Now, the heavy weights - Bêbera Branca

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lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,060

Posted 1439917237	Reply with quote #1

A dense, very large Common fig, showing in full force through the second fortnight of August. Flavored and syrupy rich fruit, makes a delicious start with the early morning breakfast How big is it ? - 153 grams of pure jelly! Francisco Portugal

figpig_66

Registered:1416870358
Posts: 2,678

Posted 1439918730	Reply with quote #2

You got all the good stuff __________________ RICHIE BONI HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity Wish list. Col de dame blanc Col de rimada Lsu numbered figs

DaveL

Registered:1418927587
Posts: 247

Posted 1439926481	Reply with quote #3

My Portuguese ancestors sure knew how to grow thier trees. Keep it going Francisco. __________________ Dave Waterford, Ct. Zone 6B

Jerry_M

Registered:1427223807
Posts: 344

Posted 1439930043	Reply with quote #4

Oh yes, a whole 153 gms of goodness. I can't wait to try one of these. You definitely got the good stuff. __________________ Jerry Canyon Lake, TX 8b Wanted: Cajun Gold, Louisiana Honey, Schar Israel-114 grams

andreas

Registered:1401724296
Posts: 372

Posted 1439930698	Reply with quote #5

great pictures and excellent figs Francisco. i am waiting to see zidi again this year and the other smyrma inchario... something.... i think i killed the name. :-) __________________ andreas-patras Patra Peloponnisos Greece zone..9a

eboone

Registered:1378418906
Posts: 1,100

Posted 1439938495	Reply with quote #6

Beautiful pictures, as usual. Amazing figs, as usual. Thanks for sharing these, even though you are making us think our figs are inferior :) __________________ Ed Zone 6A - Southwest PA --------------------------- Short wish list: CDDG, LSU Red, Dark Greek (Navid), Col Littman's Black Cross. And any cold hardy early fig.

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,060

Posted 1439938639	Reply with quote #7

Thank you fellow members for your kind words In fact, Nature gave us a few pretty figs and there are others with far more nicer fruit ! Dave Well, the future for figs here is not bright,.. every year, due to neglect a good deal of exceptional trees die Investments go first to commercial breba type orchards brown turkey types What area were your ancestors from ? Jerry, thanks. Last year's record for this variety was 195 gram Andreas, Thank you. Noticed you were apparently absent for a short period.. Meantime have shown those cultivars you mentioned and if 'birds allow' could send soon pics of Smyrnaika , Kalamata ,.. may be others. Francisco Portugal

Quackmaster

Registered:1370361410
Posts: 769

Posted 1439948081	Reply with quote #8

Man those look soooo good! __________________ Ryan Zone 9a SeLa, wish list:

kkk2210

Registered:1420862008
Posts: 474

Posted 1439948335	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by lampo A dense, very large Common fig, showing in full force through the second fortnight of August. Flavored and syrupy rich fruit, makes a delicious start with the early morning breakfast How big is it ? - 153 grams of pure jelly! Francisco Portugal Hello Francisco, Nice looking fig and beautiful pictures as always. You said its a common type, is it suitable for colder climates?, I saw someone selling it on ebay. Thanks a lot Vinny __________________ Vinny Bognor Regis, United Kingdom Wish List : Callara, De La Rio,Cul Noir, Calvy, LSU Red, I-258, Maltese Beauty, Preto, FMV Infected Ischia Black UCD. My Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/myb/Summary?MyEbay&gbh=1

deerhunter16b

Registered:1352062719
Posts: 785

Posted 1439959031	Reply with quote #10

All I can say is Amazing !!!! __________________ john Zone 7a

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,060

Posted 1439987683	Reply with quote #11

Thank you You are all very kind Vinny, As you well know figs do need a specific climate. This particular variety is in fact a Common type. To reach its ideal ripeness these fruit requires long summer hot days and lots of sun .. the possibility of a caprifig or two in the area also will contribute and help in its internal and external morphologies, sugars and flavors, etc We do have that particular climate here, so Nature gives us the possibility of growing this nice fruit. My climate zone equivalent will be very close to the US-11. Francisco Portugal

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1439994645	Reply with quote #12

Thank you, Francisco! Beautiful! How easy is to to root this variety? I tried twice with failed attempts. How fast does it grow and how big a tree it is? What soil composition does this tree grow in? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,060

Posted 1440010599	Reply with quote #13

Igor, Thanks for comments Cuttings from this cultivar will root easy... Have no particular difficulties... even in well or rain water. After several experimentation's, think I am now sold on - rooting grafted cuttings - Been using wild root stock of which I have plenty as well as other non wild robust stock. Done by end of Feb through March A very simple side graft use very clean plant material Best with fridge stratified scion and stock - 2 to 4ºC Very sharp knife (clean with alcohol between cuts) Bear in mind that is always better to have a slight cambium cross angle to warrant success Not cheap but it pays to use a good Parafilm all over scion and upper stock -- 'aglis' ? media- coco coir + perlite 65-35 humidity dome is a must From a std scion with 4 or 5 live buds it's feasible to generate at least 3 or 4 new plants see pictures BB is not by nature a big tree average 3 meter high Good luck Francisco Portugal

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1440015853	Reply with quote #14

Francisco, Thank you for your prompt response with photos. I will try your method when I am lucky enough to get more BB cuttings. I tried rooting a few grafted cuttings in the past and it worked quite well. The best has been an O’Rourke grafted onto a wild fig. The wilds are really strong rooters with a good root system, even the figs taste better when the plant grow up. Good luck with your graft, it looks really nice. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,060

Posted 1440016867	Reply with quote #15

I did not mention but .. just before you pot your graft with a sharp blade cut all buds on the root stock All fig energy will be driven to the scion bud If it happens, excessive sap flow should be kept under control with a couple of small gashes on the stock Francisco Portugal

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1440017146	Reply with quote #16

Thanks! My approach was slighty different. I first rooted the rootstock and then grafted it after cutting off the buds. This way the nutrient supply was immediate (that was my logic at least). The sap flow has never been a problem since after a time spent rooting, the cutting usually does not have that much of the sap left. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

Jsacadura

Registered:1419781955
Posts: 346

Posted 1440032856 · Edited	Reply with quote #17

Nice technique, Francisco. I will try it in the next spring. About Bebera Branca... after seeing those big beauties, i'm a bit ashamed of my little tree. When will it produce something remotely similar to those wonderful figs. A couple of years ago, in October, I found it on a nursery together with other dried and dead fig trees, all neglected in a corner. This one was also almost dried in a ridiculous small container. They told me it was a 3 year tree - and the old wood seemed to confirm it, although its small size showed clearly the bad conditions it had endured. Recognizing this wonderful fig cultivar from your photos and knowing that it is almost impossible to find a nursery that sells this variety i brought her home. When i got there i found out i didn't had a good container, so i decided to plant it directly on the ground, with some good soil, as a last alternative. I understand its a late variety, so its probably a poor choice over here, because of the September rains we usually have. The tree survived the winter, produced a few leaves and some growth throughout the Spring and Summer and i was happy. I removed a very small branch, that was too low, kept in the freezer and i have it rooted and growing slowly. This Spring it was a bit slow to wake up, but it did, and it even tried to produce a few figs, that i should have removed all to promote growth (i know) but i couldn't. I desperately wanted to taste one, so i left two figs and protected them from the birds with a rigid net. Now, the tree is struggling with this Summer heat and as also endured some leaf damage with an insect attack, so i'm questioning my choices. Specially after seeing Fancisco's figs. I'm reconsidering removing the figs, taking it of the ground and giving it a large container and some shade, but i hesitate. I'm afraid it could endanger the tree. Maybe i should give her a few more years to see how it develops where it is. I still have the cutting to grow on container... __________________ Jaime - Zone 9b - near Caldas da Rainha - Portugal Wish List: São Luís, Valamandil, Sofeno Tradicional, Cótio, Cavaleiro, Belmandil, Coll de Dame de Ciutat, Strawberry Verte, Marabout, Sihagi.

schaplin

Registered:1392175246
Posts: 662

Posted 1440033189	Reply with quote #18

Look so good. Nice growing __________________ Wish List: @Hmari, @Maltese beauty, @Col de Dame Grise, @Bryant Dark, @Lynhurst White, @Melcedonia Dark, @Panevino Dark, @Paradiso

indestructible87

Registered:1368407095
Posts: 548

Posted 1440039243	Reply with quote #19

Your figs are always filled with juice. Love the pics. __________________ Travis Pittsburgh, PA

lampo

Registered:1329071797
Posts: 2,060

Posted 1440099604 · Edited	Reply with quote #20

Thank you your kind comments. Igor, I see your point and appreciate your reasons However I wouldn't be worried with availability of sap flow When the plant genetics (time) give the go ahead for the start of the processes both stock and scion wake up from dormancy and 'life' starts again..... IMO at that time they should already be tied-up, cambium to cambium fully protected and isolated by parafilm or hydrofilm, the stock plunged in a moisture rich media inviting a new root system to pop up from the buried nodes of the stock and to start feeding the infant tree. The grafting work was done 'in hand' without any fear of damaging or breaking fragile roots...and easing the job of tying and isolating the critical areas Jaime, Nice plant with good potential I would not create any additional stress on your BB by transplanting it now ... feed it as best as you can, a good supply of rabbit manure when the time comes for it and give it some iron (iron oxide). Hopefully it will rain enough to carry all this to the root system and your tree after a wise pruning may well grow stronger and healthy next season. Francisco Portugal

Jsacadura

Registered:1419781955
Posts: 346

Posted 1440115269	Reply with quote #21

Thanks, Francisco. I've been feeding her some liquid fertilizer (very diluted), with chelated micronutrients in it, including iron, and its roots are in a good soil - the problem lies beyond the hole i dug. Hard as a rock, clay soil, in the summer, that get's waterlogged in the winter. Very difficult conditions - the reason i was considering moving it. But if it resisted 2 winters and is growing, probably the worst is behind. I will follow your advice, take good care of her (organic fertilizer know and pruning at the end of the season) and maybe it will start stronger next season. Its just that i see the cuttings i have rooted in February developing so well (last week i realized i had a jungle forming and started up-potting some of my plants) that i feel divided for having such a good cultivar in tougher conditions. __________________ Jaime - Zone 9b - near Caldas da Rainha - Portugal Wish List: São Luís, Valamandil, Sofeno Tradicional, Cótio, Cavaleiro, Belmandil, Coll de Dame de Ciutat, Strawberry Verte, Marabout, Sihagi.

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