A few weeks ago I was contacted by this Sister at a Catholic retreat kind of place, I guess that's what it is. I'm not actually sure what it is but the Nuns live there. Anyway, she called the lady in charge of the Fig Trial after seeing an article about it in the paper and wanted me to come...to give me cuttings.
So I go during my lunch hour and time was limited so I haven't gotten the full history on any of these trees yet. Will learn more in a few weeks.
She is Sister Madeline and the trees are only known by names they call them, as I will put in quotation marks with the pictures.
Their "Greek Fig"
The Greek trunks. Smallest is approximately 3.5 inches diameter.
Their "Italian Fig". This was the only ripe fig left on the tree, she said made their largest figs. There are two of the same, side by side. I ate the fig on site, very nice flavor, not overly sweet.
Their "Dark Fig". Looks like Negronne to me. Agree? Very good flavor. More pics of cut figs below.
BT not pictured. No figs, already harvested.
The "Mystery Fig". Said to have come up on its own. Tastes heavenly. :)
The Greeks are about the size of a quarter for comparison sake.
Her way of eating figs is to pick them not fully ripe and peel off the skin. She laughed at me popping "too ripe" of ones in my mouth as fast as I could pick them. The very ripe Greeks like the one on bottom taste like a really sweet, ripe strawberry to me. "You eat what you pick" she said and I was making the most of my lunch hour!
Finally the two Dark Figs and the Mystery Fig on bottom.
Any theories as to this Mystery Fig? Anyone?
So the rest of the story. As we went along looking at the trees, she simply started pointing out to me where this one needed trimming and that one, like I was the hired tree guy. I told her I would be happy to to that for her when they go dormant. She gave me all the figs she picked, slightly not fully ripe but I didn't argue, and a nice little loaf of fig bread that was delicious!
All of their trees are situated on the South side of the building, in ground and never protected by any means. Be looking, they appear to be many years old but I will find out all the details on the return for work detail trip. :)