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Black Ischia very first fruit

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  • BLB

With much care and concern I patiently waited til I felt this fig was really ripe, balancing that with fear that a critter would beat me to it. Another fig on the tree, just starting to ripen, was partially eaten by birds so there was a real threat to deal with. I was gonna pick it yesterday fearing the birds but decided to give it one more day, so I double bagged it with Organza bags and crossed my fingers. I picked it today, it was really soft and ripe. Juice oozed out with a minimum of pressure so I knew it was ready. Taste was fantastic, actually sweeter that I expected, very rich and very rewarding. Chilly stopped by to share in the glory. After taking a bite, she said "this is ridiculous" meaning ridiculously good as it was definitely the best fig we sampled today. This one definitely lives up to it's reputation as an excellent premium fig. There are another couple figs darkening up on the tree and some more green ones so I'm hoping the weather doesn't negatively affect those, more rain is in the forecast.

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Sweet! Congratulations!

Very nice Barry !

I have to repeat that this was a RIDICULOUSLY GOOD FIG. Shockingly good!

To me, in addition to the lucious fig flavor, there was also a deep dark black plum/black raspberry taste. Shockingly good! I think I need one of those Ninja suits.

Thank you Barry!

Congrats Barry.

Well done Barry,
Thanks for posting

Im jealous! Maybe one day I can eat one of those! Looks like it has a pretty tight eye? If so, Im adding it to my wish list!

Way to go thanks for sharing

goss

Thanks for sharing, the fig looks very good!!

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  • BLB

Thanks everyone. Yes Blueboy, it has a tight eye, it has pretty much everything you want in a fig, but alas, it also has a bad case of fmv. In spite of that, it is growing nicely and has set a lot of fruit. This one will get special care and hopefully will continue to grow well for me. Can't wait for the other figs to ripen!

that looks wonderful. i have one USDA/UCD Ischia Black that actually grew well from a cutting this yr. has one fig hanging on it, i'll probably knock it off. after your post, i'm definitely looking forward to it next yr.

Barry,
Congratulations!
Thanks for sharing the pictures and commentary.

Black Ischia is one of the first figs I really, really wanted. After purchasing cuttings twice from a reliable source (once directly, once on ebay), getting them to start, I was disappointed as it grew to discover it's not a 'real' Black Ischia. It was a real disappointment - in part because I wasted so much time thinking I had it....

Then I decided I could live without it - I do have a lot of other really nice figs now. But threads and photos like this get the juices flowing again to want a 'real' one. Maybe that will be this year's fig quest - to acquire a 'real' BI.

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  • BLB

The real one is available from UCDavis for free, provided they have enough to honor all requests. Mine came from a very reliable member who obtained scion from UCD

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Originally Posted by BLB
The real one is available from UCDavis for free, provided they have enough to honor all requests. Mine came from a very reliable member who obtained scion from UCD


Yes. I was thinking that is one avenue to pursue. It just seems like a lot of trouble to go through to request one fig, and then maybe not get it. And then it already would be next spring after cutting season is mostly over. Most people do seem to get what they ask for however.

If I had known I was going to waste almost two years pampering the not real ones, I probably would have done that in the beginning.

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  • BLB

I think we all experience growing misnamed trees at one point or another. Send me a pm in the fall and I'll see if I can send you scion. 

Thanks, Barry. Will do. My list of figs is longer now too. I might have something you might want in exchange.

That's what I like about this forum. Congratulations on the fig, Barry and congratulations to forum who extend,  and who receive generous gestures.

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