I think the title says it all.

What is the "actual" different between Malta Black and Black Celeste?

I know that Malta Black is supposedly the "grandparent" of Celeste.  Belleclare used to sell it (BC35).

But there is also Black Celeste.
And then you have LSU Scott's Black.

All seem to be "black" versions of Celeste.

Can anyone lend some insight?

I don't know the difference between malta black and black celeste since I dont have black celeste but I will say that scotts black does not resemble malta at all.  Malta ripens early, like a celeste, where as scotts ripens late.  Also the leaves do not resemble each other.  If you want to swap some bc's for mb's I am all for it.

You are very kind, Ed, but I have neither variety right now - only Scott's Black.  I am trying to figure out if I should get BC or MB at this point.

Hi Jason,

Scott's Black is nothing like Black Celeste in shape, size, or taste.  I don't have a producing Malta Black, so I can't compare that to either of the other two.  I found the SB has a more fruity flavor when Marty and his wife were so generous as to let me go visit them and taste an older SB of theirs.  They were good, but the flavor was not like the Black Celeste.  I do have a SB, but it's young, so this year, it only has two figs on it so far, but it's a late fig and I've already eaten two BCs, which were very good.  I found them sweeter than my regular Celestes and the ones I ate had less of a figgy flavor than regular Celestes.  Very good, though.

You should get a Malta Black and Black Celeste---  :)  You NEED them.....

noss

My wife would tell you I need another fig tree about like I need another hole in my ass.  She would say "like I need another hole in my head", but sometimes I believe she thinks my ass and head are either the same thing, or one remains firmly planted in the other.

I'd argue with her about it, but I'm sad to say she's probably right.

I have been growing Black Celeste and Scott's Black longer than anyone on both of the fig forums. Both of these figs come from my area. Last year I rooted a Malta Black.....so now I have all three. I have not yet seen nor tasted a Malta Black fig.

Scott's Black is a "hybrid" fig that was bred at LSU by Dr. O'Rourke. I passed cuttings around of LSU Scott's Black and LSU Late Black for fig trials in other areas. It is a medium sized excellent tasting fig. FYI, I was the first person to post a picture and a description of a Scott's Black fig on the Internet. I had posted that information on this forum and later removed it when I was being harassed and subsequently moved to the other fig forum. Likewise, I am the first person to post ANY relative information about LSU Scott's Yellow and to publish its picture.

Black Celeste is an unknown Louisiana heirloom fig. IMO, it has absolutely no relationship to a Celeste fig. It is a small JET black fig with a dynamite taste to it. My tree has been rather sensitive to cold weather. Perhaps, I put it in the ground too soon. I've recently  posted pictures of a Black Celeste fig in another thread on this forum. You will not not find any information about this rare fig other than what I have written. Black Celeste is its own UNIQUE cultivar unlike any other fig. IT IS NOT JUST ANOTHER TYPE OF CELESTE.

Malta Black is "rumoured" to be related to regular Celeste. Now, how could anyone living in the land of the fig wasp possibly know that for sure is beyond me.........given all the confusion over the Celeste cultivar. IMO, that is just pure speculation (i.e. talking points) and not at all based on any FACT. It is baloney IMO.


Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Dan,

Maybe they were thought to be related because they are both Malta figs and do they look alike?  I wondered if the Malta Black and the Black Celeste were the same because of the description of both and they sounded a lot alike to me, but people all tell me they're different.  If my little Malta Blacks would decide to grow and produce fruit, I will be able to see for myself.  The BC and the Celestes do resemble each other.  I find the BC to be even more rich than the regular Celeste.

My BC has dropped a few figs, but it's been so hot and they aren't very large trees.  More have stayed on the trees than have fallen.

Here is a picture of a Black Celeste fig.......

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

George, you got any "proof" that Malta Black is an ancestor to regular Celeste????? 

.......until then, IMO, it is just a "talking point" used by salesmen to sell fig trees.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

No I do not, but I rely/trust [aka. respect]  Chris's figs  know-how and expertise.

Hello Jason, I also have all 3, Malta Black, Black Celeste, and LSU Scott's Black.  Below are picture of my trees with figs on.  The first 3 are Malta Black.  The remaining 3 are Black Celeste.  I also have 2 of JR's LSU Brandy, but that for another thread.  I tried to take pics at different angles.  Hope these help.  MB is in a container.  BC is in the ground.

The figs on my BC are smaller and are ripening now.  The figs on my MB are not ripening now.  I think they will ripen in August.  Hope this helps you decide. 

@ George,

Pure speculation.

I am glad that you and I finally agree on something George. That it was pure speculation on the part of Belleclare nursery to make that unprovable claim.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Georgie, the final week belleclare was open I tried to buy his mother tree malta black and was denied.  I offered him mucho money for it but as you said, he wasn't parting with it.  

Thanks Ed for the confirmation....

Malta Black seems different th
an Dan's photo. It has a thicker skin than any Celeste I've seen. The eye is nice and closed which resists rain very well.

Confirmation that Bellecare sold a fig that is claimed to be the "grandmother" to a Celeste fig is still speculation that does not mean squat about any "proven" linkage to the famous fig of the South (Celeste).

I want to buy a Celeste DAUGHTER fig to Malta Black. Where do I buy one?????? Anybody seen one???? Did Belleclare propagate cuttings from either the daughter fig to Black Malta that began the whole line of regular Celeste fig trees....or from the mother tree itself???
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Cecil, I'm with you. I could care less the name or heritage of a fig. Name and heritage become importan when one tries to avoid duplicatesAs long as it is productive and good tasting I will keep it. However, it it time to challenge some long held fig beliefs like this one. IMO, any claims that Malta Black is "grandmother" to Celeste is pure speculation until DNA evidence proves otherwise. Same goes for that other claim that conflicts with the fig growing experiences of many people. That you need a certain "nutrient ratio" fertilizer to grow figs, etc. etc. etc.
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FWIW....my Malta Black came from a very generous forum member who obtained it directly from Belleclare nursery.

Bass, thanks for posting those pictures. It adds a lot to this thread and may help Jason decide whether he does or does not need all three!!

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

I would like to trial Blk Celeste in my zone Pacific North West. Hence if anyone has cuttings or small sucker to spare in trade for other cuttings or monies, please drop me an email.

Paully's post reminds me of something else......(no cuttings this year as I want to put lots of new growth on my tree).

After being top killed, Black Celeste can produce a crop of figs from the new growth that emerges from the roots.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Bass, as usual, outstanding photography

Thanks for the compliment Bob. I enjoy taking photos of fruit as much as I like to eat them. 

Oh for Pete's sake!

Dan!  My Black Celeste doesn't look like that at all.  The skin is dull and the fruit is shaped like a regular Celeste.  Your's is more round and the skin is shiny.  I got my tree from Dalton. 
Also, my Black Celeste doesn't have a long stem like that either. 

Aaarrrrgh!

Dan, did you get my email?  I wanted to confirm your email address before I sent you the picture of the Magnolia fig.

noss