Mike,

I was given advice to remove half the figs, and that helped mine ripen up.  You'll need at least 7 days after seeing the first signs of purple setting in before it will be ready to pick.  Maybe longer since it's getting cooler.  How much growth did you get this year with that tree in ground?  Mine are in pots.

Yeah I might need to do that Frank, I've removed the small figs from all my trees, it's just a harder thing to do when you have been looking at these largish figs all summer. Better some than none though. Hopefully the warm weather will extend past the weeks forcast, even with the warm days though, the nights are in the 40's. My Pretos and Black Maderia didn't grow much as compared to other plants I put in the ground this spring. I would say maybe just over a foot taller. You can see in the photos how tight the nodes are on the older growth compared to the new growth. I am debating whether I will move them indoors this winter or just protect them outdoors. I think they will really take off next year, as the roots have had a chance to expand, they were constricted in the pots for a number of years.

Mike in Hanover, VA

I know the feeling.  Mine have been on for 4 months.  I have another one ripening up, so removing half the figs has helped.  I'm also putting the pot in the garage at nights.  It's a humid 70 in there.
I did notice how tight the node spacing was on yours.  I plan on doing a buried pot on my other Preto next year to see how that works out.  Good luck with yours this winter.

So you guys in Virginia are growing Figo Preto in ground?  Please keep us posted on how it does this winter.  I am presuming its cold hardiness is pretty much the same as Black Madeira which is not supposed to be particularly cold hardy.  So I have both of these varieties in containers.  But maybe with protection it will be fine.

Steve,

I'm definitely keeping mine in the garage this winter.  I may try a buried pot next year, but they'll always sleep in the garage during the winters.