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satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
(Getting inundated with requests for cuttings - can't help everyone - all out of cuttings already)

I was driving around a few minutes ago and passed a squat old fig tree, 12' x 12', not uncommon for around SE Atlanta, but this had small, round black figs ripening all over it - some dried onto the tree.  This tree was old - looks to be at least 20+ years.  Owner of the house has had it since 1979.  It was late and my wife was with me, so I didn't get walk up to the house to see the owner.  I reached out to nearby neighbors I know and their neighborhood email list to see if the owner is online.

I took one fig that was about ~3 days from being ripe.  It wasn't quite there yet.  Skin has lots of white flecks.  Figs are about the size of a quarter.  Skin is totally black when ripe.  Interior appears to be reddish brown when ripe,fruit has a few hairs here and there (see pics) and a very, very tight eye (closed, probably).  I thought it was Nero (per Ray Givan's collection) but the leaves 5 lobes total, distinct 'thumbs' and all come to a point (see below for a close resembling leaf).  Leaves are very small - about the size of an adult woman's hand.

Pics of the not-quite-ripe fruit are here, I'll post back with more info as I can get it.  Hope to be able to ID eventually.

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Jason
Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8

satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Leaf looks very similar to this, only there are no jags along the outside:
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Jason
Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8
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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Does it look like this on first glance. Some leaves are seen.
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Dominick
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satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Close, Dom.  It's hard to gauge the fruit size, but I think the fruit of this unknown is slightly smaller, more freckles, and there is no green at all around the stem.

What are you showing in the pic?  Got any closer pics of the leaves?  Are they similar to the one in post #2 above yours?
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Jason
Atlanta/Grant Park area - z8
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Jason,

Looks like a great find. Time to put the Ninja suit on.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Nah, I'm going to put the friendly neighbor suit on and see what a few kind words will do ;)
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Jason
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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Not mine- It's Col Litman Cross from Just Fruits and Exotics. I saw your pic and it reminded me of their fig selection.
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Dominick
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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
A promising find Jason. When dead ripe, the pulp will likely bleed into that white pithy area. I know you will keep us posted.

Dom,
Col Littman's Black Cross is a good fig. I have sampled it. Do not own it.
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Posted Reply with quote  #9 

Looks like a winner. Hope you are able to get cuttings. It's always great when you find another tree, for me a quest. Then the knock on the door in hopes of more knowledge about tree. Who planted, where it came from, maybe a remote island. Great great grandpa boarded a ship to USA in search of a new world with fig cuttings stashed in his pack.


luke
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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
We all love those stories!  I truly believe a knock on the door, bearing gifts, will get you what you want!

A gift can be a smile, a promise, or actually a rooted fig that you started in exchange for some cuttings. 

Universally, people like to know others appreciate what they have, and most are willing to share, especially if you are generous with them.

Good luck, and can't wait to hear how the saga goes!

Suzi
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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Let us know.  It certainly is an interesting fig.
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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.
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
All I can say,get some cuttings from this one and I will trade with you any fig cuttings in my backyard, you wish.
I already eliminated all  inferior cultivars(about 150 at this point),and I am left with 50 selection,all good ,non dropping ,that will ripe here and in your place.
This is a keeper,I have no doubt.
BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
That' sounds like a great offer Herman, I'm guessing you think this small dark is something special
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 

If it's coming from the "God Father" of figs then it is something special!
Sounds like a win win Jason.

Good luck to both of you.
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
If the leaf has indeed that shape ,yes it is a fig I am looking for a long time.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Herman, shoot me your address by PM.  No trade necessary, I always send my cuttings free to anyone that I think deserves them.  I have addresses for the other folks that will get what I can.  It may only be a couple of small sticks, though.

I have been dreaming about this one all night.  Stopping by the ATM in a couple hours (just in case) and swinging over there in hopes someone is home.  I was thinking about carrying my daughter over (she's adorable and nobody could say "no" to her), but it is a strange house... Going over solo.  Will post back with details, hopefully pics of ripe fruit and some leaves.
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Jason
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rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Jason,

Having the little one with you may put the other person at more ease.
But then again, like you said.

Good luck either way. If you hear something in the back ground that sounds like: Chi chick that means someone just lock and load.

In this case I say: Run Forest Run.
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Jason,

Having the little one with you may put the other person at more ease.
But then again, like you said.

Good luck either way. If you hear something in the back ground that sounds like: Chi chick that means someone just lock and load.

In this case I say: Run Forest Run.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Nobody home but the dogs. Doorbell doesn't work.  I took some cuttings, enough to send 3-4 to a couple folks and keep the same for myself (no room for me to be greedy)

Will try to get them out on Monday, and I will post more pics of leaves and fruit later.  

Fruit tastes good.  Was a little dry inside and the skin on the fruit from the branches i grabbed was a bit tough.  What I ate appeared to be breba crop?  Tree has red tips and veins.
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Jason
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Posted Reply with quote  #20 
The fig raider and the fig leaf.  Watch out for the propertarians...
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #21 
More pics of the fruit -still not 100% ripe, as close as I could find.  There's a ton of fruit, but I didn't hang around long knowing I was cutting with nobody around. 

Note the dark pink eye on the fruit, pinkish leaf stems.

Taste is good, skin is firm (although flavorful) but we've had extremely hot weather, it's in full sun ~14hrs a day with two weeks of no rain and this tree gets no water from the owner.  The tree is old, extremely old growth. 

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Jason
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BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #22 

Very good looking fruit Jason. Nice find
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #23 
And ... the leaves.  There is only a little leaf variation.  Most leaves are the 5-lobe/smooth/pointed/spatulate, although there are a few that have frills (shown) and a couple 3-lobe (also shown).

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Jason
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Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Awesome Jason Looks like it is one that others are judged by..
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Al Richer
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EBAY ID--06picl
member: back yard fruit growers association
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #25 
Awesome Jason:If this Plant was 12 foot round,I am sure it does not have any serious health problem,and as for the cultivar now I am sure it is what I said it is!.
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #26 
Vasile,

You are leaving us in suspense. Can you please tell us what it is?
Anything you know please.
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Posted Reply with quote  #27 
I must have missed it, what cultivar is it?  It looks really good.
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northeastnewbie

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Posted Reply with quote  #28 
I already gave a hint
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Al Richer
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slingha

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Posted Reply with quote  #29 
That fig looks like the night sky. 
shah8

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Posted Reply with quote  #30 
Does it really look like Ischia Black?
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #31 
Jason thinks it's a I/B but I want Vasile to say otherwise.
northeastnewbie

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Posted Reply with quote  #32 
I concur I told Jason what I think and after the last set of photos I am 100 %.

I/B aka B/I
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Al Richer
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BLB

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Posted Reply with quote  #33 
That's what I'm thinking as well
rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #34 
Well, if that's the case I told Jason he found a healthy FMV free strain. This is still good news anyway you shake n bake it.
gorgi

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Posted Reply with quote  #35 
A nice fig indeed!

I love those white dots on any black fig.
I have seen some figs with dots before; e.g., VdB & Negretta?

P.S.
I hope Martin does not mind them 'white' dots on his figs...
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shah8

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Posted Reply with quote  #36 
Man, I don't know.  If there's one thing I've learned from plundering this site is that figs really could look like anything.  Because all I've got is the one PN, I compare everything versus that limited view, and really, all of these figs from provence and naples can really look like one another.  PN has such an extreme variety of leaves, or at least mine does, that I could totally understand how it could look like Noire de Caromb, in FMD's picture--the only way that you could even tell a PN from anything other fig from Provence (or Bordeaux) is the diversity of leaves, though I'd probably have trouble with Vista and Raspberry Latte.  Looking at the fruit here, I first thought it was something similar to RdB.  Roundish and all.  I could be convinced of BI because the flesh is very similar to my PN like the kiwibob photo and that was something I latched onto when I was thinking about what PN actually was.  However, this fig could be some close, not as good kissing cousin of UCD BI, and hey, isn't it early in the year for the fruit?  Or this is breba?

One last comment:  It was always a shame that we in Atlanta grew all those stupid Black Turkeys.  We really could have, and should been growing these nice Southern French and Italian figs all along.  Just not enough old Italian families around here, I suppose.
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #37 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rafed
Jason thinks it's a I/B but I want Vasile to say otherwise.


Albert (northeastnewbie) tipped me off earlier that it could be IB.  After reviewing the pics at the F4F database, seems likely it could be.  Looks like Herman just confirmed the possibility.   I have a couple rooted from UCD.  Slow growers and not much to compare. 

Is IB extremely crunchy?  This was.

Wish I had more cuttings to share.  I could only manage to get a couple feet of wood, and it's already split up too many ways.  Will continue trying to get through to the owner.

@shah8 - I believe what I ate (and pictured) was breba figs and a few days underripe.  New growth was just starting on some branches.
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Jason
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shah8

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Posted Reply with quote  #38 
well, what did it taste like, though?  Liked the part about the skins.  The best part of eating those underripe PN brebas after I couldn't stop myself from picking them, was the nice aromatic qualities chewing the skin releases.  Vegetal, but very nice.
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #39 
Keeping in mind it was underripe, the skin tasted sweet but muted and it wasn't quite tender yet.  Even for underripe, the flavor was complex.  More richness and figgy flavor than anything, a lot less dark berry flavors than I usually find with other dark figs.  Good nutty finish from the seed crunch.  I liked it and I don't normally like seeds in my figs.  In hindsight, I'm wishing I would've grabbed the one ripe one I saw before leaving (bird tore it in half, looked not so appetizing).  By looking at that one, I can tell you, it's definitely got a dark reddish-brown flesh when fully ripe.
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Jason
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Posted Reply with quote  #40 
superr fine indeed Jason!  Those figs look like eggs!  Think of me in the future if you ever get extra cuttings this Fall.  I got 2 IBs from UCD.  It would be nice to compare the 2 next year.  
cheers,
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Dennis
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Posted Reply with quote  #41 
Those look like main crop to me. They also look very nice. Congrats
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shah8

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Posted Reply with quote  #42 
Yup, I'm familiar with all that, but not too much like your Negronne?  PN goes for rich sorta figgy, acid/sugar balance/intensity, and fruit tones rather than fruity.  Others, however, has described BI as being not very figgy at all...

The only figs worth growing are Group 2 figs + Black Madeira! heh...Oh Smith, and uh, wait, I'm going onnanotherlonglistrant...
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
striveforfreedom

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Posted Reply with quote  #43 
Nice score Jason. Hopefully it has an amazing story behind it.
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Vince Russo
Norwalk, CT Zone 7A

Wish list - Any cuttings of the Col de Dames would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
satellitehead

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Posted Reply with quote  #44 
Shah8, tasted nothing like my Negronne.  That was all berry.  I will reiterate for the tenth time though: none of these ate were fully ripe.

And Brent, may be, but saw new growth coming... We had a very mild winter... So it is tough to say.
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Jason
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Posted Reply with quote  #45 
Understood, but believe you me, I would have eaten them and declared them ripe.  I've never waited for dead ripe figs, and only go "Oohh!  I missed one and it's all soft and squishy, disgunnabegud!"  Of course, this is all about paranoia about birds and other critters, and figs like these are good not-quite-ripe anyways.  A slightly unripe fig in the gullet today is better than a perfectly ripe fig on the bush tomorrow.  What is more interesting is that the wildlife left the mystery figs alone.
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Especially desired figs: UCD 187-25, UCD 200-48, UCD 157-17, UCD 309-B1, Princesa, Black Madeira, high quality sugar fig that ripens Sept-Oct.

Probable desired fig: Smith, St Jean, JH Adriatic, CddB, Gulbun, Pastilliere, Sucrette

Rooting:  Smith, CDDB--this pretty much means I have my fun tries (tho' important since they are truly desirable), and only interested for this year: Gulbun, BM, 187-25, or something wildly exotic or precious that nobody has any good reason to send me.
Herman2

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Posted Reply with quote  #46 
Well Yes It is Black Ischia ,I have no doubt about it,and if it is 12 foot round,That makes it a normal growing Ischia Black,not like my UCD specimen that is still 1 foot tall now in the eight year,and it has only six fruits on it.
But they are Identical to the fruits of the fig Jason found.
Let's Hope it is a healthy tree,and does not originate from cuttings from UC Davis Germaplasm.
If so I give 3 years from now and I see this cultivar ,very common in the USA.
Like4 I saID in my initial post here:
Jason you won the jackpot!
theman7676

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Posted Reply with quote  #47 
gorgi - love the martin white dots comment :-)
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bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #48 
nice find.
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Pete
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***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
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Posted Reply with quote  #49 
Nice looking shun you got there
The fig is pretty too. 
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Nichole

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Posted Reply with quote  #50 
I love the looks of that fig. The little dots are darling. If you ever want to part with more cuttings, I'd love to give it a try in my little micro climate. This tree sounds nice and healthy.
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