Bass
1188959030
Posted 1252187318
Reply with quote #1
This is my recent discovery in a Greek neighborhood in my city of Bethlehem, pennsylvania. I went fig hunting, and this tree caught my attention. It was very large and it seemed productive in our unusual late fig season.
http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138
Dieseler
1215735852
Posted 1252187755
Reply with quote #2
Nice find indeed, that ripe fig i can just taste by looking at it!
paully22
1195324538
Posted 1252199319
Reply with quote #3
Great find. Hope you can find out what it is from the owner. Sure looks delicious.
nashsnazzy
1271853509
Posted 1282762262
Reply with quote #4
How is this fig doing this year?
petea
1253548000
Posted 1282763003
Reply with quote #5
I have one that was a started by Bass as a cutting and it is the biggest grower for me. Almost as big as my 2 yr old trees. It put on 3 nice size figs that i am hoping will ripen.
nashsnazzy
1271853509
Posted 1282767981
Reply with quote #6
Congrats petea on your fig! I'm hoping that some of these come available soon. It is such a beautiful fig.
Bass
1188959030
Posted 1282784748
Reply with quote #7
I've been away in california and haven't got a chance to check the mother tree yet. but last time I checked it the tree was growing nicely with no winter damage. It wasn't protected in winter, but it was planted close to a wall. It does seem to be a vigorous grower.
http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138
satellitehead
1257988353
Posted 1282785922
Reply with quote #8
i have one as well, but it was pretty small when i got it, so it won't fruit this year. i'm going to be going full-sun next year, versus the filtered sun i've been relegated due to odd growing conditions and travel schedule this year.
nashsnazzy
1271853509
Posted 1282832335
Reply with quote #9
Bass , Ahh California. I went there last year and although I didn't see any figs (I was in Big Sur) I sure wish my climate was like that.
Jason, I'm eager to see what it does for you next year!
JD
1252379847
Bass
1188959030
Posted 1290123705
Reply with quote #11
Im sure it will taste much better when it matures. The flavor is really good of this variety. Its also cold hardy, Last year the tree was not protected and it survived the cold and had a nice crop.
http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138
GeorgiaFig
1272917158
Posted 1290144400
Reply with quote #12
Hi Bass. Our Bethlehem Black made good progress this summer, and we should have some fruit next summer. For many figs it takes some time for the flavor to develop. This fig looks wonderful though, and I am certain it will be worth the wait. This is a great find Bass. Thanks.
petea
1253548000
Posted 1290549825
Reply with quote #13
I had three ripe figs out of this tree in its first year in a one gallon pot. It was a huge grower for me. They had great flavor. The last one i picked was Oct 30th and it was as sweet as it was in August. Definitely a good variety to have.
persianninja
1286663104
Posted 1290616288
Reply with quote #14
Yum, looks good Bass... I think I want a Black Beth plant (and Ronde de Bordeux plant) to round out the fig collection for next year. Let me know if you selling any in spring when I come out to get the miracle fruit plant, otherwise I'll look out for cuttings you selling :)
satellitehead
1257988353
Posted 1302979789
Reply with quote #15
So, has anyone else noticed the pinkish red tips on this tree? I find this trait to be common amongst some "genetically related" figs.Inline image
Dan_la
1189771593
Posted 1302995943
Reply with quote #16
I have not really noticed those freckles on any fig leaf before.........will have to take a closer look at my trees. I have seen some dark figs with tiny white spots in the skin....don't recall what cultivar.
satellitehead
1257988353
Posted 1303001222
Reply with quote #17
Nero has the white freckles on the fruit. They show very well mid-way through the ripening process, when the fruit is more of a reddish purple.
Dieseler
1215735852
Posted 1303766657
Reply with quote #18
Regarding last several posts.
JD
1252379847
Posted 1311089428
Reply with quote #19
I purchased a Black Bethlehem from Bass about 18 months ago. I up-potted, fertilized, and limestoned this potted plant this spring (2011). The attached photographs were taken almost three weeks ago. Recently with the daily rains, it has exploded in size and has a buckshot splatter of figlets everywhere. To my surprise, it has produced more than forty-five (45) figlets. I counted because this particular growing season - using figlets produced not ripened as the metric, it is the most prolific fig tree I have. I have potted trees that are almost triple the size of the BB and others slight larger in the ground; however seventeen (17) figlets are the most on any of those trees.
Given the sage advice promulgated on this forum, I have read that more fruits dilutes the taste and drains the energy of younger - especially potted - trees, I have a few questions (with an interest in hearing from the container specialists) about the practice and the theory:
This is the first time I have ever had a potential crop of this size. I am more interested in quality versus quantity. If possible, I would like to develop habits and a routine that is a) manageable, b) maintainable, and c) that will promote regular high quality harvest in the future. Here is the point of all of these words: Would you advise that I reduce the load to ensure a high quality harvest? If so, by how much and why that much? If not, why not; did you test it from one year to the next? I would prefer to read about other experiences with Black Bethlehem as well as other varieties to have a reference for my actions.Has anyone done a side-by-side same year test of a fully loaded (untouched) versus load lighten (some percentage knocked off) fig tree and compared the taste? The tree is 2+ years old at most. Is BB normally this prolific at a young age? Attached Images black_bethlehem013.JPG (365.25 KB, 137 views)black_bethlehem014.JPG (369.80 KB, 117 views)black_bethlehem015.JPG (420.36 KB, 146 views)black_bethlehem016.JPG (480.32 KB, 188 views)
jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
satellitehead
1257988353
Posted 1311107221
Reply with quote #20
You're lucky.... mine didn't fruit this year. *sigh*
JD
1252379847
Posted 1311112066
Reply with quote #21
I agree. Very fortunate to have this concern. Almost sent this as email/PM to a few folks like I normally do but I believe the answer(s) will be helpful to others like me with more than a few figs on a tree for the first time. Again, I am lucky to have this not-really-a-problem.
jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
GeorgiaFig
1272917158
Posted 1311114530
Reply with quote #22
Hi JD. My Black Bethlehem is a strong grower too, as is the Mavra Sika from Bass.
Dieseler
1215735852
Posted 1311121614
Reply with quote #23
Glad it does well for you folks. Mine grew very nice last season and this.
Attached Images Black_Bethlehem_4.jpg (118.16 KB, 138 views)Black_Bethlehem_5.jpg (115.41 KB, 154 views)
snaglpus
1244258188
Posted 1311125620
Reply with quote #24
My BB and MS both fruited this year. I got one RdB and Kathleen Black ripening now too. So far, the best tasting Black fig were Malta Black , Black Celeste, and VdB. That could change after tasting KB and RdB in a few days. I am starting to be like Martin and only favor dark fig.
onesy_mus
1261661747
Posted 1350892031
Reply with quote #25
This is my Black Betlehem fig tree--- 6 months years old.
Attached Images CaptureNux%202012-10-22%2014.22.20.jpg (48.21 KB, 155 views)CaptureNux%202012-10-22%2014.22.44.jpg (48.01 KB, 146 views)
BasutiFig
1441872054
Posted 1465540121
Reply with quote #26
Just curious...I plant my Black Bethlehem very near to my Hardy Chicago and they look very similar, are these two related in anyway?
Omarmuta
1338097804
Posted 1465572477
Reply with quote #27
I have one young plant of this variety ( about 3 or 4 years ) . This year noticed an interesting feature . This year there is the first harvest (breba) . But as the regrowth of branches and planting the main crop began and the growth of the fruit in the middle of last year's shoots ( 2-3-4 fruit on each branch ) .
