Hi,

I know this is probably impossible with the information that i have to offer, but maybe someone has a clue on identifying this fig variety.

Data:
It was a gift - Bought in a nursery - No identification (the seller assured my friend it was a good fig) - Never tasted a fig in 5 years - They all dry up and fall mid development (Smyrna type? It would be a problem as i still don't have the wasps over here, although its very rare for local nurseries to sell Smyrna type fig trees)  - More than one crop (not really keeping track, as the figs never grow) they all dry up and fall - if i remember correctly, the first figs dropped last month.

I have lost patience and already grafted 3 new varieties in some branches and a caprifig, just in case its Smyrna (just have to get the wasps next year)


Some photos of today:
        

Jaime,

I am not good at providing acceptable fig ID's
However there is a particular leaf on your second picture from the left that look like the typical leaf of a Pastiliere fig.
See the attached doc, a page from Gustav Eisen's book dated 1901 , where he describes and makes interesting comments and suggestions for this particular variety.
A good number of members had tried this variety and found that on colder climates they did not manage to ripe the figs. The problem seems to get solved as the tree gets aged

Have a look and compare with leaf on your picture

 
May be other members chime in and help to identify your fig
I do have Pastilière ( no leaves left now) and all figs ripen without problem.

Francisco
Portugal

Thanks for your reply and help, Francisco.

I don't know if it can be Pastiliére - if i recall correctly, it seems to try and produce two crops (i was under the impression that Pastiliére was unifere - correct me if i am wrong). Nevertheless, i have to confirm the two crops data. I will try to see if i can find old photos of the tree. Last year i pruned it quite drastically and this year i was so concentrated in grafting that i can't, for sure, reaffirm it had figs developing in May-June - although i think it had.

Also, i seriously doubt that the local nursery, where it was bought, has ever had that type of fig for sale. Not even one french variety is sold over here.

The tree is about 6 years old and the figs dry up and drop always with the same size regardless of weather and this happens year after year (and over here the medium temperature during summer months is not very cold, about 22-24 ºC (72-75 ºF), more on some years, like know - really frustrating.

I always thought it should be a problem regarding lack of pollination - it seems i have to investigate further. I will leave some branches alone and see what happens in the future.

Thanks again,

Jaime

I was having another look at the figs and noticed that almost all begin showing a problem on the outer skin very early - maybe this as something to do with the reason they all dry up and fall  -a fungus or other disease, perhaps? 

I don't recall seeing that problem on any other type of fig, except the black fig on my "fig jungle". But here almost all the figs have it. A few photos included. Maybe someone as a clue to what is the cause.

Regarding the not so hot climate for these type of fig - yesterday the maximum temperature was 24 ºC (75 ºC), today, we are having a hot spell - at noon the temperature is approaching 35 ºC (95 ºC)

       

The imature black fig from my "fig jungle" - i have to graft some good varieties and sort this mess up, one of these days.
Some of these figs (rare ones) also display the same skin problem).

     

Not all fig specimens are cultivars.
My opinion is your plant is not a cultivar but a random,specimen grown from seeds.
In my opinion,you can graft on it,or you can remove it and grow another plant from a local source you know for sure it makes edible figs,without need of wasp.

I'm with Herman on this one,friend. At least you have a strong and healthy rootstock to start grafting on. Find some reliable varieties from your area and stop wasting your time and effort on trying to ID a tree that most likely will never produce for you. Best of luck with whatever path you deside to take!

Thanks for your replies, Herman2 and ChrisK.

You are probable right. I only insisted with the tree because it was bought on a local nursery and it was a gift from a family member.
I couldn't believe the guys at the nursery had the guts to sell something that was not a fig cultivar, so i blamed the drying up of figs on lack of pollination.

>> At least you have a strong and healthy rootstock to start grafting on...
>>In my opinion,you can graft on it...

I have already grafted some of the branches this year - it has 3 very good cultivars developing - Bomfim, Branco Especial e Inchário Branco (thanks Francisco) and also his excellent pollinator Caprifig Code 2 to pollinate the Inchário Branco (the jury is still out on the need of pollination for Bomfim).
Next year (or still in September) i will graft some more branches, probably with other Smyrna types i have rooting.

The tree seems very robust and has a strong root system that will allow a more quick development of these varieties as can be seen on the following photos.

Inchário Branco - March rooted cutting:
 

Inchario Branco - also grafted in March
 

Very cool photos, you have a great advantage , your awesome climate. Keep us posted with the development of the grafts. Looks like you will get some figs this year. Can't wait for the ripe fruit pics.

>>Looks like you will get some figs this year. Can't wait for the ripe fruit pics.

Probably not, ChrisK. I don't think they will develop fully. The Inchário Branco needs caprification and i still don't have the wasps. 

Francisco was mentioning a solution in another thread so i don't loose these figs, but he has still to disclose what it is. I remember reading something about a method that didn't involve wasps but i am not sure it works.