Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Smith 2014
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
JD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,162
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
This first-harvested Smith was good. I love the purple veins on this fig. Another day for the sugars to concentrate (if they can) would have been ideal but I needed to enter a few other figs into the Fig Protection Program so this one entered my stomach as part of the Program to Eat Breakfast.

smith031.JPG 

Flavor. Is comparable only to Socorro Black (for me). It is not a sweet fig as there are figs with a sweeter flavor profile. Smith is complex, rich and it has some subtle undertones that I cannot pinpoint - maybe someone who drinks wine will describe it better than I have. It is berry flavored with a slight acidity that makes it finish smoothly on the palate. This is different from Celeste and other sweet figs that have a sugary intense after taste, i.e., almost a sugar burn that beckons for salt or acid to balance it.

Texture. The seeds offer a texture that I prefer. It has a hollow interior and an eye that is not closed and will be a problem in heavy rains. And it is unlikely that this fig can actually concentrate it sugars like others with a closed or better protected eye.


smith032.JPG

Attached Images
jpeg smith025.JPG (455.44 KB, 99 views)
jpeg smith026.JPG (362.77 KB, 104 views)
jpeg smith027.JPG (288.44 KB, 107 views)
jpeg smith028.JPG (277.33 KB, 103 views)
jpeg smith029.JPG (283.54 KB, 99 views)
jpeg smith030.JPG (273.59 KB, 80 views)


__________________

jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
figgary

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 833
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Thanks for the great report, JD. I've always read that Smith is an ugly fig, wrong after seeing your great photos,  great tasting, and a favorite in the South. My 2 potted Smiths have small figs, and I can't wait to try them. The trees are really vigorous, and after your description, I look forward to seeing how they turn out here in CA.
__________________
Gary in CA 9A  Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross
cis4elk

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,718
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I see the fig is leaking honey from the eye. I wonder if in a dryer climate the honey will seal the eye? We shall see, Colorado has plenty of dry air.
__________________
Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6
Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves.  :)
waynea

Registered:
Posts: 1,886
Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Now that is a nice looking fig!
Chivas

Registered:
Posts: 1,675
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Looks great, I agree with celeste, I got rid of mine as it's like eating sugar from a spoon.
__________________
Canada Zone 6B
CAJUNB

Registered:
Posts: 131
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Nice looking fig JD......I had my first one yesterday and I must say its close to number one in my book.
GeneDaniels

Registered:
Posts: 1,014
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
That is one nice looking fig, and your description of flavor profile makes me want one bad! I am not a fan of the super-sweet figs, I like a little acidity. I will have to ask around for cuttings this fall.
__________________
Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow.  Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?
rafaelissimmo

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,473
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
JD

I thought Smith was a late ripener, even in the deep South. Main crop in mid July? Can't beat that. Have you seen any brebas on this cultivar? I hope mine will ripen, there are about 16 fruits on my first year tree.
__________________
Zone 7b, Queens, New York
Tam

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,084
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
JD: Very tasty fig and thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam
FMD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,327
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Great description of taste and texture, Jimmie. Looking forward to adding this one to the orchard.
__________________
Frank
Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b  
 

North Florida Figs
JD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,162
Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Frank,
Looking forward to your description of Smith this yer but more interested in next year after it has acclimated to the Back 40, much better care, and space for roots to spread and grow. It should be very good.
__________________

jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
Figbert

Registered:
Posts: 54
Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Looks wonderful JD. 
__________________
Growing: brown turkey, sal's el, Black mission,  
Wish List: Paradiso, Vasilika sika, Adriatic,  col de dame's, Lebanese red, abebereira, Binello.Smith, Stella, Zingarella, Adreano. Thibedeau, Adam, Champagne, Greek xx, Rouge de Bordeau, Asali, Izbat an naj . .any great tasting figs...
JD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,162
Posted Reply with quote  #13 
More photographs of this tasty beast. Look at the crooked, bloody, partially toothed...NHL post-fight smile on this fig!

The Smith flavor profile rang true even after I had a Black Mission NL followed by a Miles Davis solo trumpet playing Petite Negri (excellent no doubt but solo). The acidity of the Smith is fantastic (for my taste buds)

I am concerned about it splitting which did not occur last year. I am not concerned about the fact that it has also produced an order of magnitude more figs than it did last year; I like that. My corrective action plan is to do nothing for one tree to decrease the watering frequency of the brother tree by 1/4.

smith034.JPG

Attached Images
jpeg smith033.JPG (262.88 KB, 41 views)
jpeg smith035.JPG (264.99 KB, 55 views)
jpeg smith036.JPG (275.27 KB, 63 views)
jpeg smith037.JPG (284.87 KB, 53 views)


__________________

jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
DonCentralTexas

Registered:
Posts: 475
Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Awesome pics as usual.  I have one just up-potted today.  I can only hope it will look like yours.  grow baby grow!
__________________
Don  (Near Austin, TX zone 8b)

If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane
FMD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,327
Posted Reply with quote  #15 
How would you like to have someone hand deliver a mature Smith fig tree with ripe figs hanging from its branches right to your door? Plus a bunch more fig trees as an afterthought. Man, it's a tough gig being on the receiving end, but someone has to do it.

These were my first Smiths and I won't even attempt to describe the taste. Jimmie said it best, above in his post.

Again, thank you Jimmie!


photo 1.JPG  photo 1.JPG  photo 3.JPG  photo 5.JPG  photo 3.JPG  photo 4.JPG  photo 5.JPG 



__________________
Frank
Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b  
 

North Florida Figs
JD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,162
Posted Reply with quote  #16 
You are welcome Frank. It was my pleasure. Those deserve a better home than I can give them and the Back 40 is paradise for fig trees. Is it time for a video update of the Back 40?
__________________

jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
blueboy1977

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 459
Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Cant wait for my Smith to ripen some. Its currently got one little figlet that just showed up last week. I hope it will ripen for me this year and not fall off. Ive read nothing but good stuff on this fig other than being a shy producer early in life for some folks.
__________________
Rob
Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx

Growing:  Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte
WillsC

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,698
Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Looks great Jimmie.
OctopusInc

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 341
Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Amazing!  I want one!  
__________________

Growing: Pipo, Sicilian Red, Picolla Negretta, Red Lebanese, Ronde de Bordeaux, Galicia Negra, Violette de Bordeaux, Black Madeira, Celeste, Jolly Tiger, Figo Preto, Cole de Dame Blanc, Cole de Dame Gris, Sal's Gene,  UCD 185-25, Paradiso, Dark Portugal, White Madeira #1, White Ischia, Chicago Hardy, 

Want: Sumacki (bass's), anything that produces like a boss in Ohio!

I am both Octopuslnc & EclecticBotany on eBay 
JD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,162
Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Unlike none other. As I have said before, the acidity is unparalleled. Thus we are forever...Smitten with Smith. And as others have said before me and encouraged me to wait, I encourage you. Be patient...grasshopper. The fig will appear. I have been commanded - by my taste testers - to have more Smith figs ready to eat next season...by any means necessary

smith040.JPG 
smith041.JPG 

__________________

jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
SCfigFanatic

Registered:
Posts: 143
Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Very nice.

Happy growing

Doug
leon_edmond

Registered:
Posts: 923
Posted Reply with quote  #22 
JD:
Awsome photos as always. I have a Smith fig tree and the figs are very flavorful. However, here in Albuquerque, it has never been a productive tree compared to other varieties. Is yours the same?
JD

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,162
Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Leon,
What is your definition/measure for productive?

My definition is ripening 50+ in a season with minimal losses (to dropping, splitting, or souring) excluding those lost early to birds and critters. Note. The majority of my trees are potted. If grounded for four or more years, then my threshold is 75+ figs.

That said, Smith is *not* productive. It will produce about 30-35 high quality figs (if I protect them and I do) that are second only to maybe one or two others over the season.
__________________

jd | tallahassee.fl | zone 8b
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply