My tree is loaded with figs, but this will probably be the only ripe fig I get from it.
It was good but not the best fig I tasted this year.

Is this one not going to go in the greenhouse? Did you start it early?

Calvin, I just put it in the greenhouse today. It's supposed to get in the mid 30's this weekend. We'll see if any more ripen. I've probably eaten 50 Figo Preto this year and they were started at the same time as BM. They both were started early in the greenhouse this year.

Very beautiful fig, Art in your opinion do you think the Preto and the Madiera are the same fig or different due to growing habits or..???

Art, I have figs on my tree also, but only may ripen. Looks like this tree may go.

Armando, If they aren't the same they are darn close.

Bugs, Do you want me to start you a Preto? It is just like the Black Madeira but it ripens earlier.

Art, YES please.

Armando, I have had two ripe figs from my Black Madeira and two from Figo Preto.  To me, the plant morphology and fruit flavor are indistiguishable.  However, this year anyway the FP did ripen about 2 weeks earlier than the BM and the FP seems to grow marginally faster.  On the long term I may just keep the FP.  We'll see how it goes next year.

Steve, Which one do you prefer? Taste wise?

Ate 2 Pretos from a graft I started in January, Wow, these fellow collectors weren't exaggerating. My Madiera didn't produce, I panicked with all the extreme heat and RKN problems, that I moved it into the shade.

Hi Art.
I'm glad you got to eat one,I have one that's five years old and I haven't gotten to enjoy one yet,I had one last year and two this year and they were like chewing a pice of chalk, it might be going in the compost.
Vito

Thanks,Art. You are so kind.

Hey Vito,

A big thanks to you! Some of my favorite figs have come from you.

I had one outstanding Preto this year. it was the only one I picked. It didn't even look ripe. There was still a lot of green to the skin and the neck was still firm, but the inside was syrupy, almost purple, and absolutely delicious. I do not expect the rest to ripen. Hoping next year will be better.

BM takes a lot of heat to finish ripening. Most are just beginning here.
   

Sorry to hear that it disappointed you, Art. I know you were looking forward to trying it.

Hopefully better weather next year will make a big difference.

Art, both BM and FP are great-tasting figs and I don't prefer one over the other taste-wise.

Art, I just picked a Preto the same size as the BM you have pictured. It was actually dropped into the bird netting, honey all around the eye, and excellent tasting. I've had some tasty figs this year, but this one was really complex, like rich strawberry and concentrated fig or molasses. Not sure if I got that right, need to eat more. I would like to think I will get to taste others, but it's hard to say with the temperatures dropping. My BM and FP both have had lots of figs for months now, but they just don't seem to be changing. This is first year of production for these, might have to dig them up and move them to the sunroom.

Mike in Hanover, VA

I had one Black Madeira color up and then the squirrel got it. Now there's another one coming along. I think I vanquished the squirrel with Plantskydd, so maybe I will get to eat it.

Vito, I also have a nice big Black Zadar coming along. That same squirrel (I think it was the same one!) also got my one Long Yellow. Danged critter. I think if the critter were still around, it would have nabbed that Black Zadar. It's about ready.

When do yours ripen? One thing, it's still green but all swollen up and softening. Does it turn black?

Hey Art

Am most curious about the greenhouse situation. Next year I will be starting a few late ripeners on March 1, with a heater in the greenhouse: BM, Smith, Panachee and the CdD. Right now I have one fruit on BM in the greenhouse, and a few CDD. We will see how they ripen, a CdD Noir is starting to swell. Its still too warm to use a heater in the greenhouse, but by next weekend they say it will turn cooler. It doesn't seem like the early start for the BM will produce results for you, although Martin used to get ripe BM in Chicago with no greenhouse if I am not mistaken.

Very disappointed not to meet you tomorrow.

Hi Donna.
Black Zadar won't get black, it will get dark green grey.
Vito

Rafael,  I think as my tree gets older I will have better results. Last year I started heating my greenhouse this time of year. I didn't let it get below 50 degrees at night. I don't think I'm going to do that this year. I'm not desperate for figs this year. I've picked well over 1000 figs this year:)
I will set my thermostat at 40 pretty soon. For the figs that I'm going to over winter in it.