Bunch of figs and ratings

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kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409450682	Reply with quote #1

My wife and I have been rating every variety every day. I'd like to eventually weed out some varieties, due to space and probably want to add more. The bad thing or should I say good thing is that we've been having great weather and all the figs have been really good. So here are some pictures and some ratings from tonight. First cutting board: Clockwise from the top left: Unk Chiappetta, Vasilika Sika, Sicilian Red, Unk Mittica, Valle Negra, Niagra Black, Figo Preto, Yellow Lebanese, Brown Turkey, Bayernfeige Violetta, Unk Greek Mykonos, LdA, Acciano, in the middle is JH Adriatic. Second cutting board: Clockwise from the top left: VdB, Brooklyn White, Sal's Corleone, Unk (EJP), Takoma Violet, Lyndhurst White, Bryant Dark, Fico Gentile, Unk. Canton Ohio, Purple Jordan, Troiano Calabrese, and in the middle is Genovese Nero. It gets hard rating them after you've eaten so many. These will have my wife's rating and mine. Wifes Mine Unk Chiappetta 10 10 Vasilika Sika 11 9 Sicilian Red 11 10 Unk Mittica 9 9 Valle Negra 10 10 Niagra Black 10 9 Figo Preto 10 10 Yellow Lebanese 8 9 Brown Turkey 8 7 Bayernfeige Violetta 9 9 Unk Greek Mykonos 7 8 LdA 7 8 JH Adriatic 11 11 Acciano 9 9 VdB 9 10 Brooklyn White 8 9 Sal's Corleone 12 10 Unk EJP 9 9 Takoma Violet 9 9 Lyndhurst White 8 8 Bryant Dark 8 8 Fico Gentile 9 9 Unk Canton Oh 7 8 Purple Jordan 5 6 Troiano Calabrese 6 7 Genovese Nero 11 11 Attached Images IMG_4306_(640x480).jpg (200.13 KB, 122 views) IMG_4309_(640x480).jpg (223.84 KB, 120 views) IMG_4303_(640x480).jpg (186.72 KB, 95 views) IMG_4311_(640x480).jpg (199.71 KB, 88 views) IMG_4305_(640x480).jpg (201.38 KB, 100 views) IMG_4312_(640x480).jpg (221.32 KB, 92 views) __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

ajv73

Registered:1403132563
Posts: 141

Posted 1409451716	Reply with quote #2

Great post Art. Nice idea getting both you and your wife's opinions. My wife is getting seriously impatient. And she's not alone - the kids are anxious too. I hope that things ripen soon. Otherwise I might have a mutiny on my hands! __________________ Tony V. - Western PA, Zone 6a

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1409451751	Reply with quote #3

Very nice, Art! Congrats on the very fine harvest! __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

strudeldog

Registered:1278124225
Posts: 747

Posted 1409451843	Reply with quote #4

Really Nice Art, I do similar with the cutting board and the other day I did not keep level and shuffled them all up. I started using those plastic containers that hold a dozen apples. opened up you can separate 24 cultivars, if even only for a couple of each. __________________ Phil N.GA. Zone 7 Looking for: De La Reina, Del La Senyora, Martinenca Rimada, Parfum De Cafards, Ponte Tresa, Sangue Dulce, Emalyn's Purple, and on and on

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409452336	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by strudeldog Really Nice Art, I do similar with the cutting board and the other day I did not keep level and shuffled them all up. I started using those plastic containers that hold a dozen apples. opened up you can separate 24 cultivars, if even only for a couple of each. Good idea! I need to get my hands on one of those containers. I've been bringing them into the house with bowls. It's hard to them straight that way. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

Charlie

Registered:1404043833
Posts: 1,214

Posted 1409452492	Reply with quote #6

Nice lots of figs! __________________ Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas

Charitup

Registered:1364254079
Posts: 592

Posted 1409452509	Reply with quote #7

Art that is awesome thanks for the ratings __________________ goss North Ga. zone 7

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409452767	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by ajv73 Great post Art. Nice idea getting both you and your wife's opinions. My wife is getting seriously impatient. And she's not alone - the kids are anxious too. I hope that things ripen soon. Otherwise I might have a mutiny on my hands! I think my wife likes figs as much as me. She doesn't care about the growing part. Just the eating. We were up at Erie at Presque Isle today and had to leave early to get home before dark. Just to pick figs. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

Ruuting

Registered:1359310699
Posts: 613

Posted 1409452789	Reply with quote #9

I'll have what they're having :) __________________ Rui Southeast CT, zone 6B

bugs

Registered:1305326403
Posts: 356

Posted 1409453703	Reply with quote #10

Art, You are the fig man, GOOD JOB!!!!!

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409454140	Reply with quote #11

Thanks Bugs, It looks like the rain is coming tomorrow. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

Matt_from_Pittsburgh

Registered:1232252573
Posts: 227

Posted 1409456441	Reply with quote #12

Art--I'm impressed as always. I also like that the ratings go up to 12. __________________ Matt Pittsburgh, PA Zone 6ish

MichaelTucson

Registered:1333340598
Posts: 1,216

Posted 1409456527	Reply with quote #13

Way to go, Art! Very nice array. Mike __________________ Pauca sed matura.

Tonycm

Registered:1314411773
Posts: 922

Posted 1409457788	Reply with quote #14

You had a good harvest today! Whaa hoo! I noticed you didn't rate any at 12, you must be saving that rating for a special fig. I'd like to know what it would be?????? __________________ Zone 6a Sarver, PA Wish list; Rafed's Genovese Nero

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1409458375	Reply with quote #15

Congratulations on the great and continuing harvest! __________________ 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.

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1409468299	Reply with quote #16

Very impressive, good job! __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

figherder

Registered:1378804761
Posts: 237

Posted 1409489293	Reply with quote #17

Thanks for posting this. The figs look awesome. Your the same zone as me as well so now I know what to add to my wish list :). Very helpful. __________________ Jeff in zone 5b Wish list St rita,Vista,Sal's G,De la Reina, preto, Sport and pops purple red from Bellaclare, Planera Malta Black, Navid Unk Dark Greek,

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1409489865	Reply with quote #18

Great info Art. I see your wife gave the only 12 to Sal's Corleone. Very interesting. Do you know Presque Isle winery catalog? I ordered antifungal for cuttings from them. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1409490386	Reply with quote #19

Nice display and great information! Are you growing any of these figs in-ground? __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409492875	Reply with quote #20

Quote: Originally Posted by pino Nice display and great information! Are you growing any of these figs in-ground? These all came from potted trees. My in-ground trees are way behind. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409492984	Reply with quote #21

Rafael, I had to look it up. Lots of vineyards up near Erie. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1409492994	Reply with quote #22

Hey Art, very interesting taste test. The information is really impressive and a great resource for all of us. What is really interesting and probably the most valuable information is how close both of your ratings/scores turned out. Thanks for taking the time to report, I have very few varieties left to purchase and this chart helps, also I have a few to cull.

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409493082	Reply with quote #23

Quote: Originally Posted by sppsp Art, WOW Awesome Idea !! You and Amy get an A+ on this project :) Amy says thanks and she's looking forward to seeing you and Peggy soon. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409493560	Reply with quote #24

Wayne, Looking back at later dates this year. Most figs have gone up and down. It all depends on the weather. There's only been a few that have been great from day one. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

bugs

Registered:1305326403
Posts: 356

Posted 1409503527	Reply with quote #25

Art, With the rating that you and Amy are giving your fig, it does not look like you are doing a very good job at weed out some varieties. I know how hard it is. Some times you can not go on taste alone.

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409504075	Reply with quote #26

Bugs, That is so true. If we would have had some bad weather, maybe it would of helped. I know you are at your limit already. But if you want you can help me out with taking some:) __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

bugs

Registered:1305326403
Posts: 356

Posted 1409505611	Reply with quote #27

Art, I wish I could help you out. I am having trouble with Birds. First the Baltimore Oriels, then the Cat Birds came, they will not give up, they have taught the Red Birds now. The bird net is not working and chasing is being a pain, I can not be hear all day. I am about ready to give up.

Otmani007

Registered:1404531079
Posts: 573

Posted 1409533886	Reply with quote #28

Wonderful post. Thanks for taking the time to post your ratings. __________________ Dallas, TX - Zone 8a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache Otmani

ediblelandscapingsc

Registered:1343459620
Posts: 348

Posted 1409536202	Reply with quote #29

Looks Fantastic, I like the rating system. if you and your wife like Sal's Corleone you should get both Tim Clymer Enola Italian #1, and Si Emma both produce dark sweet figs and all 3 originated within 200 miles of each other. Sal's Corleone was discovered in Corleone in the Province of Palermo in Sicily, Italy. Tim Clymer Enola Italian #1, and Si Emma are from Mt Etna just east of there. keep the pictures coming and taste test too. __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8

ediblelandscapingsc

Registered:1343459620
Posts: 348

Posted 1409537072	Reply with quote #30

also the Mt Etna type figs tend to be more hardy __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8

FigAlot

Registered:1406610099
Posts: 14

Posted 1409555272	Reply with quote #31

That's a great collection of figs, Nice.

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1409559617	Reply with quote #32

Art, maybe instead of you and your wife going over the upper limit of the 1-10 scale, you can use a rating system similar to that used by my dragonfruit breeder/grower friend I visited 10 days ago. He worked for UC Riverside in avocado breeding (and maybe other crops?) for a number of years and was very disciplined in his approach. We got to sit down with him and taste some of his great creations and rate them. He used a 1-10 scale but had never given a score higher than 8++ even though I think he had the best dragonfruit I had ever tasted. His vision of perfection is something he is likely never to achieve. Anything below an 8-- gets kicked out of his program. Maybe he'll get something into a 9 some day and he will be elated. He has a pretty good reputation in the USDA and UC systems, it seems. Both John Preece (Head Researcher at USDA Davis) and Louise Ferguson (helped manage fig breeding efforts in the UC system) knew of him when I mentioned his name to them this past Saturday. Something worth considering, IMO. __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1409565049	Reply with quote #33

Hi kubota1, Nice harvest. At some point the 1-10 scale is just a general approach and perhaps you should go 1-15 scale . Something interesting in my opinion is really rank the figs ones compared to the others . Adding the -- -+ ++ is a good approach. That will help you keep a difference in between the 4 "11" ranked figs . Some comments are still welcome with the mark. Size of the fig, and productivity of the tree are important as well ... At least for me . I'm surprised of your marking of lda - by memory, lda has a fig class on her own... I'm still waiting on mine, and will post pics if they ever ripen ... As for your high markings, I understand you well ! Figs are really damn good fruits ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1409573656	Reply with quote #34

Good suggestions JD, Art has provided us with loads of photos and information. This is something us newbies desperately need if we have limited time, space and MONEY. I do not want several variety of figs that have the same growth habits and taste the same. There are still a few varieties that I want but with limited funds, I do not need to purchase similar varieties. Very valuable information. Now please tell us some alternates that taste similar to the rare(new or expensive, whatever they are labeled) with the same or better growth habits. Thanks.

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409575023	Reply with quote #35

Harvey, That was my intention when I started rating. It just got difficult when we thought a fig couldn't get any better we gave it a 10. Well then came along a couple that just blew us away. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409575058	Reply with quote #36

Wayne, I think at the end of the season I will make a list of my must haves. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1409576509	Reply with quote #37

Thanks Art, that list will definitely help.

WillsC

Registered:1348087628
Posts: 1,698

Posted 1409576664	Reply with quote #38

Great post Art.

sppsp

Registered:1373989212
Posts: 738

Posted 1409578363	Reply with quote #39

Art, Peggy and I are looking forward to seeing you and Amy. Wayne is correct... your ratings and pictures are very useful for us newbies. BTW, I like seeing the "12" ratings on your 1-10 chart. I was surprised that Hardy Chicago was left out. Are not growing it? __________________ Shailesh, Pennsylvania, zone 6B Don't judge a fig tree by it's tag, just judge it by it's fig

kubota1

Registered:1342900232
Posts: 1,364

Posted 1409578986	Reply with quote #40

Shailesh, I've had a bad year with my HC as far as figs dropping. I like it a lot. Last year I had a load of them. It usually gets a high rating and is a keeper. __________________ Art- Western Pa. 6a

MichaelTucson

Registered:1333340598
Posts: 1,216

Posted 1409595328	Reply with quote #41

Quote: Originally Posted by sppsp Hmm, I wonder why they dropped the fig. Hardy Chicago is a favorite of mine also, and it has done very well here in past years. (I'm in zone 5a, a couple of hundred miles away from where Art is). Though some of my Hardy Chicago main crop is still on the trees, I too have experienced a lot of dropping on that cultivar. All of the breba dropped, and 35 - 45% of the main crop has dropped too. I attribute this to a summer that has been wetter and colder than most summers. Particularly the cool nights. And lots of moisture. A couple of other varieties have fared similarly (English Brown Turkey, for example). I'm still hoping that some of the Hardy Chicago main crop will ripen. Mike central NY state, zone 5a __________________ Pauca sed matura.

shah8

Registered:1339623766
Posts: 657

Posted 1409605155	Reply with quote #42

In tea tastings, what you do is have a cumulative total... For example... Is the taste strong? 1 2 3 Is the taste nice? 1 2 3 Is the soup thick? 1 2 3 Is the soup texture nice? 1 2 3 Is the aroma strong? 1 2 3 Does the tea make you feel good, relaxed? 1 2 3 Does the tea have a long aftertaste? 1 2 3 And you weigh all of these traits. Perhaps it's easy/cheap to get a tea with thick soup, so you multiply the number by .75. It might be hard to get a tea with great aftertaste, so you multiply by 3. You add all of these up, and then get an depth ranking that you can apply with some rigor every season of new teas. The same thing can be done with figs Is the fig sweet? 1 2 3 (or brix readings) Is the fig acid? 1 2 3 Does the fig have dense taste? 1 2 3 Does the fig produce a honey plug? 1 2 3 Does the fig have aroma? 1 2 3 How tough is the skin? 1 2 3 How close to preferences is the texture of the fig? 1 2 3 How productive is the fig? 1 2 3 How large is the fig? 1 2 3 How closed is the eye? 1 2 3 I'd automatically demote any fig that doesn't regularly make figs more than 35g, so small figs like RdB, Champagne, or St Rita would start from a deficit, and large figs 60g+ that are still flavorful would start ahead. Do things like that. I've seen some pomegranate rankings do things this way as well. __________________ 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.

greg88

Registered:1359498953
Posts: 800

Posted 1409674354	Reply with quote #43

very nice! Thanks __________________ Greg North West Arkanasas Zone 6b Wish list: any SPECTACULAR cold hardy figs, and/or perhaps a Niagra Bl., Laradek EBT, Kathleen's Bl, Hunt, a great UNK or anything anyone wants me to have???

Rob

Registered:1320245426
Posts: 550

Posted 1409681299	Reply with quote #44

Do you think you could tell the different varieties apart in a blind taste test? reason I ask, I've probably only tasted a total of 10 varieties so far, and it's very hard for me to distinguish them. I think I could probably tell the difference between how a light colored fig and dark colored fig taste. That's about it. Is this just me? Will my taste become more refined as I taste more and more? So far I think the visual differences can be more pronounced than the flavor differences. Figs are so sweet it is hard for me to detect slight flavor differences. Sometimes the sugar overwhelms everything else. Or maybe I just haven't tasted the right fig yet. Also, I think this is a great post but I am confused about 11s and 12s on a 10 point scale. To me a 1 to 10 scale means a 1 is the worst fig you've ever tasted and a 10 the best. Maybe you tasted the Figo Preto, it was as good as you remembered any fig tasting, absent of any flaws, and then you rated it a 10. Then you tasted the Genovese Nero and it was better, and you felt you had to give it a better rating, so you went up to 11. However, if this is the case, I suggest you might want to just revise the Figo Preto down to a 9 and give the G N the 10 it deserves. Otherwise you might get up to 15 or 20 if you kept tasting better and better figs, which would be a little silly. If it has any flaws at all, no matter how small, I don't see how it can get a 10. And how can something be 2 points better than something that is flawless? EDIT: I see that you never actually said it's a 10 point scale, I guess myself and others just assumed this to be the case. So is it a 10 point scale, a 12 point scale, or a 15 point scale? I guess it doesn't really matter. Still great info and photos. __________________ Rob Maryland Zone 7 http://rbfigs.webs.com/

m5allen

Registered:1378496146
Posts: 153

Posted 1409681955	Reply with quote #45

Thanks for the info. I like your rating scale, I can really tell which varieties stuck out as winners. __________________ -Mike Tampa, FL Zone 9b. Growing: Black Madeira, CDDG, Malta Black, VDB, Petite Negra, LSU Purple, Celeste, Battaglia, Alma and Grasa's Unknown Seattle Purple

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1409685497	Reply with quote #46

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob Do you think you could tell the different varieties apart in a blind taste test? reason I ask, I've probably only tasted a total of 10 varieties so far, and it's very hard for me to distinguish them. I think I could probably tell the difference between how a light colored fig and dark colored fig taste. That's about it. Is this just me? Will my taste become more refined as I taste more and more? So far I think the visual differences can be more pronounced than the flavor differences. Figs are so sweet it is hard for me to detect slight flavor differences. Sometimes the sugar overwhelms everything else. Or maybe I just haven't tasted the right fig yet. ... A nice point! The figs taste differently grown in different climates but regardless of the location I think there would be 4-5 distinctively different flavors. It will be nice to a get a feedback from people who have many different figs as to what are major taste are. For example, my Long Yellow is very different from a MBVS. But the MBVS, St. Rita, Gino’s Black, Malta Black, HdA could be hard to tell apart in a blind taste test. Similar goes for Conadria, King, Adriatic, Strawberry Verte - very similar. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

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