I've read that some figs are better suited for cool, coastal climates (the Pacific Northwest for example).  What happens when these are grown in the South?  God bless.

San Pedro type figs are reliable in the Pacific northwest since they bear the breba crop. In that climate the summer is not hot enough to ripen the main crop, so breba varieties that are known for a heavy breba crop is reliable. Since the winter temperatures rarely go below 15°F along the coast the buds are not damaged.

Cbladucc, There are several  form members trailing figs in Louisiana. They have reported identifying some very good figs for the south. Such as the LSU releases and some heirlooms. They may answer your question, once they read your post. From what I have read Improved Celeste, Smith and O"Rourke have been reported as good selections for the south.

In general, figs love heat and sunshine, and generally the more, the merrier. The issue in the South is humidity, and rain, which are not so compatible with all figs. Cool and coastal is generally not the best climate for figs.

Here in the North Georgia Piedmont (zone 7b) one of the biggest problems we have is unstable temperatures in the Spring.

It will warm up too much, too early, the figs leaf out, and BOOM, they get hit by a late hard freeze.

Overall though, figs seem to love the sun and heat in the South.  They get cut back by late hard freezes some years, but usually bounce back fine for the main crop.

Best wishes to all.

John

I think the Pacific coast climate is generally mild, seldom hot or cold, with a narrow range between the highs and lows.  Of course, with all the mountain ranges, there are numerous microclimates.  This means breba crops may escape freeze damage but it takes them a long time to ripen.  I thought by what I read about certain figs (i.e. Desert King and Oregon Prolific), they didn't like high heat.
 
CKB

cbalducc, I have a Desert King here in Albuquerque NM, and it thrives...even against a very tall south-facing concrete block wall.

Maybe the literature tried to state that Desert King doesn't 'need' high heat rather than it doesn't 'like' high heat.

I think it also makes a difference which variety you have, how they respond to high heat.  My Celestes start spitting off fruit in hot, dry weather, while my little LSU Purple just laughed at the heat.

noss

I live in Canada but have a green house, without any heat so it can very cold at times.
Is it a good idea to grow it and what about the taste?  Will taste differently in a cold climate vs hot one?

Hi Noss.  The LSU Purple is one tough fig, loving the heat and humidity of the South: The hotter it is, the better they taste.

I would definately recommend the LSU Purple for the South, but no fig is perfect, it's always trading this for that.  The LSU Purple is one of the best, but it takes several years from a cutting to the development of a tree that will produce really great tasting figs.  The first few years, I even thought about taking out the LSU Purple, as the figs didn't taste that good.  Everyone be patient though: The flavor improves DRAMATICALLY with age.

I'm also trying a Texas Blue Giant which may be a good fig for the South.  Despite showing signs of FMV, it was a strong grower and produced a good crop of figs the first year here (I bought it though; at least two years old from the cutting).  My concern about the TBG is whether it will take the cold here in the North Georgia Piedmont.  It was 14 degrees this morning, and we have had snow on the ground for most of the week, so we will see.  If the TBG takes that cold, as cold as it gets here, it is a winner for Zone 7 southward.

Best wishes to all.

John

Hylatran,

The short answer is "everything affects the looks and flavor of a fig." By everything I mean soil, fertilizer, humidity, in-ground or pot, temperature, humidity, length of season, greenhouse or not, sun or shade, breed of neighbor's dog that pees on your tree - anything and everything. They are very responsive to their environment.

Yes indeed, one usually has to be patient with LSU Purple. Even LSU advises that it usually produces bland tasting figs for the first couple of years. That was my experience too. They do indeed DRAMATICALLY improve in flavor with age of the tree. It is a consistently very good to excellent tasting PROLIFIC fig. It will produce figs all season long (three crops) which are very rain tolerant and bug resistant to boot.  It is also a known nematode resistant fig.

Regarding ripening during cool weather......LSU Purple figs will still taste very good when they ripen late in the season during cooler weather in my yard. Not all figs do that. VERY prolific, good tasting, and nearly immune to rain, fruit bugs, and nematodes......what more could one possibly want in a fig?

Dan

Hello John,

Is the eye of the TBG open, or closed, or should I say, do you know how it does in rainy weather?  Georgia surely does get hot.

Hi Dan,

The LSU Purple wants to go wild in growth.  Is it possible to keep it reasonably pruned back so that won't happen?  I've seen Mr. Robin's tree and it grows long, lanky branches every-which-way and grows clusters of figs all over those branches.  The tree is just bursting with life and vigor.

Also, is there any true fig flavor to it when it gets older and begins to taste better?  If there is not, I will find a home for mine, but so far, I've been amazed at how strong my little tree is.

cbalducc,

Where do you live?

Thanks,

noss

Noss,

The hurricanes have been slowing the growth of my older LSU Purple fig tree. Both my trees are not growing too vigorously....no need yet for pruning either one of them.  I would describe LSU Purple figs as sweet and rich tasting. I do not detect any consistent fruit notes to this fig.

Regarding fig taste......please realize that for most figs that have a fruit taste.....that those fruit notes are usually subtle and NOT very profound. You will love the taste of LSU Purple and how well it performs in your climate. It is a real winner in all regards. Productivity, productivity, productivity means a lot for most people.  It is wonderful to have a tree that produces good figs ALL SEASON LONG. Too, LSU Purple does not drop its figs. Also, it is nearly COMPLETELY immune to heavy rains and fruit bugs due to its tiny closed eye. MOST figs fail some of those tests. Why would anyone not want one??? If you have the room, by all means keep it. You will especially appreciate eating very good tasting LSU Purple figs LATE (November) in the season, when July ripening Celeste figs are only a memory. Few figs have better fruiting characteristics than LSU Purple.

Dan

Hi Dan,

I will be patient.  The tree has done well all season, will be over 2 yrs. old this next season, maybe a bit older, not sure.  It's got big green buds just waiting to burst out in growth and I'm told that's common and can get the tree into trouble, so it's being watched and when the temps have dipped lower, I toss sheets over the young trees in the front yard, under the overhang of the front and they seem to be doing very well--Even the tiny Golden Celeste (Smaller eye, pink pulp.) is doing well.  It's a sturdy stick, not spindly and just a tad over a foot tall, but stocky.  It's dwarfed by the other young trees and I have it in the back, against the living area wall in front.

I'm considering naming the LSU Purple tree, Wild Thing, in memory of one of my Yorkies.  I'm thinking the LSU Purple is like a junkyard dog--Nothing seems to faze it.  An amazing grower.

noss

Hi CKB,

Thanks, God bless you, as well.

I was looking into Neverella figs for Louisiana and found several places where it said they don't like hot weather and wouldn't do well here.  Also, in a nother place, it said that it doesn't have a really good flavor and is nothing much for a fig.  I'm not sure of the fig's name spelling because I've seen it spelled different ways.  Neverelle Neveralle Neverella.

I've seen so many figs said to be cold-hardy, but in most places, there's very little mention of rain-tolerance and heat tolerance.

I've been interested in Dan's fig studies because he does mention these things and it helps.

noss