Frank,

Thanks for the response.  I'm surprised that more is not known about this variety.  I would bet that Denny McGaughy, the originator of the variety, would know this.  Evidently he got cuttings of this variety in 2003 and sent it off for DNA analysis in 2009.  Does anyone know if he is active on this forum?

Thanks.

Malcolm, my understanding is that this variety has only been available for 2 years tops.

I suspect all the plant available at the moment are TC so it may be a bit until anyone knows for certain.

Jon may be the only person that has had any contact with Dennis McGaughy.  It would be nice if Mr. McGaughy could contact either Jon or write something on this forum regarding this newly discovered fig variety.

We will probably have to just sit back and wait for all us Olympian growers to start posting about their trees.


Frank

Thanks for the information.  I learned something once again, from members of this forum.

If one suspects that their t-c trees have reverted, and are stalled in some pre-adolescent limbo, is there anything that we could do (culturally) for these 'Peter Pans', who refuse to grow up, to give them a strong, botanical urge to start producing figs?  I would prefer my trees to be a little randy.


I would hope that when a company claims that their t-c fig trees are "virus-free" that these claims are in fact, true.  In any event, the group of t-c trees that I have purchased from Florida Hill, and Wellspring Gdns. so far, seem to robust, healthy, and show no symptoms of FMD/V...  I only have the Wellspring Gdns. trees for a few months.  We'll see what happens in the coming years.  The Florida Hill trees are still "clean" after three seasons.  Trees from both sources have not been a disappointment.

Again, thanks for the additional information.


Frank

According to the same fig breeder, a juvenile tree needs to be 4'-5' tall before it will fruit.  It's the same for a seedling as a tissue culture tree that has reverted.  He removes all side branches so that the tree will get tall as quickly as possible, sometimes in 8 months.  The tree will never fruit below that level (unless side branches are allowed to get 4-5' long).  So an airlayer at the top would probably be warranted.

Glad your TC trees are working out great!

Thanks Harvey-

It seems that the t-c "Olympian" has already started to produce some figs.  I suspect that next season, I will also see some figs on my t-c "Black Mission".  However, now I know what to do if my trees decide to go back into childhood.

Just a few questions:

1.  Once these t-c trees do start to produce figs, can they revert, and go backwards?  (Is this even possible)?

2.  Once they reach bearing age, will they always stay at bearing age? 

I think "no" to the first question and 'yes" to the second...but, I've been wrong before.  So I'm asking.


Frank

Frank, you are correct, yes and no.

I haven't seen it mentioned or possibly missed it, but does anyone know if this tree produces a breba crop?

Johnnie B...

I think the only growers who could answer that question would be those who have grown "Olympia" for more than a few years.  The majority of us have bought new trees, this season, and haven't gotten any ripened figs yet.  I suspect within the next two growing seasons, there will be a lot more information posted about this relatively "new" fig variety, but for now...we just don't know.  I certainly couldn't even guess.

I would suspect that some growers might eventually be harvesting 2 crops of figs off this variety.  (A shout-out to snaglpus-Dennis.... how about it Dennis?  Do you think it's a 2-crop variety?).


Frank

A word to the wise regrading initial potting and maintenance of TC type figs from Wellspring...

I should have known better, but TC fig plants obtained from Wellspring need to be gradually hardened off.  I immediately potted mine up and put it out in full sun and saw significant stress on them the next day.  I'm so used to obtaining plants from F4F members which originate from cuttings that have been meticulously maintained for 3-4 months and already hardened off, I didn't even think twice about putting TC plants out in full sun.  I would have been helpful if Wellspring mentioned this in the packaging by adding a brief insert regarding care and maintenance.

They are now back to shade and will hopefully bounce back with gusto.

smithmal

Pics of interest.

Nice pics Yeehova.

I have one fig that has started to turn a bit yellow and get larger. Shouldn't be long until I'm posting a picture of a ripe Olympian.

I posted photos of mine at http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1283962856&postcount=37

Nice to hear that it has a good flavor. I must have missed this post.

So the first couple of figs that got close to ripe dropped before ripeness either in the extreme heat or torrential rain we have received in the last few weeks. This one was finally edible. It was sweet and tasted like a fig, but was not impressive. I only have three figs left on the tree so I am hoping for better soon.

Thanks for posting some photos of ripe figs.   Even though the initial critiques are less than glowing - as far the flavor and fig-size is concerned - I am hopeful that these figs will get better as the trees start to mature, and hit their stride after 2-3 years.

Frank

Frank mine are dropping. We also got a rain. I think this fig will take years to develop. Time will tell.

Thanks, Dennis....    : ((



Frank

I just picked another one because of all the rain we have been having. This one had several ants crawling on it and was ripening to a reddish color instead of a purple brown. It tasted much sweeter than the previous one and had hints of fruitiness. I think this is going to be a winner after it matures a bit. I didnt take pictures since I assumed it was going to be a dud. The last two are still very green and will take at least a couple of weeks. The growth of this TC fig has really surprised me. It is almost twice the height of a VDB purchased with it. The VDB also hasn't even hinted at producing any figs while the olympian has grown about 10 or so even if I will only be able to taste half of them. It has produced a foot tall side shoot which I am thinking of potting up.

Dennis-

Re: reply #94....Can you expand upon your opinion?   Are your Olympians not performing well?  Why did you state that it will ..."take years for this fig to develop"?  Are your trees stuck in some juvenile state?   I think I remember (in another thread) your observation that your Olympian fig trees are developing slowly, which seems to be in direct contrast to most of the comments made by other growers.  My trees have already set figs only after just a few months, and I'm pretty sure I'll get a small crop of figs, next season.

You, and others are far more experienced growers than I, so I'm curious about your opinions and comments, especially about this newer variety.  Are your trees grounded, or containerized...etc?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this variety will turn out to be a decent, if not great, fig.


Frank

The last of my Olympians have fallen without ripening.  I did trim the leaves off of the shoot at the base and repotted it.  I will be looking forward to next year.

Hopefully next year will be a successful year and you will get an abundance of ripe Olypians. Good luck Brian.

Thanks!  I am still hoping for a couple more reports before the season is over.