Hi. I would be grateful for some recommendations for a good fig cultivar to grow in hot Southern California that would appeal to a person who doesn’t like figs. Fig trees thrive here just north of Pasadena, CA.

     We had fig trees when I was growing up that produced figs with thick green skins and a white pulp that was fibrous and tasteless. Mom was always making fig preserves with them, adding strawberries and tons of sugar to give them some flavor. They just tasted at best like weak Fig Newtons and at worst like washed out strawberry jam. I'm growing a similar fig tree in my backyard now, but don't know the name of it. It's too beautiful to chop down and makes great shade. 

     I’ve been searching for new fruit varieties to grow since the increasing heat is blighting my plums, pluots, apricots and apples. People on line are so enthusiastic about figs, I’ve decided I might be wrong about them. The figs with fruit flavors sound wonderful, especially Strawberry Verte and Negronne, (Violet de Bordeaux). I ordered four cuttings of Ronde de Bordeaux on eBay before I discovered on your forum here that 2014.gulen was a fake (thanks). I’ve bid for another cutting of Ronde de Bordeaux and CddG from a good guy, but doubt I’ll get them. Does anyone know some reliable source for these cuttings? I know they're expensive.

Am I going in the right direction with picking figs that have the best flavor and texture? I don't have room for too many. What would you recommend? 

I think a lot of people who have only tried store bought figs would like a tree ripe fig, they can be quite different. My wife wouldn't eat my Peter's Honey (first fig tree), and didn't like figs. When I finally had VdB's ripen I gave her a super ripe one (tastes like raspberry jam), now she will eat that fig :) Strawberry Verte is "meh" to her and she likes the bright fruity taste of White Genoa.

Definitely get a VdB. If someone doesn't like that I don't think they'll ever like a fig.

VdB is also easily found, for cuttings or trees from nurseries...

Howdy from Pasadena !
I can share a few varieties that grow well here.
You do not have to go with rare and expensive, you have got the wasp!

How's it going AltadenaMara, welcome to he forum...

Welcome to the forum.

Agree that you should check local nurseries, they should have some choices for you that will produce faster than cuttings.

Thank you all for your quick feed back.

OhJustAGuy: Thanks for the feedback on your wife’s favorites. I can get Violet de Bordeaux locally and possibly White Genoa.

Greenfig: Any suggestions you could make would be appreciated. I don’t mind expensive if it’s a difference in taste between very good and exquisite.

Hi elferach.

Hi eboone. If I had stayed local, I would have missed out on some of my most delicious apple trees and a few other favorites.  

I do not know your taste preference ( honey, berry, melon, very sweet, high in acidity, etc) but you will not go wrong with Unk. Pastilliere, Zidi, HdA, Strawberry Verte, VdB/Negronne, RdB, DK, MBVS, CA BT on the berry side in this climate (just to name a few). Anything will grow and will taste better than anywhere else!

My wife always said she didn't really like figs..  Turns out, she does.  She and I pretty much agree on the best ones.  By far the best I've had is Hollier (cutting came from Kerry (drivewayfarmer)).  Tasted like Rice Pudding to me.  Ronde de Bordeaux was another favorite.  But also Celeste and LSU Tiger. (similar in taste, but LSU Tiger is bigger).

You could not have gotten more unlucky.  Both of those figs were probably caprifigs.  They're not edible except by goats.  There are some caprifigs that are edible but not yours.  Any commercially available figs will be better than the ones you had growing.  Visit your SoCal fig neighbors, taste what they have and see what you like best.

I was gifted a Black Jack last summer by my sister, I ended up with @ 8-9 figs that were pretty good. I'm looking forward to having more this summer as I hear that figs from any tree get better in the 2nd, 3rd years and beyond. I knew a little about figs before that from neighbor's trees but that being my first personal fig, it's a keeper. The reason I mention this is, propagating is HARD!!! I learned a lot since last summer and I have a few new babies that might fruit this summer but it's nice to have fruiting figs till my babies get big. Plus I learned how to air layer off my BJ and a couple others I bought. Like Greenfig said, any fig will be awesome with the wasp.

So many great suggestions. Thank you all for your help. I only have room for two or three trees. With figs, I think I would like a very sweet, berry taste either with acid or sub- acid.

 Of course, Violette de Bordeaux/Negronne will be first. I can pick that up tomorrow locally. Encanto seems to be the only place for Strawberry Verte and Zidi.
"Zidi was one of the top tasting varieties at UCDavis: Slight berry flavor, strawberry, smooth sweet taste, watermelon & strawberry flavors, fruity, and balanced flavor w/ some acid. http://figs4fun.com/links/figlink293.pdf"

Encanto also have Desert King (DK) and Marseilles  Black VS (MBVS) -if I had more space. Unk. Pastiliere and Hative D’Argenteuil don’t seem to be available anywhere. 

James - Irving, TX Thanks for the Hollier suggestion. It sounds great. I just ordered one. 

Looks like you are making some good choices. Good luck and good growing.