"BRYANT-DARK" - UNKNOWN

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BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1378894325	Reply with quote #1

BRONX/NYC..... This year the fig season was short, lousy, and, now it's over. Spring weather was so cold, for so long, that trees just started to sprout leaves in May! For the first time since 2007, "Atreano" produced NO figs! I lost a larger 6 ft. "Red Italian", and the rest of my trees were too small for any sizable main-crop. But wait, there's more! The star-of-the-season, was a unknown variety, that a forum member, Pete (ascpete), 'discovered' growing in a Bronx, NY yard. I had the opportunity to grow a 5 stem bush, and to taste about about two dozen figs, some from my tree, and some off the original, established tree(s). These medium-large, purple-black figs, about the same size of "Black Mission", had a wonderful flavor which reminded me of "Hardy Chicago" but with a more pronounced jammy, tangy, peach-apricot finish. The figs were dead-ripe, and I saw no splitting from the rainy weather that we had in the days just before the harvest. The tender skins and nutty crunchiness of the seeds added to the treat. Just sweet enough to make you want to just keep eating more, and more. Leaves: thick, leathery, dark, spinach-green, shaped like a "Hardy Chicago" leaf, remarkably free of rust, and showing zero symptoms of FMV - which is a disease typically not found in NYC, and surrounding areas. My small tree/bush is growing in a 5-gallon bucket, planted into a modified 5:1:1 mix. Fertilized with "Espoma, Iron-Tone", supplemented with a diluted tonic of Miracle-Gro/24-8-16 once/month. Main crop figs ripened by mid/late-August. Grown in full sun. I would give this fig at least a 7/8 on a scale of 1-10. I enjoyed eating "Bryant-Dark" figs as much as eating "Hardy Chicago"...but the "Bryant-Dark" has a slightly more of an apricot flavor, and tang. Just my opinions. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

dkirtexas

Registered:1341345900
Posts: 1,334

Posted 1378894742	Reply with quote #2

Frank You should be food writer __________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.

Charitup

Registered:1364254079
Posts: 592

Posted 1378894769	Reply with quote #3

Great description thanks for sharing. Isn't it great to find local plants that are so good. goss __________________ goss North Ga. zone 7

Pattee

Registered:1345750012
Posts: 1,417

Posted 1378908733	Reply with quote #4

Thanks for the very detailed description Frank . I am sooo looking forward to this variety . Hopefully next season will bring me a few on my young trees. I love hearing all the updates and descriptions of Pete's Bronx heirlooms. Frank , so sorry your season has ended. I actually had a few more figs than last year, but I did increase my collection of trees this year . There were disappointments though. A new Mission bush dropped all of it's figs and there were loads on it . There was actually one small one that ripened and I gave it to my husband - he said it was very,very sweet. Heh heh he's not that descriptive ! It most definitely needs up potting , I should have done it when I bought it - so this fall. As you said weather was a major factor this spring. I am also awaiting about 4-6 Atreano's to ripen fully. It will be our first taste of those. Sorry your Atreano did not produce this year. I have other varieties with a bunch of figs on each , I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one or two will fully ripen depends on the weather. __________________ 7a & 9b ►I assume all my figs carry FMV ◄ Seeking : Italian 376,395 , Galicia Negra, Negretta,UNK Pastilliere ,Pananas Purple, Malta Blk+purple/red, Italian + Calabrian UNK's , Catanzaro, Malone, Sucrette(Baud) "We may have our private opinions but why should they be a bar to the meeting of hearts?" - Gandhi

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1378909690	Reply with quote #5

Frank you know many of us like pictures .

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1378909934	Reply with quote #6

Great to hear, Frank. I'm looking forward to mine now. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1378910753	Reply with quote #7

Frank, Thanks for the commentary. I would agree with your rating (7 out of 10). Martin, Here's a picture that was taken on the same day. Attached Images FigsS_Bryantdark_MainCrop_8-23-13.jpg (98.65 KB, 353 views)

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1378911163	Reply with quote #8

That looks heavenly, Pete! Thanks! __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

MariannaMiller

Registered:1368495473
Posts: 261

Posted 1378911817	Reply with quote #9

Thanks for sharing. looks like a wonderful fig. Description of taste sounds like something that would probably rate pretty high on my personal taste scale since I am definitely an apricot fan and love a tangy taste. Looks like it is an open eye variety..if so, how early in the ripening cycle does the eye open? We had over 2x our normal annual rainfall this year but I am happy to say despite that, all of my fig trees which are producing (Celeste and Magnolia) had bumper breba crops and lots of main crop figs which are ripening now. __________________ Wish list: Patlicans, Adriatic, Salem Dark, Lebanese Red, Conadria In Ground: Alma, Brunswick,Bryant Dark, BT, Celeste, Dominic, HC, It. Honey,LSU Purple, Mission Black, Sarizeybek; In pots: Ashlan, Atreano, Blk Bethlehem, El Molino Unk.,Excel, DK, Gr. Ischia, Kadota, Lattarula, Nero 600, VDB, Olympian, Petit Negri, Unk. Plainfield, Unk. Slidell Blk, Sweet George, Unk Portuguese Purple, Unk. It. Yellow, White Genoa, White Tx Everbearing; Madison SC 29693 (7a/7b)

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1378912848	Reply with quote #10

Frank your description is great! I have a few of these on that I'm waiting to ripen. Thanks for sharing the pictures Pete! __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1378917392	Reply with quote #11

Martin.... Pete filled in the blanks. To be honest, I ate the figs before thinking about snapping pictures. Next season, I'll try to post photos, but I'm sure Pete will get some detailed pictures of eye, leaves, etc. posted sooner, or later. The photo-enlargement showing the figs is a fair representation of the correct size and color, and the purple-black skin cracks just like a "Black Mission". Thanks Pete. *********************************************************************************************************************************** I think it's really a nice tasting fig. I especially appreciated that slightly, tangy, apricot-peach, flavor combo that this fig has. I don't really like overly sweet figs because they just overload the palate, and you can quickly say...."that's enough".... Just too cloying sometimes. But this fig, you notice. The eyes on the ripe figs that I tasted were small, and fairly tight. The photo above shows what looks to be an open eye, but there are tiny scales covering the opening. I also liked the fact that after a two day soak, none of the figs split, or spoiled. I had some white figs off a neighbor's tree, on the same day, and they were beginning to sour. They came from the same area of The Bronx. I hope this fig continues to hold up in rainy, humid, weather. So far, so good. Who knows, in a few seasons, maybe this fig will not perform well. But for now, it will have a spot in my limited collection. I could change my mind, but, I hope not. ************************************************************************************************************************************** Pattee: I never grew a fig that dropped the main-crop figs. "Black Mission' was a real surprise when all the half-formed figs were on the floor! I think that heat/water stress, and too small a container played a roll in the aborted crop. The terrible Spring weather didn't help either. Both Martin and Pete suggested that I re-pot the "Black Mission" into a larger container, which I will do. I'm hoping that the tree will do much better in the coming seasons. Thanks to all for the interest, and comments. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1378928109	Reply with quote #12

Marianna, The attached linked topic has all the descriptions and pictures of the tree for 2 seasons (2012 and 2013)...Also, the eye is relatively tight and only opens slightly when ripe. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/unknown-figs-1bronx-ny-6028881

Dieseler

Registered:1215735852
Posts: 8,252

Posted 1378928399	Reply with quote #13

Thanks for pictures Frank.

susieqz

Registered:1372082549
Posts: 971

Posted 1379370720	Reply with quote #14

hey, frank. i just got a rooted cutting of bronx dark. you've had some more years to evaluate this fig since this post. do you feel like commenting on your current feelings about it? __________________ susie wish list: nothing. i can't grow cuttings . right now, i have 6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1379370959	Reply with quote #15

Susie, I am watching my first Bryant Dark fig that is swelling and changing color! Really looking forward to this one. __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

susieqz

Registered:1372082549
Posts: 971

Posted 1379371377	Reply with quote #16

meghan, when you taste them, will you tell me your impressions, please? __________________ susie wish list: nothing. i can't grow cuttings . right now, i have 6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1379371563	Reply with quote #17

Sure! __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

susieqz

Registered:1372082549
Posts: 971

Posted 1379372560	Reply with quote #18

i'm counting on you, meghan. __________________ susie wish list: nothing. i can't grow cuttings . right now, i have 6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1379373217	Reply with quote #19

This one just started swelling yesterday. Color started to show this evening... After this one there are still 5 more on the Bryant Dark. Attached Images figs_3_bryantdk.jpg (282.92 KB, 37 views) __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1379373294	Reply with quote #20

Sorry about the picture. My cell actually has a decent camera, just it doesn't want to focus on what I want it focused on! __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

susieqz

Registered:1372082549
Posts: 971

Posted 1379373657	Reply with quote #21

so, this is a late season fig? odd, since frank doesn't have a long season. __________________ susie wish list: nothing. i can't grow cuttings . right now, i have 6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1379374507	Reply with quote #22

This tree was given to me a month ago and it had the figs on it already. I was told by Steve, the one who started it from a cutting, that he had already had several figs off of it already. Since this is it's first year I wouldn't say anything about whether it is a late or early producer. It was started in Jan if I remember correctly. __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

BronxFigs

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Posts: 1,864

Posted 1379374872	Reply with quote #23

Susie: Just saw the request for information. This "Bryant-Dark" thread is up to date, and the critiques that I posted were based on this variety's performance for this current season. I don't think it is really a "late-season" fig, and it would probably ripen figs earlier, in Zone 7-b if it was planted in-ground, and was an older tree. I grow my tree in a 5-gallon bucket, but it's going into an 18-gallon tub, next Spring. As noted, Spring-2013 was far too cold for too long, so trees got a late start, and still, I had ripe "Bryant-Dark" figs by mid/late August. This is the first season that the tree produced figs. I predict the tree will do better in coming seasons, and, I also think the quality of the figs will also get better....although, I can't see how the flavor can improve. If figs are picked at various degrees of ripening by different growers, there will be a taste difference. That's just the way it is. The figs I tasted were dead ripe, soft....and if you like ripe apricots and peaches....this is a fig for you. Hope this helps. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

susieqz

Registered:1372082549
Posts: 971

Posted 1379376061	Reply with quote #24

thanks loads, frank. i'm glad to hear it tastes like that. i'll give it a place of honor, with your reccommendation. oops. i see my confusion. it said posted 9/11. i thot that meant sept 2011, not 9/11 this year. just another instance of the bubble headed chick misinterpreting stuff. __________________ susie wish list: nothing. i can't grow cuttings . right now, i have 6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.

BronxFigs

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Posts: 1,864

Posted 1379377030	Reply with quote #25

Susie: No problems. I mistake the dates also. Try to judge this fig, any fig, on your own terms. The best fig is the one YOU like. Forget all the hype about fig "A" and fig "B". If you like it, grow it. While it might be fun chasing after the latest "must have" fig variety, sometimes the best figs grow in someone's back yard, and, without the fancy pedigree. Have fun. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1379377907	Reply with quote #26

Meghan, Susie, Keep in mind that the "tree" is actually a 10 month old cutting, and the flavor can never compare to an older plant. Also figs are usually removed for the first year to allow the plant to grow. The tree should be an early season cultivar in warmer zones especially when you factor in the breba crop. You can calculate the ripening time in your zone by comparing your season start and finish to the posted dates in the descriptive topic. The in ground tree Leafed out the end of April and had ripe breba by the middle of July, Breba in less than 3 months, with main crop figs 1 month later. Good Luck.

susieqz

Registered:1372082549
Posts: 971

Posted 1379378154	Reply with quote #27

actually, frank, i think my new hobby is figs thst taste like other things. when i tasted the over ripe morle paradisio n i tasted peaches with just a hint of fig, i was hooked. when you said apricot peaches i knew i hd to try these. __________________ susie wish list: nothing. i can't grow cuttings . right now, i have 6 trees showing no signs of fmv. i'd like to keep it that way' i was told that if i couldn't deal with fmv, i should grow peaches, so i got a peach tree to live with my clean figs.

cobb4861

Registered:1375370895
Posts: 537

Posted 1379378288	Reply with quote #28

yea, I know not to judge a fig in its first year. It's just nice to see it actually ripening up some of the figs on it now. Its a beautiful tree with the dark thick leaves. __________________ Meghan Cobb ~ Growing zone 9 Wish List: Pane e Vino White and /or Dark, De la Reina, Iranian mountain fig and anything else that is great to grow or at least try in the hot and humid Southeast Texas.

omotm

Registered:1349913471
Posts: 886

Posted 1379378654	Reply with quote #29

Susie, I agree with what Frank, Pete and Meghan say. Meghan's and my tree are less than a year old. I have another couple of figs that will probably be ready in a week or two on my tree. These trees were just slow in producing since they are young, in addition to the fact that I picked off many younger figs to force some engery into tree growth rather than fig production. __________________ Steve Houston, TX Zone 8b Wish List: Zingarella

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1401025946	Reply with quote #30

This past winter hasn't been good to the Bryantdark mother tree, like most unprotected fig trees in NYC, causing lots of dieback and main trunk damage. the tree was already slated for severe pruning this spring so there was no major loss other than scion wood and the Japanese Espalier experiment. Its already producing lots of new growth from the base, hopefully I will be able to harvest scion wood after dormancy this fall. . BTW, the large stump in the "after pruning" picture is actually 1 of 2 air layers that were not remove last fall, they will be remove in early summer.

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1401027787	Reply with quote #31

Hello everyone....especially growers of 'Bryant Dark'. I can see that many of us are growing this virtually, unknown, Bronx, NYC fig. Enough rooted material from the original tree is out there, and being trialed in different climate zones. I hope enough younger trees survived, and will start to set figs this season. I, for one would love to read some critiques regarding this fig variety. Because this variety is so new....it has no track record, yet. So, it's up to us to fill in the blanks. Please share your observations, likes, dislikes, etc. as the season progresses. My tasting experiences with a large variety of figs is very limited to just the few trees that I'm am growing....but...if I had to grow just one fig, I could be very happy with this variety. Why? Hardy in Zone-7 (with precautions/protection)....healthy, clean, thick-green leaves with no FMV/D to deal with...vigorous growth, good producer of very flavorful figs, and, two crops that ripen early. Also, last season, the leaves on my 'B-D" trees were remarkably free from rust infections, but this factor depends on weather, rain, humidity, etc. Some of my other trees had rust on the leaves. Oops...I forgot...it roots very easily too. Pete, hope the original trees grow like weeds. Very nice to see that they survived this horrible winter. I wonder how long it will take for the new, basal stems to produce figs? Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

jenn42

Registered:1389575153
Posts: 256

Posted 1401071819	Reply with quote #32

I will have to add this to my wish list! Sounds very tasty & healthy tree to boot. Can't ask for much more than that. __________________ Jenn Austin, TX Zone 8b Wish List: CDD, Bryant-Dark Unknown, Red Lebanese, ORoarke, Calvert Will hopefully have cuttings to trade next year as my yearlings mature

coop951

Registered:1217167527
Posts: 596

Posted 1401075417	Reply with quote #33

I had the privilege of meeting Pete and receiving a Bryant Dark from the Figfest at Tim's last fall. It was in my garage for the winter and came out of dormancy beautifully. I am so excited to have one of these "Bronx Bombers". Here he is: Thanks again Pete __________________ Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a

GeneDaniels

Registered:1384021772
Posts: 1,014

Posted 1401234194	Reply with quote #34

This sounds like a wonderful fig. Is anyone willing to trade some Bryant Dark cuttings for?? __________________ 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?

Sliang_25

Registered:1469570204
Posts: 3

Posted 1471641572	Reply with quote #35

This fig looks great! Always wanted to plant a fig outside in zone 7b besides Celeste or Chicago. Anyone care to donate a cutting or two? Pretty please? : )

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