Improved Celeste. Traveling for the next several days. Per custom, I did a final walk around before leaving and look what I find! I wanted to mark this date with these photographs because watering is not the priority it would be when the primary care giver is on site. Also instead of hoping this LSU IC breba goes undetected by my backyard bandits, b.k.a., squirrels and mocking birds, I took the time to not-so-simply move the bird netting from the LSU Scott's Black to the LSU IC. I know the main crop is the real treat with LSU IC but there are no signs of main crop and I am not expecting any. This tree never went dormant (I got it after it was overwintered in a greenhouse) and it is being acclimated to growing in 'the wild'.

Hi JD,

That breba looks yummy.

It looked good but is now gone! Not sure what happy but it was definitely critter related. No traces of the fig but the stem of its nearest neighbor was still attached to the main trunk. 2 of 3 in one visit. Only one breba left. Dyam. I am looking forward to the main crop, if I have one.

Squirrels. I put out a feeder this morning to try to keep them full, happy, away from the fruit, and to reinstate the squirrel transition program (STP). Having them gather morning and night for breakfast and dinner in one location, distracted makes it easier to operate the program: pump, safety, scope, thump.

This is the last breba. I hope we get to taste it. Haven't had one of these IC breba yet. Although it looks good, I will leave it until it is 'dead ripe'. Using a quart strawberry container for protection; see in attached images (thanks maverick!). Also, I noticed that the main crop has begun to form figlets.

what's all the goo all over your landscaping tape?

Tanlgefoot. I noticed these critters that were smaller than what I normally call ants climbing all over the fig. I needed security so I removed the 'ants', wrapped the tape lightly, added the goo, and felt better.

This LSU Improved Celeste story does *not* end with a pretty picture of a fig. Too much rain, too late at night, too quick, too wet, too covered, too distracted, too busy. Man oh man! I picked this one today and to my surprise, the last breba was 'dead ripe'.

Following Sal's lead, here is what happens when things do *not* go as planned. And YES, I sure did! The tip of a sharp pairing knife works wonders. Sweet. Jam-like consistency. Figgy taste. Overall: Tasty with a slight moldy twang.

Note: I am concerned about the eye being a bit more open than I expected.

FYI: The main crop has started.

........moldy twang as in blue cheese I'm sure....;). I would not have used a knife, just my teeth.......;>(

Hey JD I have quite a few I/C's that got mold like that also but the few that I salvaged were very good and sweet. (To sweet for my taste as I've stated before).

Hey Sal!

Thanks for the note and interesting tidbit that you have quite a few ICs that have gotten mold like this. Did the mold happen only after rain or without rain?

After rain and this is the one that is most infected with scale this season also. I need to take better preventative measures early in season but this year I've had some personnel issues which took precedence

I guess this may be one reasons why commercial FL did not invest heavily in

JD,

We need to fashion rain shields for the ICs, or something.

noss

Noss,

I have been thinking about that. I had this one covered with a repurposed plastic strawberry container but its purpose was to protect against critters (it performed flawlessly) not rain. Hmmm.

Improved Celeste was excellent in 2011. Looking forward to it in 2012. Here is a snapshot of the main crop along with a few photos of the leaves attached to illustrate its one-lobe and three-lobed leaves.

Whenever I hear the mocking birds singing, I know they have found or are calling for help to find a treat. When I walked out they were lounging around the tree, so I did not hesitate. Waiting one more day was my preference but I could not risk it. The first of the season. They were good, figgy. IC is a favorite here.

Beautiful photos, JD, as always. I'm hoping the LSU IC cutting I grafted will ripen its fruit this season--it's well on its way with a fig at most of the lower leaf axils. The now in-ground 1-gallon is growing well, but no signs of fruit yet this season.

What is the newspaper in the background of one of your on-the-tree shots? Is that a bird barrier? I use the newspaper/clothespin shield quite a bit, but that looks like you may be using a different method.

Thanks Ken

Yes, bird barrier. I don't remember who it was but I learned of newspaper as protector on the forum. It works well.

JD, what's your source for IC? I just ordered a couple from Almost Eden. Do they have the true one? I also have a few O'Rourkes from Petals from the Past but I'm not sure if it's the true O'Rourke or how ya tell.

Very nice pics JD.  I am convinced, that your tree is a tree Improved Celeste.  My 2 in-ground trees are IC also.  I thought they were O'Rourke's!  Oh well, at least I am happy with 2 beautiful looking and healthy fig trees.

Timclymer, good luck on getting an O'Rourke from Almost Eden.  I have both of their O'Rourke and IC and mine are the same.  Again, oh  well!  At least I have a very nice and healthy fig.  I did what you did and ordered an O'Rourke from PFTP too.  Mine are the same are my IC.  Again, oh well!  At least I now have FOUR healthy and good looking LSU Improved Celeste fig trees!

HOW BOUT THOSE FIGS!!!!

Tim,

I purchased IC from Just Fruits & Exotics. According to Dennis, it appears as if the confusion between LSU Improved Celeste not being O'Rouke continues.

I am in search of O'Rourke as shown in the LSU Publication. I attached the photos from publication.

If anyone has it (O'Rouke), then I am interested and would love to hear from you to get a layer or cuttings from your tree.

I also have an Improved Celeste Breba almost ripe now.
It would be the first earliest Breba,in my Yard.
JD:Yours is identical as mine and is Indeed improved,in that it keeps Breba ,and main crop on till ripe and no more dropping and frustration like regular Celeste does.

Yeap!  JD you're correct.  My trees are not O'Rourkes.  They do have that leaf pattern as stated in your last pic.  My trees all have 1 lobe, 3 lobes and 5 lobes. like post #15 above.  Mine don't look like those in #22 at all.

I'm going to go outside and change my labels to LSU Improved Celeste.  I want to eliminate the confusion.  PFTP may have the true O'Rourke!  If you read what PFTP states about O'Rourke, they say the figs have no neck.  But they also create confusion by saying O'Rourke is called Improved Celeste!   ARGH!

I personally delivered a real O'Rourke to Almost Eden in 09!!!!

Awesome Cecil!  I'll call John and place an order for 2 O'Rourkes and compare them to my Improved Celeste in my orchard and those purchased from PFTP.

thanks!