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Monticello fig

photo monticello.JPG photo monticello fig 2.JPG 

This is from a young plant purchased from Almost Eden this spring. this was the first fruit of a young plant. It was large and sweet, but not complex. It might improve as the tree matures and if allowed more ripening time.  This variety came from an Italian immigrant family named Monticello, and not from Thomas Jefferson's home.

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I can't get the big photos to come up but it looks good.
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It does look really good but I was hoping for a Monticello from TJ up in VA! I told hubby the other day, that if we ever get up there and were able to tour the grounds, that I intend on liberating a few branches, cos that's just how I am!
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Looks like a great fig.i dont mean to ask a stupid question but why is it call monticello?was it discovered in monticello ny?
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Names after a Dr. Monticello, Italian immigrat family in Louisiana
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Tami,
Here is the Monticello thread

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I think this is going to be one of the best figs.  Mark my word.....
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Originally Posted by Sophie
 I told hubby the other day, that if we ever get up there and were able to tour the grounds, that I intend on liberating a few branches, cos that's just how I am! 

Sophie, if you get up to Monticello in VA, rather than just "taking" some cuttings from Monticello, I'd encourage you to instead drive to the Center for Historic Plants, which is on another of Thomas Jefferson's farms (right next to Monticello, it's a neighboring farm that Jefferson also owned at some point), called Tufton.  That's where they researched, cared for, and and grew the plants that are now located at Monticello.  (The fig trees on the Monticello grounds are not dating back to Jefferson's day... rather the friendly folks at the Center for Historic Plants researched and obtained trees of the varieties that they believe match the ones that Jefferson brought over).  They're friendly folks there, and I found them to be generous enough with cuttings.  Just seems a little more civilized than stealing cuttings from a former president's home, don't you think?

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a

<edit> p.s. Bill, thanks for sharing this fig brought by the Monticello family.  Any idea if it matches any other variety?  From your description it isn't the same as the "Monticello Purple" on Jon's varieties pages http://figs4fun.com/Varieties.html   If Almost Eden is selling it by that name, sure seems like a good chance it'll confuse naming issues further.

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Mike, I am not yet an expert on identification, but to me seems similar to Mission Fig.
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Originally Posted by MichaelTucson
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Originally Posted by Sophie
 I told hubby the other day, that if we ever get up there and were able to tour the grounds, that I intend on liberating a few branches, cos that's just how I am! 

Sophie, if you get up to Monticello in VA, rather than just "taking" some cuttings from Monticello, I'd encourage you to instead drive to the Center for Historic Plants, which is on another of Thomas Jefferson's farms (right next to Monticello, it's a neighboring farm that Jefferson also owned at some point), called Tufton.  That's where they researched, cared for, and and grew the plants that are now located at Monticello.  (The fig trees on the Monticello grounds are not dating back to Jefferson's day... rather the friendly folks at the Center for Historic Plants researched and obtained trees of the varieties that they believe match the ones that Jefferson brought over).  They're friendly folks there, and I found them to be generous enough with cuttings.  Just seems a little more civilized than stealing cuttings from a former president's home, don't you think?


Liberating sounds so much nicer than Stealing, but thanks for the info. I haven't had time to research it yet, but now I have an idea so I'll definitely check out Tufton! :D
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i am soon to prune my tree. just moved from garage to greenhouse. not many people have this one yet, but it could turn out to be a good one. if you would like cuttings, PM me
Bill
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Would you call this a Mt. Aetna type?
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probabaly not a mt etna type. similar to mission mr maybe kathleen's black.
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PawPaw, I'd love to give these a try! Add me to your list please!
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 Hi Bill,
 If you have any extras would you PM me for a couple of cuttings of your Monticello?

Thank You,
 Richard
 Zone 6a MA.
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Bill i would like to give these a shot also. Seems like a good variety.
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After reading the description at Almost Eden I see that the fig came from Dr Sam Monticello's grandmother.  Dr Monticello was a veteranarian in Lake Charles La and taught at McNeese University where I attended.
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This fig does have a red tip. There 's a lot to be said about figs with red tips. Looking forword to my trees fruiting this year.
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Just sent the last of my cuttings. Looking forward to a good fig year
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When posting about this fig we should probably start referring to it as "Dr. Monticello" to differentiate it from Monticello, or if only to preserve the tie-in back to Almost Eden...
Jim
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Good point, Jim
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Hey, that fig didn't go through all those years of medical school just to be called "Mr. Monticello" ;-)
Jim
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 Hello Pawpawbill,
 Thanks for the fast shipment of your Dr. Monticello cuttings. They arrived today in great shape and looking forward to rooting.
 Thanks Again,
 Richard
 Zone 6a MA.
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  • TGO

Any updates on this variety? It would seem there should be a few out there in their second or third year of production, I would be interested in any observations on taste, growth rate, production ect... Thanks in advance! Tim
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