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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > New to figs and confused about breba crop
 
 


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emeryj

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Hello Forum members,

I am a newbie; have been browsing this site and others and haven't been able to resolve my puzzlement so am trying a post -- please excuse me if my questions are pathetically elementary.

I live in the North Park area of San Diego, near Balboa Park and the Zoo.  Weatherwise semi-coastal, lots of bright days but not quite as hot as further inland.  I rooted a fig cutting from a friend two years ago and had a first crop of figs this summer, most ripened in August.  Had never really eaten figs before & OMG!  Heaven!  I think from how the leaves look that the tree is a brown turkey.

So, now there is a second crop of figs forming--lots of them.  Is this the breba crop? I somehow thought that brebas would form in very early spring.  Will they ripen, and if so, when?  

Should I try to wait until after they ripen to prune the tree?  ....If they don't ripen until it warms up again and I prune then, then the main crop will be delayed.  I think that last year I pruned the tree heavily in January or so.  

My other question is, I planted this thing on the south side of my house about a foot and a half from the foundation.  I didn't realize it would get so big so fast!  Even with pruning every year it's going to have big roots--will they seek out my plumbing and crack the foundation and all those sinister things that other, ornamental ficuses are accused of?

(My other fig growing experience was in Schenectady, NY -- bought a Chicago Hardy on impulse at Lowe's; it died back to the ground the first winter and then unexpectedly re-emerged in August!  Don't know how it has fared since we moved to SD.)

What great plants...can't wait to plant another one.  Am thinking black mission but would welcome suggestions.  

Thanks for any help....Jean
Smyfigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Welcome, Emeryj: i wouldn't be the person to answer your questions, which by the way are great questions! I live in So Cal though more inland. But I do think you can grow many varieties out in SD. I eill wait to hear from the pros :-)
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Charlie

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Breba is the early crop that forms on year old wood.  Main crop forms on the same year growth and some varieties with make three crops a year where you are.  Chicago Hardy is a great variety to have since it is cold hardy and tastes great, easy to come by.  You can grow probably any fig there in San Diego.  
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lifigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Welcome to the forum.  I worked for a while in Schenectady.  It must be nice not to need that snow shovel anymore. 
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pino

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by emeryj
Hello Forum members,

...So, now there is a second crop of figs forming--lots of them.  Is this the breba crop? I somehow thought that brebas would form in very early spring.  Will they ripen, and if so, when?  
..
Thanks for any help....Jean
Hi Jean
Can you post a photo of these figs forming now?  This time of year these could be the 3rd crop of figs that some varieties produce.  Someone in your are will know better.

FYI - here is a post I just did to try an explain what breba are;

My understanding is that "breba" is a Spanish word that means fig.  This word is used in English (north America) to describe the 1st crop of figs. 

Most common and san pedro type ficus carica will produce 2 crops (sometimes 3 crops) of figs.   These are referred to as 1st crop and main crop figs.
- The 1st crop of figs are produced on LAST years wood and formed BELOW the new leaves.  In my location 1st crop figs are produced in late June - August.
- the main (2nd) crop figs are produced on this year's NEW wood and formed ABOVE the leaves.  In my area main crop figs start in mid August to November.

1st crop and main crop figs will differ in looks, size and taste. 

In Italy figs are referred to; 1st crop is "fioroni" and main crop are called "forniti or more usually just fichi". 
Don't know but would be interesting to know how they are called in French, Portuguese, Greek or other languages?

Here is a discussion on garden web with more info; 
http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1892459/breba-or-fig
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emeryj

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Thank you for the helpful replies. Will try to attach photo. My figs are growing on "new" wood - spring 2015 growth, and generally above the leaves, so they must be a second "main" crop. I will see if any ripen in the next month. Then, figs or not I should prune so the neighbors can get to the end of the driveway!
BrightGreenNurse

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
So jealous of your climate! The California Rare Fruit Growers have an annual get together and I believe they do fruit tastings and trade cuttings. I don't know how close you are, but I'd be so excited to go one day. Welcome to the forum!
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