I noted in post #1 that Figo Preto ripened a bit sooner than Black Madeira.  In fact I did get the first ripe fig from FP.  However, about 7 days later I got 2-3 ripe figs from BM and only maybe 1 from Figo Preto.  After that they ripened at about the same rate.  So looking back on the 2014 season I'm not really convinced there is difference in ripening time worth worrying about for these two varieties.

Someone following my Facebook posts commented to me about your thread here, Steve and I thought I'd give my two cents.  I pretty certain that Figo Preto and Black Madeira are the same.  I have two trees of each that were planted in the orchard in August 2013.  My first ripe fruit from them was from one of the Black Madeira followed by a Figo Preto a couple of days later, but I don't think the timing is due to genetics, mostly just by chance.  I've eaten a couple of dozen of each and have never noticed any significant difference from one tree to the other, mostly from one fruit from another on the same tree.

One of my Black Madeira trees is grafted on Black Mission and that tree is substantially larger than the others and, because of that, produces more fruit, but the timing and taste is the same, IMO.  Perhaps, if I thinned fruit from it, I could get ripe fruit sooner because of the increased vigor of that tree.

I am also growing one of Keith's black fig from Madeira but it is a young tree still in a pot.  Based on the leaves and the fruit photos he has previously shown, I believe it is mostly likely the same.  I also hope to compare to Francisco's Violeta one of these days. 

Harvey, I agree with everything you wrote.  It seems like the difference is from specimen to specimen within the Figo Preto/Black Madeira/(others?) variety i.e. some are more healthy than others and this affects performance.  As a result of these observations, and because of limited space, I no longer have my large Black Madeira and just have the Figo Preto. I do have a couple small Black Madeiras that I started from cuttings and hope to use as stock for grafting.  Maybe I can get my first fig graft to take some day!

Hello Rewton,

I am eagerly looking for BM cuttings as the season approaches, see http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/will-donate-100-00-to-the-forum-7551913?trail=200.
Can you please help me locate sum.

PS Nice yield.

Terrance from Montreal.

Terrance, I don't think it is legal to ship to you.  However, you have some very good options for nurseries in Canada such as Adriano's in Toronto and Brugmansia-Quebec:

http://brugmansia-quebec.com/Catalogue/Figuier%20Fonce.html

Note that the later nursery now sells Black Madeira for $14.99 which is a bargain.  Good luck.

Hello Rewton,

Thank you for you response. It should not be a problem. We don't have as stringent of border control laws as other places. I have heard mention of many people exporting cuttings to Canada.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :)

Terrance

Such beautiful and healthy looking trees!

Your trees look very healthy and productive. I also thought it was a great idea to reuse buckets to grow them in. Keep us posted on the flavor comparison. Thanks for the great pictures. 

How tall will the Figo Preto fig tree get in CA in the ground? Also how tall will the Black Madeira get in the ground in CA?

Thanks

Figit, that would be a question for CA growers; however, I would expect them to grow somewhat more slowly than your average fig tree in CA.  So it would be easier to keep these varieties pruned down to a reasonable size than varieties with rampant growth.

It's all relative to what location. Here it's consistently in the hundreds and the trees don't grow. If in part shade they definitely grow faster. Those two varieties are very slow growing

Somewhere, Sue V posted photos of the Preto tree that once existed near her home in Point Loma. That should provide a reference to the size of tree to be expected in CA.