Here are a couple of pictures of one of my LSU Golden Celeste fig strains. This is the one that I have reported on which has the amber pulp.....not pink nor red. There are definitely three and possibly four Golden Celeste sibling figs going around in circulation. This is a very good rich tasting fig. It is both a rain tolerant and bug resistant fig that does well in the rainy south.  However, this particular Golden Celeste strain is the UGLY one.

First crop figs are very sweet and belong in the "super sweet" category of figs. It could be too sweet for some tastes. This year these figs have a hint of peach flavor to them. This strain will produce a second crop which drip even more honey than the first crop. It will solidify into taffy. I will post pictures of those later in the season........

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

they look awesomely delicious!

Scott's Yellow is another great tasting "UGLY" LSU fig. My guess is that its ugliness is the reason why it was never "officially released" by LSU. It is just too ugly for many consumers. It is nowhere near as appealing as a beautiful LSU Gold fig. Many consusmers will pay a premium for LSU Gold figs on looks alone........

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Dan, thanks for the additional information, on your strain.

Dan,

I second Bob's request. I would like to see the leaves also the tree.

In your opinion, are LSU Champagne and LSU Golden Celeste (amber pulp) the same fig? FYI. I just asked the same question on the following thread http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3976765&pid=1269401485#post1269401485. I don't want to misdirect your thread so please consider posting an answer there if you like.

I definitely need to learn to take more and better pictures......

FYI.....Golden Celeste is a high priority investigation item and research area for me. Here is what I know for certain at this time:

Like I've stated before in several threads....there are AT LEAST THREE sibling figs called "Golden Celeste" that came out of the LSU breeding program. And there possibly is a fourth strain that I have recently discovered....am still studying this particular tree. All of this takes time..........

Golden Celeste (AP) IS NOT THE SAME as the strain "officially" released and named Champagne. Golden Celeste (AP) is much rounder in shape and handles heavy rain without any problems. And I am 100% certain that Golden Celeste (AP) came from the breeding program.

Like I've stated on multiple occasions......this fig belongs in the super sweet category of figs. It is not only super sweet;  but, it  has a level of richness to it. It does have a hint of background flavor that varies with time of year. Right now that flavor hint is peach. IMO, this is a great fig. It's one drawback is that it is a very UGLY fig. And it may actually be TOO SWEET for some people. This strain is is almost as sweet as the Cajun Honey heirloom fig that I discovered and reported on a couple of years ago.

I will have much more to say on the Golden Celeste strains when I have more data and facts. When I know more, so will you.
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FYI, not all of the LSU bred figs came out of the front door. Many went out of the back door when funding for the the fig breeding program was terminated. Some of these "sibling figs" made it into the hands of certain very reliable local nurseries and other local fig enthusiast. In fact, LSU Gold was "LOST" by LSU and was "rediscovered" growing outside of LSU's original test orchard. Dr. O'Rourke himself got involved in the identification of some of his sibling figs that were "lost".  One of my research goals is TO FIND OTHER LOST LSU FIGS.

Also FYI, I have "found" what I believe to be a "Golden Hunt" fig. This fig too definitely came from LSU. Much more on this later......when I've developed more data and facts.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Keep up the interesting R&D Dan. I am sure there are more than one strain of LSU Golden Celeste as one seed can produce hundreds of plants. Likely in LSU R&D elimination process, some got to be planted in backyards & showed their potentials years later. Do keep the fig community posted and thanks for the up-dates.

Paully, I second that!

Again Dan, please keep us informed. I certainly would like to know what your research reveals.

I third it.......Keep up the great work Dan.

Let me add my encouragement Dan. The more we can find about figs that were  tailor made for our hot/humid Gulf Coast the better of we all are.
FWIW your figs pictured look a lot like my "Celestial" fig. Didn't split or sour during all this rain like my LSU Tiger did. This was it's first year in the ground and the taste was bland to sweet.Nothing EarthShaking like my one dried on the tree BlackJack was last year.
Keep up the good work.
Dave.

Noss,

I've been under the weather the last few weeks. However; finding that BB10 fig the other day (completely by accident BTW) livened me up a bit. I have no intention of ever giving up fig hunting for those heirloom figs and the LSU "lost" figs. Like I've said before......there are still some great figs left to be re-discovered here in fig paradise #2. I aim to find a few more......

Your Hardy Chicago is a very good tasting fig and one that does real well in our climate. It will produce figs for you when Celeste stops.

Golden Celeste (AP) does have a tiny hole in it; however, it produces lots of honey that will block that little hole. The honey from the second crop figs will turn into near solid taffy that even heavy rains have a hard time to dissolve.  I'm sure that will be the case with your strain when your tree matures.

Please do learn to post your pictures. I still remember the picture of your beautiful fig plants all lined up in a row.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

I've been trying to get a few pictures of my Smith figs when they have those red/purple vertical stripes on them.....for Herman2 to see. First crop stripes are more on the red side. The stripes on second crop fall figs are more purple in color.

I netted the tree and still have a wise old squirrel getting up under the net to eat those figs before they get that way. That dang squirrel has broken lots of little branches in my tree when he sat upon them as as he was munching on my figs.  He loves Smith figs and does not leave me even one that is close to being ripe.  He did the same thing to my IC's. I tried scarring him off with a pellet gun. That didn't even phase him in the least. He is definitely now marked for a one way trip to fig heaven.....that is, whenever I see him again. One way or the other he will not live to pillage my second crop figs.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Reading this, I am SO glad I have a LSU Golden Celeste (first year plant) and that I got a tiny Celeste from George.  Don't know that the tiny is from LSU but I liked what I read on it.   NOW, I know that my decision to put the Smith's on my wish list was a great idea... but have yet to find one.  
@Noss...yes, please get camera lessons. I would LOVE to see your photos!  And, I will need to learn not to post thumbnails!

Noss,

My Smith figs did not have those stripes when the tree was younger and those stripes become more pronounced in the second crop when they ripen during cooler temperatures.

Yesterday, I hung some dried ears of corn in a pecan tree to attract Mr. Squirrel's attention. The cobs are in a little cage of sorts.....the kind used to feed yard squirrels. He always eats my figs real fast and goes his merry way before I can see him. However, if he lingers too long in eating that caged corn......maybe I will be able to catch him in the act and send him to fig heaven. So far, all of my armed hunts for him have been futile. And that little booger is breaking lots of little branches in my fig trees as he searches for ripe figs to eat. This is my first year with a squirrel problem.

Sara,

That tiny Celeste that you got from George is not a LSU fig. But, I've heard that it is a very good fig. I have one that has not yet fruited for me. Smith figs are very delicious and one that I'm sure you will love.  It is rich and complex tasting........and much more flavorful than most white or green figs.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

dan,

friend of mine hunts squirrel now and then. he put some corn on the bottom of a tree and just wait till it shows up and shoot them with 22. seems to work for him. he said he was going to grill some up last time, but none showed up for the cook out.

pete

Noss, we'd love to see your photos; feel free to start a practice thread!

Noss, if you plan to do 2 air layers per branch, I was given great advise not to
girdle the bottom air layer fully. I am thankful for the timely advise.

@Paully. Yes, this is timely. To make sure I understand you, for a single air layer with two cuts - like Rafed did to get those crazy roots - the top cut is a full girdle and then the bottom cut is partial. Is that correct or are you talking about something else?

YES JD.

Just scratch the nodes (that will eventually be inside of the layer) with some sandpaper to expose some of the cambium layer. This "wound" will initiate and speed up root formation. No need for girdling.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus