Breba New World. -

OK. What varieties have brebas. I am going to post the ones that are "sprouting" brebas currently (about 75 when I get the full list done). Hopefully everyone else can add theirs to the thread.

This does NOT mean that they will persist, that they will ripen or that they will be worth eating, only that the plant/variety has demonstrated the ability to form a breba crop for the 2009 season. Some have never done that before, such as Celeste, so that may be an indication of a response to weather, early fertilization, maturity of the tree, or whatever.

Perhaps this will help someone for whom the breba crop is the important and/or only crop.

F = Few brebas formed, M = Many, T = brebas formed only at the tip, B = formed along the branch, and E = Early, meaning they are at least 1/2 to 3/4" in diameter already and there is significant leaf flush and twig formation as well. P1 = Persistent as of 04/11/2009 NP1 = Will not persist 04/11/209

Also undestand that I prune my trees very extensively, so some that might have brebas will not express that, and others that look to have few, might have had more if they had not been so pruned.

Arab Market M B E P1
Atreano OR M B P1
Barnisotte M B
Bifara F B P1
Black Madeira F B
Blue Celeste 3 M T/B P1
Blue Celeste 4 M T/B P1
Blue Celeste JN F T P1
Brn Turkey PM T TB
Brunswick F B
Capelas F T
Celeste JN M T/B P1
Celeste PM F T P1 add 4/09
Celeste SD06 F T P1 add 4/09
Chris' Purple M B
Danny's Delite F T/BExcel F B P1
Dark Sultane F T P1 add 4/09
Duphine F B P1 add 4/09
Desert King RT F B P1 add 4/09
Excel F T P1 add 4/09
Fiorone d Ruvo F T E
Galbun F B P1
Giant Amber M T/B
Gulbun F T
Hunt F B
Igo F T
Johnnes M B
K-7-11 F T E P1
KAC-11-7w F T
KAC-11-30E M T P1
Kadota O7 F B
Kennedy M T P1
King 6 M T P1
Lemon F B P1 add 4/09
Little Red F B
Lyndhurst Wht F T
Madeleine d Deux M B E P1
Monstrueuse 4 M B E P1
Nardine F T
Nazarti M T/B P1
Nativ d Argetile F B P1
Negronne F B P1 add 4/09
Norman's Yellow F B P1 add 4/09
NSA No1 Green F T/B E NP1
Nuhurskii M B P1 add 4/09
Osborn F T P1 add 4/09
Peter's Strawby F T
Portland 3 M B E P1
Rattlesnake Is F T
Ruby 3 F B
Santa Cruz Wht M B E
Sicilaia Bifara 64 F
Stanford M T E P1
Strawberry Verte F B P1
T-30E M B P1
Ta Cenc GM4 M T/B P1
Tex Everbrg3 F T P1
Trojano 5 F T P1
Unknown Pastil F T P1
Vashon Is F T
Very Dark Grk F T P1
Viol d Bord EL F T P1
Vista F T P1
Walker M T P1
White Adriatic M B P1
White Greek F T
White Kadota F T P1 add 4/09
White King 4 F B
White King S6 M B P1
Yellow Neches F T
135-4s F T
184-15 F T
342-1 F T E P1

Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 648

03/01/09 at 01:40 PM

Great thread Jon. And timely as I have been thinking about breba crop now that my collection has expanded some. Look forward your first listing.

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

03/02/09 at 08:26 AM

It may be a fair guess that figlets appearing during rooting process of cuttings indicate that the variety is a good candidate for brebas (with the same caveat that the breba may or may not hang on to mature).
I was rooting a Kadota cutting with 12 nodes and it was much slower than other cuttings in rooting and then I noticed that almost all (11 or 12) of the 12 nodes had tiny figlets (12-tuplets!).

gorgi
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 519

03/02/09 at 11:33 AM

Ottowan,

>>>It may be a fair guess that figlets appearing during rooting process
>>>of cuttings indicate that the variety is a good candidate for brebas.
Funny, I have been noticing/noting the same exact thing with my newly acquired fig twigs (breba/1-2-crops).

My question: Which fig does NOT produce any breba at all? Up to now,
I thought it was the Celeste, but Jon just proofed it otherwise.

tagtail
Registered: 06/10/08
Posts: 6

03/02/09 at 05:48 PM

Here is a research presentation from UC Davis:
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/391-301.pdf
There is info about breba figs around pages 8-11.

I got about 30-40 breba figs from a second year Desert King fig tree last year.

My Desert King grew too fast last year (about 8-10 feet).

Wish the info is useful for this community

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

03/02/09 at 09:21 PM

I'm with gorgi, I have never seen breabs on Celeste, but clearly have them this year on multiple plants.

So are enviornmental factors a part of whether brebas are formed? Could various varieties be induced to have a breba crop? Figs just get more interesting with each passing year.

loslunasfarms

Registered: 09/05/07
Posts: 108

03/03/09 at 07:47 AM

Jon, my celeste does not have brebas. Could it be that the fig was started as a main crop but too small to get started when the tree went into dormancy?

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

03/03/09 at 10:00 AM

I suppose, but that could be said of any fig forming on last years growth, including brebas. Does that make all brebas really hold over main crop figs?

My trees definitely come to the end of the season and do not set additional fruit, but are not dormant for 2-3 months after last fruit has been picked.

I have never seen this on Celestes before, but no mistaking it this season.

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

03/03/09 at 11:36 AM

I have two Celeste's from different sources, both have a couple Brebas
on them.

Jon one of them is the one I sent you the cuttings from.

I think it has a lot to do with the locatation (just my SWAG)

we can't wait for Spring to get here, it is knocking right now.

And yes Jon, I know, it is already in S.D. :-)

loslunasfarms

Registered: 09/05/07
Posts: 108

03/03/09 at 12:49 PM

#10

I think that main crops can be held over from last year. I just got a different vasilika originating from Greece called Vasilika Markopoulu and it came on a dormant tree. Now that the tree has woken up the tiny fig initial that was there is now about a pea size.

Just to clarify, the tiny fig initial was indeed a fig, but now it just picked up from where it left last year.

My two cents.

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

03/06/09 at 04:41 PM

#11

If I remember correctly from an old thread, breba and held-over main crop (if there is such thing) can be identified by the location of the fruit. The thread I mentioned indicated that brebas are formed below the leaf mark on last year wood. This should help identify.

Registered: 07/10/08
Posts: 1,368

03/06/09 at 08:37 PM

#12

On some of my large tree's what i have observed on the bud tips that are not cut off before storing for winter the breba forms right below it as the buds turn back to green from brown from storage. Then as new growth occurs the late season figs form right above the new leafs. I will try to take pictures if that helps as this should occur in near future with some of my elder trees . I mentioned before i just knock them off and did not really pay much attention to which type of my trees they actually grow on but now my curiosity is perked. I dont remember when leafs form if i get any breba at those points mentioned but i can say they do form right below the new buds starting to form, i'll find out and post. Also i never get any late season to carry on to the new season that i have noticed in my zone it seems once tree is spent of figs in fall thats it, but thats my cold zone.

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

03/08/09 at 04:33 AM

#13

Here is a Pix of my Celeste with a few Breba figs on it.
I will post pix of this tree later in the season.....Spring has sprung around here :-)

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

03/17/09 at 06:50 PM

#14

Found a non-tip breba on Black Madeira, today. Haven't seen that before. So I am back to wondering how much of breba production is influenced by weather/environment?...

HarveyC

Registered: 06/02/08
Posts: 74

04/03/09 at 07:38 PM

#15

Jon, to your list I can add my Flanders and Panache. My Jurupa only has one breba fig on it and I was thinking it had more last year, but maybe I remembered wrong. The Black Mission NL I got from you last June also has some but they appear to be aborting, though that might be due to the fact that I just took it out of the pot and finally planted it two weeks ago.

Registered: 07/10/08
Posts: 1,368

04/04/09 at 01:32 PM

#16

This is stick i cut March 27 at the time this breaba was very small i just left it alone, i just stuck in soil for the heck of it and now i suppose energy from stick is making it grow. Im just leaving it for the heck of it, it roots fine it does not fine. This is from tree that stuck me good in neck when i root pruned it past winter and at dinner table embarassed me when family asked "what the heck happened to you"
Mother tree italian unknown from Bologna Italy 3 seasons old, it has been a bit of a problem tree as it dropped all figs last year but 1 that made it and was eaten. Tree was root pruned and have better hopes for it this year or else.

Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 648

04/04/09 at 01:48 PM

#17

I like your choice of background.

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

04/11/09 at 08:27 PM

#18

Breba observations updated 04/11/2009. Did not check all the plants, yet.

Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 648

04/12/09 at 04:31 AM

#19

Jon,

Have you observed any Breba on Marseilles White? I have a Celeste and Marseilles that I bought from EL last year. Both are in pots and still in winter storage. On both, the tips are greening and about ready to open and I see what I believe to be breba on both. I'll know more in a week or so as they get a little bigger.

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

04/12/09 at 05:24 AM

#20

Negative.

Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 648

04/12/09 at 10:50 AM

#21

Based upon the shape (rounded apex) and position of the buds, am I correct that these are breba?

Attached Images:

Celeste_Breba_Buds_(04-12-2009).jpg (129.04 KB, 48 views)
Marseilles_White_Breba_Buds_(04-12-2009).jpg (307.28 KB, 34 views)

Registered: 07/10/08
Posts: 1,368

04/12/09 at 02:47 PM

#22

Steve,
yes .

Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 648

04/12/09 at 03:00 PM

#23

Thanks for confirming Martin. So add Celeste (already there) and Marseilles White to the breba list.

arigato
Registered: 10/09/08
Posts: 13

04/16/09 at 02:21 PM

#24

Ill post my varieties and which have brebas this weekend. I dont have time at the moment.

sirlampsalot
Registered: 07/31/08
Posts: 34

04/18/09 at 10:49 AM

#25

My Patrick's Super Giant (3 yr old in ground) has a few brebas along one stem about the size of a playing marble on 4/16/09

moshepherdess
Registered: 09/26/07
Posts: 87

04/19/09 at 04:42 PM

#26

Counted 24 quarter-size brebas on Italian Honey planted in the North, residual heat side of my hoophouse today. Celeste has one nickle sized one.

Ten of the eleven trees planted in the unheated addition to the hoop are showing growth, all were killed to the ground. The Italian Honey there is barely showing growth, no actual leaves yet, just two little buds, all others have leaves. I may dig the Honey up and put it in the heated side next winter to see if it produces brebas earlier than on the residual heat side since it most likely will not have wood to survive in the addition. Temperatures got to teens a time or two if I remember correctly. Nothing yet from what was a very small Blue Giant, looks like it may have frozen even the roots.

Elizabeth

arigato
Registered: 10/09/08
Posts: 13

04/22/09 at 03:02 PM

#27

A little late but:

few brebas unless noted otherwise:

Persian white
Persian Black
Celeste (started to drop already)
Galbun (dropped the one it had)
petite negri
MD1943BT
Italian Everbearing - many formed and are quite large
Hardy Chicago
Votata
Marlow

Registered: 07/10/08
Posts: 1,368

04/22/09 at 04:17 PM

#28

Just looked at mine large trees on driveway, mine never get ripe as our spring cold nights kill them before they get to any size or i knock them off.

Hardy Chicago
Sals E.L.
VDB E.L
Italian Unknown - Bologna Italy
Unknown Fig Tree
Maderia currently under grow light has 2 brebas

Registered: 07/24/08
Posts: 648

04/22/09 at 05:22 PM

#29

Well, a new discovery for me. I always prune back my Bella - Unknown tree in the fall (in ground) but last year I put one in a pot and didn't cut it back as much. So, now I see what looks like breba! The white on the one branch is latex that ran last fall after pinching back the growing tip.

Attached Images:

BEL03_breba01_04212009crop_resize.jpg (69.13 KB, 45 views)
BEL03_breba02_04212009crop_resize.jpg (63.11 KB, 55 views)

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

05/20/09 at 04:27 PM

#30

Added Sicilian Bifara 64

mrhappy
Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 7

07/04/09 at 04:38 PM

#31

Jon,

Is the Chris' Purple the one from Belleclare?

George,

Is this the unknown #14?

Richard

gorgi
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 519

07/05/09 at 05:10 AM

#32

Hi Richard,

[Edit: A very keen eye observation/theory, and..]
I see the possible link.

I was given my unkown GM#14 by Chris of Belleclare himself.
This was fall 2006, just before they closed shop.
The only information given was that it is a 'purple' fig.
I believe that I gave Jon a (rooted) cutting off it, sooo
'Chris' Purple' maybe a good name for it (unless it is another Chris).

I leave the last word for Jon...

Jackster

Registered: 06/25/09
Posts: 74

07/11/09 at 05:46 PM

#33

For the most part, how do brebas compare to the main crop in terms of size and taste?

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

07/11/09 at 05:54 PM

#34

In San Diego, they are about .01 on the 10 scale. They ripen in our cooler weather. No heat means no flavor and no sweetness. In shorter season climates they ripen during the heat of llater summer and are quite good.

mrhappy
Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 7

07/12/09 at 10:12 AM

#35

Thank you for the follow up George. I appreciate it.

pitangadiego
Moderator
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 1,139

07/12/09 at 01:12 PM

#36

Gorgi,

I missed you question, I guess. No, Chris' Purple has nothing to do with BC. It was from a friend of a friend here in CA. Have no idea, yet, what it really is.

svanessa

Registered: 09/08/07
Posts: 165

07/13/09 at 10:09 AM

#37

gorgi,

If I'm not mistaken, the "Chris fig" is from my boss's home, Chris's unk purple Portuguese fig. It was planted by a Portuguese family from a cutting brought with them from Portugal. They have since returned to Portugal so, unfortunately I can not question them further.

Jon, If I get the chance, I'll swing by and leave you some of the fruit for photography. I want to get down to Point Loma to check the 3 Madeira figs progress.

Sue

Registered: 07/10/08
Posts: 1,368

07/28/09 at 04:25 PM

#38

Had my Hardy Chicago Breba today July 28th first breba ever for me
17 grams weight.

Edit July29th
Had EL.Sals Breba today weight 25 grams, much better than HC breba in taste which took me by surprise.

Attached Images:

Chicago_Hardy_Breba_Pic_2.jpg (247.19 KB, 13 views)
Chicago_Hardy_Breba_Pic_3.jpg (289.86 KB, 16 views)

sergio
Registered: 02/15/09
Posts: 9

08/02/09 at 10:43 AM

#39

Picked July 9th

Grown in pot Thin skin Delicious

Sergio in South Jersey
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/file?id=822810
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/file?id=822811
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/file?id=822812

Attached Images:

figs_001.jpg (52.78 KB, 54 views)
figs_002.jpg (27.60 KB, 54 views)
figs_003.jpg (34.00 KB, 56 views)

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

08/02/09 at 11:07 AM

#40

Hi sergio

So, you like the Sal's Corleone?

sergio
Registered: 02/15/09
Posts: 9

08/02/09 at 12:10 PM

#41

Hi Cecil,
I have no idea what it's real name is, but I love the flavor.
I will grow it in the pot if it means I can have the brebas on it, even though
I only got 2 out of the 7 becouse it's worth it.
Sergio, in South Jersey.

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

08/02/09 at 12:17 PM

#42

Sergio,

I have a Sal's I was calling Sal's #2

Herman told me to call it Sal's Corleone, that is why I called it Sal's Corleone.

sergio
Registered: 02/15/09
Posts: 9

08/02/09 at 12:52 PM

#43

Hi Cecil,
I did not notice your post until after I posted mine. My mistake, I apologize.
Perhaps it is a St. Jerome.
Sergio in South Jersey

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

08/03/09 at 06:24 AM

#44

No apology needed here Sergio

gorgi
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 519

08/03/09 at 09:38 AM

#45

Sergio,

Your Sal fig does not look like a Sal's(C) [C=Corleone] fruit
to me. More likely, maybe it is a Sal's #1, aka., Sal's(EL)
[EL=Edible Landscaping] - also sometimes known as Gene's strain.
Also, you showed one leaf between 2 different fruits,
which one does it belong to?
The coin (for a relative size) is a very good practice.

sergio
Registered: 02/15/09
Posts: 9

08/07/09 at 05:19 PM

#46

Hi Gorgi,
The picture did not show the word breba, and that was the main reason why I had placed it on this post. You also have this tree along with Dan from LA.
Dan researched it and He came up with the closest ID being Schar. The brebas on the above pictures are from the same tree, one small the other over two inches. They started out with their multi-color appearance but as it got ripe, it became a deep purple, unlike the main crop.
Salute, from Sergio So. Jersey

gorgi
Registered: 09/03/07
Posts: 519

08/09/09 at 06:41 AM

#47

Sergio,
Thanks much for the very clear explanision.

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

08/23/09 at 11:40 AM

#48

Since no one has mentioned Latarulla (Lattarula), I will mention that I had breba crop on this variety this year which I bought last year from Grimo Nut Nursery. The main crop needs more than a month to ripen.
Also, I confirm Jon's observation that Bifara has breba crop (really big breba fruit in my location).

paully22
Registered: 11/17/07
Posts: 323

08/23/09 at 06:36 PM

#49

Ottawan - is the breba Bifara great tasting ? Thanks. Will send Jupiter & plants come Fall. Jupiter is at least 4ft tall now. Likely I have to prune for shipping.

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

08/24/09 at 07:44 AM