Finally My cuttings are here -

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 09:06 AM

Ok to make a long story short been trying to get a hold of some Bebera fig cuttings from Madeira Island for years now and it finally happened Christmas came early this year. Oh and not only that I finally found this from condits Monograph.

Moscatel Preto (syn. Bêbera). Described and illustrated by Bobone (1932). Known as

Moscatel Preto at Coimbra, and Bêbera at Cacela and on the island of Madeira.

The tree produces two crops. Mello Leotte (1901), on the other hand, described

Bêbera as a variety which does not produce a first crop, and the second crop as

requiring caprification.

Brebas oblique-pyriform, sometimes much elongated; neck thick; stalk short; color

violet-black; pulp dark carmine, streaked with violet; flavor sweet and agreeable.

Second-crop figs pyriform, elongated specimens unusual in having the internal cavity

narrowed at the base rather than rounded; stalk short; color green toward the stalk,

violet on the body; surface smooth, puberulent; pulp carmine; texture fine; quality

good.

The good thing is that on Madeira Island it does produce both Brebas and Main crop will it be an ideal fig for zone 5 I guess if the 2 Cutting do root only time will tell.

This Variety is Also know as Abebereira Or Bebereira mother tree is over 60 years old and produces enough figs for the whole town to enjoy.

This is the only pic I have.

xgrndpounder

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

09/28/09 at 09:41 AM

Hi Nelson,

Now that is really something to be proud of!

FYI, I had B. Madeira from UCD and they rooted real good for me but I hadn't ever rooted anything before that and after they leafed out with nice leafs, they died on me(3) of them, I have thought I might have drowned them but now I'm not sure what did them in.

You gonna be bombarded with emails after this post I bet.

Good luck to ya on the rooting/plants!

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 09:47 AM

You know what Cecil I went throught that this year with some cuttings, the ones that rooted quickest and seemed the healthiest died. I too believe it was from the soil holding too much water I pray that I dont go through the same thing with these since I only got two cuttings.

xgrndpounder

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

09/28/09 at 09:58 AM

Nelson I'm gonna send a private msg to ya

OttawanZ5

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

09/28/09 at 10:50 AM

Nelson
Why did not you drive the short distance to Adriano at Oakville to get it who lists it as the first item as follow where you might have got it in less than a year instead of waiting for many years. You would have been having fig fruits for Christmas!

Varieties Available :

Abebereira
A long black large fig , very popular in Portugal.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 10:56 AM

OttawanZ5 because what Adriano has is not a real abebereira.

OttawanZ5

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

09/28/09 at 11:10 AM

You may be right but if I agree with you I am afraid I will never get any cuttings from Adriano again.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 11:35 AM

OttawanZ5 you dont have to agree with me what I meant to say is that the Beberas I seen while I lived in Madeira are different than what Adriano Sells. Is there more than one type of Bebera possibly im no expert. But from the pics I have seen of Adrianos Abebereira the fruit & leaves dont match the ones from Madeira. If you want to see exactly what they look like Sue posted on here not too long ago about the Portuguese figs she found in Point Loma the long black fig she found thats what an Abebereira looks like in Madeira.

http://www.susanvanderveen.com/FIGS/EstelasFigs/PointLomaFigs.html

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

09/28/09 at 11:45 AM

Nelson congratulations even if only 2 cuttings recieved.
Only advice i can give is take your time no rush them and when you see roots and pot them up give them but a small drink and let them alone because the young roots will be ok for a good while before needing another drink because they cannot inhale the water like we think they can and will surely rot. Oh along with many other members i have drowned small cuttings after transplant.
Best Luck

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 12:08 PM

#10

Thanks Martin I too have learned the hard way with over watering I hope I have learned from my mistakes. Im just happy to finally have something from back home here. Specially the white variety because the cuttings came from my Great Grandfathers tree nobody really knows how old it is my gradfather remembers it being there when he was a young boy and hes 74 now.

Oh by the way the pic I posted is of the Main Crop figs.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 12:35 PM

#11

This is something I found a while back the book is called Official descriptive and illustrated catalogue, Volume 4
By Great Exhibition, Robert Ellis (F.L.S.), Great Britain. Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851

http://books.google.ca/books?id=NA8LAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA2-PA1319&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U3oYVk8UpR7jyemo2NnGEJeL3xFeQ&ci=45%2C124%2C933%2C1342&edge=0

#73 He labeled the Bebera as ( Ficus Longa ) Anyone ever hear of Ficus Longa? I knew I have searched but have not found anything besides this on this book.

OttawanZ5

Registered: 10/20/07
Posts: 541

09/28/09 at 12:37 PM

#12

Nelson
I meant I do not have personal knowledge of the cultivar one way or another.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/28/09 at 12:41 PM

#13

OttawanZ5 its all good.

Italiangirl74
Registered: 09/14/07
Posts: 246

09/29/09 at 07:56 AM

#14

Ciao nelson, I wish you luck with these cuttings. It is always nice to get figs from the homeland, I know this feeling well when I receive family heirloom figs cuttings from Italy. Please keep us all posted on this progress. Ciao and best luck to you and yours.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/29/09 at 08:06 AM

#15

Thanks Maggie it sure is great to bring stuff from the old contry to bring back memories. I will post updates as we go along hopefully everything works out, and I would also like to thanks everyone for all the help I really appreciate it.

Italiangirl74
Registered: 09/14/07
Posts: 246

09/29/09 at 08:08 AM

#16

Thats why God gave us memories, many of them bring back peace and joy and a real sense of place in the world. Ciao

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/29/09 at 08:23 AM

#17

That is so true Maggie cant wait to see my Grandfathers face when I give him a plant from his Fathers tree. I told my uncle not to say anything so that it would be a surprise and in case the cuttings didnt make it, my uncle did take some pictures of the mother plant so I will post them when he emails me them.

Italiangirl74
Registered: 09/14/07
Posts: 246

09/29/09 at 08:29 AM

#18

Yes,Yes, Yes!!!!, My Aunt now lives here in America she lived here for about 30 years, and when I gave her a rooted cutting from her fathers tree in Italy, she cried like baby for a good five minutes, I started to worry but she was soo full of joy, She said her father tended that tree for 50 years with his bare hands, it was his pride and joy, like having a part of him with us again. Understand the feeling. I too made it a surprise, then I had alot of explaining to do how it came here. Ciao

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/29/09 at 08:36 AM

#19

Yes Maggie oh my were in a similar situation. That too was my Great Grandfathers Pride & Joy specially since at the time it was under Fascist rule and they struggled to feed their big family. That Fig tree was like gold to them when fig season came and I too am sure my grandfather will feel the same way. I moved to Canada when I was 10 and most of my memories of my Great grandfather were around that fig tree since he loved it so much. My dad was so happy when he found out his brother brought back some cuttings he comes in my office everyday and takes a peak to see if theres roots lol.

xgrndpounder

Registered: 12/23/08
Posts: 810

09/29/09 at 08:53 AM

#20

I just enjoy reading about you guys Heirloom Figs
and where they come from!

Thanks

genecolin
Registered: 07/29/09
Posts: 155

09/29/09 at 12:52 PM

#21

Nelson and Itailiangirl I understand your feelings. My father had fig trees until his death that kept us with all the figs we could eat. Well untimely cold and then hurricanes have taken the trees from us. My brother's wife who loves to grow things, my brother doesn't, got a cutting from my Dad some years ago and planted it in Tennessee. She has a couple of cuttings started that I hope to get back down here to La. soon. Then I can say that I have a tree from my Dads tree and also pass it to my children. Thanks for such emotional stories.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

09/29/09 at 01:30 PM

#22

Genecolin sorry for you loss and wish you the best of luck with getting a cutting back in your hands.

Ok so my uncle brought me this fig from my great grandfathers tree too bad it was not ripe and got squashed in the luggage but im thankfull he thought of me.

sorry about the quality was taken with a phone.

Fig looks like ahhhhh ill not go there lol

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/07/09 at 07:25 AM

#23

How long does it usually take to start seing root initials when you do the baggie method?

svanessa

Registered: 09/08/07
Posts: 165

10/07/09 at 09:25 AM

#24

Nelson,
Depends on the cutting variety, temp and humidity...probably other factors as well. For the most part cuttings I've started take 1-3 weeks to see root initials in a warm, humid environment. Some have taken 2 months if in a cooler environment. Some are just stubborn like the Mission fig.
Sue

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/07/09 at 10:16 AM

#25

Thanks Sue the funny thing is I forgot about them and the newpaper was dry so I just sprayed a little water with my spray bottle and will check on it in a couple more days.

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

10/07/09 at 11:16 AM

#26

Nelson ,you originally wrote

Ok to make a long story short been trying to get a hold of some Bebera fig cuttings from Madeira Island for years now and it finally happened Christmas came early this year.

these precious cuttings you have waited for and you forgot about them ?

Um the figs gods are quivering in there leaves !

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/07/09 at 01:19 PM

#27

O Martin my dad nearly snapped today lol. I have 5 of these cuttings these are the ones from my grandfathers tree also Bebera but white variety, I hope they survive will see if I can take the camera too work and snap some pics.

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

10/07/09 at 01:45 PM

#28

When i did cuttings i would use a spray bottle to dampen the newspaper and then put in baggie and almost close it , i would then blow air in it to seal it. I dont remember the paper drying out so fast though . I used what they call Storage baggies that have a double zip on them, i think the regular baggies are thinner and might let air permeate into them to dry things up im not sure. Course im donkey backwards and never used any soap or bleach on my scion and dont recall mold problems , i just rinsed them real good under lukewarm water for a bit. But thats not normal from what i have read hear.
Anyhoot best luck with your scion and dont let them get dry but dont keep then sopping wet either or they will turn to mush.
Oh if you start to have lots of problems another way is to put them in good potting soil deep with just a little tip sticking out and keep soil a little damp they have a nice chance that way too if all else fails but from my experience it takes longer to root em.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/07/09 at 01:50 PM

#29

Martin thats what I have been doing too exactly as you explained. The only thing I did wrong was I did not seal the ziplock bag properly ,the cuttings still look healthythank god. I just took a new piece of newspaper sprayed it and wraped them back up will check on then daily now just to be safe. No mold yet either and I only cleaned them with water as well.

svanessa

Registered: 09/08/07
Posts: 165

10/07/09 at 02:30 PM

#30

Nelson,

If your cuttings don't make it, I can send you cuttings in Jan/Feb. Won't be from your family tree but you will at least have that variety.

Sue

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/07/09 at 03:50 PM

#31

Thanks for the offer Sue. I think I will be OK I hope I have 5 cuttings but they are all new years growth so thats the tricky part.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/09/09 at 06:17 AM

#32

So today I checked on my 2 Black Beberas and guess what I found yup thats right two roots growing out of the bottom of each cutting. Green variety is starting to show bumps on only 2 of the 5 cuttings. Need to buy a camera asap to take pics.

genecolin
Registered: 07/29/09
Posts: 155

10/09/09 at 06:30 AM

#33

Congrets Nelson, looks like you're a new Pop. Yes pictures please.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/09/09 at 07:59 AM

#34

Oh Gene I started dancing when I seen roots, dont want to get too excited yet this is just phase one of the Joy. I need to pic up a camera just to keep at work to take pics of the progress. Will post pics soon

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

10/09/09 at 08:04 AM

#35

Congratulations !
Now don't go and break any roots trying to take pictures and ruin everything ! ; )

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/09/09 at 08:16 AM

#36

haha thats funy you say that, The verte cuttings I tossed out well didnt one of them grow some roots that last week and I ripped them when I pulled out the cutting you should of seen my face Pretty sure there was smoke coming out of my ears. Oh Martin these cuttings I was talking to them earlier lol I told them that I would take good care of them but they had to give me a chance, ha thats funny cause thats what I used to tell my ex's but thats another story.

Fatnsassytexan
Registered: 03/14/09
Posts: 135

10/09/09 at 08:40 AM

#37

Great News Nelson, they rooted very quickly. I hope they do well for you.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/09/09 at 11:31 AM

#38

thanks Fatnsassytexan I was actually expecting the white to root first because I was told the Black variety takes longer to root. They are pretty much the same size around 10 Inches the only difference was the cuts the black has a 45 degree cut the white straight all under the same temp. lighting exact same conditions.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/09/09 at 03:25 PM

#39

Here some pics of My great Grandfathers Fig tree not the best quality tree was cut down to half its size 5 years ago.

genecolin
Registered: 07/29/09
Posts: 155

10/09/09 at 03:50 PM

#40

Nelson it looks like it needed topping off. It looks very productive according to the second picture and third picture. All I can saw is WOW and I hope your do as well .

paully22
Registered: 11/17/07
Posts: 323

10/09/09 at 04:46 PM

#41

Thanks for the nice pic's.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/10/09 at 02:20 AM

#42

Thanks guys this tree is very productive but when I was there in 2001 was more than double the size my great Uncle nearly killed it 5 years ago by cutting more than half the tree down not sure why he would do that. This year was a very bad year in Madeira for figs because of the rain lots of rain over there and these figs are rippening quite a bit later than usual. Winter climate in madeira is usually between 14-20 degrees celcius but they still go dormant usually in late Nov. early Dec. Sometimes even later depending on the weather.

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

10/10/09 at 04:01 AM

#43

Thanks for sharing the pictures Nelson.
You say not the best quality tree can you explain please.

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/10/09 at 04:07 AM

#44

Oops my bad what I meant was not the best of quality pics, the figs are tasty.

Italiangirl74
Registered: 09/14/07
Posts: 246

10/10/09 at 06:44 AM

#45

Nelson, I am soo happy for you, the tree looks very nice in the pics. I wish you the best with more rooting. This is a very special tree for you, It wil be the prize in your fig family. Ciao

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/10/09 at 06:52 AM

#46

Ok so this is my observation so far.

3 of the cuttings 2 black 1 white I started in 60/40 perlite & Soil mix and put them on a heat mat for 7 days then removed them from the mat. After the 12th day I carefully tiped the cups and gently let the mix out very slowly and patiently to observe the cuttings and found that these three all had little roots forming at the bottom cut about 1/2" long on each cutting. I know this is risky business but I have been lucky so far.

The other 4 cuttings all white variety I did the papertowel baggie method and only 1 so far is showing root Initials the other three still look the healthy but no root initials. I have been changing the newspaper about every 2nd 3rd day.

So far no mold problems on any of the cuttings in the baggie one of the cottings in soil had a little mold where one of the figs where taken.

Thats it so far

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/12/09 at 07:02 AM

#47

Ok so today I passed by work to check on the cuttings the two black Variety I can finally see roots through the cups. Thats the only ones with visible roots some of the white variety the buds are starting to break but no visible roots the two longest cuttings of the white have absolutely no root bumps not sure what to do with those two at this point.

Fatnsassytexan
Registered: 03/14/09
Posts: 135

10/12/09 at 08:19 AM

#48

Hi Nelson, glad your black ones are rooting. Re: the white ones that are showing no progress, just be patient making sure they don't mold or dry out. They should eventually root. I've had this happen many times when some sticks of the same variety just take longer. Good luck!

Tim

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

10/12/09 at 10:49 AM

#49

Just what Tim said some take longer than others, heck come to thing of it i had one take 2 and a half months .

Registered: 07/27/09
Posts: 306

10/13/09 at 04:47 AM