like the kid who knows what he is going to get for Christmas/his birthday/etc. vs. the kid who doesn't know, yet.  This will be the only tree in the field I won't know what to expect.  Now I am REALLY excited.

~james
1st year Bisirri #3

Attached Images
jpeg Copy_of_20120901_bisirri_3.jpg (153.30 KB, 289 views)


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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
It definitely has different leaves than the others and very ornate. Very cool leaves! I sure wish I had the answer to this confusion. Has anyone attempted to ID it James?
james

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Barry, I took that photo the day before yesterday.  I've only posted it in here.  I'm hoping to have a fruit or two next year.  Maybe that will help with identification

In the mean time, if anyone wants to take a guess...
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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
lukeott

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
I do not have this one. So, yes there is a third one. But since he only has the two trees that he takes cuttings from, it was brought in by someone else and sold. Meaning, the only way you could buy another of this one, would be if the same person brings more.

luke
BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Think you are right Luke, someone brought this one to them. Cuttings will have to do. 
ChillyNPhilly

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
<br>I went to Basirri's yesterday with Barry. He picked out a white for me. However, it seems to have this leaf shape. James, does yours still have leaves like this?<br><br>
Quote:
Originally Posted by james
So, Bisirri 3 is an unknown?  <br><br>Early in my fig growing days (when I was growing in Houston), I received many unknown trees.  There was an extra element of excitement and anticipation not knowing what it was.  As of late, all of the tress I've acquired are known varieties from trusted sources.  I am still excited and still anticipate eating the ripe figs, but that I know what to expect.<br><br>It is like the kid who knows what he is going to get for Christmas/his birthday/etc. vs. the kid who doesn't know, yet.  This will be the only tree in the field I won't know what to expect.  Now I am REALLY excited.<br><br>~james<br><em>1st year Bisirri #3<br><br><img class="bbc_img" src="/file?id=1381928" rel="lightbox[1278706251]"><br></em>

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jpeg image.jpg (94.93 KB, 52 views)


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Donna
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elin

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
The guy is 89 and is propagating still....
 at this age most people would rest and eat figs all day..

these fig people are hard workers -sets an example...
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bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
if i was 89, I'm sure all figs will be either dark or light also. important thing is they ripen, and they taste good :)
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***** 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...*****
BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Just to try to clarify what has become a very confusing topic. The tree that Mr Bisirri calls his white we (Jazzbass and I) have determined is actually a medium sized moderately dark fig as compared to what he calls his dark fig which is a smaller darker fig very similar to Gino's fig. Multiple attempts to obtain a Bisirri white has led us to this determination, in addition to  conversations with Mr Bisirri's son. If Chilly's fig is actually a white,  I think I will have to quit any further attempts to describe a fig. I hope this helps explain what I was trying to tell you on our visit Chilly.
ChillyNPhilly

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
What can I say? It looks good to me no matter what. It was another great enjoyable fig excursion courtesy of Barry. Also his adorable impish son Luke tagged along. Yes, I said it Luke.

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jpeg image.jpg (687.24 KB, 76 views)


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Donna
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james

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Donna,

I have not been with my trees since the beginning of June and will not be again until the second week of August. I'll grab some shots when I get back.
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In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b)
In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 

2016 Wish List:  Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine.  Iranian figs are always welcome.
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