I have a question or two about Celeste. Is the Edible Landscaping's Celeste fig really a fig that fruits its main crop on last year's wood (breba cropper) as mentioned/implied in the catalog description, or is that a misprint?
     Another question- My current Celeste trees bear delicious figs, but normally drop at least half of their crop prior to ripening. Would this strain of Celeste likely benefit from irrigation more than many other figs while fruit is sizing? What I mean is would watering help with preventing fruit drop?

James,

My experience with Celeste (several trees) for 20+ years is that it will set a few brebas most years. Generally speaking, it is not a breba producing fig.

As to fruit drop, this is quite common with Celeste, especially during hot dry periods.  I have found a heavy mulch with adequate moisture will stop a lot of the drop.

This is my experience in our long hot summers.

Best Regards,

Jack

I have nearly 20 different Celestes, and none have any brebas, or extremely few.

Jack,  Years ago my Celeste surprised me by dropping all it's figs.  I was corresponding with Mr. Paul M. Starnes of Newnan, GA (the original "Fignut"), and his answer was that Celeste did that when it was dry. 
After hearing that, I tried to water my potted Celeste heavily during dry spells - didn't work.  The plant seemed to know the difference between a hose and a rainstorm.  I lost another crop to dry, hot weather.  It's nice to know that mulching helps.  Though for it to be effective on a potted tree, I might have to sink the pot in a pile of mulch.
Thanks for the tip, Celeste is one of my favorites and I really hate losing them.

How big is your tree?
How big is the container?
How long has it been in the container?
How long since the roots were last pruned?

I have what I think is a Celeste, grown from a cutting about 6 years ago.  It has been healthy and quite prolific.  I noticed some immature fruits on the ground yesterday.  Today, almost all have fallen off.  They are not firm, rather appear to be slightly dehydrated.  Also, there were just 2-3 fruits on each stem.  Usually, there is a chain of more immature fruits behind these. 
The rain has been regular this spring.  Nothing unusual.
Any ideas?   Also, I'd like to know if this IS a Celeste.
The tree looks healthy otherwise. 

I am in Eastern North Carolina.  We have had a cool spring with good rain this year.

Jenny,

Yes, you have a celeste. They rarely set any brebas and can have a heavy drop on the main crop. Some years, several of my older Celestes will set a few brebas, but very few. I have found over the years that a heavy mulch and adequate moisture prevents a lot of the main crop drop. Adequate moisture in the 95-100 degree temperatures is a must. I'm only a few miles from the SC state line and my summers are long, hot, and very humid at times.Good growing.

Jack

Are these brebas that are dropping?  

Jenny,

Yes, that's brebas dropping. Your main crop will start setting soon. Good luck.

Jack