We continue to have nice weather for ripening figs in Maryland.  Alas, I need to eliminate some redundancies in my collection to make space for a few new ones.  I have three Mt. Etna types - Takoma Violet, Marseilles vs Black and Sal'sEL.  They are all in their 3rd season and have been growing in the ground since Spring, 2014.  The Sal'sEL and TK get about 7 hours of direct sun per day while the MvsB probably only gets about 5.  They lost most of their top growth after last winter but have come back to produce fruit starting around Sept. 1.  Today I was able to get pretty much ideally ripe (at least for my taste) figs off of all three for a taste comparison.  They all have the same flavor profile and are nice tasting figs. However, to me, Marsielles vs Black has a richer, more creamy flavor than the other two.  The Sal'sEL and Takoma Violet were indistinguishable in their flavor.  Has anyone else tasted these side-by-side?

Two of these must go so if anyone wants to adopt a nice fruit bearing Sal'sEL or TK, and can pick it up in MD, then let me know.

Hey Rewton, 

Nice looking figs, they look just like mine.  I have what I believe to be Chicago Hardy (which is considered a Mt. Etna tree), but I don't know for sure.

Are all the figs you mention sub-species of Chicago Hardy, are they different?

The thinking is that all these figs (including Hardy Chicago a.k.a. Mongibello) are clones propagated from figs that grew somewhere on Mt. Etna.  Presumably, each variety originated from a different tree found on the mountain.  There seem to be subtle differences between them but they are very similar from my experience.

Steve, I understand that you want to get rid of duplicates, but consider the region we are in. Of course you get more heat living in Maryland than me in North Jersey but these Mt Etnas are so reliable you may want to double think getting rid of them even though they are so similar. I considered getting rid of my Marseilles VS & Dark Portuguese because I had Hardy Chicago but I'm glad I didn't because in the last couple of years that we had bad summers these types really came through and produced when other types didn't. 

  Peter

Yeah Peter, you have a point.  I presently have enough figs in containers that I have a pretty reliable source of fruit from those alone.  But eventually I want to transition more to in-ground so I know what you are saying.  The in-ground figs that seem to come back from a harsh winter (with some protection) and put out fruit are the Mt. Etnas, Malta Black and RdB.  I have gotten a couple off of in-ground Adriatic JH, Battaglia Green and will soon get a Sicilian Red.  Let's hope we get a few more weeks of warm weather!

I disagree TaKoma Violette,is equal in quality with Mt Etna type.
My opinion is that TaKoma Violet is twice better in taste than any Mt Etna type.
At least here in my climate that is how good it is.

Vasile I wish you could taste mine and I could taste yours and then we could compare notes!  I don't have a good explanation but that's just what I have observed.  I trust my source for the TK but it's hard to be absolutely sure that it isn't another Mt. Etna.  The TK figs are a bit darker but that could be because the bush is a bit more open and the fruit gets more sunlight.

I am sorry Steve:I think I exaggerated when i said Takoma V is twice as better tasting,than Etna type ,I should have said,that it is ,one notch better,and this year also confirmed it was ,better tasting,than
Etna type just like in other years,did.
But not twice,because the word twice implies that ,Etna type figs are poor tasting,the way i used the word.
The Etna type figs are very decent ,sometimes delicious ,all depending ,upon how the Summer is ,in said location,and how much sun the plant gets,in the spot where it grows.
No doubt that Etna type are the plants we can assure a dependable harvest,and ,possible large quantity enough to make some fig jam ,even in adverse climatic condition for fig tree.

"No doubt that Etna type are the plants we can assure a dependable harvest,and ,possible large quantity enough to make some fig jam ,even in adverse climatic condition for fig tree."

As you have suggested in your posts, I plan to choose one of the Mt. Etna's (along with a Malta Black and possibly Improved Celeste) to stay in the ground and become a good-sized bush.  These should provide some good figs pretty much every year regardless of the weather.  It's time to look into fig jam recipes by the way!

Steve, I have tasted all 3 side by side.  All three of those you mentioned are top performers this year.  In my climate, MB were very large and completely dark purple this year.  TV and Sal's were prolific this year.  I love the richness of TV.  My MB is one huge tree. All 3 are in pots.  All 3 will be winterized inside this year.  MB is the only one in a SWP.  But that's going to change this weekend.  Any tree that feeds me---get extra care for winter.  And all 3 of those fed me very well.

I'd also say that there are a few others that stood out----Gino's, Don Fortsis, and Angelo's Dark.  You just can't go wrong with them either.

Thanks, Dennis.  It sounds like these figs get noticeably better with age.

Here are my O'Rourke and Takoma side by side, both are excellent!
They were pollinated.

i would love to adopt a few figs since i really can not find fig trees around here? i live in de so idk how far your at . I'm just trying to get into figging .