I want to get a couple of varieties from Jon. I know I want to try Narraganett. Care to humor me and throw out some varieties I should at least look into? Early ripening, breba crop producing is a bonus. Jon's list is so freaking huge my medicine brain cannot even begin to tackle that beast. 

I've read all the usual go to threads. I'm curious to see the ideas people shout out. I like obscure varieties. The ones that aren't on everyones top-10 list.

Random note: I completely forgot I put in an order into raintree last summer for fall delivery. I think I did it after feeling defeated after killing my cuttings last summer. So now I came home today to Dauphine and Sultane. 
Madeleine of two seasons was also ordered but they had to scratch it :(
Sadly, that one is not on Jon's list.

VdB, RdB, MvsB, Petes honey, desert king, hardy chicago. just a few that i have aquierd over that last year. some just this past fall. hardy chicago i have had a few years along with petes honey both produce great figs in my zone 6 location. the others listed are still to young.

Hmmmmmm, I went for some unknowns and some with no photo or nothing. I did that 2 yrs ago and requested Big Al. It turned out to be one of my best tasting figs last year. There are a lot of people here with some rare figs so go the the unknowns. And trade with others.

That's an idea. I don't have any unknowns. Maybe that's the adventure I'm looking for ;)

I have gotted a few unknows from members that are rooting, cant wait to get the fruit to see how good it is. I got Four that i really cant wait for. well i should say three as three have roots. but i got one from Bethlehem Isreal i am atempting to root and so far so good. really excited about this one. from what i understand its super rare and im hoping to have it thrive.

Good luck with that, Dave! I hope grows like a fig weed for you :)

Rodney Dangerfield figs. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5864109

Narraganset is supposed to be good in a cool climate.

How about Roja or Colar?  Both are supposed to have good brebas, although Colar is a San Pedro I am told..

Be careful with unknowns, especially with people you are not sure of. I traded one of my collection for an unknown, I got brown turkey instead. Not saying brown turkey is bad, but I wanted something different, like you. If you are going to trade/buy make sure that member is reputable. I got screwed over at GardenWeb. But I am getting better by the season.

Good luck
Jennifer

The fear of brown turkey is the main reason I have avoided unknowns.

I have a fig tree that was given to me a couple of years ago. The guy called it a Brown Turkey, turned out to be LSU Purple. Ya never know, sometimes there's good surprises in trading.

Don't be in a hurry. Last year, thinking cutting season was short, and even though I thought I had done good 'research', I ended up buying some mediocre figs. I wish I had been more patient. The figs I've acquired more slowly over the entire season have been of a much higher quality than those I hurriedly purchased last year - some of which I'm probably going to give away.

'The list' probably will be there for most of February so take your time. Some of the really glamorous figs will be gone, but in fact many are already. There will be many good ones left however. Then there will be ebay, a 'charity sale' or two, and members here both giving, trading, and selling cuttings/air layers.

When you do come up with a list of varieties you might want, post it here for comments.

As to 'unknowns', some are good, some won't be. The local one I collected and lovingly grew from cuttings last year turned out to be a pollen-bearing caprifig, lol. Now I only want named ones from reliable sources, but that's just me. Your Mileage May Vary. :)

I did a bit of reading through many old threads and settled on 5, all of which were still available. That's what happens when you are aiming for brebas ;)

Beale FN

Got my Narragansett on eBay last year during the fire sale.

I bought a brown turkey from willis orcard a couple of years bak that we found out was a petes honney. Willis sent me 2 brown turkes once I sent them pics of the mistake.

i'm leaning toward small dark figs lately. they seems to be small trees in general and produce intense tasting figs. Popp's Purple and Pratt Purple. of course, there are St. Rita, Nero 600M, and others.

By the unknowns, I meant those that Jon have but not much information on.  I think you chose a few.  I think it helps us and Jon too by IDing (not sure that's a word) the fig or relating it similar known cultivars.  The Big Al fig that I have is definately a keeper.  It look very similar to my Black Celeste but I'm not sure they are the same fig.  Time will tell though. 

Bass picks up a lot of unknown figs from around the world.  I have several.  I have some greek friends (in Charlotte) who contact me every year to show me their collection of figs they got from Greece and Italy.  They have no idea what they are.  I share with them because I know all of their varieties came from Greece.  They are shock when they hear I have a Vasilika Sika and Black Greek fig trees.  So, now I'm their best friend!  CAPS LOCK OMG!  GO FIGURE!  So sometimes you might get lucky with unknowns. 

Good luck with your choices.  Let us know how they grow in your area.  And don't get Narraganset.  I'll send you one Narraganset fig tree.  Just send me a PM with your address.  I got to mail some other trees out and would like to make just one trip to the post office and if you like fig jam, I'll include a jar.  Don't pay anything...just be a good friend.  thanks!  Be Blessed!

Of the figs on your list, I got Beale/Beall last year. Nice fruit, productive even on a 'tree' less than a year old, and nice taste. I picked and enjoyed two nicely ripe fruits in the middle of January. It's a keeper.

I also got a Portland 3 in an odd lot from Jon on ebay last year. It roots very easily, grows well and is vigorous and tends to branch - it's also probably the only fig I started last year that did not try to put out at least one fruit. Not one. I did not seek it out - it came with others I had wanted. The jury is still out. All things being equal, there is not much info on it and I'd be more inclined to choose something else - a more known entity - if you have limited room.