No problem, it's more interesting that Violeta different than the same. Look forward to seeing his conclusions, good luck with your tree, be sure to post when it fruits.

Thanks, i will.

And i am curious about the fig size they can reach over here (with less heat than Algarve and no wasp). Apparently it's another (not so small) difference for this variety -  in the regions with the wasp they get big reaching 90/100 gr.
Being such a prolific variety maybe i can see for myself next year (my grafts are growing very well and have almost no FMV in the new leaves).

Controlling the amount of water appears to help when it comes to splitting. During the past two days, I picked a couple of figs from my second leaf tree in pot that were perfect. The figs continue to ripen despite the fact that most leaves have dropped. Perhaps my tree leaves dropped too early, due to reduced watering. Has anyone experienced this with his Preto?

Sas,

Yes, I've experienced the exact same thing.  Leaves will start to shed, but figs will continue to ripen.
I've moved my potted Preto into the greenhouse to get more heat, hoping to ripen the remaining 15-20 figs.  I've eaten about 5 figs from that tree so far.
I let my 7 year old try Preto for the first time yesterday.  Her reaction was priceless.  She knew it was a different kind of fig, compared to the traditional fig flavors.

It is still fairly warm over here in the 80's during the day and my other Black Madeira is still totally green receiving the same amount of water. I just thought to check. Thanks for your reply.

Preto's a rust magnet,I'm probably going to start spraying them next year.I'm in the process of removing all leaf and putting them to sleep,
I probably pulled 5 gallons of greenish fruit for the worms in the last couple of days.I've left the figs that should ripen on the tree's but the
raccoons usually add injury to insult,all the ripening fruit is out on the tips,their weight breaks the branches.

Beautiful tree and fruit Paul. How do you keep the birds away?

Your tree looks awesome! Well done!

Conrad,birds have not been a major issue for me.The Metallic Green Fig Beetle does more damage to the fruit than birds,rats,possum,raccoons combined.

https://www.google.com/search?q=metallic+green+fig+beetle&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwja2t7ztMXPAhUs2oMKHW63DQkQsAQIaw&biw=1280&bih=884

Thanks Dom.

I got ten figs off the Preto trees you sent me this week.  It has been raining for three weeks, almost continuously, 1-6 inches of rain a day.  So.. some did split.  But the ones that did not split out in the rain were extremely intense flavored.  Much better tasting than any of the ones I got off my first Preto in the greenhouse.  The flavor increased by about 40%, stronger berry flavor, darker red color, denser fruits, more syrupy, outdoors, even with all the rain.  I think the greenhouse cover blocks to much sunlight and that is what makes the difference in flavor.

 They were all large figs as well, 70-90 grams.  Here is a pic of them.  Thanks again Paul, my favorite fig in my collection by far.  :) 

@Figgysid1 Beautiful! The pics say so much! My imagination almost lets me taste it based on the luscious interior....

Geez Sid,really nice looking fruit.Particularly that one at 02:30.Very thin pulp yet
luscious interior,no way I could bring that in with my climate.

Paul, thanks for the pictures and everyone for the posts. My two Figo Preto trees are my favorites this season as well: the best flavored, among the larger sizes and also the most productive. As you mentioned, they are the raccoons' favorite as well. Organza bags protect the fruit from the birds but the raccoons just pull off the fruit in the bags, mash them a few times, and drop them bag and all. The raccoons seem to ignore parts of my yard so I will be trying one of the trees in a pot there. If that doesn't work, I'll cage the trees. They're that good.  

Preto from Tyro. Going to be eating this one soon.

@Lampo: I don't have any ripe ones right now. Here is a picture of a typical shaped/size Preto fig at the stagnant stage. They usually increase in size by 3x when fully ripe. I also posted a picture of two of my trees in 25 gal pots on the previous page of this thread.

A few links to my Preto from my other tree.

Smallest Preto figs 61-63 grams.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.websitetoolbox.com/30989/3004195

Bigger one 87 grams, with tennis ball for scale.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.websitetoolbox.com/30989/2934022

https://s3.amazonaws.com/files.websitetoolbox.com/30989/2934023

Well...time to move to zone 12...

Those are monsters!

Wow! What Brian said... but even louder... THOSE ARE MONSTERS!

Those are gorgeous

such an amazing tree, stunning really

This past winter, I moved my unprotected Preto to a 25g container when it was dormant. For a minute it looked like it's a goner.
Here's how it managed to come back today:






free photo upload

@sas Now that looks like a happy fig. Glad it is on the mend.

Thanks Wendy. Should be interesting to see if it'll bare fruit this season.