I've been watching these figs from my Preto all summer and there is 1 fig that has finally begun swelling and changing color.  I know this variety needs a lot of heat, so I'm not expecting it to ripen properly, if it even makes it that far.  We're getting some harsh weather today through tomorrow including heavy rain and wind so I'm going to store as many trees as I can into the garage today.  It hurts to see all these Pretos on the tree all summer and not make it to the end, which is my belly.  ;)

 

 

I wish you luck with them!

I managed to get one small one, but they still have many green figs look the same as they have for months. Hopefully in a hotter summer I will get to eat a few more. The one that matured was not during particularly warm weather, and it was delicious. Hope you get to enjoy that fig that is trying to ripen.

Mike in Hanover, VA

Thanks, Kelby & Mike.  This one grew from practically nothing this year, so maybe next year it will have enough energy to ripen sooner.  I've heard they can still pack some good flavor without optimal conditions, so we'll see.

Frank, what about removing all but the biggest few to allow the tree to put it's limited late season resources toward them?

try to scratch its surface like they did with the sycamore figs in the old times.  gushing...

Frank - My Old Brooklyn Italian grew like a weed this year and put on lots of figs.  Have been watching them all summer like you, waiting for a ripe one.  No dice.  They all stayed small and were hard.  2 weeks ago I cut off about half of the figs and yesterday had this from about 5 of them

 

They're about 3x the size that they were and are a tiny bit softer.  It's suppose to be a little hotter this week.  Maybe I'll get to taste one this year.  :)

Frank,
Try to seal the eye, it helps to get a ripe fig quicker.
Just rub with some olive oil.

I may try this too, Igor.  Thanks

I just knocked off all but 5 figs, so we'll see what happens.

There might be room for one special tree to spend a few days in the nice warm house somewhere. Just till the weather passes. :)

Calvin,

On my lunch break I went home and moved a few trees to the garage.  Mainly 1 gallon pots.  The rest are on my deck (5 gallon SIPs).  Three sides of the deck have tight fitting walls.  One side will allow winds to come through, so I hope there's enough wind protection to keep them upright.

My Pretos were very late this year, the first ones ripened for labor day, I guess I shouldn't complain but there are about 10 green ones left on the tree. There are also 5 that are close to ripe and more colored and swollen than the one in your pucture. They have been quite good this year, though the later the season the longer they take to ripen. My leaves are still as green as could be here in 7b, so maybe there is hope for the stragglers. I think you will be able to taste one at least. Wait for the skin the develop splits, they also drip honey when the weather cooperates.

Thanks for the info, Rafael.  It's getting darker so I think I may get lucky.  The temps will be in the 60s-70s the next few days, but night temps will see upper 40s.  I might have to put it in the garage those nights.  I'll post a new thread with pics and a report if all goes well.