I just got some fruit from my first year Jack Black, it was bland at best. After the first one I thought maybe I picked it too soon. So the next one I waiting until if fell off the tree. Can't be more dead ripe than that I thought. Still it was a maybe a 3.

I know that figs are supposed to get better after the first year's fruit, but this one has a LONG ways to go to be worth growing. My first year Italian Black was 100X better!

Any thoughts before I decide whether or not to try to save the Jack Black over the winter?

Save it for grafting...you can use it as rootstock......I believe it will take 2 more years to get better.

Since it is not terribly cold hardy I would not want to use Jack Black as root stock here. We have several varieties here which would be better. I have an UNK fig started from a cutting that is a local here which small, but very tasty figs. It puts out suckers faster than I can cut them down, and you can not kill it with drought or frost. I have considered grafting onto that rootstock, but first I have to figure out what variety I would want to try grafting. Any suggestions?

Don't rush nature Daniel :)

BTW, you meant to say BlackJack, right? <:o

My Black Jack tasted very sweet and had a Berry taste somewhat.....: )

Hi Genedaniels,
The choice is yours, But, I have a post about "trialing an unknown strain", and the figs from the photos resembled a lot to caprifigs - so a bad strain ...Well, she is ripening main crop figs now and
they are edible, big, flat and delicious ... I'm happy I didn't send her to fig heaven any sooner. So patience is the key  - and menacing the trees as well, as it worked pretty well for that tree !
I had a potted replacement strain, and I said to the potted one : See, here will be your place ...

Of course, if you don't have the space and... and you want to toss it, then act as you feel is the best for you .
I don't grow BlackJack .