Hey all, I have a confirmed access pass to Encanto Farms on Saturday. I am really excited to see the operation and get some tips on Growing figs from Jon. I am also looking forward to picking up a few fig trees. Top of my list is Figo Preto... most of the other varieties I know little or nothing about. From his available plant list are there any that stand out for you all, and why? I understand taste is subjective but hope to get a nice narrowed down list before Saturday so I don't take up too much of Jon's time. Dark or green does not matter so much to me as rich, complex flavors with berry notes being a plus. Thanks so much for any assistance or guidance you can provide! Tim

PS... I am growing in so cal, riverside ca... It's plenty hot :)

Can you order online?

He has an online site but you need to email to make arrangements to purchase or visit... this is my understanding, someone please correct me if I am wrong.

You will be impressed.  He has a lot of other fruit trees for sale too (at least last time I was there), especially bananas.  Bring plenty of cash :-)

I vote Vista.  

Crazy good fig tree here, good breba, prolific main crop that is excellent tasting with complex berry fig fruits.

Let us know how it goes!  I've always wanted to make a visit but haven't made the time.  I'm local so is SHOULD be easy to get away and make the trip.

Hi TGO,
Lucky you ! You don't need to bother with season duration.
First, you need to ask Jon to sell you 2 BrownTurkeys ... He will be delighted ! ( Little hint: start to run before you ask him )
Well, seriously, I would consider having a BT , be it the BT, the southern BT, the california BT ...

Then, any fig tree will do for you... I would try to get the Blackmission, the col de dame (gris,blanc,noir).
If you don't have the classicals, start with them : Hardy chicago, Celeste , conadria , Dalmatie, Longue d'aout , Dauphine ( the true french one) , Panache (stripped figs) , Malta series were well ranked some years ago (Interest in them seem to have vanished since then )
Well, take a wheelbarrow ... to bring the money with you ... You may feel like a kid in a candy store !
I would play it the other way around: How many trees do you have space for ?

Have a good visit !

I'm very jealous.  Ask Jon which varieties he thinks would be best for you.  Panache is a great one.

jds,
Please don't make fun of a BT. The CA BT grown in CA and being pollinated is better than almost anything you named. It is a large juicy tasty fig you cannot beat!

lucky man take lots of photos..........................

If you are in Riverside definitely get Penache!

 

Yes, it would be great to see some pictures of your new purchases and Jon's operation!

If you have “the wasp”, Zidi would also be a great choice for your area in addition to Panache. Mine is starting its second year and hasn’t fruited yet, but from a 2005 report, it’s a taste choice favorite (93%): very large, sweet, berry flavored, dense texture, thin skin, easy to peel.  http://figs4fun.com/links/figlink293.pdf

Unknown Pastilliere if you have wasp

Thanks everyone... so my list so far is: "figo preto" and vista... I have panache already (on the way) and I did not see the unknown pastillere on Jon's available plant list (but I will ask). Also looking at St Rita and de la reina... will ask Jon about them and hopefully he can steer me to a couple others. Thanks!!!

I would also ask about his Black Madeira seedlings.

Will definately ask about black madeira... I can only hope :) but if I can only get the figo preto that would be awesome as well!

Jon was very cool, I got my figo preto!

Great! Did you take pictures?

No pics, I meant to but once we started talking and going through the figs my mind wandrew from fig tree to fig tree. Sorry

Tree list: figo preto, saratoga, b mad 02, encanto red, green ischia, hearty Chicago, celeste, adriatic gc (some variant of desert king?)