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sonnya

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Some of my figs are turning dark brown and purplish it's a sign of ripening, right?  The are getting a skin that seems to be looser than before.  Now how do I gauge when the will be ready to eat?
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Zone 8b Temple, Tx          Kadota, Brown Turkey, Celesta, Chicago Hardy, LSU purple, Black Mission, Violette De Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing. I want enough figs to eat a fig each day.
VeryNew2Figs

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Never having actually picked a fresh fig (sadly) I've read that the fig droops at the stem when close to being ripe.  It easily comes off and there shouldn't be any latex dripping.  It also gets "squishy."   It may have brown "sugar spots," although with a dark brown/purplish fig that probably doesn't apply.  And, I guess depending on variety, it should have the honey drop coming from the eye.

I'm sure people who actually know will correct me where I'm wrong.

Hope it's a tasty one for you!
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Cheryl
Chicago, Zone 6a (That's what they say, but it still feels like 5)
Growing:  Hardy Chicago, Black Mission, Brunswick, Kadota, Ischia Green, Desert King, Osborne Prolific (slow but steady), Malta Black, Violette de Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing, Beall, White Adriatic, Nolo Pink Eyed Lady.
Rooting: Ronde de Bordeaux, Celeste, Nero 600 m, Violetta Bayernfeing, Marseilles Black VS, Celeste.
Tonycm

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Everyone has their own version of when to pick a fig. Some like to pick them as soon as they droop while others like to leave them on until they start to shrivel on the tree.
When I notice a fig starting to droop I try to leave it on the tree for 3 to 5 more days.
The longer it stays on the tree the higher the sugar content.
If we are going to have a lot of rain I'll pick it sooner because the rain will lessen the flavor and cause it to split.
If it splits then it get infested with bugs making it a total loss.
Some figs do form a drop of honey at the eye sealing it from bugs entering but it doesn't always mean it's ready to be picked.
I've had some form a drop days to almost a week before it was ripe.
When it comes down to it there are way too many variables to say for sure when is the prime time to pick that fig.
The best thing I can tell you is to let it droop for at least a few days and to make sure it is soft and to have some patience.
If you do pick it too early it will ooze latex from the stem and it won't be at its prime, although still edible.
Experience will teach you when to pick a fig.

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Zone 6a Sarver, PA Wish list; Rafed's Genovese Nero
sonnya

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Thanks tony, good stuff, I'm waiting.
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Zone 8b Temple, Tx          Kadota, Brown Turkey, Celesta, Chicago Hardy, LSU purple, Black Mission, Violette De Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing. I want enough figs to eat a fig each day.
rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
If you want help with a particular fig show us photos.  "Brown" can mean different things - loss of the fig or ripening.  Purple can be from sun exposure and not necessarily from ripening.  I hope your fig is ripening and you get to eat it before some critter does.
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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.
Figrove

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Tonycm, that's a great discription of how to know when to pick a fig, I have over 25 new varieties making figs this year I haven't tasted yet, I'm so looking forward to them getting ripe and ready to taste.
sonnya

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Well over night a dayum mouse got my fig and left it in the bottom of the cage. The cage is not mouse proof.  The fig was not ripe but it was really dark purple.  It's a Brn turkey.  There are several now turning dark and hopefully getting ripe.
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Zone 8b Temple, Tx          Kadota, Brown Turkey, Celesta, Chicago Hardy, LSU purple, Black Mission, Violette De Bordeaux, Texas Everbearing. I want enough figs to eat a fig each day.
Sas

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
My figs keep disappearing off the tree. I stopped counting. Need to bring out some nets soon, but I've been using them for my tomatoes.
Yesterday I had to save a bird that got tangled in the net. Sometimes ants can get to some.
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Sas from North Austin TX Zone 8B
Wish list: Becane
coolmantoole

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
It's fun being new to growing figs.  That was me not long ago at all.  In the end, you will learn by trial and error what works best in terms of how ripe.  How humid your climate is and what you want to do with your figs impacts how ripe you want them.  In my hot and humid and often rainy South Georgia, I find that they ferment if I leave them on too long.  That over ripe fermented flavor is great in a muscadine but not in a fige in my opinion.   On the other hand, if they are not good and very ripe, they are very bland for fresh eating in my opinion.  But if I'm making fig preserves out of them, I prefer them firm unless I'm after a more jam like fig preserve.  If your climate is not humid, you can let them partially dry on the tree, and they will be rich and wonderful.  But of course, the longer you wait to pick, the more likely a bird or rodent will get your figs.  My trees are big enough that I don't have to worry about that as much.  God bless.

Marcus
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