I can't keep these two straight.  Can some people who have both compare them in terms of ripening times, rain resistance, flavor, productivity, breba and whatever else comes to mind?  Thanks.

Ripening time is no brainer.
For my location, Marseilles VS Black is amongst the first to ripen. Black Madeira is among the last ones if it ever ripens.
I cannot compare the other qualities because of the ripening issue, seldom have ripe Madiera during the proper season here.

Black Madeira is a piece of cake with 5 layers of whipping cream....Marseille vs Black is a piece of cake with one single,poor layer....

It sure would be nice if MvsB had flavor in the same category as Black Madeira since it is way easier to grow here and ripens its fruit way earlier!

Bob, as I see it in my climate.


                                     Ripening Date           Pot or Buried pot                              My Rating                      Comments

Marsellies Black                   9/6/13                                 P                                            9.5                         Awesome

Black Madeira                    10/21/13                              BP                                           10                           Excellent

Neither split here in a very rainy summer last year. No breba on either here last year.

Mike - glad to hear that ( for your taste buds anyway) MvsB is nearly as good as B. Mad.

To me....there is no comparision....

It's like eating a super sweet rich teaspoon of molasses and a sweet strawberry. BM just taste better.


Ripening times rain resistance flavor productivity breba
MVS Sep 9 9 9 yes
BM Oct 7 15 9 yes

I am confident that it has a lot to do with the growing conditions, including temps, amount of sun, water, fertilizer and of course the soil. Not all my
palate. My wife agreed with the taste test.

Well I for one am hoping for some Marsailles Black VS next year. I got some green cuttings from Gorgi at the fall fig party, and one is pushing leaves. I hear mixed reports on the quality, but isnt this one of Herman's mainstays? Anyhow, looking forward to the summer.

In a good dry warm long Summer, climate,Marseilles black vs is very close in quality to Madeira Black,just like Mike ,graded  them.
In short cold Summer climates,Marseilles black vs get ripe ,an abundance of fruits ,that are of medium quality compared to a couple of ripe fruits of higher quality,Madeira black will manage to ripe in said climate (This is what happened to me here in NJ,this year).
I also had super tasty flavorful fruits from Marseilles black vs,in some years,last year was 2010,and I remember a very good year in 1997.
In 1997,i had super tasty fruits that lasted from August 1 to December 15.
In December I had some very very tasty fruits ,on a tree that already shed it,s leaves!.
Of course it did not happened again to date.
A good long hot Summer is the most important,to get good fruits from both.

Yes indeed Herman, I really hope I can keep this cutting going. I have a hot concrete patio in front that seems to provide a good microclimare. Summer seems very long ago!

Thanks Dennis
Your description of Marseilles VS Black and Black Madeira stating "It's like eating a super sweet rich teaspoon of molasses and a sweet strawberry. BM just taste better." It makes it a lot easier for me to enjoy both varieties year round because both "Bulk Barn" and "Fresh Fruits" are around the corner to get molasses and Strawberries.
I will still grow both varieties of Figs 4 Fun. 

Thanks for the data, Dennis. Between the MBVS and BM, I had kept interest in MBVS and written off the BM for some reason (probably thinking our rain and fall frosts might not bode well for BM--we get about 55" of rain each year). Herman, I'm curious: is your MBVS pot-culture or in-ground in NJ?

Rick :My Marseilles black vs is in ground since 2003.
No problem from frost,last 6 yers ,no Winter protection.
If I was having Alabama climate,with hot long Summer I would positively grow,Madeira Black,or similar Ital 258,and I will also grow Col de Dame,all colors.
They are indeed one notch above any other figs known to man,and your climate have enough Summer to ripe them.
They also resist rain very well.

I don't want folks to think Marseilles Black is not a good fig. It is an excellent fig. Black Maderia just has a unique flavor and remarkable sweetness like none other. This is my personal opinion. In a taste test, you can tell the difference.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions, Herman. The CdDs have been on my radar for the last few months, but the auctions prices have grown quite high for my personal comfort level (especially for the risk involved in cuttings). Might save up for a nice rooted specimen. To be honest I really only need one more cultivar (ha!), something "special" (figgy/nutty/complex, etc.) to round out the group...something I can leave in-ground without too much fuss.

Black Madeira 2nd yr. not as good as what it's supposed to be. then again the weather sucked. very last BM was good. MSVB.. i think i have two of them. put on the figs, but i knocked them off. providing the weather is great next yr, i'll see how they differ. from the opinions of this forum.. i would put my money on BM.