Geoff
1405330827
Posted 1409628693
Reply with quote #1
Wondering if anyone has any Knowledge of this variety. The only reference I can find is an old Aussie newspaper report from 1890 which says it was first imported in 1827. The largest importer of the time said he had imported tons of the variety from France. It also suggests that it was the "best fig of the south of France". Given these claims, I find it a little surprising that it is not mentioned elsewhere . As it was apparently named after the "Goddess of War", I doubt it's a misspelling, but maybe it's a syn. I've collected extensively from Dunolly, the location referred to, from very old plants, so I may have it, but need more description to id it. One very old, abandoned orchard there has 9 surviving trees and is the most likely location.
ediblelandscapingsc
1343459620
Posted 1409630531
Reply with quote #2
it's now called bellone instead of bellona Bellone is a figure from Roman mythology , goddess of war of uncertain origin , identified with the Greek goddess Enyo . SYN: SULTANA , FIG OF NICE ,BLACK NICE, NICE, ANTIBES 2 CROPS. Native of the region of Nice. A strong tree with leaves of type 3 in 5 profoundly cut lobes. This variety is characterized by its plentiful harvest of autumn fig, excellent dried, as jam, or fresh. The fresh harvest is interesting only for sale close by since it is easily damaged during handling and transport
Geoff
1405330827
Posted 1409632636
Reply with quote #3
Wow,
ediblelandscapingsc
1343459620
Posted 1409635031
Reply with quote #4
It's on my list of figs I'd like to try someday. If I had cuttings I'd share them with you.
greenfig
1359790036
Posted 1409642408
Reply with quote #5
It is the same as Sultane ?
Luke
1338621371
Posted 1409649679
Reply with quote #6
This might help,
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A//www.fig-baud.com/choixfiguiers.html&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=/language_tools
Attached Images image.jpg (189.14 KB, 34 views)
kausikck76
1385167018
Posted 1409744728
Reply with quote #7
Hi Geoffrey, this is Kausik from Adelaide. Is it possible to get some cuttings of this variety? I am willing to pay for the post. Thanks in advance.
BronxFigs
1333154764
Posted 1409747182
Reply with quote #8
Bill's Figs, in New Jersey lists "SULTANE". Just posting a notice in case Sultane = Bellone = Ballona
tylerj
1347291507
Posted 1409754026
Reply with quote #9
I have a 2 year old "Noire de Bellone" from Brugmansia. I wonder if its the same? There are a couple figs on it hopefully they will ripen and if so will post some pics. I also have Sultane from Dany too so will compare them.
Geoff
1405330827
Posted 1409781695
Reply with quote #10
Thanks to some helpful folk on here, I've been able to discover more re Bellone and Sultane. It seems there are significant differences: Bellone - rare or none.b ut, Sultane is described as having a distinct pruinose bloom, whereas Bellone has no bloom. This distinction is clear in pics. For me, the most convincing distinction is that Bellone is easily damaged in handling and transport whereas Sultane has "skin unusually firm, resistant to injury', suggesting quite different skin textures.
BronxFigs
1333154764
Posted 1409784268
Reply with quote #11
Geoff-
