I am interested in the variety since I believe I have seen in mentioned in topics as a more cold hardy variety. My question is about the "EL". Is that a designation for Edible Landscaping? I have seen "EL" used in a few topics refering to Edible Landscaping and I have also seen it tacked on to other fig varieties. I am just curious. I have looked at Edible Landscaping's website a few times debating on buying a fig tree and I have not seen a Sals fig.  

Yes, EL = Edible Landscaping Nursery

It is my understanding that "Sal EL" and "Sal Gene's" are the same as well.

Three basic Sal variants come up often"  Corleone, EL, Gene's.

Yes, it is Edible Landscaping.

A fellow figster just ordered a Hardy Chicago from EL and was told by the owner and swore by it that the HC and the Sals EL are the same

But please don't take my word for it.
This is what I heard. 

Yep El and Gene's is the same. I got one labeled Sal's Gene from Herman for this year.

According to what I have read and heard, EL combined the two together, feeling that they were close in relation and not a need to differ.

So the Hardy Chicago may be what use to be Sal's EL.

Dominick
Zone 6a-MA

I have a Hardy Chicago which came from the LSU test orchards and a Sal's EL. They are definitely not the same fig. Both are very good tasting, cold tolerant, and keeper figs in my climate. "Taste wise", last year I gave Hardy Chicago a bit of an edge over Sal's EL.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

One thing is fact:Sal Gene Strain,(which is Sal That, EL,used to sell before they decided that both cultivars are Hardy C),is hardier than Hardy Chicago,so if you look for one of the hardiest fig on planet Earth then look no farther.
Hardy Chicago is very hardy too,so if your climate is somewhat mild,it doesn't matter,you will not see the difference,but I do here,when planted inground.

No Just so I'm not getting confused I saw written somewhere that they use to sell them independently as different. They felt that they were close enough as to not sell them as two seperate titles. I have looked several times this year and have not seen EL selling Sal's.

From every one who has about Hardy Chicago, Sals (Gene/EL), and Sal's Corleone, all are different from one another and not one in the same.

But, my question for Dan is: Since yours came from LSU Test orchards, what is what, since many nurserys sell Hardy Chicago. Is yours the standard or are these nurserys mostly passing off others as the name?

Dominick

Even in my zone 9 climate fig trees can be severely damaged or killed to the ground. I had quite a few of my in ground trees severely damaged  this past winter. Both Hardy Chicago and Sal's EL NEVER has any damage in my area......and that is real helpful even way down here in South Louisiana. Both those cultivars seem to go into a deeper sleep than others and do not wake up with the first warm spell.....like certain other cultivars do. Down here, in ground fig trees that wake up too soon due to fluctuating outside air temperatures......can get zapped by those late winter or early spring frosts and freezes.

One thing I do know,
I have never heard of the owner of E/L giving false representation of his product. I have heard nothing but good things said about him and his business.

But now we have a couple of the most knowledgeable individuals in the hobby/trade saying things otherwise.
That thing is HC and Sals are not the Same.

Which leads me to beg to question,
What is EL really selling?

Or did my friend misunderstand the owner?

Let me be clear on this. I am not saying anything bad about one soul. I just remember seeing somewhere that they decided not to sell Sal's anymore, feeling that they may be the same. I have been on there site a few times in the last year not seeing Sal's.

I apologize if that is how it came off. I am sure he is a reputable man, not having spoken to him personally. I am just relaying what I saw at one point on a forum.

I feel bad that this came across like that. I did buy figs this past fall from them and they were nothing short of kind, knowledgeable, and quick to ship.

I received an LSU Gold, St Anthony, and VdB in great condition.

Sorry if I offended anymore.

Dominick

I have spoken to Mike several times........very honest and knowledgable about his figs. He is giving his honest opinion. At one time Herman2 had Maryland Brown Turkey and Marselles VS......until he found out from his fig trials they were the same.  Gotta respect these individuals who have such character and honesty.........possibly even causing some lost sales to their business because in their opinion they are the same as one they already have.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

I don't think you offended anyone Dominick,

But it gets frustrating when you hear two or three different answers to the same question.

First you rely on your friend who got the answer from the source. And this source is supposed to be a Primo.
Then you find out that's not the case but it this something else.

Now we will spend the next couple weeks discussing this and probably not get any further than we are now.

That's why when I have something that is questionable I say "It came labeled as".
Or, this is where it came from so let's find out the true name.
I will not name it after a pet or my child or anything.

But it looks like someone decided to take two or three different figs and gave them all the same name to save on catalog and storage space since they all seem to resemble the same fig.
This is what I'm beginning to understand.

But just like you Dominick,
I don't know this person. I have never spoken with him or any of his associates. Nor have I ever purchased anything from his business.

I am simply going by word of mouth my friend.
Not trying to tarnish his image.

Well, I got the EL part cleared up, but I think I might be as confused as ever about what is what. I am looking to hedge my bets a bit and add an established growing known fig or two to what I have incase my cuttings don't make it or my ingroud trees didn't survive. Herman, I am not that far from you, in light of unsolicited sales messages going around. Can i message you to see what trees you have available for sale?

I got a HC from EL last fall, it was on sale and I was curious too. I don't have another HC to compare, but do have Sal's cuttings. I should have an opinion in a couple of years. All of the plants I got from EL are in great shape after winter storage. I've been a customer of theirs for years.

Personal experience and hope not boring as this was mentioned in past .

Back in 2003 i bought Hardy Chicago from Paradise Nursery, then was  interested in Sals plant and called Belleclare to get one shipped but they do not ship they stated and told me to call Edible Landscaping as was said they beileve they have tree also. I never heard of Edible at the time but called them up and rest is history.

As to how Edible Landscaping aquired there Sals here in this thread its explained by Gene. Read posting #3 or better whole thread which is not long and gives understanding.
 
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3519714&highlight=sals+hardy+chicago
 
As a note
Taste wise hands down and personal opinion only my Hardy Chicago i enjoy more only cause its richer in taste and exactly like Ray Givens states in his video.

I have Sal Gene,Hardy Chicago,and Sal Corleone,and all three cultivars are different,as to the shape of the fruits,and other minor differencies,-with Sal Corleone being much more different than the other 2.
Sal Corleone is later to ripe,larger fruits,the difference in flavor is much more pronunced,than in the case of ,Hardy Chicago verses Sal (gene).
Yet all three are very cold resistant cultivars,good to be grown outside ideal climate.

71GTO: I have a handfull of  2 years old,Hardy Chicago,but I have none of Sal (Gene strain),or Sal Corleone.
I did have a handfull of each but I sold them in November 2010.
I will make a few more layers,This Summer, from Sal Gene,and Sal Corleone.
I have no Bussiness to speak of,no emploee, just a propagation permit,for myself.
Also My Family members do not like gardening,except my 5 yrs old grandoughter.

Sorry to make this more confusing but I'm the one Rafed is talking about.I spoke with Michael from EL and he told me his Sal's and HC are the exact same fig.He is only talking about his Sal's strain not gene's strain and not bellclares corleone he's just talking about what he has in his collection.So maybe Michael might have mixed them up mistakes happen he's a great person to talk to and loves his figs.Hope this helps.Thanks and God Bless.

But Rob:Sal Gene strain is exactly,the Sal,Edible Landscaping use to sell,"before",deciding ,that it is Identical To Hardy C.
So now in the present the only tree you can get cuttings from the original cultivar,is the Sal that Gene has kept in his Garden.
That is why it has to be noted as Gene strain.
Gene got it From EDible Landscaping when they had a tree labeled Sal's fig.
Now EL do not have such a plant,because it is labeled Hardy Chicago.
I hope this explain and clarify for all others that wonder.

Ok thanks Herman but Michael also told me he has sals rooting right now but says there the same?The more questions I asked Michael sounded like he was getting mad looks like gets a lot of calls.

One word applys!

Ungh!

Rob:All you got tot ask Michael at EL,is to sell you a rooted plant from The Hardy Chicago tree that used to Be Labeled Sal fig,before they decided it is the same as hardy Chicago.
If Edible Landscaping still have the old Sal tree,I do not see why they would not sell you a rooted cutting,out of that tree.

I'm having a head-ache.

Lol I just called them and told them to add there sals that he has rooting.But last time I talked to him he said they were the same so I'm gonna try this out and see what happens not sure why he had one named HC and sals if there the same so I'm gonna give it a try its only a quart size so Its not alot.Thanks for the help Herman.

I put a bid on Hermans Sals cuttings and called it the day.
This way if I win and get them then I have a piece of mind!
No guessing!

Welcome to the world of fig confusion. 

You have the same problem with the LSU figs.......where some of Dr. O'Rourke's fig breeding selections were "officially" released to the public and some other sibling figs "unofficially" just walked out of the LSU test orchards. Completely different cultivars (three strains of Golden Celeste and three strains of Improved Celeste for example) having the same "unofficial" name.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Not to add to the confusion but.......
 Herman states
So now in the present the only tree you can get cuttings from the original cultivar,is the Sal that Gene has kept in his Garden.
That is why it has to be noted as Gene strain.
Gene got it From EDible Landscaping when they had a tree labeled Sal's fig.

I also have that Sals and at the time of purchase i felt like a child in a candy store who has a pocket full of change.

It wears off as many will learn in time that have to have a plant that looks nice and cannot wait for it !
Been there done that and i say it was FUN !

Although not high anymore on list taste wise its a darn good reliable fig tree even in the worst seasons here near Chicago in a container.

Many, many  fig people have the EL/Gene Sal's Fig strain (including Meow)...