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aaron8888

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 

Ive asked this a few times but I guess its been over looked or maybe no one knows - what zone can Black madeira be grown successfully outdoors?  I'm in zone 7b and would like to grow it but don't wanna waste space on a bush that wont thrive in my zone.
Bass

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
It is a late season fig. I'm growing it in zone 6 in Pennsylvania. It probably will never ripen if grown in ground in my climate. I grow mine in container I started picking them in mid October. You're asking if it will thrive in your location of zone 7b, what state do you live in?
It most likely won't thrive in your zone.
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aaron8888

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 

Ok thank you for the reply - I live in South Carolina (Hot summers high 80's and 90's and cold winters with the low being maybe 25) 

loslunasfarms

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Leon has also reported growing it in zone 7, Albuquerque.
pitangadiego

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
You can grow it most anywhere. The issue is that it is a long or late season fig, and does not ripen well in cooler weather. You can grow it as a plant, for ornamental enjoyment, but getting something edible in cooler climates is much more of a challenge. Finding ways to extend your season, such as a greenhouse, can make this a doable experience in places where the natural or outdoor season is not conducive.

As with various figs, it may be the best tasting fig in the world, and so every one desires it, but it may not be suitable or practical in your climate. Choosing a variety that is suitable, though of somewhat lesser taste or quality, and which produces well in your climate is generally a more practical and profitable approach.

I am not saying "don't grow Black Madeira", just be realistic in yur expectations.
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leon_edmond

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I agree with the advice just given. Albuquerque, NM is considered zone 7 high desert. I have a Black Madeira fig in the ground. It is a late fig and although I was able to taste a few of these exceptional figs, a large proportion of them went uneaten. Because of space constraints, I will give this fig one more season. I am beside myself to give up such a one-of-a-kind but I want figs that will perform well in my climate. One example is the Black Marseilles VS.
Totally different fig and different taste. But it is a workhorse for fig production and consistency and my family and friends all love this fig.

Oxankle

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
I am glad to see this advice.  I was considering Black Madeira from UCDavis, but after reading that its home rarely got below fifty F. I decided against it. 

I already have the Marseilles VS, got some figs from it this year, found them really good figs, and will put one of them in the ground next year.  Herman done good when he passed that fig around to the group.

I too am on the cold edge of zone  7; we get some long and hot summers, but the occasional winter is brutal.  Once since I've lived here it got down to -10 F.  That will exterminate any unsheltered fig.

Despite the climate, I have two small trees now grown from parent trees that can be traced back as far as sixty years in Tulsa.  True, they grew between houses and were sheltered from the N. wind, but they survived and made figs.  They may get honored places here without regard to their woods-colt origins. 
Ox 

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