I'm looking for someone to recommend what the best figs are for Michigan growing in Pots.  Anyone else here have experience and can shed some light on this.  I would like a fig that produces and ripens large great tasting figs.  I don't want to become a collector, so I need the top 3.   Althought I have to admit, I have a collection started.  It happens to all of us I guess...........

It does happen to all of us.  :)  One of the top will have to be a desert king.  You get the breba crop so it's early.  After that there are other threads listing early or short season figs. 

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg1022365116571.html

And the 2 pinned to the top

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Ripening-order-2858750

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Best-figs-at-your-location-4800578

Another option is extending your season.  You can do that with a greenhouse, hoop house or 1 or 2 250 watt halogen lamps aimed at the unlit side of a fig in an E, S, or W window.

Thanks Bob.

Appreciate you steering me in the right direction.   I studied the posts.  I put together a listing and gave each variety a check mark when it was listed. A rough count showed these to be at the top, but not necessarily for Michigan.  Since I'll be growing them in pots, It shouldn't matter too much.  I should've mentioned I'm between Toledo and Detroit. 

1. Hardy Chicago
2. Marseilles vs Black
3. Celeste
4. Violette de Bordeaux/Negronne
5. Brown Turkey

Now the one I'm missing is Marseilles vs Black.   Is there a difference between Marseilles VS and Marseilles vs Black?  Sal's, Stella, & Desert King seem to be popular as well.

A lot of people diss your #5 but a lot of people like it.  Are you avoiding light colored figs?  The Desert King will be earlier than any you have listed.  I think you can do better than #3.  There's a few improved Celestes - O'Rourke is one and Improved Celeste is another.  Flanders is a good, early light fig.  Even better would be a Kathleen Black if you can find one.  There are a few Sal's and Sal's EL is most often mentioned as the best but you can find some comments saying another's better.  All of them are somewhat similar to HC (#1)  HC can be grown in the ground.  Without protection it will die back to the ground but regrow and produce figs every year.  I don't know if protection will prevent dieback in your climate.  If you're willing to drive to Toronto, this guy has some great offerings.  In fact, if you go I'd like you to get some for me!

I'd be sure the M VS was a black fig.  Most of the Marseilles figs are white.  VS is the source.  It's policy to not out the sources   :)

'Marseilles VS' and 'Marseilles vs Black' are the same fig, Black. VS stand for Herman's initials. It is my fig insurance plant here is zone 5 in pots.
The top four in rcantor list are good my area and ripen relatively early compared to most others and I will add SAL (EL) and Natalina.
The problem is (but it is really not a problem at all) that the fruits of all these are almost the same size and similar in looks (with minor differences).

Thanks guys.   The more I read into it the more I learn.....

Sounds like the Sal's might be too close to HC to worry about getting.

I need a Desert King I think.

Honestly, I would love to go to Toronto.  We were thinking of going to Niagra Falls this summer, maybe a side trip to Toronto may be a good adventure!

My Celeste isn't anything too special.  I was somewhat surprised to see it on so many lists.

I do want some variety in my collection!

Sals and Hardy Chicago are not close in my opinion .
Sals is more productive and is a very good tasting sweet fig.

Hardy Chicago little less productive but to me even better than Sals as it is a rich tasting fig exactly as Ray Givens describes it in his video.

Thats in my climate.

I wonder just how much difference there is in individual varieties when grown in different states. I'm in Virginia (7a) and I love the light figs but also have 3 celeste and 3 Almas among the 14 trees I have as my "feeder" trees. I think LSU Purple is a really good and hardy fig. I've only had a few dozen varieties and am definitely not an expert, but I do suggest you try at least one big green fig like a White Paradisio or Conadria or Excel. Just my opinion, but having the contrast of say an Excel and a Hardy Chicago together is mmm  mmm  good.

The varieties I have are listed below.  I have opinions about some of these, but I won't share them here.  I don't want to talk bad about any of my suppliers. 

1. Hardy Chicago (someone gave this to me at the greenhouse I work) 2 yr old  My favorite last year!
2. Celestial (willis)  3 yr old
3. Texas Everbearling (willis) 3 yr old
4. Black Jack (willis) 3 yr old
5. Italian Everbearing (willis) 3 yr old
6. Conadria (EL)
7. Kadota (EL)
8. Brown Turkey (EL)
9. Peter's Honey (EL) but actually the tag said L.E. Cooke California
10. Osborne Prolific (EL)
11. Violette de Bordaeux (EL)
12. Petit Negra  (EL)  however the tag was from Clackamas county Oregon
13. Lattarulla (EL) 
14. LSU Purple (EL)
15. White Marseilles  (Ebay- Florida Hill) 
16. Green Ischia  (Ebay - Wellspring Gardens) 

I was on the phone this morning with Durio Nursery, he also had some good suggestions.  I spoke with Mike at Edible L. and he was very friendly. 

I have to control myself here!  I worry that my wife thinks I'm crazy.  And my garage and basement are only so big :)    Being a horticulturist though this is in my blood and while other people like motorcycles and Hot rods, growing is my passion.  She wonders how I can do this all day and then come home and still be so engrossed in it.  

One fig not on your list and excellent tasting, grows fast and is a dark fig of course.
As more folks plants come to maturity you will hear more about it.

Click to Enlarge

That does indeed look tasty!

I can't quite figure out how to insert a photo.   I could post a photo of my Chicago Hardy in the ground.  I just covered it with a garbage can.   We didn't have a normal winter though.

I would be willing to drive to Toronto if someone could tell me if I would be successful getting plants across the border. 

Dfoster im not sure how it is these day but years ago we went fishing in Ontario.
Driving into Canada they had us pull over to the side counted our cartons of cigs and beer cases in the trunk and matched them with the occupants in each car.
Had us step out and inspected the interior or car.
There were 2 cars total.

Coming home back across border our coolers packed with dry ice and taped shut they untaped them and inspected each white paper packed fish even though they were labeled by our guide at camp. Only 1 day limit of each allowable species is allowed back to the states.
Im thinking a plant would not make it across .
But i have been wrong before on this forum.  ; )

No, I think you're right.  I have an MDA inspector that I know that might give me a solid answer or maybe a way around it.  I'll keep you posted.

 You are in the same zone with me.If you wanna taste figs in august i would recommend:florea,sal's el,ronde de bordeaux,nero600 and mavra+vasilika sika. Early figs,good figs.Good luck!

Martin,
I must have missed it, what fig is in post #10?
Very nice looking

It is a Ronde John. If you hover over the picture with your mouse you will see that Martin labels his pictures. 33 Ronde de Bordeaux photos on file, what a lucky guy ;)

dfoster,

I live in Sterling Heights, not too far from you.

As far as bringing plants across the border you will need a Phyto cert. and Adriano does not provide this. There is one that does and that is Grimo Nuts and I think they are at Niagara in the Lakes, On..

Trying to bring plants across to the U.S, could become disastrous if they find them in your possession without declaring them. And declaring them means you are giving them up and subject to search and filing documents.

It could be a lose lose situation without the proper documents.

Large great tasting fig fruits,in container(big container),there is one that will work in your cold climate:
Atreano

Hey Herman where is your Atreano from?

I spoke with Dalton this morning.  I have an Atreano and a Sal's on the way next week.   Super nice guy!  I can't wait.  Wait......   I'll be waiting for a while to taste them though ...!?!?!?

Strange to look back over old posts.  I started this one in hopes of finding a good fig for MI in pots.  Funny how I had Brown Turkey listed as a fig that I had to get.  I've learned a lot this past 4 months.   Thanks to everyone for all the kind & thoughtful advice.   Thanks to members who have sold me plants at reasonable prices.  Thanks to other members who have just given me plants straight up or still have cuttings in the works.  I really appreciate all your knowledge & generosity.  

I started off with 4 varieties in June.   I currently have 38.   10 more cutting varieties coming from UC Davis (forgot to cancel the order) and a few more from others.  50 varieties or so in total.   This was not my intention, but I did have fun this summer.   I look forward to tasting more of them next year and discarding them as I see fit.  When I do so, I will be sure to pay it forward by giving them away to members here.

Attached is a photo of my collection. 

Thanks Again

Nice looking collection!!

4 years later:

Interesting.  None of the figs on the original list stayed with me.

My top 5 Favorites are:

Italian 258
Genovese Nero
Maltese Beauty
Nero600
Preto/Black Madeira