KB:
I've been lucky enough to sample KB from Gene's old tree the past two seasons. To all curious, when mature, to me, this is the real deal fig. I know there have been some questions re its quality but this definitely lives up to the hype--just needs to become fully mature then whoa--in zone 7a in ground this kind of high qualityfig??!!! My plant is still a baby but I can comment based on observing this tree and sampling from it.

Plant info: mature tree receives good sun.

Performance: I've never seen it split or spoil. It loves to crack its skin. It's cold hardy and early ripening both wow factors for performance for such a top notch fig. Maybe the ultimate dark fig for this climate. How can such a good large dark fig ripen so early?? Compare to other top notch *large* dark figs... they usually take a lot of heat to ripen all the way. This fig is a wonder.

Flavor: Wow. So, this fig is definitely tricky to pick perfectly ripe. Since it is such a dark dark colored and large fig it tricks you to think it is already ripe when it still has room to go. Last year I had them even less ripe than this year. You will the pulp does not have the deep red rich color of my other posts. This is because it may not quite develop it ever to but I think a lot of it has to do with KB is one of those cultivars that you really really have to let hang even when you think it's good to pick. It's not in my garden tho so I don't really have that luxury to wait and wait but I will in a couple years, can't wait this is a monster winner fig. In terms of flavor, I finally had one just ripe enough to tell this is a special fig. Wow.

Very rich. Just excellent flavor, the most seed crunch of any non-smyrna fig I've ever had in my life hands down. Twice the size of a commercial Mission fig with the utmost best Mission flavor. This fig is truly special, I just can't believe such a quality fig (same with VdB) does so well in this climate... what a jackpot find. 

RdB:
Can't judge this one yet--container grown, first fruit, baby plant. But if anything like it's cousin VdB... I think should be an early fig winner as virtually all other reviews suggest. These pics are from much earlier in the year (woke up during winter indoors) already posted but thought I'd complete the 2013 dark photos family. I could already appreciate the reputed ultra thin and delicate skin. Quite nice... Will be doing its first in ground winter in a couple months wish my baby some luck!

Thanks for the report!  I'm definitely looking forward to tasting my first KB figs from my in-ground tree next year.  By the way, when do the figs on Gene's tree get ripe?

Np! It seems to be able to ripen in all 4 weeks of August or at least potentially. But definitely more in the first 2 weeks it seems. This year was a week or two later Aug 20thish, last year Aug 6thish. Also since I don't get to see the tree often, I'm unsure if in the 2nd half of Aug last year it was all done because no more fruit left or more likely critters stole the second half.

Long story short though, first week of Aug you are in business.

Very nice and tasty figs, thanks for sharing. 

Best,
Tam

KB is an awesome fig, just slow to start producing, but the taste is fantastic

Top notch figs both! Coincidentally, just listed them yesterday.

Thanks everyone! Frank I'm sure your plants will make their owners very happy one day... :D
Especially for anyone interested in ground plantings in marginal fig areas... these two have to be amongst the very best. Still can't get over how well amazing KB performs in ground in marginal climate...

Congrats on the KB! Nice photos and review.

@ persian...or, anyone else:

In another "KB" thread, I asked if anyone had some photos of the original, or, older, established trees.  I was wondering if you have any photos to post of the Gene's tree?  Branches, trunk, the whole tree... in situ?

Forum Members:
Thanks for adding more information, and details about this variety.  I have been growing a nice 4 ft. tree, in a large container, for the last two years, and I'm sure the seller had the tree for at least two years before I bought it.  So, next Spring, the tree will be close to 5 years old.  Growing in containers sets the trees back compared to grounded trees, so, I probably still have to wait, and wait, for the first figs.  It's gonna be tough to do, but I'll have no choice but to wait it out, especially, after reading your postings.

Thanks for the thread.


Frank

 yupe, KB doesn't split. it does have that attractive crack on the skin. given time, it will be one of the main attraction in the yard. some thing simple and gives good production. it seems the taste of the fig is more reliable than the VdB regarding the rain and all.

@ Frank unfortunately don't think I have pics of the tree. Might be a while before I get to see the tree again in season, but I'll see what I can do in the future :).
@ Pete yeah man, beautiful cracks I agree.