Black Italian fig from GreenLeaf. Anyone have any experience with these?

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Savage270

Registered:1400777993
Posts: 153

Posted 1401330414	Reply with quote #1

Good evening everyone. I went to Pike's today and saw a beautiful Black Italian fig plant that looked very healthy. I tried looking for more information while I was there but I couldn't find much information. I did not pick it up because I wanted to ask everyone here if they have had any experience with this variety from this nursery. The nursery name is GreenLeaf in TX. Any advice on this variety would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Attached Images image.jpg (170.03 KB, 202 views) __________________ David, North GA, zone 7b Growing figs since May 2014. Wish List: Cuttings: Kesariani, Battaglia Green, Col de Dama Rimada, Col de Dame Noir

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1401364891	Reply with quote #2

I bought an "Italian Black" from Star Nurseries in LA earlier this spring. It is 4ft+ and was in a 3gal pot. I planted it one month ago and it has about 20 small figs on it now. If it takes 70-80 days for them to ripen, then I should be eating them about the end of July here in zone 7b. I searched online for info, very little on either "Italian Black" or "Black Italian." Considering all the problems with fig names, I would guess its 50/50 if they are the same or different. One guy in LA (who has lots of strong opinions) is adamant that the two are different. But otherwise it is too early in the game for me to say much about my Italian Black. __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

Savage270

Registered:1400777993
Posts: 153

Posted 1401367817	Reply with quote #3

Thanks! I think I read your post when I google searched for this variety. Both pots that they had unfortunately didn't have any figs on them and the leaves were really dark green (is that a good thing?). I'm still debating on this one; I'll go back a take another look in a week or so. If it's there I'll pick it up, if not then it was never meant to be I suppose. Thanks again for the information on ripening :) __________________ David, North GA, zone 7b Growing figs since May 2014. Wish List: Cuttings: Kesariani, Battaglia Green, Col de Dama Rimada, Col de Dame Noir

Windowsill_Gardens

Registered:1391200561
Posts: 75

Posted 1401368647	Reply with quote #4

I ordered a Black Italian from Wellspring recently, and I've also been searching for info about the cultivar as a result. Mine is described as an heirloom, so it could be the same as Italian Black. They project a smaller tree about 10 to 15 feet, but it supposedly likes to grow shrubby. Sounded like it might be good for a container, and I wanted a couple to honor my Italian heritage anyhow. (Got an Italian Honey with it.) Should arrive soon, but I won't really know much about it for a good while, as it's a tissue culture plant. I'm really looking forward to having a fig that is a bit of a mystery actually. Good luck with your fig decision! __________________ Danielle: Massachusetts, zone 5

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1401370382	Reply with quote #5

I have....they are a great wholesale nursery. Most of their stuff comes from Brazos Citrus in Texas. They are legit. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

tamarness

Registered:1370283511
Posts: 131

Posted 1401403679	Reply with quote #6

I purchased one from Pike's when they had their recent 20% off customer appreciation sale. Up until that point, all they had carried were Celestes and Brown Turkey, so it really stood out when I walked past! It looks gorgeous, very bushy. No figs on it yet, but it's only had time to put on a handful of leaves since I got it, so I haven't started pinching it yet. The leaves do look very similar to the Black Italian I picked up from Wellspring last year that is still verrrrry tiny. __________________ -- Tamar Atlanta, GA Attempting to grow: LSU Purple, Genoa White Honey, Kadota, Alma, Lyndhurst White, Adriatic JH, Desert King, Sal's, Salem Dark, Improved Celeste, Celeste, Marylane Seedless, Panachee, Marseilles Black VS, Sal's Corleone, Kalamata, 135-15s, Negronne, White Marseilles, Beer's Black, Norella, Monstrueuse, unknown cultivars... yeah, the list is too long to update anymore.

Windowsill_Gardens

Registered:1391200561
Posts: 75

Posted 1401454960	Reply with quote #7

Thanks, tamarness! My Wellspring order arrived yesterday, and I'll see how much growth I can get on them this summer. Cute little tree. It only has one leaf at the moment, but that leaf seems to match online photos. Edit: Decided to pot them up since they weren't stressed from their short trip. I always try to gently open up the roots on my TC plants because they notoriously have a rootbound knot at the center that prevents them from establishing a good root system and slows their growth otherwise. My Latarrula is a normal TC plant, but it turns out my Black Italian is a small caliper cutting. That was unexpected. They're chlling in the shade now. __________________ Danielle: Massachusetts, zone 5

tamarness

Registered:1370283511
Posts: 131

Posted 1401489844	Reply with quote #8

I almost forgot, I took some pictures of the tree I got at Pike's. __________________ -- Tamar Atlanta, GA Attempting to grow: LSU Purple, Genoa White Honey, Kadota, Alma, Lyndhurst White, Adriatic JH, Desert King, Sal's, Salem Dark, Improved Celeste, Celeste, Marylane Seedless, Panachee, Marseilles Black VS, Sal's Corleone, Kalamata, 135-15s, Negronne, White Marseilles, Beer's Black, Norella, Monstrueuse, unknown cultivars... yeah, the list is too long to update anymore.

Savage270

Registered:1400777993
Posts: 153

Posted 1401493583	Reply with quote #9

Hey Tamar, that one looks awfully familiar!!! When did you get it? I had dibs! J/k. Something about this variety that I really like. I think what catches my eye is the leaf pattern with the long lobes. So different from the ones I have. __________________ David, North GA, zone 7b Growing figs since May 2014. Wish List: Cuttings: Kesariani, Battaglia Green, Col de Dama Rimada, Col de Dame Noir

Savage270

Registered:1400777993
Posts: 153

Posted 1401494332	Reply with quote #10

Windowsill Gardens. If you could, would you please post a picture of your new Black Italian. Also, Tamar, do you not put mulch? Just curious... __________________ David, North GA, zone 7b Growing figs since May 2014. Wish List: Cuttings: Kesariani, Battaglia Green, Col de Dama Rimada, Col de Dame Noir

tamarness

Registered:1370283511
Posts: 131

Posted 1401499218	Reply with quote #11

Heh, two or three Saturdays ago at the Pike's in Toco Hills. I'm also a big fan of figs leaves with long "fingers." You'll see those on several Bordeaux varieties, Paradiso/Genova, White Greek (which I happen to have a small extra of...), and several others that I'm sure other people can chime in with. As far as the mulch goes, I ran out not long ago. I also keep many of my trees in uncovered SIPs, so I don't find mulch to be that essential. __________________ -- Tamar Atlanta, GA Attempting to grow: LSU Purple, Genoa White Honey, Kadota, Alma, Lyndhurst White, Adriatic JH, Desert King, Sal's, Salem Dark, Improved Celeste, Celeste, Marylane Seedless, Panachee, Marseilles Black VS, Sal's Corleone, Kalamata, 135-15s, Negronne, White Marseilles, Beer's Black, Norella, Monstrueuse, unknown cultivars... yeah, the list is too long to update anymore.

javajunkie

Registered:1362970391
Posts: 1,523

Posted 1401501358	Reply with quote #12

Savage, Buy it! Dennis, you're right, Brazos is a great place and doesn't make me happy that it's wholesale because it's basically my neighbor! __________________ Tami SE Texas

recomer20

Registered:1378013757
Posts: 402

Posted 1401501557	Reply with quote #13

Wow! Great size. I acquired "Becnel's Italian Black" from a certain sassy Texan several months back. Took me a while to get it going from a cutting and even now it's tiny, but remarkably beautiful and tending to create many clusters of leaves. Looks so similar to yours wonder if IB and BI might be the same (although I have no reference or experience other than this little one). Props for adopting such a beautiful specimen. The leaves really are something. __________________ Rick C. Birmingham, AL z7b --- INGROUND: S.C.Lemon ("Dr.Welch"), LSUpurple, Celeste (Std) POTTED 3rd Yr: Alma, Atreano, BattGreen, GrnGreek, HardyChicago, ItalianBlack (Becnel), LSUGold?, MBvs, Sal's EL, Southern BT?, St.Jean, Jackie'sUnk POTTED 2nd Yr: SunbirdUnkJP, BourjNoire, JHAdriatic, ValleNegra ROOTING: RdB, ScottsBlk, BlkGreek-MN,Preto

javajunkie

Registered:1362970391
Posts: 1,523

Posted 1401501814	Reply with quote #14

Hey Rick, I got mine from Tim too. Last year I started it from a log and this year it's a 8 foot tall monstrosity. My son was laughing at me today because I was out there telling it that growing that high wasn't going to save it from getting pinched as I was carefully pulling the branches down to pinch them. I actually had to jump for a couple of them but I got 'em all. mwahahaha __________________ Tami SE Texas

Savage270

Registered:1400777993
Posts: 153

Posted 1401501838	Reply with quote #15

Javajunkie, ok, ok, I'm sold. I'll stop by pikes on the way home two Tuesdays from now; the pikes I saw it at was off hwy 9 in Cumming. Heading up to the Chicago area for a little over a week. I'm gonna check out all the nurseries I can find. Maybe they'll have something interesting there... Tamar, I like small extras :) we'll talk... __________________ David, North GA, zone 7b Growing figs since May 2014. Wish List: Cuttings: Kesariani, Battaglia Green, Col de Dama Rimada, Col de Dame Noir

Windowsill_Gardens

Registered:1391200561
Posts: 75

Posted 1401506820	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by Savage270 Windowsill Gardens. If you could, would you please post a picture of your new Black Italian. Also, Tamar, do you not put mulch? Just curious... I'll get a shot for you tomorrow morning. I wanted to document its growth this summer anyhow. It has the long lobes on its leaf. Looks like the same cultivar as the others here, but younger. I suspect it might be rooted from a tc that got damaged. Curious how it will grow compared to one with a tc root system. Edit: I had to take a photo on the porch, because it's insanely windy out. You can see the leaf clearly though... as well as the cinnamon sprinkled in the top of the pot. Cursed ants! ;) __________________ Danielle: Massachusetts, zone 5

palazzophoto

Registered:1365388327
Posts: 140

Posted 1403297617	Reply with quote #17

I picked up 5 of these from Lowes at the end of last season for 10 bucks each for 3 gallon pots. Great deal! Something i have noted is that must be an incredibly late season fig, im in the Houston Tx (zone 8a)area and all my trees are loaded with figs and these trees are just now pushing out tiny main crop embryos. At this rate they will be ripe in October. __________________ Justin Palazzo Wish List: Red Sicilian,Red Israel,Sbayi, Martinenca Rimada(any of the Rimada family) Dauphine/Grantham's Royal,Figo Preto, Olympian Quality Unknown Cultivars

Savage270

Registered:1400777993
Posts: 153

Posted 1403297909	Reply with quote #18

End of season? Do you have any experience with Pike nursery? Any end of season sales on figs in the past? __________________ David, North GA, zone 7b Growing figs since May 2014. Wish List: Cuttings: Kesariani, Battaglia Green, Col de Dama Rimada, Col de Dame Noir

Tea

Registered:1446041666
Posts: 19

Posted 1447216884	Reply with quote #19

Bumping this thread, as it is what brought me to F4F. :) My Black Italian had no info besides the name, but was a small, gorgeous, twisty bush with petite but "long fingered" leaves. I just had to have it on looks alone as I had never seen a fig like it. Of the various "Black Italians" and "Italian Blacks" out there the pics and descriptions here are the closest to mine ( minus Tami's, as I can't imagine ever having to reach up to touch this plant, Lol ) A lot of peeps on this thread seem to be in Texas which means I have a ton of questions! Have any of your plants exhibited a tendency toward corkscrew or generally earth-bound limbs? The picture posted by Windowsill_Gardens looks like it might,but I can't see the structure of the others pictured. For those of you getting fruit, what are they like second year? Still late maturing? Is the taste improving? What kind of eye do they have? Anyone have new pics they would like to share? Thank you all in advance! ^.^ __________________ Growing: Tx Everbearing, LSU Purple, LSU Gold, and a mysterious Black Italian. Wish List: 1,2: Strawberry Verte and Abebereira/Berbera 3: Battaglia Green 4: Panache 5: Violette De Bordeaux 6: Anything with a closed eye that will be happy in humid Central Texas. Bonus points for stunning form and/or fruit.

Figgysid1

Registered:1413859653
Posts: 389

Posted 1447277409	Reply with quote #20

I found a post on a different fig forum discussing black Italian fig. It looks like it might be the one you are describing. Short bushy with long slender finger-like leaves. Foodplace.info/bountiful_figs/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=502 __________________ (Zone 12a) Big Island, Hawaii, 2,400 ft elevation, Fern Forest. Avg. July High 77,Avg.Jan.Low 56 Precipitation days 290, annual rainfall 201.80 inches.

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1458410602	Reply with quote #21

Bump this thread back up. Has anyone learned anymore about Italian Black/Black Italian? Mine froze to the ground winter 2014/15, so I only got a dozen fig off it last season. But this year it did fine and I am hoping for a nice harvest. I am still interested in hearing anything others have learned about this fig. __________________ Zone 7b (Central Arkansas) Seven trees in the ground: Hardy Chicago, Celeste(?), LSU gold, Italian Black, Southern Brown Turkey(?), Strawberry Verte, and Unk yellow. Trees in pots: VdB, CdD, and Sicilian?

Tea

Registered:1446041666
Posts: 19

Posted 1458430253	Reply with quote #22

My original plant survived the winter in a large pot on my deck and is leafing out quite beautifully. The cuttings I took in the Fall rooted like crazy inside, making me wildly optimistic... but then I got the flu and they were forgotten for over a week. All but three shriveled up, and 2 of those succumbed to gnats, with the last little trooper teetering on the brink (but having just pushed out a new bud leaving me hopeful, it not optimistic)... Alas, that all means I only have just the one tree to observe for sure for the next few years, and I haven't found or received any new info since initial search in November. I'd love to hear how yours does this year GeneDaniels. __________________ Growing: Tx Everbearing, LSU Purple, LSU Gold, and a mysterious Black Italian. Wish List: 1,2: Strawberry Verte and Abebereira/Berbera 3: Battaglia Green 4: Panache 5: Violette De Bordeaux 6: Anything with a closed eye that will be happy in humid Central Texas. Bonus points for stunning form and/or fruit.

chadspur

Registered:1456718804
Posts: 33

Posted 1459219309	Reply with quote #23

A little bump for this thread. I bought one of these from a local Lowes a couple weeks ago. The leaves look great. I have it in an 18 gallon pot and it's growing like crazy on every branch. Even just as an ornamental, it's performing great. I hope the figs it produces will be great! __________________ My figs:Saint Rita, Ronde De Bordeaux, Figo Preto, Adriatic JH, Marseilles Black VS, Celeste, Corkey’s Honey Delight, Black Italian, LSU Gold, LSU Purple Looking for: delicious, productive, fast growing fig trees for the zone 8a in Texas(near DFW)!

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1460594651	Reply with quote #24

Bump __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

ChrisK

Registered:1415844271
Posts: 937

Posted 1460594862	Reply with quote #25

Hey y'all. Here's a photo of my Black Italian. It's an airlayer off of Tamars' tree that I got from her last summer and it s looking great. If any of you has a fruit pic from this tree please post. Thanks in advance. __________________ ChrisK Atl GA Zone 7b-8a

Selkirk

Registered:1442260093
Posts: 9

Posted 1461120232	Reply with quote #26

Here's my Italian Black from Brazos Citrus Nursery. Very late fig for me-Late Oct, November and all the way into late Dec. on a warm year. Tree is in Matagorda Tx. For the size of the tree it has a light crop. __________________ Terry Zone 9B-b Matagorda, Texas

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