Craven's Craving Figs

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padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1473539104 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

This is an update about a fig tree I found after years of looking. The original thread is here- http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/amazing-point-loma-sd-unknown-find-7837702?&trail=50 I had the pleasure to stop by the original Craven's Craving tree recently and snapped some pictures of this variety for your viewing pleasure. as you can see its a nice mature tree. Here's a picture of the leaf shape with some figs in the background- I didn't see any signs of FMV, which is great! __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1473539284 · Edited	Reply with quote #2

Now for some fig pics- As you can see, very similar shape to Black Madeira and Figo Preto but the fig is definitely larger. I wish I had taken side by side pics, as I have all three varieties, but I forgot. Fig honey dripping! __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1473539400 · Edited	Reply with quote #3

Now some interior shots- Needless to say, this fig is a real winner! The tree is very productive and healthy, and has delicious fruit reminiscent of Black Madeira/ Figo Preto but definitely different and amazing. It also regularly ripens fruit in a very mild coastal climate that rarely exceeds 85 degrees F. I hope to go back and get cuttings in December or January. I'm looking forward to seeing how this variety performs in other areas! __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

ross

Registered:1437442979
Posts: 375

Posted 1473540454	Reply with quote #4

padsfan, Very nice find. If you end up getting cuttings I'd love to grow this one. __________________ Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube

zone5figger

Registered:1395082963
Posts: 250

Posted 1473541934	Reply with quote #5

Add me to the list for cuttings...and thanks for your fig sleuthing! __________________ Jesse- zone 5, 1000' elevation

VeryNew2Figs

Registered:1441488407
Posts: 241

Posted 1473542487 · Edited	Reply with quote #6

Pretty fig. May I be added too. Postage? Trade? You can let me know. __________________ Cheryl Chicago, Zone 6a (That's what they say, but it still feels like 5) Growing: Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Brunswick, Kadota, Ischia Green, Desert King, Osborne Prolific (slow but steady), Malta Black, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Beall, White Adriatic, Nolo Pink Eyed Lady. Rooting: Ronde de Bordeaux, Celeste, Nero 600 m, Violetta Bayernfeing, Marseilles Black VS, Celeste.

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1473543575	Reply with quote #7

Padsfan: Great report and beautiful fig. I'd trade cuttings or a plant if I have anything you want. Thank you..!! __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

Figinfever

Registered:1463715687
Posts: 245

Posted 1473559247	Reply with quote #8

That mother tree is a monster! Hope to get a tree like that in a couple decades. Thanks for the pics. If you get extra cuttings in December or January, add me to the list. __________________ Dan, West Central FL 9a Wishlist- Great tasting dark or light figs with deep red interiors: White Madeira, Craven's Craving, Portugal Black Madeira, Sultani, Violeta, USDA Black Ischia, Dall'Osso, CdDB or CdDB-N

rayrose

Registered:1453996431
Posts: 76

Posted 1473559590	Reply with quote #9

If you have extra extra cuttings, I like to get some too, please. Ray in SC __________________ Ray zone 8 Columbia, SC

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1473587483	Reply with quote #10

Well I'm testing the range of this fig growing it in zone 5b/6a. So far the figs have not ripened. It looks like it is getting there, and I may get ripe figs before my season is over. I have about 1 month left, so it's close. I had two cuttings and one started, then died. The other did fine. Another fig that I'm curious about is JFE Black Madeira not. Appears to ripen earlier. I have a plant coming. Looking for a good substitute for Black Madeira, which is not the best choice for this area. __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

Jerry_M

Registered:1427223807
Posts: 344

Posted 1473598547	Reply with quote #11

Thanks for the followup. Glad to see what I have to look forward to. One of my cuttings rooted fairly quickly in Feb-Mar timeframe but the second cutting is just now pushing a leaf. Wow, that is like 7 months without rotting. __________________ Jerry Canyon Lake, TX 8b Wanted: Cajun Gold, Louisiana Honey, Schar Israel-114 grams

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1473601836	Reply with quote #12

Very nice tree. Is the wasp present in that area? __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1473606123	Reply with quote #13

Good question Sas. It sure does look like a larger Black Madeira __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

Lebmark

Registered:1345531613
Posts: 327

Posted 1473610166	Reply with quote #14

Padsfan, Very Interesting fig...If you have extra cuttings , Please keep me in mind...trade or purchase. Mark __________________ Zone 7 Brooklyn,NY. Fig Wish List 2014: I-258 Genovese Nero, Violet Dauphine , Noir De Caromb, ROUGE DE BORDEAUX , BARNISOTTE, BARNISOTTE GRIS, Anything Lebanese ( I mean Fruit Plants...That I do Not Have...)

SuperMario1

Registered:1441853363
Posts: 441

Posted 1473623818	Reply with quote #15

Wow, great work detective! Please keep me in mind for future cuttings or trade. I'd like to see how it does in NC. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important: YOUR FAVORITE FIG. A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,061

Posted 1473634753	Reply with quote #16

'Padres fan' Hi! Congratulations for your discovery This Craven Craving fruit makes me remember Violeta and its sisters, Preto and Black Madeira. Both fruit and leaves are practically 'carbon copy' equivalents.. Along their rooting and growing stages these cultivars, in my environment, show these leaf shapes: by the time the scions get the very first roots... Once the tree is established... Fruit shapes, profiles, colors, etc are also very similar. In a wasp environment, if caprified, these figs get quite large, with full crystalline and syrupy pulps and may eventually reach the 100 gram mark and above ... Francisco Portugal

FinleyFigs

Registered:1437151018
Posts: 45

Posted 1473635126	Reply with quote #17

Amazing. Would love to trade for or buy some cuttings! __________________ Eric Zone 7b - SE Oklahoma

arachyd

Registered:1345772821
Posts: 115

Posted 1473635715	Reply with quote #18

I would be willing to buy some cuttings but at this rate you'll have a very small tree left. __________________ Wish list: Dalmatie, LSU Gold, Ponte Tresa, 豐產黃 (Bountiful Harvest) Zone 7b

tinyfish

Registered:1472353452
Posts: 223

Posted 1473638405	Reply with quote #19

That interior color is stunning.

Jamie0507

Registered:1435895205
Posts: 167

Posted 1473640644	Reply with quote #20

Quote: Originally Posted by lampo 'Padres fan' Hi! Congratulations for your discovery This Craven Craving fruit makes me remember Violeta and its sisters, Preto and Black Madeira. Both fruit and leaves are practically 'carbon copy' equivalents.. Along their rooting and growing stages these cultivars, in my environment, show these leaf shapes: by the time the scions get the very first roots... Once the tree is established... Fruit shapes, profiles, colors, etc are also very similar. In a wasp environment, if caprified, these figs get quite large, with full crystalline and syrupy pulps and may eventually reach the 100 gram mark and above ... Francisco Portugal Francisco these pics are amazing!! I feel even more impatient now for my preto to ripen its figs! Running short on time now here in zone 6A though :( Padresfan you have found yourself a real winner here! Would love to trade in the future, but looks like I'm in a long line here! Lol! Beautiful fig! __________________ Jamie Zone 6A My List of Fig Varieties: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13MXbhU3b-5Y4bkNSWHVikw6m-vovlHZcBjcsxMwQ7iY Wish list: Col. Littmans, Figoin, Black Tuscan.. And now for my "Hey..A girl has got to have dreams!" wishlist: Sangue Dolce, Montenegro, Rigato del Salento

MStanleyross

Registered:1451670149
Posts: 108

Posted 1473641683	Reply with quote #21

Nice fig shape, looks delicious. You have found a winner! Wonder how it would do in Tn.? Thanks for sharing this update. __________________ Wish List: Sodus Scilian, Dall' Osso, Kathleen Black, I-258, Malta Black, Ischia Black, Persian White, Native de Argentile, Lampeira Preta, Sofeno Petro and any LSU or any duplicates you may have. Zone 7 East Tn.

ParacleteFarms

Registered:1409122695
Posts: 70

Posted 1473903719	Reply with quote #22

What a beautiful fig/tree, you can definitely see the abundant care and attention that they have provided for the tree ! If I can buy or trade cuttings, I'd love to grab a place in line :) __________________ Zone 7b/8 near Dallas, TX VdB, RdB, Alma, Celeste, unk Celeste, Osborne Prolific, Peters Honey, Conadria, B.Trky, Strawberry Verte, Brunswick, Olymp ,LSU Purple/Gold, C.Hrdy, Brooklyn White, Unk Green Ischia. Wish List : Cold Hardy/Prolific bearers - Letizia , Florea, Smith, G. Paradiso, Lattarula, any Sals varieties, Negronne, Navid's Unk. Dark Greek, Bass' Fav.

Silveradocanman

Registered:1454859300
Posts: 14

Posted 1473908639	Reply with quote #23

I got 2 cuttings from pads fan earlier this year, both were rather thick, both rooted very easily with 3 shoots coming from each. I can't wait to taste it when it's starts producing! To answer a previous question, I believe the fig wasp is present in that area.

Figinfever

Registered:1463715687
Posts: 245

Posted 1473909919	Reply with quote #24

Quote: Originally Posted by Silveradocanman I got 2 cuttings from pads fan earlier this year, both were rather thick, both rooted very easily with 3 shoots coming from each. I can't wait to taste it when it's starts producing!... Congratulations on your 100% success rate! Love to see pics of them, if available. Thanks. __________________ Dan, West Central FL 9a Wishlist- Great tasting dark or light figs with deep red interiors: White Madeira, Craven's Craving, Portugal Black Madeira, Sultani, Violeta, USDA Black Ischia, Dall'Osso, CdDB or CdDB-N

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1473910284	Reply with quote #25

Here's mine now. Only one rooted for me. Hoping the figs ripen soon. Running out of time here. They have swelled, so I should get some. __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

Figinfever

Registered:1463715687
Posts: 245

Posted 1473910945	Reply with quote #26

Drew, this tree has grown so much from the plant I saw 2 months ago! And it's loaded on every node, from what I can see. When a fruit ripens, don't forget to take pics before eating! __________________ Dan, West Central FL 9a Wishlist- Great tasting dark or light figs with deep red interiors: White Madeira, Craven's Craving, Portugal Black Madeira, Sultani, Violeta, USDA Black Ischia, Dall'Osso, CdDB or CdDB-N

tsparozi

Registered:1470160644
Posts: 302

Posted 1473913344	Reply with quote #27

Great looking fig.... Awesome find and as distribution becomes broader, a great addition to the fig community.... __________________ Tony S - Zone 6A Carmel, NY WL-Ischia Black (UCD/USDA), Martinenca, Calderona, Victoria, Craven's Craving, Colonel Littman's Black Cross, Bon Jesusa, Sant Martina, Princesa, Paretjal Negra

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1476754542	Reply with quote #28

Drew, Did any of those figs ripened for you? __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1476757731 · Edited	Reply with quote #29

Sure looks like Black Madeira. Remember too that they will range in different sizes in different climates. An example of this is Sid is getting Preto over 100 grams in Hawaii. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1476762944 · Edited	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by Sas Drew, Did any of those figs ripened for you? Yes, although rather late for here. It's not ideal here. I'm still keeping it. It looks like i will only get three figs. If the weather holds out maybe more? My camera isn't the best but here are shots I took today. Funny you asked as TODAY I harvested the first fig, a couple days early though. Rain is expected. The fig is a good one for sure. It is a late ripener though and would do better in warmer environments. I also noticed the side facing the sun, was tastier! It's a young plant, and one can't judge on one fig. I'm happy getting a few figs a year. I could and may bring it inside. i have the lights. __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1476806863	Reply with quote #31

Another Craven's Craving ripened. This one was more ripe, and very good. I can't really describe the taste, I have not tasted any other Portuguese figs. It is different than any other figs I have, very sweet, juicy but did not taste at all watered down. Excellent! Texture is very soft, my wife noticed that, as she hates it, ate half a fig and handed it back. The red interior was soft, the skin is a little tough, probably environmental. I noticed tougher skins with lower temps. 84F here today though, very unusual. This fig has the strongest taste of any I have tasted, which admittedly is not that many. __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

Figinfever

Registered:1463715687
Posts: 245

Posted 1476831667	Reply with quote #32

Drew, if possible, can you see if you can ripen one of the 3 or 4 figs that are turning color in the third pix of post #30, until it is wrinkly? In the progression of the two pics above, the pulp color darkens more and the syrup is more pronounced on the second ripe fig. I am curious about how you would describe a dead ripe Craven's Craving, even in less ideal ripening conditions. Thanks By the way, the fig trunks in those tan and terra-cotta color pots in the background look strong and healthy. Congrats. __________________ Dan, West Central FL 9a Wishlist- Great tasting dark or light figs with deep red interiors: White Madeira, Craven's Craving, Portugal Black Madeira, Sultani, Violeta, USDA Black Ischia, Dall'Osso, CdDB or CdDB-N

don_sanders

Registered:1429304713
Posts: 219

Posted 1476832598	Reply with quote #33

I'm sold. Sounds excellent. __________________ Don - Columbus, OH. Zone 5b/6a Wish list: Rafed/Adriano's Genovese Nero, Your favorite fig.

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1476835805 · Edited	Reply with quote #34

I picked both figs because of pending bad weather. the third needs at least a week, so hopefully weather will be better. We again expect rain the next few days. I will try to leave it on as long as possible. This 2nd one was very close to ripe, not wrinkled though, which will be easier to do with larger plants. Both had splits, and I didn't want to chance a blow out. This second one was very soft too. One needs an older tree, being small water regulation is well developed in the plant. At least my observations on growing them for 2 seasons. Eventually we will get this one spread around. I need this plant to be older to share cuttings or plants. With padsfan's approval, I will offer eventually. He worked hard to find this. I'm grateful for his offering. __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1476844781	Reply with quote #35

Glad to see that your tree is already successful Drew! If I remember correctly I sent the cuttings out last winter so it's a one year tree, right? That's a great looking first year fig. __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

drew51

Registered:1431808677
Posts: 283

Posted 1476856992	Reply with quote #36

Quote: Originally Posted by padsfan Glad to see that your tree is already successful Drew! If I remember correctly I sent the cuttings out last winter so it's a one year tree, right? That's a great looking first year fig. Yes, correct. I had a good year with figs for sure. You don't expect fruit the first year with many fruiting plants, still many produced for me. __________________ Drew Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI

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