Improved Celeste 2011 & 2012

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Registered:1252379847
Posts: 1,162

Posted 1307894108	Reply with quote #1

Improved Celeste. Traveling for the next several days. Per custom, I did a final walk around before leaving and look what I find! I wanted to mark this date with these photographs because watering is not the priority it would be when the primary care giver is on site. Also instead of hoping this LSU IC breba goes undetected by my backyard bandits, b.k.a., squirrels and mocking birds, I took the time to not-so-simply move the bird netting from the LSU Scott's Black to the LSU IC. I know the main crop is the real treat with LSU IC but there are no signs of main crop and I am not expecting any. This tree never went dormant (I got it after it was overwintered in a greenhouse) and it is being acclimated to growing in 'the wild'. Attached Images lsu_improved_celeste003.JPG (262.06 KB, 45 views) lsu_improved_celeste004.JPG (341.11 KB, 46 views) lsu_improved_celeste005.JPG (303.02 KB, 64 views) __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

noss

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Posts: 2,122

Posted 1307940003	Reply with quote #2

Hi JD, That breba looks yummy. noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1308316197	Reply with quote #3

It looked good but is now gone! Not sure what happy but it was definitely critter related. No traces of the fig but the stem of its nearest neighbor was still attached to the main trunk. 2 of 3 in one visit. Only one breba left. Dyam. I am looking forward to the main crop, if I have one. Squirrels. I put out a feeder this morning to try to keep them full, happy, away from the fruit, and to reinstate the squirrel transition program (STP). Having them gather morning and night for breakfast and dinner in one location, distracted makes it easier to operate the program: pump, safety, scope, thump. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1309136449	Reply with quote #4

This is the last breba. I hope we get to taste it. Haven't had one of these IC breba yet. Although it looks good, I will leave it until it is 'dead ripe'. Using a quart strawberry container for protection; see in attached images (thanks maverick!). Also, I noticed that the main crop has begun to form figlets. Attached Images lsu_improved_celeste007.JPG (348.80 KB, 43 views) lsu_improved_celeste008.JPG (332.30 KB, 77 views) lsu_improved_celeste009.JPG (310.31 KB, 55 views) __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

satellitehead

Registered:1257988353
Posts: 3,687

Posted 1309138710	Reply with quote #5

what's all the goo all over your landscaping tape? __________________ Jason Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1309139783	Reply with quote #6

Tanlgefoot. I noticed these critters that were smaller than what I normally call ants climbing all over the fig. I needed security so I removed the 'ants', wrapped the tape lightly, added the goo, and felt better. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1309450832	Reply with quote #7

This LSU Improved Celeste story does not end with a pretty picture of a fig. Too much rain, too late at night, too quick, too wet, too covered, too distracted, too busy. Man oh man! I picked this one today and to my surprise, the last breba was 'dead ripe'. Following Sal's lead, here is what happens when things do not go as planned. And YES, I sure did! The tip of a sharp pairing knife works wonders. Sweet. Jam-like consistency. Figgy taste. Overall: Tasty with a slight moldy twang. Note: I am concerned about the eye being a bit more open than I expected. FYI: The main crop has started. Attached Images lsu_improved_celeste010.JPG (317.54 KB, 26 views) lsu_improved_celeste012.JPG (327.58 KB, 40 views) lsu_improved_celeste013.JPG (380.63 KB, 41 views) lsu_improved_celeste014.JPG (375.92 KB, 36 views) lsu_improved_celeste015.JPG (317.82 KB, 31 views) lsu_improved_celeste016.JPG (324.28 KB, 26 views) lsu_improved_celeste036.JPG (309.49 KB, 18 views) lsu_improved_celeste037.JPG (295.96 KB, 23 views) lsu_improved_celeste038.JPG (344.35 KB, 21 views) lsu_improved_celeste039.JPG (342.55 KB, 26 views) lsu_improved_celeste040.JPG (329.72 KB, 18 views) lsu_improved_celeste041.JPG (436.72 KB, 28 views) lsu_improved_celeste042.JPG (415.28 KB, 33 views) __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

Dan_la

Registered:1189771593
Posts: 1,438

Posted 1309451938	Reply with quote #8

........moldy twang as in blue cheese I'm sure....;). I would not have used a knife, just my teeth.......;>( The eye characteristics of figs can change with crop number (fig flush?)......still an area of my studies. You can't judge a fig's eye just by its breba crop. Dan Semper Fi-cus

2007_giants

Registered:1232480304
Posts: 743

Posted 1309454688	Reply with quote #9

Hey JD I have quite a few I/C's that got mold like that also but the few that I salvaged were very good and sweet. (To sweet for my taste as I've stated before). I still think it is a keeper even with a little crop loss. I can make different recipes if I get an abundant crop, plus if it is the only one producing at the time I'm not going to be so choosy LOL __________________ SAL zone 10b-9b FL PSL growing in pots

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1309455022	Reply with quote #10

Hey Sal! Thanks for the note and interesting tidbit that you have quite a few ICs that have gotten mold like this. Did the mold happen only after rain or without rain? __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

2007_giants

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Posts: 743

Posted 1309455849	Reply with quote #11

After rain and this is the one that is most infected with scale this season also. I need to take better preventative measures early in season but this year I've had some personnel issues which took precedence __________________ SAL zone 10b-9b FL PSL growing in pots

gorgi

Registered:1188888396
Posts: 2,864

Posted 1309456745	Reply with quote #12

I guess this may be one reasons why commercial FL did not invest heavily in them figs (heavy rains), while (drier) CA did. FL prefers citrus (e.g., oranges)... __________________ George, NJ_z7a.

noss

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Posts: 2,122

Posted 1309510927	Reply with quote #13

JD, We need to fashion rain shields for the ICs, or something. noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

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Posted 1309534650	Reply with quote #14

Noss, I have been thinking about that. I had this one covered with a repurposed plastic strawberry container but its purpose was to protect against critters (it performed flawlessly) not rain. Hmmm. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

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Posted 1339211170	Reply with quote #15

Improved Celeste was excellent in 2011. Looking forward to it in 2012. Here is a snapshot of the main crop along with a few photos of the leaves attached to illustrate its one-lobe and three-lobed leaves. Attached Images lsu_improved_celeste048.JPG (369.49 KB, 29 views) lsu_improved_celeste050.JPG (388.37 KB, 33 views) lsu_improved_celeste052.JPG (375.05 KB, 52 views) lsu_improved_celeste043.JPG (453.19 KB, 53 views) __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

noss

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Posts: 2,122

Posted 1339220983	Reply with quote #16

Nice tree, JD. noss __________________ noss/a.k.a. Vivian Lafayette, LA Zone 9a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanc, Col de Dame Noir, Scott's Yellow, Tony's Brown Italian, any other fig that is good in the rain/humidity and has a real figgy flavor.

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1340327866	Reply with quote #17

Whenever I hear the mocking birds singing, I know they have found or are calling for help to find a treat. When I walked out they were lounging around the tree, so I did not hesitate. Waiting one more day was my preference but I could not risk it. The first of the season. They were good, figgy. IC is a favorite here. Attached Images lsu_improved_celeste056.JPG (326.10 KB, 33 views) lsu_improved_celeste057.JPG (327.03 KB, 42 views) lsu_improved_celeste058.JPG (267.83 KB, 24 views) lsu_improved_celeste059.JPG (295.21 KB, 16 views) lsu_improved_celeste060.JPG (308.79 KB, 21 views) lsu_improved_celeste063.JPG (327.27 KB, 17 views) lsu_improved_celeste064.JPG (352.36 KB, 21 views) __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

TucsonKen

Registered:1246833094
Posts: 1,298

Posted 1340334277	Reply with quote #18

Beautiful photos, JD, as always. I'm hoping the LSU IC cutting I grafted will ripen its fruit this season--it's well on its way with a fig at most of the lower leaf axils. The now in-ground 1-gallon is growing well, but no signs of fruit yet this season. What is the newspaper in the background of one of your on-the-tree shots? Is that a bird barrier? I use the newspaper/clothespin shield quite a bit, but that looks like you may be using a different method. __________________ Ken Tucson, Arizona Zone 8b

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1340363312	Reply with quote #19

Thanks Ken Yes, bird barrier. I don't remember who it was but I learned of newspaper as protector on the forum. It works well. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

timclymer

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Posts: 305

Posted 1340373185	Reply with quote #20

JD, what's your source for IC? I just ordered a couple from Almost Eden. Do they have the true one? I also have a few O'Rourkes from Petals from the Past but I'm not sure if it's the true O'Rourke or how ya tell. __________________ http://threefoldfarm.org - Fig trees and farm updates https://www.facebook.com/ThreefoldFarm South Central PA (6b,7a) Want List: Ital 258, any figs found growing in PA, NJ, or NY

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1340376589	Reply with quote #21

Very nice pics JD. I am convinced, that your tree is a tree Improved Celeste. My 2 in-ground trees are IC also. I thought they were O'Rourke's! Oh well, at least I am happy with 2 beautiful looking and healthy fig trees. Timclymer, good luck on getting an O'Rourke from Almost Eden. I have both of their O'Rourke and IC and mine are the same. Again, oh well! At least I have a very nice and healthy fig. I did what you did and ordered an O'Rourke from PFTP too. Mine are the same are my IC. Again, oh well! At least I now have FOUR healthy and good looking LSU Improved Celeste fig trees! HOW BOUT THOSE FIGS!!!! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

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Posts: 1,162

Posted 1340377105	Reply with quote #22

Tim, I purchased IC from Just Fruits & Exotics. According to Dennis, it appears as if the confusion between LSU Improved Celeste not being O'Rouke continues. I am in search of O'Rourke as shown in the LSU Publication. I attached the photos from publication. If anyone has it (O'Rouke), then I am interested and would love to hear from you to get a layer or cuttings from your tree. Attached Images o'rouke_lsupub-002.jpg (42.41 KB, 38 views) o'rouke_lsupub-003.jpg (26.69 KB, 46 views) o'rouke_lsupub-001.jpg (112.12 KB, 46 views) __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1340377113	Reply with quote #23

I also have an Improved Celeste Breba almost ripe now. It would be the first earliest Breba,in my Yard. JD:Yours is identical as mine and is Indeed improved,in that it keeps Breba ,and main crop on till ripe and no more dropping and frustration like regular Celeste does.

snaglpus

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Posts: 4,072

Posted 1340378250	Reply with quote #24

Yeap! JD you're correct. My trees are not O'Rourkes. They do have that leaf pattern as stated in your last pic. My trees all have 1 lobe, 3 lobes and 5 lobes. like post #15 above. Mine don't look like those in #22 at all. I'm going to go outside and change my labels to LSU Improved Celeste. I want to eliminate the confusion. PFTP may have the true O'Rourke! If you read what PFTP states about O'Rourke, they say the figs have no neck. But they also create confusion by saying O'Rourke is called Improved Celeste! ARGH! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Figluvah

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Posts: 1,111

Posted 1340379398	Reply with quote #25

I personally delivered a real O'Rourke to Almost Eden in 09!!!! I picked it up for him from JR That is not to say it couldn't be something else, but I doubt it! I purchased one for me, 1 for Almost Eden, and one for Henry Lyell in Jackson Ms. That upstanding POS(HENRY)beat me out of it, I Fed Xed his to him in a trade for a Smith, Only heard from him once since, he had some lame excuse for why he didn't send it to me! Just wanted to vent about Brother Henry...I still say he is a POS! __________________ Cecil (Z 8b?) in the sticks of E.Tx (Elkhart/Palestine TX)

snaglpus

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Posts: 4,072

Posted 1340380788	Reply with quote #26

Awesome Cecil! I'll call John and place an order for 2 O'Rourkes and compare them to my Improved Celeste in my orchard and those purchased from PFTP. thanks! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Figluvah

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Posted 1340381110	Reply with quote #27

You are most welcome Dennis Tell John MC we said hey! I am attaching a photo of Henry's plant! As usual you can tell I'm C.D. and not J.D. The "D' is the same though! Attached Images Copy_(3)_of_Henry's_O'Rourke_with_fig_on_it!_(Small).JPG (69.75 KB, 42 views) __________________ Cecil (Z 8b?) in the sticks of E.Tx (Elkhart/Palestine TX)

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Posted 1340381676	Reply with quote #28

Cecil, Did the O'Rouke that you picked up from JR and delivered to Almost Eden have five fingered leaves like the one in the LSU Publication? If so, then we should have two authentic sources for O'Rourke. Dennis, When did you purchase your O'Rourke (two of them, right?) from AE? I suspect reconciliation is in the leaves. The LSU Publication pictures seem to show that O'Rourke has mostly, if not all, five-fingered leaves. Maybe AE will share a time stamped photo of the leaves from its O'Rourke. I emailed jeffm at almostedenplants dot com with a question about the leaves. Meanwhile, AE seems to have expanded their selection of figs to include many not available via retail: Bissiri #1 Bissiri #2 Brooklyn Dark Brooklyn White Delcon (??) Jurapa (Jurupa, right??) Petite Negra Purple Passion (??) Red Italian (??) Syrian Long Wuhan Edit: Denis, seeing your post #26, I must have misread or misunderstood your intent in post #21: "Timclymer, good luck on getting an O'Rourke from Almost Eden. I have both of their O'Rourke and IC and mine are the same. When you call John, ask him about the leaves before you purchase. I suspect it might be good for business if he could post a time stamped photo of the leaves. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

timclymer

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Posts: 305

Posted 1340381803	Reply with quote #29

I just placed an order for O'Rourke from AE. I'll be interested to see how they show up. __________________ http://threefoldfarm.org - Fig trees and farm updates https://www.facebook.com/ThreefoldFarm South Central PA (6b,7a) Want List: Ital 258, any figs found growing in PA, NJ, or NY

Figluvah

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Posts: 1,111

Posted 1340382002	Reply with quote #30

@JD I posted a photo of Henry's plant in post #27 {EDIT} I will also add that Dan A picked that plant for me @ JR's I picked the two others going on the leaf pattern off mine! The ones I rooted from LSU had the same leafs as the ones from JR. __________________ Cecil (Z 8b?) in the sticks of E.Tx (Elkhart/Palestine TX)

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Posted 1340382594	Reply with quote #31

Cecil! I must have been typing while your posted your message and photo. Thanks. Thanks to Dennis, Tim, and others for buying out the limited supply. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

Figluvah

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Posts: 1,111

Posted 1340382740	Reply with quote #32

Your welcome JD I wish I could help ya'll but I managed to kill my O'R from JR as well as the one I rooted from LSU. __________________ Cecil (Z 8b?) in the sticks of E.Tx (Elkhart/Palestine TX)

snaglpus

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Posts: 4,072

Posted 1340383396	Reply with quote #33

Done! John says the leaves on IC and O'Rourke look the same to him. It may be that the plants are too young to tell. Yeap, AE have expanded their selection. Ebay is starting to get a bit pricey for me. People are bidding on trees that may need the fig wasp. AE's prices are very reasonable! Last week I ordered: Bissiri2 Brooklyn Dark Delcon Red Italian My trees came Tuesday. I potted them up in gallon pots yesterday. I always soak my trees in root hormone for a day before transplanting them. I'll post some pics within the hour. I already have Jurapa, PN, Purple Passion, Syrian Long and Wuhan from John and other sources. Syrian Long and Wuhan are have interesting leaf patterns. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

genecolin

Registered:1248866064
Posts: 1,542

Posted 1340400324	Reply with quote #34

Not to add to the confusion, but these are pictures of O'Rourke that was grown from cuttings taken right from an O'Rourke tree at LSU. I also have one I picked up from James Robin with the label O'Rourke - Improved Celeste. See the pictures below. A young O'Rourke leaf A O'Rourke leaf about a couple months old. An older O'Rourke leaf. Figs about to ripen on my O'Rourke Young leaf on the the James Robin O'Rouke-Improve Celeste Older leaf __________________ From the bayou, "gene" zone 9 Houma, La.

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Posted 1340401024	Reply with quote #35

Thanks Gene. I sent you a PM. __________________ jd \| tallahassee.fl \| zone 8b

snaglpus

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Posts: 4,072

Posted 1340402435	Reply with quote #36

Yeap! Gene you have the real O'Rourke! __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

genecolin

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Posts: 1,542

Posted 1340410008	Reply with quote #37

I might add that I ate a fig off of my O'Rourke today and it was great tasting. When tasting figs I use Celeste as the standard because that is what I was raised on and the only fig I ate until a few years ago. I must say the O'Rourke I ate was better than my celeste. I ate another today that was a day or so from being ripe but I just had to see if it had the same taste, and it did. It was just not as juicy. I have others ripening soon and that will give me a better idea of the taste. I will say that it ripened nicely despite having all the rain we had over the last two weeks. The end of this week it has been dry. I will post more about them when I pick and taste more. "gene" __________________ From the bayou, "gene" zone 9 Houma, La.

gorgi

Registered:1188888396
Posts: 2,864

Posted 1340410381	Reply with quote #38

I first bought my first Improved Celeste way back in 2006 from SSE. Believe me, in those days not very many of todays figs very available form friends, catalogs or even the Internet... When my IC first fruited, I was very impressed by it: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Improved-Celeste-2982584 Since then, LSU released one version of it as the "O'Rourke". I did buy another from JR as such, but my initial assessment was that the leaves looked exactly as my SSE (IC) one. After a year I lost it (my fault). Continuing my quest for a real O'R, I got some direct cuttings, but sadly all failed. Thanks to a good fig friend, I have same-acquired 3 cuttings rooting just right now... __________________ George, NJ_z7a.

genecolin

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Posts: 1,542

Posted 1340411259	Reply with quote #39

gorgi, if you have trouble rooting them let me know. I will be able to spare a couple of cuttings this fall. "gene" __________________ From the bayou, "gene" zone 9 Houma, La.

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1340775980	Reply with quote #40

So which tastes better, which bears earlier between the O'R, IC and Scott's Black, while I have the experts here? __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

genecolin

Registered:1248866064
Posts: 1,542

Posted 1340790912	Reply with quote #41

Bob my O'Rourke, which in in the ground, stated ripening a couple of weeks after Celeste here. My IC is potted and growing slowly. It has a couple of small figs that are nowhere near ripening so no comparison here. "gene" __________________ From the bayou, "gene" zone 9 Houma, La.

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