Okay, attention-getting subject line aside, it isn't really an emergency at all.  But I have been looking at the Brugmansia Quebec catalogue and have found myself paralyzed with indecision.  I don't want to order something that doesn't work very well in our area, or is slow growing or slow maturing.

I know that Desert King is pretty good in my area (zone5) but I think I have a few cuttings coming thanks to a generous forum member.  :)

I am looking at the catalogue like a menu in a restaurant that I have been to for the first time and I just keep staring at it!  lol

So if any of you fig-learned men and women can help I would be most appreciative.  I am looking for 4 choices of the  $12.99 variety.  (I am cheap and new to this - and don't want to feel too bad if/when I kill one of them.)

I also want to have ones that will produce cuttings that Canadian forum member peeps don't have.  Figs seem harder to get here, and I don't want to do the whole cross-border thing.  (But I'm thinking about returning the kindness of other with cuttings they don't already have)

So far, I am thinking 1)Atreano, 2) Danny's Delite, 3)  Marseilles VS, 4)  VdB

Any you would change out? 


Thanks for any help!

Well Dave, I'm not in Canada, but I am in zone 5 (not far from you in climate, in central NY state).  I'd advise that you go for Marseilles VS Black  (aka Marseilles Black VS), which I assume is the Marseilles you're referring to.  It is alleged by some of the long-timers on the forum to be very cold hardy, so I think it'll do very well in your climate.  I'm sure you'll get lots of additional advice from others here, so I'll leave it at that for now.  

Mike   central NY state, zone 5

I would say those are good choices. If they have Improved Celeste, it's suppose to ripen early. You'll have to adjust your collection to your taste.

Hi Dave,
if you are looking  for productive in our colder zones, I would consider some of the varieties which are described as,
"Very sweet figs and they mature quickly. This variety is very productive in Quebec."
Some of the names seem to hint that they are varieties that have been 'found' in Quebec,
maybe been growing there for many years and have done some acclimatization to our colder winters, shorter summers, etc. 

That's a good idea, but I was looking around for some of those figs on the web and couldn't find anything else.  Has anyone heard of Cvetko, EPSH, or Drummondii varieties?  I like the idea of new varieties but I am a little hesitant.  Given that figs are rarely grown from seed (especially around here), aren't these possibly just mislabelled other varieties?  Or would it be more likely that they are old-school "neighbourhood" varieties that have been found?

Maybe I should email them.  I have heard good things about Danny (?) from B-Q.

If the Atreano is the right one, it is the earliest fig, here. Danny's, if it is the green one, is a lot like Desert King, so could be optional. VdB is worth trying anywhere.

Skip the dannys delight and absolutely go for ronde de bourdeux . It's one of the best varieties and also one of the earliest main crop figs .
John

If I am not wrong, Adriano only has 3 variants planted in-ground in Toronto and they are Desert King, Capelas and Hollier. Hence the best advise would be to seek other growers in Ontario and find out what works for them especially if you don't have a lot of storage space.

I would definately recomend you scoop up a Ronde de Bordeaux from him if you can, I know it's more but from what everyone is saying it would be better than VdB in my opnion.

Somehow this year I find VdB taste richer than RdB. Plus side of RdB as an in-ground tree is that it ripens in Vancouver. Its quality of taste is a bonus for late Sept/Oct. during this cooler period. Time will tell how well RdB performs. I tasted some ripe VdB at a friend's place around mid Sept and they were awesome -- very, very hard to beat. Given VdB more dwarfy nature, it is a bonus to keep in the greenhouse. Its awesome taste made me consider hard as to what I want in my collection. I had VdB for many years but always grown outside in a pot. Had good tasting figs but lack the oomph factor. But after tasting VdB under proper growing conditions, my collection on others is sure going to shrink. A good tasting large fig for Vancouver is Longue d'Aout. Not available in the retail market here but available growing in Vancouver for quite sometime.

I'd skip DD and go for Hardy Chicago, myself. He can ship in a larger box so don't feel limited to 4. I wouldn't miss out on Ronde but I'd keep VdB, too..

Unless you want an early start, I have you listed for Marseilles VS Black cuttings as well.

You will not be any later by rooting cuttings this winter because that is what you will be getting from Brugmansia Quebec . His plants are cuttings that will be rooted this winter .
I bought a few plants last May and they are doing fine but none is larger than 2 feet tall at this point . Next year they should take off , and I suspect the following year bear some fruit .
So if you are good at rooting cuttings you will be in the same position as far as plant size .

John

Oh.  Is that normal?  I mean that I would be ordering plants that are currently probably not even rooted yet?  I guess it doesn't make too much of a difference, they are just going to be pretty small for awhile, like you are saying John.  I guess I did notice the 6 to 18 inch plant size, but I didn't give it much thought.

Why wouldn't they just sell cuttings and lower the price a little....(man, I sound cheap)?  Well, I guess that guaranteed roots would be appealing to many.

Some people can't be bothered with cuttings . They need almost daily attention . If you are away for more that a couple days on vacation , you may come back to problems . I personally don't intend on rooting anything before March , they don't seem to do as well for me if started earlier .
I also expected more established plants or air layers when I ordered last year . But you cant find another source with so many excellent varieties FOR SALE in Canada .

John