I purchased my O'rourke about 2 years ago from Mr Robin. Currently it is loaded with figs even though still a pretty small tree. Until I read this thread, I thought O'rourke and Improved Celeste were the same, but thanks to Dan's description of the lobed leaves I now know that my tree is definitely the O'
Rourke. So now I have to find me an Improved Celeste. I would be happy to exchange scion or purchase a plant if some one is willing...   

Barry

Barry,

Now I'm confused.

Look at my post #6.

George,

I see what you mean, my leaves do not look like those in the pic of O'rouke leaves, however, my tree does have a couple leaves with 5 lobes, so going by what Dan said I thought I had the answer.

Five lobes should do it (being an O'R)....

Here are pix of my O'Rourke and Not O'Rourke leafs

I checked the F4F section in hopes of finding more information about IC and O'Rourke. I didn't find O'Rourke, but found a listing for "IC Not". Is this O'Rourke, or something else?? What are the important differences (i.e., not in terms of telling them apart, but of flavor, fruit size, productivity, hardiness, souring/splitting, fruit drop, heat tolerance, etc.) between IC and O'Rourke?

Ken,

George,
Thanks for starting this topic. It was one of the first that I found that documented the IC and O'Rourke. It also helped to clarify the confusion of the released and unreleased LSU cultivars. Attached are pictures of my improved Celeste. It has been ripening figs in the current colder temperatures (30's to 40's nights and 60's days) and they are sweeter than those that ripened a month ago, it has also been drier. This cultivar has also proven to be cold hardy and is earlier and more productive than the O'Rourke. It also may be one of the most underrated fig cultivars.

BTW, I think that the Champagne is a good tasting, productive cultivar, although it is not as cold hardy as the improved Celeste.

@Pete - In a previous thread a great discussion was presented on the LSU Improved Celeste and O'Rourke fig issue.

The post was in July of this year and was stared by JD.  This thread presents the recollections of the LSU Fig Field Day this year and Dr Charlie Johnson's discussion on this topic.  If I could do a copy and paste with my Mozilla Browser I would but I can't.  I think I believe that there is no Improved Celeste, I am not sure.

I have O'Rourke and Champagne and am looking forward to next year.

Danny,
That is true. There is no released Improved Celeste, because the Released Improved Celeste is O'Rourke. LSU Field Day Topic,
LSU Improved Celeste Discussion
There are several improved Celeste, one of which is pictured and has been discussed for several years. Also discussed (in that topic and in earlier topics) was that there were several cultivars that were allowed to be trialed off site (or were spirited off site) over the decades that testing was being done at LSU. I personally have 2 other figs that were purchased as improved Celeste, but were "good" Celeste that did not drop figs and were 30% to 50% larger than regular Celeste, but had the same Celeste look and Taste.
The distinction would be whether it is an LSU Released version or not. From that discussion and others, it seems that there are several cultivars in circulation that are not released versions.

Pete,

What is the taste difference between IC(O'Rourke Not) and the other IC's.  And do the others ripen as early?  I have an IC that I started from cutting early this spring, no ripe fruit this year, it has mostly 3 lobe with some 5 lobe leaves. I was hoping it was going to be the 1-3 lobe IC(O'Rourke Not) that ripens early and holds brebas. I guess I'm trying to determine whether I need to pursue cuttings from that IC(ON) again or not.

Calvin,
IMO, the improved Celeste that look like large Celeste have the same taste as Celeste, Very sweet with a light brown sugar after taste. The IC (not) pictured has a light maple flavor (or raw cane sugar) and is not as sweet as regular Celeste. The Celeste cultivars all seem to be early ripening, if kept above freezing temperatures over winter.

The pictured IC (not) will have 5 lobes (or 3 lobed with thumbs) when it is over fertilized or grown rapidly (longer internode spacing). You will have to wait for the second year to see if you have the correct cultivar. I attached additional pictures of leaves and figs under the fig of the Day "Celeste" Topic

<edit> I have not been growing them long enough to be able to answer that question as to ripening dates. I will say that the IC-Not has been ripening figs continuously for a month, while the other Celeste ripened their figs almost all at once.

Thankyou.