I was wondering if I could ask some advice from members who have experience growing the following figs - St. Anthony, Ronde de Bordeaux, and Sumacki (Bass). I have a very dear family friend that I would like to gift a fig tree. Originally, I wanted to go with St. Anthony, because the name itself has a great deal of meaning to this person and my family. We all know a name doesn't necessarily translate into a great tasting fig though.

I would be very grateful if you could share your experience with growing St. Anthony (taste, productivity, how it does in a humid climate, grows well in a pot?, an excellent quality fig or just a pretty good fig?). Finally, if you wouldn't recommend St. Anthony as a go to fig for a gift...would you choose RDB or Sumacki instead?

Thank you in advance for your response!

Jenny,

I have no experience with St Anthony or Sumacki yet but RDB is great and reported to be one of the best tasting figs there is.
I am sure others will chime in.
BTW, I also am in NWA and sent you a PM
Greg

I only have St. Anthony as rooted cutting, so far slow getting going, and no Sumaki.

But I second what Greg said.  RdB has a lust for life, I love how easily it wants to branch and grow.

RDB would be a great choice.
Don't have St. Anthony , but why not give both !

Hi Jenny, gifting is an excellent gesture.  I've done it over the years.  Before I can recommend either of the figs you mentioned...and I do have all 3, make sure you do know the climate for each tree which is what you're asking.  

You're in AR which I believe is zone 7 so I can only assume your friend lives there too.  I would recommend giving them a Marseilles Black or LSU Purple or Improved Celeste for dark colored figs.  For light colored figs, LSU Hollier, Lyndhurst White, or Atreano.  These figs are excellent tasting and will get better with age.  And if you want to tree to really take off and grow, every week feed it some swamp tea or fish emulsion.  Send me a PM if you need more advice.

cheers,
  

Hi jenny,

My St. Anthony (Marseilles) is in a pot, very productive and was a top tasting fig last summer. St. Anthony, if grown under the right condition could compete with a Smyrna type fig for its aroma and flavor.
Here's a snapshot of my St. Anthony from Last summer. This was the first year of production for me.The Ronde de Bordeaux has a totally different flavor (Berry as opposed to Honey perhaps) and belongs to the family of dark figs. As to which one is better, It depends on what you seek. Marseilles was much earlier than Ronde de Bordeaux. Having both would extend your fig season to the late fall Here in Texas.  I don't know anything about Sumacki.

   
 

Jenny.

Just get them hooked. They'll take care of the rest.

Thanks everyone, this was really helpful! Also, great to see some St. Anthony pics as I haven't been able to find many!

I have a request.

Could our esteemed Senior members (And by Senior, I mean fig experience not age... thank you!) all contribute to writing a paper that would cover the basics for a person with no fig and likely little growing experience.  The situation often being a member gifting a freshly rooted fig cutting to a friend or relative. Lets say that the person lives in a cold northern area, since most of us do, and will be keeping the fig in a pot, moving it in for winter and out for summer.

What would your "step by step" directions for that person be, other than the obvious of recommending that they become F4F members?

All input welcome, it will be great information for some of our newer members as well. It will be a great basic guide that we could print to give to theses people along with there new shinny fig tree.

Thank you everyone

Scott

Scott, your request makes me chuckle.  My experience so far for the exact situation you describe is that one way or the other (even with copious instructions from me) the results are not good.  Either they kill the fig, or don't give it enough sun, or something else happens.  I only know of one person who actually got fruit off a fig I gave them and that person planted them in the ground.  Growing figs in containers requires a certain level of dedication that most people don't have.