Choice of top 12 figs

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paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1207198166	Reply with quote #1

Hi Fig friends, Would appreciate if fellow fig friends can suggest the top 15 must have figs varieties. Thanks - Paul

pitangadiego

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Posted 1207201250	Reply with quote #2

In no particular order, Vista Strawberry Verte Negronne Black Nission NL LSU Gold LSU Purple Adriatic Black Madeira Panache/Reverse Celeste Jurupa Galbun White Texas Everbearing Marseilles VS Yellow Neches White Greek Stella Sal's Igo Falls Gold Trojano Black Tuscan and whatever else I forgot... __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

Axier

Registered:1191346607
Posts: 217

Posted 1207205872	Reply with quote #3

This is a copy of a post that I posted long time ago in the GW forum: --------------------------------------- Pierre Baud is a prestigious French fig nursery man, maybe the "top one" in Europe. His family have grown figs for nursery business for two generations. He actually grows more of 300 varieties. He has written several books and articles about figs. All the below are, in opinion of Pierre Baud, the best 25 varieties of fig (Brown Turkey is only recommended for its cold hardness). He has taken into account own experiences and his customers inputs in different climates, and has classified them in: - CLIMATS CHAUDS (Mediterranean climate, similar to South California climate) - CLIMATS TEMPERES (with early autumns less sunny and/or very rainy) - CLIMATS FROIDS (with rare late springtime frosts). "late"= late April - first May - CLIMATS FROIDS avec gelées tardives de printemps fréquentes (with frequent late springtime frosts) - CLIMATS TRES FROIDS (winter temperatures below 0º F) you can see this classification here (in french), he has divided in figs for small or big gardens and the cropping season: http://www.fig-baud.com/choixfiguiers.html For an automatic badly translated version: here The mean ripening time for each variety (in a semi-mediterranean climate, for pure Mediterranean climates is two weeks sooner) is as follows: __________________ Axier Basque Country Z9

Axier

Registered:1191346607
Posts: 217

Posted 1207225247	Reply with quote #4

Dan, I have read several posts about the merits of Smith fig. It seems to be an LSU fig, isn't it? but I have found little information about it. Please, could you describe it slightly? is it big or small? unifere or bifere? soon or lite ripening?... Thanks! __________________ Axier Basque Country Z9

Bass

Registered:1188959030
Posts: 2,428

Posted 1207226649	Reply with quote #5

Paul, Are you looking for must have based on taste or performance? Keep in mind that taste may differs depending on climate. __________________ Pennsylvania http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1207232723	Reply with quote #6

Adriatic Col de Dame (B,W,G) Violette de Bordeaux Aubique Petite Gino's fig Zingarella Marseilles vs blk. Sal's Hardy Chicago(for hardiness) Maryland Brn.Trk(for reliability and flavor) LSU Gold Mission Black Sicilian Beal I am editting this again by adding these 3 exceptional cultivars,i had a chance to taste this ,last Sommer Blue Celeste Barnisotte Black Black Ischia In no particular order. Some are excellent tasting,some are most reliable,some are cold hardy,etc. All these taste very good,in my back yard

Bass

Registered:1188959030
Posts: 2,428

Posted 1207233017	Reply with quote #7

Hemran, do you grow all these in the ground? I understand that Col de Dame is a very late ripening. I'm surprised it bears for you. unless you have it in a container. __________________ Pennsylvania http://www.treesofjoy.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trees-of-Joy/110193909021138

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1207233687	Reply with quote #8

Taste preference would be paramount in terms of flavour, sweetness, juicyness. After taste & aroma is important too to have that "good feeling". Agreed that taste can be influenced by climate but hopefully the green house would help in my area, Chilliwack ,Canada. Our summers temp is ususally between 75F - 82F from late June to mid Sept. With regard to performance, I am not so particular as I think can get away with volume of differing varieties based on fig friends recommendations.

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1207242401	Reply with quote #9

I grow all of them in ground,except Col de Dame Blk,and Gray. I had fruits of all of them except Col de Dame Gray and Blk. Gene in wash,Dc had fruits from Col de Dame Blk,and reported it to be even better tasting than my Col de Dame wht.Also Col de Dame Gray (grise)is reported to be better than both in flavor. So that is why I listed them all. I do try to grow cuttings from these presently,but nothing is sure till they take off. I just had a Col de Dame gray,go limp and die on me without any reason,today,i found it. Yes Col de Dame wht was getting a handfull of ripe figs 2 years ago. Last year = none. But i had enough t0 know it taste super good. Best regards

gatordmd

Registered:1204306026
Posts: 19

Posted 1207254209	Reply with quote #10

Does anyone know of any good sources for purchasing an LSU Gold or Smith? They seem hard to find. Thanks! __________________ Paul Walker

Registered:Member deleted
Posts: N/A

Posted 1207260113	Reply with quote #11

Hello Paul, Mr. James Robin has these cultivars listed for sale. He might still be able to ship you them (it is getting late in the season for shipping) Green & Yellow figs: Alma, Conadria, King, LSU Everbearing, LSU Gold, Magnolia, Marseilles, Smith & White Genoa. Dark figs; black, violet or brown: Beall, Black Jack, Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Celeste, Hardy Chicago, HOLLIER, HUNT, LSU Improved Celeste, Early Violet, LSU Purple, Texas Everbearing & Sciliian Black. Phone: (337)407-0188 Edit encantofarms.com might be able to help you also. Cecil

mountainman0826

Registered:1188875613
Posts: 31

Posted 1207262665	Reply with quote #12

Adriatic, Alma, Bourjasotte Grise, Celeste, Col de Dame Noir, Green Ischia, Harry's Fig (Poulette), Hollier, Hunt, Kadota, LSU Gold, Mission, Smith, Violette de Bordeaux, Vista Mission There are several others that may vie for the list, once I have had a chance to sample the fruit: Aldo, Black Madiera, Gentile, Paradiso (depending on which one it is!) and Trojano. __________________ Joe Austin, TX Zone 8B

Registered:Member deleted
Posts: N/A

Posted 1207269274	Reply with quote #13

Thanks VERY much Dan, I promise to give it a good home! Just email me with what I need to do OK! Cecil

Axier

Registered:1191346607
Posts: 217

Posted 1207303878	Reply with quote #14

Thanks Dan for your Smith description. I was confused with the origin. Obviously, to be from Louisiana doesn't necessarily imply to be from LSU. __________________ Axier Basque Country Z9

johnvalenzuela

Registered:1201207254
Posts: 22

Posted 1207584774	Reply with quote #15

Only on the FIGS 4 FUN FORUM would there be lists of the top 12-15 varieties of figs- The average person- not figs fanatics like ourselves- would be pressed to name just 2! (perhaps: black and green) Knowing how the same variety in different climates, soil, and microclimate create different qualities- I wonder what is your # 1 favorite variety? the one you consider The Best- considering taste, productivity or other qualities you would like to mention. I grew up eating Black Mission, but after tasting Violette De Bourdeaux at Wolfskill, I think it is the best tasting. __________________ John Valenzuela, Novato, California, SF Bay Area, Sunset zone 16-17, USDA 10a

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1207596455	Reply with quote #16

Last year my top choice is the Elana fig, followed by Desert King, Negronne & Lattarula. This preference may change by late summer 2008 as my collection has grown to include some top quality figs like Hardy Chicago, Capelas, Stella , St Anthony etc. And I plan to have a green house this year to take care of those specialty figs that would need more heat like Brogiotto Nero & hopefully Black Maderia etc. I certainly appreciate fig friends sharing their top preferences as it helps me to make a more discerning choice to appreciate fig's finnese as well as to whats available.

Posturedoc

Registered:1201308628
Posts: 159

Posted 1207683574	Reply with quote #17

I've only been lucky enough to sample 10-15 or so different varieties, some of which I can't name, but my favorite so far and by a mile is what I believe to be a Black Mission from a particular couple of trees in Hayward California. I went to chiropractic college in the East Bay area of California and lived up against the mountain range on the east side of the Bay. There was a regional park (Garin Regional Park, for those who might like to find the three fig trees, two of which had superior fruit than the third, that produced these fantastic figs) near my apartment that I would visit. I discovered these trees, which must have been planted by the property owner before the ranch was purchased and converted to a park, the second of the three years I lived there and harvested many figs. I found it interesting that the taste and productivity in year three was far inferior to year two. I can still taste those year two Missions: they were rich, almost coconutty, and juicy without being too sweet. I generally like Missions, even when I find them in the store, but I've never tasted a Mission fig or any other fig since that approaches them. Next time I'm down that way I intend to take a few cuttings or dig up one of the many suckers off of the main trunk of one of them and see if I can manage to keep it happy in a pot. On the local front, I had a grand total of one Violette De Boudeaux last year off of my first year tree and it was very nice. I look forward to a larger crop this year. Celeste and Lattarula from my potted trees have also tasted very good. __________________ Neil Reno, NV Zone 6b

Chills

Registered:1189091176
Posts: 147

Posted 1207706783	Reply with quote #18

I am afraid to say that the best fresh fig I've had was a Katoda. Of course it was the only fig of mine that produced any fruit, well any fruit which I (and not the squirrels) got to sample. This year I am hoping to try a number of other varieties (and who knows, maybe some squirrel jurky as well) ~Chills __________________ ~Chills Zone 6b Michigan 1/4 mile from a large lake growing: figs, kiwis and anything else that will fruit here for me.

figtasia

Registered:1207006632
Posts: 13

Posted 1208201600	Reply with quote #19

Mind you- these were all in pots last year so I just gotta' couple here and there but I am totally in LOVE with my Tena, Verte and Flanders! They have been in the ground since October and are now leafing out- out in the fig farm. I am so excited and will have a much better and broader idea with 37 trees planted (29 varieties so far).... and more on the way! This has been a hard year personally for me so my figs have been such a greatly appreciated diversion and I LOVE coming back to this wonderful new forum! Christy

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1228537896	Reply with quote #20

This year we had weather that is not so kind to figs here in British Columbia. Thus the ones that stood out for me are --- Desert King, Elana, Enrico, Ficazzana, Hardy Chicago, Lattarulla, Negronne, Tony's Greek & Vicenzo. Others that stood out for my friend who used the greenhouse for a head start are Slocan, Stella, Nebo White Italian etc., especially Slocan. Hope others can chime in what have done well for them this year. I know for sure I will need to have a greenhouse by spring 2009. The biggest mistake I made this year was I winter them in the house & they started early and I forgot to take them in during early/mid spring and all tender growth was killed & heavy damage to leaves. This setback was an extra blow to the less than friendly fig weather resulting in no chance for crops to ripen. Almost all varieties of breba crop was wiped out.

parkwood1

Registered:1229137422
Posts: 2

Posted 1229455649	Reply with quote #21

This is a response to posturedoc's post, I sent you an email but you did not reply so I'm posting to see if that works better. I work in Hayward, CA and visited Garin park last week during my lunch hour, there was not much time to explore it. However, I came across a mass of fig trees growing by a creek. Wish I could post pictures. Just beyond the parking lot, there is a small foot bridge across the creek. On the other side, there was a mass of figs on either side of the footbridge. I can't say there were 3 separate trees. Either tons of suckers or tons of seedlings, all grown together into a mass of vegetation. No figs at this time of the year. Were these the great tasting figs? No way to tell which is the good one...

nelson20vt

Registered:1248707604
Posts: 313

Posted 1255032514	Reply with quote #22

Ok so I did not want to start a new thread, I will be going to visit Adriano next week to get some cuttings off him. I am looking for a good white variety for the North East I have been debating between a few varieties so any help would be greatly appreciated. Some of the white variants that I was thinking Fracazzano Marylane Seedless Col De Dame white St. Anthony anyone try these? Good / Bad ? __________________ Toronto, Ontario Zone 5B/6

apnoist

Registered:1192722343
Posts: 144

Posted 1255033816	Reply with quote #23

col de dame - very good, but late

pitangadiego

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Posted 1255039419	Reply with quote #24

Fracazzano - ? Marylane Seedless - quite good Col De Dame white - quite good St. Anthony - good, but 7-10 day ripening cycle, after first showing signs. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com http://figs4fun.com http://webebananas.com "pitangadiego" everywhere

nelson20vt

Registered:1248707604
Posts: 313

Posted 1255043290	Reply with quote #25

Sorry Jon the syn is Ficazzana __________________ Toronto, Ontario Zone 5B/6

loslunasfarms

Registered:1189011868
Posts: 380

Posted 1255045580	Reply with quote #26

Hey all, I would add Bayernfiege Violetta to my list, on a scale of 1-10 I would give it a 9.5. My wife also gave it a good 9+.

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1255175441	Reply with quote #27

2009 best picks in my collection in terms of taste(sweetness & flavour) in no particular order: Marseillies VS Vicenzo Enrico Dark Portuguese Desert King Slocan Elana Negronne Hollier Hardy Chicago Atreano Tony's Greek(maybe Osborne Prolific) For productivity in terms of volume of figs ripen: Marseillies VS Vicenzo Hollier Tony's Greek Latarulla Note : Desert King did not have many brebas due to pruning. It had lots of main crop. Hence next year breba crop is expected to be a bonanza.

saxonfig

Registered:1258080612
Posts: 1,370

Posted 1297102074	Reply with quote #28

I'm bumping this thread after seeing it linked in another "fav fig" thread that cbalducc had bumped. This one: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=2858195&pid=1267173802#post1267173802 Does anyone have any other top best tasting figs to add that we could talk about? This would be nice to help those of us who are snow-bound at the moment. It's coming down blizzard-like at my place right now! My cat gave me a dirty look when I let her out to "go" just a bit ago. What!? She didn't grow that winter coat for nothin'! __________________ Fig Well And Prosper! Bill - SW KY. Zone 6b. 36.5N I'm fruitnut on ebay.

grant_n_georgia

Registered:1290170811
Posts: 77

Posted 1297102753	Reply with quote #29

Does anyone on this thread live in costal Ga , or have the same hot humid weather??? I am asking so I can find out what kinds of figs I should try and find to grow here..

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1297106090	Reply with quote #30

OK, all that ripened for me tasted good but Sal (EL), Vincenzo and Hardy Chicago tasted a bit different (good). My problem is that all that ripen and have sweetness taste good to me except the ones that obviously don't taste good. Next year I will try to sharpen my taste buds by closing my eyes when tasting and come back to edit this post. __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1297111225	Reply with quote #31

Ottawan, I suppose you meant sharpen taste buds this year. Anyway, I have new varieties and hopefully some of these newer variants like Maltese Falcon, Adriatic JH, Doce, Latarrula Ejp, Sequioa, Ronde de Bordeaux, Chico Malibu, Moscatel Branco, Preto etc will change my earlier preferences. Last year I was impressed with the variant Sue's Unknown that came from you. It ripen main crop here. Difficult to describe the taste but good. I picked it on a week where there wasn't many sunny days and it still tasted good.

svanessa

Registered:1189292564
Posts: 905

Posted 1297126348	Reply with quote #32

Which unknown was that? I have so many and added a couple more this year. ;-) Sue __________________ Sue Zone 9B, 1946' Ramona, CA San Diego County

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1297128141	Reply with quote #33

Sue It was one of the two you collected from a neighbour curb ans shared with me and I later shared with paully. Paully says he likes it and (I hope Jon does not read this) it most probably is Brown Turkey. __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

paully22

Registered:1195324538
Posts: 2,719

Posted 1297145507	Reply with quote #34

Ottawan, it had quite a unique flavor to it and it did not taste like my other BT's strains. Initially there was some visual resemblance but the flavor was just unique and early(Sept), I just could not pin it down. My other BT strains ripen in Oct. This season, I will pay closer attention.

nkesh099

Registered:1267670012
Posts: 863

Posted 1297365135	Reply with quote #35

I would add, Black Italian and Violette de Bordeaux. These two were the best last season. Both dark skined and very sweet.

timclymer

Registered:1300323432
Posts: 305

Posted 1339173039	Reply with quote #36

Thought I'd resurrect this thread since it's been about a year since it was last posted to. I just got started growing figs so my list only includes LSU Purple (grown when we lived in Texas) and a local dark Italian unknown. Selfishly, I'd be very interested to hear the most up to date thoughts from northeast inground growers. __________________ http://threefoldfarm.org - Fig trees and farm updates https://www.facebook.com/ThreefoldFarm South Central PA (6b,7a) Want List: Ital 258, any figs found growing in PA, NJ, or NY

Gina

Registered:1330452963
Posts: 2,260

Posted 1339173640	Reply with quote #37

I love reading these old threads - there is so much gold in them. I'd also like to hear what varieties California growers have been finding works best for them too. Of course every wonderful fig I read about... I want. Thanks :) __________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)

DesertDance

Registered:1247674606
Posts: 4,518

Posted 1339188054	Reply with quote #38

Some time ago when I first registered here, I went to the UC Davis site for cuttings, and some of the articles raved about the flavor of VdB and Panachee, so I went for those to start. Things have changed, more figs have been added, and more to come. I WISH I had a wish list! Anything I can't get from UC Davis would be on that list. My order for cuttings from them goes in early, and I've never been disappointed. Of course, I don't just order figs! But I make sure at least 10 are on my list. I'd like Sals for a starter. Not too much to ask, right? Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

The_celt

Registered:1291260537
Posts: 874

Posted 1339188573	Reply with quote #39

In no particular order Longue D'aout Kathleen's black Rbd All the col de dames Paradiso bronze vs vbd Vista Gino's black Jh Adriatic Maltese falcon Sorbello red __________________ http://sumosteaks.com/

Figfinatic

Registered:1330272993
Posts: 761

Posted 1339212854	Reply with quote #40

My panache grows well and tastes great in So Ca. Growing a lot of varieties in AZ too. They seem to be doing great in full sun there and super hot temps, except forget to water them one day, and you have crispy fig leaves. Not many figs to try though since I just started the crazy fig growing addiction around beginning of this year. __________________ Wish: Sbayi, passiflora incense, quadrangularis or others

noss

Registered:1244523274
Posts: 2,122

Posted 1339220010	Reply with quote #41

This is the first year my LSU Purple has tasted good. It's about 4 yrs old now. It's true that they gain flavor with age. I was on the verge of getting rid of the tree, but gave it one more year because of how people kept saying let it have a chance to grow. It IS a good fig. Now, If I could find a way not to have to share them with birds and ants---- noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

Figs4Life

Registered:1361572751
Posts: 666

Posted 1366008350	Reply with quote #42

any 2013 updates? __________________ Wish List: - White Greek - Maltese Falcon - Excel - Celeste FL Follow me on youtube for more Fig videos: Silver Destiny My name is George & I live in NY zone 6B

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1366040362	Reply with quote #43

now days, i'm thinking more in terms of taste and taste only. since i grow container culture, i can provide the environment that the tree needs. i'll be covering my Paradiso trees during the rain. the fig is great as long as we do not get bucketful of rain days on end. and given right environment, most figs can be great. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

bullet08

Registered:1284496248
Posts: 6,920

Posted 1366040456	Reply with quote #44

Quote: Originally Posted by The_celt In no particular order Longue D'aout Kathleen's black Rbd All the col de dames Paradiso bronze vs vbd Vista Gino's black Jh Adriatic Maltese falcon Sorbello red i got 7 out of that list.. just have to get them to give me figs. __________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher *** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. * * and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...***

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1411604970	Reply with quote #45

Bump ... For the newbie's

twobrothersgarden

Registered:1355136466
Posts: 332

Posted 1447565778	Reply with quote #46

Haven't tried many but Panache --- Very Sweet, jammy, skin is a little tough but I like the chewy-ness???, produced from a young age Negronne--- Nice flavor, is a little tangy berry-like, dehydrates well on the tree and can become super sweet, produces none stop all season, even now it is producing for me. Meade--- Unique flavor, jammy, sweet and berry flavor. Prolific at a young age. Not vigorous. Slow grower. Local unknown--- Super super sweet, large size, almost date-like/maple flavor, very juicy __________________ Henry, Brawley, California, 9B YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/thetwobrothersgarden/videos?view=0 Ebay: http://www.ebay.com/usr/two-brothers-2013

watagarasu

Registered:1442477620
Posts: 27

Posted 1463950103	Reply with quote #47

Quote: Originally Posted by twobrothersgarden Haven't tried many but Panache --- Very Sweet, jammy, skin is a little tough but I like the chewy-ness???, produced from a young age Negronne--- Nice flavor, is a little tangy berry-like, dehydrates well on the tree and can become super sweet, produces none stop all season, even now it is producing for me. Meade--- Unique flavor, jammy, sweet and berry flavor. Prolific at a young age. Not vigorous. Slow grower. Local unknown--- Super super sweet, large size, almost date-like/maple flavor, very juicy bro can you share fruit picture for meade?

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