Just wanted to share some pics of figs ripening from Zone 7A.   The Ronde De Bordeaux was the first tree to have a ripened fig (from KK - first ripe fig on the 11th) and now I have a fig from the Makedonia Dark (from Bass) and a Chicago Hardy (from Lowe's).  The RDB has had 6 ripe figs to date.

All the other figs are still small and green.  The Malta Black trees are not that healthy in my opinion, the leaves are being eaten by bugs (but the bugs are not affecting the other trees which is weird) and the figs are turning color but dropping off.   I might have to drop the Malta Blacks      for the Maui Lai (I like the sound of that!) fig cuttings that I brought back.  I am starting the rooting of them now.  PawPawBill will also be doing three of the cuttings in case I mess up!  :)

In picture, the RDB fig is top right, the Makedonia Dark fig is bottom and the Chicago Hardy fig is top left.  Ranking of Taste of these three figs:  1.  RDB   2.  Chicago Hardy    3.  Makedonia Dark (perhaps, it was not as ripe- ?) so I will rank again later.

Thanks for all of ya'll help and encouragement.  Looking forward to having more figs ripen for me.

They look good.  I hope the rest of them ripen for you.

Hi,
Congrats ! I see that you're a Martin's paddawan ! (Dark fig side )
From the pic of the 3, the rdb looks to be the best ripe.
Funny rdb is supposed to ripen the fruits as of 1st of august in fig paradise -our best fig zones- here.

Rcantor,  the only ones that look iffy are the Malta Blacks (the cuttings were bought from an unknown source - so lesson learned - only from respectable growers on the figs sites).  The other trees look healthy and with lots of figs.  I am just hoping that they all mature and ripen.

Thanks JDS, I am definitely a dark fig fan -- I think growing up in Mississippi, there were only dark figs.  So I guess it is best to stick with what you know as a beginner.

As to Martin's Paddawan, the only reference I can find is the following: Padawans: Lowest of the Jedi Order. Noted by either having only seen one or two Star Wars movies. Considered nothing more than n00bs by the rest of the Jedis until they prove themselves. This usually involves proof that the Padawan has no real life outside of the Order, especially not one that includes friends, a job, or at least a halfway-attractive significant other. Many Padawans are also closet Trekkies and/or 4chan n00bs.

I think this is an excellent definition of a newbie fig grower. 

Thanks to KK for her lovely RDB tree purchased from last year. It has proven to be the earliest ripener and best tasting fig so far.