Which was your best fig this year?

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PHD

Registered:1315164119
Posts: 360

Posted 1413333656	Reply with quote #1

Now that the season is coming to an end it would be interesting to hear from other members which fig stood out for them this year. For me it was hands down LSU Black (from PFTP). Very vigorous, healthy and most important outstanding tasting figs. Peter

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1413334894	Reply with quote #2

Ronde de Bordeaux, but I may get to taste Preto in the upcoming days, so that may change. Longue d'Aout is almost tied with RdB. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

MGorski

Registered:1399823521
Posts: 370

Posted 1413335065	Reply with quote #3

Peter, I have enjoyed most of the figs I picked this year so far, though I would probably have to say Preto. It was a tiny first fig for the tree, but the complex, rich flavor was intense. Mike in Hanover, VA __________________ Zone-7, previously Mescalito

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1413335263 · Edited	Reply with quote #4

Unknown Pastilliere takes the first place for sure. The second would be shared by HdA, El Molino/Patlican and Strawberry Verte. No 3rd :) __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1413337454	Reply with quote #5

Strawberry Verte, RDB, and St Rita but all were good. __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

blueboy1977

Registered:1375760370
Posts: 459

Posted 1413338274	Reply with quote #6

I only got to sample a few varieties this season but Malta Black was the favorite at my house and very close if not tied to my taste was Improved Celeste. LSU Scott's Black was very good as well but it ripened so much later than the rest it was hard to compair. I can say it was quite tasty though. Next year will be much better as many other varieties will come across the table. __________________ Rob Zone 9a/9b were the too meet. South Houston Tx Growing: Black Madeira, Smith, LSU Scott's Black, Improved Celeste, VDB, MBvs, RDB, Unknown Peach/Apricot, Salce, Malta Black, Texas BA-1, JH Adriatic, Atreano, CDDN, CDDB, CDDG, Strawberry Verte

figgary

Registered:1387147322
Posts: 833

Posted 1413339248	Reply with quote #7

For me, it was Grise de St. Jean. Amazing, complex flavor. VERY close were AdriaticJH and Unk Italian AS __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1413340462	Reply with quote #8

This is my first year growing. For flavor, VdB. Overall, Chicago Hardy as I got about 3 dozen figs off of 3 trees, very vigorous growth too. I only got 2 VdB and I had to share... ;-( But, my LSU Scott's Black is my favorite tree. It didn't grow real fast, but several branches, packed with deep green leaves, and produced about 8 figs. Young tree and figs ripened in cooler weather, the figs were good but nothing special. __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,117

Posted 1413340750	Reply with quote #9

For me it was a long cold winter and cool short summer. The only in ground fig that came through with flying colours; Brebas Sep 1 and Main crop started Sep 15 and is still going with lots of production is Ciccio Nero (Italian black Mt Etna fig). I am still waiting for my other in ground trees to ripen. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

Sas

Registered:1350079929
Posts: 1,363

Posted 1413340974 · Edited	Reply with quote #10

My best fig of the year was also my ugliest fig of the year. I was left scratching my head with this one. All I can say is that it is of a French origin. This tree produced a single fig supercharged with flavor that made me roll my eyes. I was so impressed that despite running out of space in my yard, I had to add this tree to my in ground family of trees, bringing the total to five. The flavor left the other fig varieties that I tasted this summer in the dust. Since this fig was a tiny one and I had to share it with my wife (which had the same reaction), in reality I did not have a chance to analyze the complex flavor that came with it. I cannot wait till next year. While hoping that productivity picks up, I suspect that the birds beat me to it this year as figs were disappearing off the tree before ripening. I intend to not let this happen next season. Just to give you an idea, think of the most delicious berry flavored figs such as Col de Dame, Black Madeira etc... Well this tiny fig was on the other side of the spectrum and had nothing to do with the usual berry / strawberry flavors that you might find in these top figs. Just when I thought that I was close to having the top tasting figs, this one came as a total surprise. Here's a picture of this most unusual fig: __________________ Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B Wish list: Becane

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1413350554	Reply with quote #11

Tops was Smith. Not even close. Honorable mention: Negronne and Preto. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1413351401	Reply with quote #12

Preto Fig, I hope to get some cuttings off ebay to graft. Hopefully it will stay affordable..LOL I also liked my Step-daughters Black Mission. __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1413351927	Reply with quote #13

Armando, I got burned by eBay a few times. You cannot trust the variety there unless the seller is known. I would try to find the cuttings over here if you want to get a true Preto. Just a suggestion so you do not waste your time. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

armando93223

Registered:1318984112
Posts: 1,164

Posted 1413353160	Reply with quote #14

Thanks Greenfig, just want to make some more successful grafts of this variety. Would love to give this one to my stepdaughter and her family to enjoy. __________________ Armando in the Heart of California

RobSter010

Registered:1398968149
Posts: 64

Posted 1413381501	Reply with quote #15

As for now Ronde de Bordeaux. But i have a few varieties still ripening so that could change. __________________ Rotterdam / Holland - Zone 8

Charitup

Registered:1364254079
Posts: 592

Posted 1413381976	Reply with quote #16

Takoma Violet for me __________________ goss North Ga. zone 7

Joe_Athens1945

Registered:1396815560
Posts: 365

Posted 1413387192	Reply with quote #17

With this season being my first full summer in Georgia, I have to say that all of my 5 new trees did very well. Of the 4 that fruited, for flavor, I go with my San Pietro JM. For overall vigor and quantity, I say my LSU Purple tops the 5. I am looking forward to next year! __________________ Athens, GA USA Zone 7b My young trees in the ground and in pots: Brown Turkey, White Triana JM, Magnolia, Strawberry Verte, Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, UK Brooklyn Dark JP, Ronde de Bordeaux. Wish list: St Rita

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1413388609 · Edited	Reply with quote #18

First of all the season is not over ,here. Madeira Black,Preto,and Ital 258,is ripening now,and ,they can be the best tasting if we get another 10 days of warm climate. At this point in the season:For Flavor,taste and productivity: Adriatic JH Malta Black, Ronde De Bordeaux Improved Celeste Tacoma Violet Produced the most bountiful harvest,(50 ripe fruits or more each) -------------------------------------------------------------- Taste and flavor,wise,but with a handful of fruits only: Col de Dame grise Ischia Black Vasilika Sika Dalmatie Battaglia Violette de Bordeaux Longue D'Aout,needs special mentioned for the largest fruit size,that got ripe in these difficult climatic Summer,and ,also had very decent taste and flavor,(for me Delicious) Edit note,again:St Anthony produced 3 dozen large fruits that got ripe very early,very sweet ,but the flavor is only average. These are late and middle,ripening fig cultivars,and they have a lot more fruits,in stagnant stage,that could ripe,if long warm Fall,or could not if ,frost come soon. Note:All my figs started from soil line this Season,being killed by record cold Winter,except ,a young Malta Black that I protected really well,with old pillows and blanket,and so it came out with about one foot of old wood this past Spring. 50 ripe fruits does not seem ,much,but under the ,present Summer conditions(Cool Spring ,Summer and Fall),my opinion is they are Winners! And all my trees are in ground ,in zone 6b

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1413390243	Reply with quote #19

For me Col de dama blanc is hands down the best fig, I cheated by putting it in the hoophouse, but I only get 5 figs form it, 1 is sitting there but I have doubts about it ripening, still2 more almost ready. Black Madiera is just starting to swell some figs now, if it had been a proper summer I would have had around 100 but if I get a dozen now I will be happy. These trees are in pots. For in ground Niagara Black is still the best for me this year, we will see if col de dama's produce next year from in ground though. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1413392686	Reply with quote #20

Niagara Black was my favourite this year. I was also impressed with Improved Celeste, RdB and Black Bethlehem. Tyler __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1413396497	Reply with quote #21

Herman, How were your Kathleen's Black and MBVS this year? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1413397001	Reply with quote #22

Well:Marseilles black vs, was late to grow new wood,after ,growing from soil line,being in open North west position,planted,and it is ripening now,it was starting to ripe about 10 days ago,squirreles got most of them,and Kathleen black ,was also late to come out of ground,on June 27,it was a small one foot trunk,so I went out of country,and came back on Sept 1,to find it ,multiple trunks 8 foot tall ,and no fruits on it at all. Same goes for Maltese Falcone ,planted next to it. Of course nobody pinched it or to remove suckers like it ,should be done. So,no interaction with the tree no results. Of course some cultivars will produce a harvest ,does not matter what but some need interaction with gardener and proper care.

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1413414213	Reply with quote #23

My weather was so bad that figs like Smith and JH Adriatic that were great last year were tasteless this year. Salem Dark had outstanding figs as did Hardy Chicago. They didn't start ripening until recently but if left on long enough they had great flavor. The rest were less than stellar and Stella didn't produce a single fig. __________________ 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.

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1413414691	Reply with quote #24

Croatian unknown Martinenca Rimada My Italian Honeys were outstanding this year Shippan unknown __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

coop951

Registered:1217167527
Posts: 595

Posted 1413415976 · Edited	Reply with quote #25

My Marseilles Black vs, Malta Black and my RdB (thank you Vasiles) were quite delicious as was the the second year Negronne from Bills figs. My Dominicks are always my favorites but an older Celeste was quite tasty too. And I think the most under rated common fig has to be the Chicago Hardy (or is it Hardy Chicago??) I also got a Nero 600M last year from Tim and it grew really well and made at least 50 small reddish figs, but they didnt ripen here. It was a twig at the beginning of the year. Definitely looking forward to next year already Fun stuff __________________ Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a

Johnparav

Registered:1282396529
Posts: 479

Posted 1413417147 · Edited	Reply with quote #26

1) Niagara Black just keeps ripening very flavorful jammy figs 2) Unknown Dalmatia from Nelson . Wow http://nelsonsfigs.blogspot.ca/2014_09_01_archive.html 3) Italiano ( may be colasanti dark ) 4) LSU Scott's Black was the biggest surprise , beautifully shaped figs no splitting , very good flavour profile

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1413418301	Reply with quote #27

Coop:Nero 600 m,was ripening one by one,here for about 20 days. Yet I do not have a net on it,and I could not get one ripe for myself,Squirrels get them all. The Fall was cool with cold nights so yes,there is a reason it is only ripening one at a time.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,117

Posted 1413418336	Reply with quote #28

My favourite fig for taste is John P.'s Niagara Black. He shared a very ripe one with me and it was amazing. It was sweet and packed with taste. You wish you had a basket of them and an 1 hr to savour them. The runner up for taste was a CDD blanc I tasted thanks to Adrianno. __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

hllyhll

Registered:1358637509
Posts: 162

Posted 1413418541	Reply with quote #29

All good. Top tasting figs here probably a 4 way tie, out of the list of about two dozen below: Janice, various Mount Etna types, Malta Black, and Paradiso GM #9 Others in my family preferred Improved Celeste to the rest. Most productive: Mount Etna Unknown, followed by Improved Celeste, then some of the other Mount Etnas, LSU Purple, and Malta Black. Next year it looks like Ronde de Bordeaux will produce a flood of high quality fruits, probably along with a number of additional cultivars. Three indispensable cultivars for productivity and taste in cool areas: a good Mount Etna strain, Malta Black, Improved Celeste. These produce well and taste great. (Next year, I expect that Ronde de Bordeaux will similarly prove itself, and hopefully others.) Those three cultivars also have distinctly different tastes, ranging from grape-ish, tangy (Mount Etnas) to strawberry-ish, smooth (Malta Black) to peach-ish, sugary (Improved Celeste). Cherry-ish here and there and dynamite sugar glaze in all depending on degree of ripeness. Plus these three seem to be among the best for ripening fruit after winter die-back to ground. I expect that each year will continue to produce different but not wholly different results. For example, the Mount Etnas, Improved Celeste, and Janice were all at or near the top tasting last year too (and most productive) whereas Malta Black and Paradiso GM #9 were not old enough to ripen fruit last year unlike this year. 2014 Ripening Order (pot and main crop, unless otherwise noted) - highlighted are in ground Mount Etna Unknown August 20 pot 1 year old Hunt 23 pot several yrs old Martin's Unknown 24 pot / breba several yrs Marseilles Black 31 pot 1 yr Mount Etna Unknown September 1 ground 1 yr by cement drive Improved Celeste PP 2 pot 2 yrs Celeste PP 3 ground 2 yrs in open Petite Negri 7 pot / breba 2 yrs LSU Purple 11 pot 2 yrs California Brown Turkey 11 pot 1 yr Alma 12 pot / breba? 2 yr Improved Celeste 13 ground 2 yrs by cement & house Conadria 19 pot 2 yrs Negronne 20 pot 3 yrs Hardy Chicago 20 ground 1 yr in open Violette de Bordeaux 21 pot 2 yr Malta Black 28 pot 1 yr Takoma Violet 28 pot 1 yr Binello 29 ground 1 yr in open Gino's Black 29 pot 1 yr Janice Kadota 29 pot 3 yr Desert King October 1 pot 1 yr Salem Dark 4 pot 1 yr Paradiso GM #9 10 pot several yrs Aldo 15 pot 1 yr __________________ Tony WV 6b

deerhunter16b

Registered:1352062719
Posts: 785

Posted 1413419540	Reply with quote #30

My second year RDB was very tasty and produced about 75 fig which are all done. My Bronx unk is still ripening figs and they are delicious ,VDB is right behind them. __________________ john Zone 7a

PHD

Registered:1315164119
Posts: 360

Posted 1413423649	Reply with quote #31

@ Tyler, wow thanks for posting your information. Very interesting how well Janice performed @ Herman, the big surprise for me was that my Mt Etna types that are usually the best performing here in North Jersey dropped most of there figs, I can't figure out what happened and ideas why?? Thanks, Peter

Herman2

Registered:1189809424
Posts: 2,625

Posted 1413425232	Reply with quote #32

Tyler:If you grow in pots,That is the reason,they missed something:mineral ,nutrients,Pot too hot,etc. If you grow in ground,then it only drops because of ,too cold climatic conditions,in the affected year. Celeste drops here every year but it is because it is not fully self fertile but Mount Etna type fig,should not drop.

PHD

Registered:1315164119
Posts: 360

Posted 1413425580	Reply with quote #33

Herman, yes you are correct they are in pots and I suspect they may have gotten to hot or not enough water at some point. But LSU Black & Dalmatie are also in pots but made excellent figs again. Thanks, Peter

Womack

Registered:1328644960
Posts: 262

Posted 1413428368	Reply with quote #34

Best for me this year so far is JH Adriatic followed by LSU Black. I have a few Preto and CDDN trying to ripen now. We'll see how their flavor is in this less than ideal weather. __________________ Womack Northwest Georgia 7b Wish list: Col de Dame Gris, Black Tuscan, Socorro Black

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1413432743	Reply with quote #35

For those with bad results with pots... I highly recommend trying the sub-irrigation method of watering. I used Pro-Mix BX with a heaping tablespoon of Osmocote slow release fertilizer mixed in. I did this in the spring, covered the top of the bucket to prevent rain from washing out the nutrients and I had lots of figs from trees that started from the size of a pencil. Abebereira, Preto, Salem Dark, Italian Honey, Excel, Atreano... I know I'll be root-pruning a lot of these trees over the winter, as the roots grew way out of the bottom. Hope this helps. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1413437728	Reply with quote #36

Best taste was Battaglia off of a small young tree. Best fig over-all was Malta Black. It ripened every single fig on the tree, flavor and fig quality were very consistent. Still have some more to go, quite a few VdBs, UDGs, Carinis, a few others here and there, and hopefully will get to taste Smith. __________________ 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. :)

PHD

Registered:1315164119
Posts: 360

Posted 1413457319	Reply with quote #37

FiggyFrank, thanks for the tips on the potted plants, I will try that next season! Peter

OttawanZ5

Registered:1192897779
Posts: 2,551

Posted 1413473962	Reply with quote #38

For me the first ripening one makes big impression as long as it is sweet and this year again it was Florea! What surprised me in my Northern climate was that Rond de Bordeaux ripening as the second in order. Good surprise and I hope it stays like this. These were followed by Blue Celest and Vista and Lyndhurs White. For other varieties I have to ask the squirrels. My mistakes were that I will leave figs for just one or two more days for ripening but the squirrel got them as soon as good for them. Somehow the raccoon family disappeared after breaking my Early Red Haven peach tree for fruits and the squirrel took over. I will be taking care of them squirrel next year. That is a promise to myself __________________ Ottawan-Z5a, Canada

Tonycm

Registered:1314411773
Posts: 922

Posted 1413519974	Reply with quote #39

For me, my best tasting fig was Violet de Bordeaux and Negretta. Both had a unique flavor with the VDB having a tightly packed inside. Malta Black and LSU Tiger are my second best. My worst fig was LSU Purple. Last year it was "just good" but for some reason this year it was completely tasteless. __________________ Zone 6a Sarver, PA Wish list; Rafed's Genovese Nero

elin

Registered:1360863025
Posts: 1,271

Posted 1413572180	Reply with quote #40

Frank hi Root pruning over the winter seems like a good idea. __________________ Eli ,Israel ,Zone 10? Too humid and hot, yada yada yada https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1298814119 Growing: Sbayi, Hmadi, Black Portugal, Black Brazil,Excell, Flanders, Hmari , RDB, Niagra Black,Natalina, CDDN,Maya, Preto Torres, Preto Arge

svanessa

Registered:1189292564
Posts: 905

Posted 1413583687	Reply with quote #41

Any of the VERY few I was able to beat the birds, opossum, raccoon's etc, to. :-) __________________ Sue Zone 9B, 1946' Ramona, CA San Diego County

Oshawaman

Registered:1359927036
Posts: 25

Posted 1413592766 · Edited	Reply with quote #42

I only have a very limited amount of varieties which I bought last year:they are in pots and I picked my first ripe figs from Danny's Delight followed by Sal's EL and MBVS.These varieties had maybe 6 to 10 figs each and I didn't expect much from them because they were only one year old and everything was at least a month or more behind.However I did like some members instructed(pinching after 5 leaves and thinning the fruit to about half) and tasted the first fig about 3 weeks ago.Sorry but I think the taste was about the same from all of them.My 2 in ground HC's were a disappointment:they died to the ground, grew some branches and lots of leaves with some figs but they'll never ripen.The HC that I had in a pot and planted in ground on the south side of the house has about 15 figs but none have ripened yet.I'll keep hoping since Jack Frost hasn't paid us a visit yet and my Negronne has 3 figs that I'd like to try.[Ed] Looked again today and found HC in ground has at least 6 figs that look good to eat. __________________ Zone 5b/6a Wish List:Florea,LaRadek Brown Turkey,Nexoe,Brooklyn White,Lyndhurst White,Nero 600M,Bayernfeige Violetta and other hardy varieties.

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1413592925	Reply with quote #43

Quote: Originally Posted by svanessa Any of the VERY few I was able to beat the birds, opossum, raccoon's etc, to. :-) Totally agree with this. This summer was very dry and any fruit with moisture was consumed way before it was ripe :( __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

padsfan

Registered:1315885369
Posts: 205

Posted 1413762080	Reply with quote #44

Preto fig was amazing this year. It beat all others by a wide margin, including RdB __________________ "Padres Fan" San Diego, California USA Sunset Zone 24- coastal So. Cal

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1413764180	Reply with quote #45

Quote: Originally Posted by padsfan Preto fig was amazing this year. It beat all others by a wide margin, including RdB Same here. I just made a thread on Preto. It's now my new favorite. Several new varieties to taste in the next year or two, so we'll see how they compare. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

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