Today I picked my first Black Jack, Black Celeste and Improved Celeste (NOT).  I picked one Black Celeste brebra a few weeks a go and it was good too.  Below are the picture.  Yesterday I pick 1 Violette de Bourdeaux and 1 Marva Silka.  Both of these figs had me searching the tree for more.  But I forgot that I had covered several figs with newspaper and today went outside to check on them and I am glad I did.  All 3 of these were right on in ripeness!  Which one was the best tasting in sweetness and richness?  Black Celeste.  Black Jack taste like a Southeast Brown Turkey but richer and sweeter.  And the Improved Celeste was just pure sugar, extremely sweet.

But the best tasting so far was the VdB from yesterday!  Man on man you talk about richness and flavor!  I was going to take a picture of these 2 but just couldn't wait.  I got more turning ripe on the tree though.  We've had hot, humid, sticky semi-rainy weather this week and the figs are loving it!  And...so am I!  Looking forward to this fig year!  cheers,

Very nice harvest, Dennis.

This just sorta makes me want a BC that much more.

Dennis,

Did you cut those? If so, please post. I would like to see the pulp on the Black Celeste.

Thanks Navid.  Jason, man you gotta get one of these!  I'm planning on driving to LA this year and pick up a few more of these trees!  I think Dalton has some.

JD, I did cut them but my wife started eating them before I could grab the camera!  Argh!!!  But I got more figs ripening on my tree and will take more pics later.  I understand why our past fig leaders used Celeste as the mother to produce different cultivars.  The taste is so darn good.

JD, I spoke too soon!  I picked a few more this morning. Here is a pic of one sliced open.  It could have stayed on the tree another day or so, but as you can see from the pic, this morning one sparrow got to it before I did.  It was very sweet as the others.  However, the others were dead ripe and darker. 

I also picked my first Italian Honey of the year.  If you guys recall, last year I complained about this tree after growing it in a large container for 3 years.  This year, I root pruned it and planted it in the ground.  Well, I recall all bad words said about this tree.  This fig was totally ripe, cracked and was excellent!  VS, you were right about this tree!  It needed to be planted in the ground to get the true sweetness and flavor of it.  Again, I'm glad I kept it and look forward to more figs this year.

HOW BOUT THOSE FIGS!!!! 

Very nice looking figs Dennis and I know that they tasted good. Do you have Smith in your collection?? If not, you gotta get one of those bad girls too.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus 

Super nice lookin figs Dennis

Thanks Dan.  Yes, I have a 4 year old Smith in my collection.  I tried growing it in a pot last year and had bad results.  Why?   Because I just could not keep up with its growth and the figs did not taste like much.  So, I planted in it the ground.  It's location is not the best spot for this tree but I'm going to top dress it with plenty of compost and give it more water.  My irrigation system is finally in but I got a few kinks in my water lines and have to correct them before covering up the lines.  My 3 fastest growing trees are Smith, Atreano and White Marseilles.  These trees get 3 micro sprinkler heads.  I'll post some picture of my irrigation systems this weekend.  I had another small Smith tree, but it did not make it.  But moma here can provide me all the cuttings I need now!  I got one fig started to ripen and I can't wait to taste it!

Thanks Cecil.  I tell you....hard work pays off!  That IH was superb!  I'm glad I kept that tree.  I got Peter's Honey growing right beside it.  I want to see if these trees are the same.

Dennis,

I recently visited a VERY LARGE Italian Honey fig tree that is growing in my area.  Those are very good tasting figs.....juicy and sweet. The figs from the tree that I am studying, drip honey and can handle light rains. However, they can split (not sour) under pesistant light rains or one single very heavy rain. I have a small one in my collection because I like this fig too.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Thanks for showing the cut fig...looks good...should look and taste even better as it matures

Well Dan, yesterday I got the chance to taste my first 3 figs from my Smith fig tree.  The figs were butt ugly but were ripe and started to crack.  And the taste is OH MY GOSH GOOD!  I just could not get over the flavor of these figs.  I did not take any pics but will later of the others when they ripen. 

I was out tinkering around inspecting my trees when I noticed them.  I wish I had 10 of these trees in my yard!  If you don't have a Smith....GET ONE!  Between Petite Negra, VdB, Marseilles, Negronne, Black Celeste, and RdB...if I only had these figs, I would be in fig heaven!  I'm gonna have to drive down to JR and get me a few more of these trees.  Man they are that good.

Dennis,

From your description of the Smith's taste I can't wait to eat some from my tree. They'll probably be ready to pick by end of Aug.

One thing, when you travel to LA make sure NOT to drive a Black car there, as it will be crazy hot. Back in April temps were 90F, now I imagine it's much hotter.


Navid.

Well, I picked 3 more moments ago and I'm waiting for my wife to come home so we can taste them together.  I also picked a few Black Celeste figs too.  As for the UCD trip, I'll take your advice and not get a black car.  We had 96 degrees temps today and almost 100 yesterday so I know it will be hot in Callie in late August.  But I can't wait to taste a few figs!

Deniss,

By LA, I meant Louisiana not Los Angeles.

You also have a PM.

OH!  Right, I did say I was going to LA!  

Pictures, or it didn't happen!

Well we ate those figs and I am totally amazed at the flavor of Smith.  My wife told me to get rid of the other 67 trees in the orchard and just plant RdB, Black Celeste and Smith!  Here are the pics using her camera.  Hers is better than mine but the light levels were dim when I took these.  The interior of these figs are red and excellent!  Enjoy.

I am sure glad you share your yummielicious report. Now, I won't regret getting rid of my Black Jack. It's another notch up that I would like to have a BC. By the way did you get your BC from Durio ?