This is an update about a fig tree I found after years of looking.  The original thread is here-
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/amazing-point-loma-sd-unknown-find-7837702?&trail=50

I had the pleasure to stop by the original Craven's Craving tree recently and snapped some pictures of this variety for your viewing pleasure.

  as you can see its a nice mature tree.

Here's a picture of the leaf shape with some figs in the background-
  I didn't see any signs of FMV, which is great!

Now for some fig pics-  As you can see, very similar shape to Black Madeira and Figo Preto but the fig is definitely larger.  I wish I had taken side by side pics, as I have all three varieties, but I forgot.  Fig honey dripping!



 

Now some interior shots-

 


Needless to say, this fig is a real winner!  The tree is very productive and healthy, and has delicious fruit reminiscent of Black Madeira/ Figo Preto but definitely different and amazing.  It also regularly ripens fruit in a very mild coastal climate that rarely exceeds 85 degrees F.  

I hope to go back and get cuttings in December or January. I'm looking forward to seeing how this variety performs in other areas! 

padsfan,

Very nice find. If you end up getting cuttings I'd love to grow this one.

Add me to the list for cuttings...and thanks for your fig sleuthing!

Pretty fig.  May I be added too.  Postage?  Trade?  You can let me know.

Padsfan:

Great report and beautiful fig. I'd trade cuttings or a plant if I have anything you want.

Thank you..!!

That mother tree is a monster! Hope to get a tree like that in a couple decades. Thanks for the pics. If you get extra cuttings in December or January, add me to the list.

If you have extra extra cuttings, I like to get some too, please.
Ray in SC

Well I'm testing the range of this fig growing it in zone 5b/6a. So far the figs have not ripened. It looks like it is getting there, and I may get ripe figs before my season is over. I have about 1 month left, so it's close. I had two cuttings and one started, then died. The other did fine.
Another fig that I'm curious about is JFE Black Madeira not. Appears to ripen earlier. I have a plant coming. Looking for a good substitute for Black Madeira, which is not the best choice for this area.

Thanks for the followup. Glad to see what I have to look forward to.

One of my cuttings rooted fairly quickly in Feb-Mar timeframe but the second cutting is just now pushing a leaf. Wow, that is like 7 months without rotting.

Very nice tree. Is the wasp present in that area?

Good question Sas. It sure does look like a larger Black Madeira

Padsfan, Very Interesting fig...If you have extra cuttings , Please keep me in mind...trade or purchase.
Mark

Wow, great work detective!  Please keep me in mind for future cuttings or trade.  I'd like to see how it does in NC. 

'Padres fan'

Hi! Congratulations for your discovery
This Craven Craving fruit makes me remember Violeta and its sisters, Preto and Black Madeira.
Both fruit and leaves are practically 'carbon copy' equivalents..
Along their rooting and growing  stages these cultivars, in my environment, show these leaf shapes:

by the time the scions get the very first roots...

 

 

Once the tree is established...


 

 


 
 

Fruit shapes, profiles, colors, etc are also very similar.
In a wasp environment, if caprified, these figs get quite large, with full crystalline and syrupy pulps and may eventually reach the 100 gram mark and above ...

   

Francisco
Portugal

Amazing.  Would love to trade for or buy some cuttings!

I would be willing to buy some cuttings but at this rate you'll have a very small tree left.

That interior color is stunning.

[QUOTE=lampo]'Padres fan'

Hi! Congratulations for your discovery
This Craven Craving fruit makes me remember Violeta and its sisters, Preto and Black Madeira.
Both fruit and leaves are practically 'carbon copy' equivalents..
Along their rooting and growing  stages these cultivars, in my environment, show these leaf shapes:

by the time the scions get the very first roots...

 

 

Once the tree is established...


 

 


 
 

Fruit shapes, profiles, colors, etc are also very similar.
In a wasp environment, if caprified, these figs get quite large, with full crystalline and syrupy pulps and may eventually reach the 100 gram mark and above ...

   

Francisco
Portugal

[/QUOTE]



Francisco these pics are amazing!! I feel even more impatient now for my preto to ripen its figs! Running short on time now here in zone 6A though :(

Padresfan you have found yourself a real winner here! Would love to trade in the future, but looks like I'm in a long line here! Lol! Beautiful fig!

Nice fig shape, looks delicious.  You have found a winner! Wonder how it would do in Tn.? 
Thanks for sharing this update.

What a beautiful fig/tree, you can definitely see the abundant care and attention that they have provided for the tree !

If I can buy or trade cuttings, I'd love to grab a place in line :)

I got 2 cuttings from pads fan earlier this year, both were rather thick, both rooted very easily with 3 shoots coming from each. I can't wait to taste it when it's starts producing!

To answer a previous question, I believe the fig wasp is present in that area.

[QUOTE=Silveradocanman]I got 2 cuttings from pads fan earlier this year, both were rather thick, both rooted very easily with 3 shoots coming from each. I can't wait to taste it when it's starts producing!...[/QUOTE]

Congratulations on your 100% success rate! Love to see pics of them, if available. Thanks.

Here's mine now. Only one rooted for me. Hoping the figs ripen soon. Running out of time here. They have swelled, so I should get some.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/015_3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/015_3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Drew, this tree has grown so much from the plant I saw 2 months ago! And it's loaded on every node, from what I can see. When a fruit ripens, don't forget to take pics before eating!

Great looking fig.... Awesome find and as distribution becomes broader, a great addition to the fig community....

Drew, Did any of those figs ripened for you?

Sure looks like Black Madeira. Remember too that they will range in different sizes in different climates. An example of this is Sid is getting Preto over 100 grams in Hawaii.

[QUOTE=Sas]Drew, Did any of those figs ripened for you?[/QUOTE]

Yes, although rather late for here. It's not ideal here. I'm still keeping it. It looks like i will only get three figs. If the weather holds out maybe more? My camera isn't the best but here are shots I took today. Funny you asked as TODAY I harvested the first fig, a couple days early though. Rain is expected. The fig is a good one for sure. It is a late ripener though and would do better in warmer environments. I also noticed the side facing the sun, was tastier! It's a young plant, and one can't judge on one fig. I'm happy getting a few figs a year. I could and may bring it inside. i have the lights.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/008_7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/008_7.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/009_7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/009_7.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/003_12.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/003_12.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/014_3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/014_3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Another Craven's Craving ripened. This one was more ripe, and very good. I can't really describe the taste, I have not tasted any other Portuguese figs. It is different than any other figs I have, very sweet, juicy but did not taste at all watered down. Excellent! Texture is very soft, my wife noticed that, as she hates it, ate half a fig and handed it back. The red interior was soft, the skin is a little tough, probably environmental. I noticed tougher skins with lower temps. 84F here today though, very unusual. This fig has the strongest taste of any I have tasted, which admittedly is not that many.

Drew, if possible, can you see if you can ripen one of the 3 or 4 figs that are turning color in the third pix of post #30, until it is wrinkly? In the progression of the two pics above, the pulp color darkens more and the syrup is more pronounced on the second ripe fig. I am curious about how you would describe a dead ripe Craven's Craving, even in less ideal ripening conditions. Thanks

By the way, the fig trunks in those tan and terra-cotta color pots in the background look strong and healthy. Congrats.

I'm sold. Sounds excellent.

I picked both figs because of pending bad weather. the third needs at least a week, so hopefully weather will be better. We again expect rain the next few days. I will try to leave it on as long as possible. This 2nd one was very close to ripe, not wrinkled though, which will be easier to do with larger plants.  Both had splits, and I didn't want to chance a blow out. This second one was very soft too. One needs an older tree, being small water regulation is well developed in the plant. At least my observations on growing them for 2 seasons.
Eventually we will get this one spread around. I need this plant to be older to share cuttings or plants. With padsfan's approval, I will offer eventually. He worked hard to find this. I'm grateful for his offering.

Glad to see that your tree is already successful Drew! If I remember correctly I sent the cuttings out last winter so it's a one year tree, right? That's a great looking first year fig.

[QUOTE=padsfan]Glad to see that your tree is already successful Drew! If I remember correctly I sent the cuttings out last winter so it's a one year tree, right? That's a great looking first year fig. [/QUOTE]

Yes, correct. I had a good year with figs for sure. You don't expect fruit the first year with many fruiting plants, still many produced for me.