I have the opportunity to purchase a "Schar Italian" fig tree, and I cannot find any information about this variety, even after doing a search on the web, and this forum.  I went to Adriano's site, Durio's site,  Encanto's, and did a search on this forum, but still know little about this variety.

Will this fig ripen in the north-east, NYC weather?  Will it split/sour,... closed-eye?  Is it hardy in Zone-7?  Prolific?   Sweet?

I read that it was found in New Jersey, so maybe it will work in NYC.

Anything about this fig, especially from those who have grown this variety, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Frank DV

Is this a (mispelled) Schar Italian?

From Belleclare fig list:
#97 Shar Italian-Large purple/brown fig, dark amber center. Haifa, Israel by way of NAFEX member.

gorgi....

Yes, I made a spelling error, but I don't know how to correct it.  "Schar" is correct spelling.

I also have read some descriptions of this variety, but I need information on how it performs in Zone-7, NYC.  Thanks for the input.

Has anyone grown this variety?

Frank

I have one, no fruit yet. It is a variety that is seldom seen.

noss...

I have no clue....that's why I asked for some information from growers.  No descriptions of this variety mention the point that you just raised about brebas-only variety.

I tried to edit, but I wasn't able to correct the title of the thread, only the text of the posting.  I don't know how to correct the title.

I hope some growers will pass on some information that will give us a more complete idea about this variety.

Thanks...... it must be nice to be in Zone-9a

Frank

Schar Italian is a great fig.  It is a fat red juicy fig,  not many seeds has a unique meaty fig.   It grows well in zone 7.  The USDA upgraded my zone to 8a a few months ago, before that I was in 7b.

Will this fig ripen in the north-east, NYC weather? Yes 
Will it split/sour?  Yes, too much water and it will split and sour
Closed-eye?  No
Is it hardy in Zone-7?  Yes
Prolific?  Oh Yeah! 
Fruit ripens late.
Sweet? Yes but not sweeter than White Triana or Gino's or Smith.

It kinda reminds me of Martin's Unk 17 and Sal's Coreleone but better.  It's a good fig.  Mine is planted in my orchard.  It's one of my best trees there.  Here are a few pictures taken of the fruit a few years ago.  Enjoy and Frank I did get you email and will respond.

cheers,

thanks,

Dennis....

Thank-you so much for the updated information, and the interesting photos. 

I may give this fig a trial here in The Bronx, and see how it performs.  The open eye, and splitting does cause me some concern...our Summers can be rainy.  It will be grown in a large container, and I usually control water getting to the roots in the last stages of ripening, so maybe the problems I'm anticipating might not be a factor.  Glad to know that it's a good cropper...I have to share my figs with my family, of all people...and, sometimes even with a neighbor.  I do the work, and they eat for free!  What nerve!!

Thanks again.

Frank

To edit the title of a thread you have started, go to your first post in the thread. Hit 'edit'. At the bottom that edit window, there is another box - something like 'go advanced'. Click that. The title will appear at the top of the next page where you'll be able to edit it.

Gina....

I just this second followed your directions....and it worked.  Thanks so much for walking me through the process.  Much obliged.  Now the spelling has been corrected.  "SCHAR ITALIAN" ...not.... "SHAR ITALIAN"

Frank

schar (also means dawn) is a common name of many people in israel 

7676...

Thanks for the interesting tidbits.  Some sources of information say that the Schar varieties: 'Amber', and 'Italian'...possibly 'Israel' were collected by a man -policeman-  working in New Jersey.  I kind of got the sense that "Schar" might be a surname...now, confirmed.

Frank

Consummatum est.   It's  a done deal.

The order was placed, and a "Schar Italian" is winging its way up to The Bronx.  Should have the plant by the end of the week.

Thanks for helping me with all the information I needed.  I'm hoping for some good things from this rather obscure variety.  I'll let you know how things turn out.

Frank

Schar Italian/Amber available @ Durio's Nursery, LA....ask for Dalton.

Is it known if the durio nursery schar Italian Is the same one from bellaclaire?

71GTO....
I haven't any idea.  Background information that I've read says the Schars were collected in some New Jersey neighborhood, and found their way down to Ken Durio.  That's all I know.  I'm sure the Fig Detectives will let us know the provenance.

396/350  '68-Chevelle/3.73 12 bolt, posi-rear, and glass-packs....Sunoco 360 gas...$1.65 p/gallon.   Strictly "street", but with a Holley Spread-Bore carb. Still had hair, a 27" waist, wore sharkskin slacks, suede shoes with Cuban heels, and Italian-Knit shirts.  That was many years ago.  Those "muscle-cars" sure left their share of skid marks, on the street, and....never mind. : )

Frank

Cool, I guess it's something to look into.

My fig tree drives a '63 Karmann Ghia.  :-)

Hey Frank.

How did that Schar Italian look when you rec'd it? Also how'd it do for you for the remainder of the season?

I have one of Durio's price lists in front of me right now and that's one of the few that caught my attention.

Durio is about to get a rush of calls as soon as I post this ;-) . BTW if you do call now (1-3-13), you won't be able to talk to anyone about figs until Saturday. 

OMG just saw this thread . My DH had a 69 GTO Judge "pumpkin" when we first married. I couldn't get that clutch in for anything - high torque - my knee kept hitting my chest !! LOL!. Boy do I wish we had that beauty today !! We have to find another at some point in time .


Bill lol, thanks for the update !!

Bill:

When the plant arrived it had two stems,  a few terminal leaves, and many plump buds at/near the stem terminals.  However, the plant sat in a state of suspended animation for well over a month, and I don't quite know why.  It came in the warmer weather, and was not bare-rooted.  i expected it to take off after shipping-shock wore off, but that never happened.  Then plant did eventually put on some growth, and then, it just shot up like a weed, and put on a nice crop of figs which never ripened because of the late timing.  I would imagine the treelet will be sprouting on time this coming spring, and maybe some good things will happen this year.  Last year was a wash.

The Durio packing is excellent, and the many plants that I ordered from Durio's all came through the shipping process without any damages.  The listing of figs that they carry is impressive, but all might not be available.  Some of his local, heirloom figs sound wonderful treasures.

I do hope the "Schar It." turns out to be a nice surprise, but if it doesn't do well in my climate I will send it south for trials in warmer climes.  Last season I tried a "Texas Blue giant' and it was by far the poorest performing fig that I ever grew.  I think it was not a fig for a short, cool summer season, and I'm sure it needs a long, hot, sunny climate for it to be in its prime.

I will try a named variety for only a few years, and if it doesn't do well, it goes.   I'm starting to shift my collection to include more locally grown figs that thrive, unprotected in my parts.  I have many neighborhood trees to eventually sample.  I now have a "Bronx Dark" that will probably set fruit this year, and I'm looking forward to the trial of this unidentified variety, that was "discovered" and propagated by a forum member.  I will also be trialing some "Black Mission",  "Dark Portuguese", and a "Kathleen's Black"...and. growing two special heirloom figs that were given to me by very generous forum members.

Growing fig trees is very rewarding for me personally.  I have failures, but many more triumphs.  Anticipation is the fun part.  Contacting forum members and exchanging ideas makes it all worth the time and expense.

Best of luck.  I hope i answered some of your questions.

Frank

Thanks Frank! I look forward to hearing more about this one in future seasons. 

I was also impressed with Durio's fig list. I especially appreciate the detailed info they provide with each variety. This really helps when you're trying to decide on which varieties to choose. They sound like a pretty trustworthy place to order from. I will have to place an order with them ;) .

With the diverse cultural heritage that the NY area has in general, I'm sure you'd be doing yourself a favor in further exploring some of those local varieties that have been doing well there for such a long time. With such a variety of cultural groups that brought their favorite fig to the US many decades ago, I would think there has to be some really good ones yet to be "discovered" in your area :-) . I wish you the best in that quest.  

Thanks, Bill.

NYC was at one time a mecca for Mediterranean imigrants...who brought in (smuggled) their favorite figs with them.  A piece of the old country.  The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, is full of ethnic Italian and Greek figs (Astoria, Queens)...many gems waiting to be discovered, like the famous, "Hardy Chicago", aka "Bensonhurst Purple".

The "fig quest" is a great deal of fun, and as a bonus, all the trees around here, and in other boroughs are FMV-free, lush, and robust.  Some are loaded with big figs that never ripen, but some, are loaded with figs that ripen in August.  This year, I will travel around with air-layering supplies in my car...just in case.  I plan on adding a few, new, ethnic trees to my collection this season.


Best regards,


Frank

Sounds like you have a plan Frank. I'm a little envious :-} .

I am envious for sure. Frank you'll have to get yourself an Indiana Jones hat :)) . Hope you keep us apprised of your expeditions and all the stories that come with them.

Pattee....

I'm going figgin' for sure this coming season!  Over the last couple of years, I have become very aware of many figs growing in yards, etc.  I have my eye on a overgrown tree that's growing on the grounds of the nursing home where my mom now resides.  It might be a good fig.  I tasted some figs from the tree in late August, and with a little help, and cultivating, air-layers from this tree might turn into something good to eat and grow.  It's FMV-free, and grows unprotected, up against a Chapel wall.  The fig's location in right off the Long Island Sound, in Throggs Neck...and it can get mighty cold and windy 150 ft. away from the water.

Another forum member, will, I'm sure, chime in from time to time and let us know about more backyard treasures from around The Bronx/Morris Park section.  That's provenance of my "Bronx Dark".

I wish someone (forum members) would "discover" some ethnic, Greek figs from Astoria.  A very unrepresented area.  I hope not for long.  We need some new Greek figs to share.



Happy New Year to one, and all.  I hope the coming year will be better than than last.


Frank

I think you "explorers" should sell subscriptions and send cuttings of whatever good figs you find to your subscribers.  :)