Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Unk. Teramo
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
bigbadbill

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 376
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I go "fig hunting" a lot each summer and even impersonate the late, great Steve Irwin as I stumble upon a fig tree complete with my best (still terrible) Australian accent. My wife hates it, by the way, both the accent and my incessant searching for these fine specimens...particularly when we are vacation. Two years ago I did some research about fig trees in the St.Michaels area whilst on vacation.

I found an article about a B&B in Easton, Md that was run by an Italian lady originally from the Abruzzo region of Italy (same as my wife's family, so I got a pass on this one). Specifically, she was from Teramo and wanted to start this hospitality venture in the U.S. by sharing a part of Italy with her. She brought some fig cuttings of what she thought was the best tasting fig tree growing in Teramo. She brought them along with some oregano seeds and other reminders of her homeland to share with her future guests.

However, the B&B must have closed down a few years before we got there as the only response we got when we knocked on the door was some bewildered looks from the assumed tenants in the current apartment building. However on the side of the building ( the wrong side- not getting full sun) was a twenty foot behemoth of a fig tree, obviously neglected, but impressive. It had interesting leaves, see the pics, and was loaded with figs. This was in 2014, after a brutal winter. It was mid-June at the time, which meant the tree mustn't have suffered much dieback-I saw very little evidence. The trunk wasn't that large, so the tree wasn't very old. I fig-ured ( sorry, force of habit) that it was just lucky being protected ( even if on the wrong side) of the house. Many people in the surrounding area, St. Michaels, Oxford, and Easton own fig trees. After seeing many of their trees dead to the ground as many of mine were made me think it wasn't simply luck. As I interviewed other people with trees in the nearby areas, it seemed the consensus was that all fig trees suffered several whether against the house or not, except this one. I of course only took a few ( okay, a lot) cuttings for scientific research.

A few rooted, but I was determined to go back later that summer and check for the actual fruit...for science. Wow, were they good! Syrupy and rich. They were brown and round with no void. They were ripened by mid July. I felt I should root some more and just see if this was a coincidence of hardiness. After all, I go fig hunting a lot and most times, it turns out to be just a Brunswick ( right, Von?) or a Celeste. I looked at this tree as very interesting and uniquely hardy, however, I didn't want too jump the gun and tell everyone how awesome and hardy it was only to find out it was just a one time deal. I had to wait until I was sure that this tree was worthy of being written about.


Another brutal winter passes, Early this past summer, I felt it was my duty to suggest we go to Easton, Md for vacation, you know, because of the good crabbing, restaurants, tranquility etc. Day one I found the tree, expecting it to finally succumb to the second consecutive frigid winter. No, it surged back to 16-20 ft in mid June. It looked the same as last year. I had to test the fruit in late July one more time before singing its praises. It was every bit as good as I remembered.

The Italian woman accomplished at least one goal. She set out to bring a little piece of Teramo with her and share it with her new community with a lot of pride. I have over a hundred and forty varieties and have tasted over eighty this year. I don't know if it is the best tasting fig I've had this year, but it's pretty special to me. It is amazingly hardy and accordingly, it produces very early. it meets my criteria- hardy, early, tasty.

Attached Images
jpeg image.jpg (20.55 KB, 238 views)
jpeg image.jpg (23.24 KB, 257 views)
jpeg image.jpg (95.68 KB, 291 views)
jpeg image.jpg (116.29 KB, 331 views)
jpeg image.jpg (106.09 KB, 333 views)


__________________
SE Pa, zone 6b

https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries

leon_edmond

Registered:
Posts: 923
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Nice story and beautiful fig Bill. These are the true heirlooms. To think this lady had one choice of fig to bring back with her from the old country says a lot for that variety of fig. Thanks for sharing!
Ruuting

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 613
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I definitely would like to grow this variety. How can I not, after that endorsement?
__________________
Rui
Southeast CT, zone 6B
bigbadbill

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 376
Posted Reply with quote  #4 
No problem, Rui. I think we talked about this variety last year. I will make sure to send you some. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have. I get excited about two special varieties now when they ripen. One is Sodus Sicilian and the other one is this one.
__________________
SE Pa, zone 6b

https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries
SuperMario1

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 441
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Looks wonderful!
__________________

Wish list:  Galicia Negra, Violetta, Violette de Sollies, Dan_la's Black Beauty 10, Craven's Craving, Most important: YOUR FAVORITE FIG. A lot of people put emphasis on popular/exotic cultivars, which is great because it highlights some of the better fig varieties; however, I am most interested in the figs our members love regardless of pedigree. 
Currently Growing: a bunch of varieties.




Smungung

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 440
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Cool so glad you sent me cuttings.
__________________
Matthew Mei Age:15 Zone 6A Secaucus, New Jersey

Aquarist any questions pertaining to fish shoot me a message always willing to help! :)
Gardener
Fisherman
cis4elk

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,718
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Good work Bill! Looks like another variety that needs to get around.
__________________
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.  :)
BrightGreenNurse

Registered:
Posts: 150
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
What a wonderful story! I'm sure that old lady would be grateful for you making sure her tree lives on. Beautiful figs!
__________________
Wish list- St. Rita*, LSU Hollier*, Brooklyn White*, LSU Improved Celeste*, Smith*, St. Anthony*
kyle3728

Registered:
Posts: 27
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Do you have any actual temps to share with us as to what the "frigid" winters were?
__________________
Wish List: 
UCD Black Ischia, Florea, Any Rimada figs


Iroquois, South Dakota Zone 4, Greenhouse, Zone 9-10

https://www.facebook.com/FairacreFarm

 
bigbadbill

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 376
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Hi Kyle,

As I stated in the OP, I was on vacation in MD which is close to two hours south of where I live, so I don't have " actual" temperatures because I don't live there, but I assume being close to the same climate (6b vs 7a) that the frigid temperatures were sustained single digits for lows for about a week or so. I guess frigid is a relative term, but for folks in the northeast and mid Atlantic, it was uncharacteristicallly cold ( especially for a longer period of time than normal). I guess the reason I found it somewhat remarkable was the fact that it was not damaged like most trees in the surrounding areas I " hunt" in including NYC, philly and Baltimore/DC area. I've been researching, collecting, and growing fig trees for quite awhile and probably wouldn't mention it here unless it was somewhat unique to most of my finds.
__________________
SE Pa, zone 6b

https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries
drew51

Registered:
Posts: 284
Posted Reply with quote  #11 
My cuttings are starting to grow, it's early although so far so good. It can get to single digits in my garage, so here even protected I need a fig on the hardier side. Which really limits choice, so appreciate the offer.
__________________
Drew
Zone 5b/6a Sterling Heights MI
kyle3728

Registered:
Posts: 27
Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Thanks! Like you said "frigid" is a bit relative. It was - 21 here last night and that is definitely frigid :)
__________________
Wish List: 
UCD Black Ischia, Florea, Any Rimada figs


Iroquois, South Dakota Zone 4, Greenhouse, Zone 9-10

https://www.facebook.com/FairacreFarm

 
Smyfigs

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,658
Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Sounds like this one is s winner, Bill!
__________________

Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a

Looking for...

Socorro Blk
Wuhan 
Jolly Tiger
Lamperia Preta
Herschtetten
St. Jean
Black Ischia

"The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa  
"Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~  
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

 
bigbadbill

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 376
Posted Reply with quote  #14 
I forgot to post this year's Unk Teramo photos. I love this fig. It started producing ripe figs around August 15 this year ( probably because the trees are partially shaded-4-5 hrs sun) and continues to crank out figs almost daily. I am going to put a few in the ground due to the potential, unique hardiness of the variety. It is sweet and delicious. It is not as sweet as a Celeste, but larger, round, and has kind of a unique flavor. It looks kind of like a brown rdb without the raspberry flavor. Anyone else get figs from this variety this season? I'd love to see others' pics and hear opinions on it.

Attached Images
jpeg image.jpg (122.22 KB, 46 views)
jpeg image.jpg (132.07 KB, 46 views)


__________________
SE Pa, zone 6b

https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries

zone5figger

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 250
Posted Reply with quote  #15 
My unk Teramo cuttings have become nice vigorous growing plants, no fruit this year unfortunately. Looking forward to next year! Was this your earliest maincrop to ripen?
__________________
Jesse- zone 5, 1000' elevation
bigbadbill

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 376
Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Hey Jesse!
No, this was so late because of the lack of sunlight, I believe. The mother tree ( in Easton) ripens figs in early-mid July. I am about two weeks behind them, but I've had ripe Unk. Teramo from my own trees starting in late July - early August.

Edit: Sorry, I now realize you were asking if it was my first main crop variety to ripen. My Florea, rdb, and improved Celeste all beat it in early production, but they all have full sun.
__________________
SE Pa, zone 6b

https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries
haslamhulme

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 247
Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Being in 4th place for early ripening after those 3 named is not bad going at all,seems like you have a special one there bill,if I ever have anything you want to swap for(unlikely,unless there are any European varieties that you can't find/hard to find in the states,but are available here) I'd be very happy to get that one back to this side of the pond to try.

Assuming the original owner of the fig tree arrived in the states decades ago this variety would probably have been a survivor of the winter of 1956,the coldest winter Europe has seen for an extremely long time,it would have wiped out a lot of figs,this article suggests that in 1956 abruzzo,where Teramo is,reached -20c and snow was several metres high: http://www.italyheritage.com/magazine/articles/history/1956-snow.htm

If this lady left Italy before 1956 it could be that this variety is no longer with us in Europe,if she left after this fig is a survivor.

We are getting longer,hotter,more humid summers with infrequent heavy rains recently,any idea how this one holds up to heat stress and drought combined with humidity and heavy rains?,please don't tell me they explode lol
__________________
Haroon,Birmingham UK,Europe,USDA zone 8

Growing:B.Turkey,Jerusalem,V.Dauphine,Pd.Dalmatie W.Adriatic, RDB,Goute D'or,W.Marsailles,Bavarian Violet,Ali Pasha,Falls Gold,
Alma,W.Broggioto,Conadria,G.Ischia,Celeste,a dozen unknowns

Deceased:Mission( received new cuttings from a generous member today,thank you!)
bigbadbill

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 376
Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Wow! Very interesting historical info. The lady brought it here with her in the 1990s. She said she wanted to grow her favorite fig to remind her of home and also "to show the guests what good figs taste like". As far as splitting and souring, this fig has a pretty big eye, but handles the rain pretty well. We just had over two inches of rain and aside from some slight splitting, the flavor was still very good.
__________________
SE Pa, zone 6b

https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries
haslamhulme

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 247
Posted Reply with quote  #19 
In that case the mother tree or its mother would have survived our biggest freeze in decades so must be a good one for cold tolerance,looks like you have a great early cold tolerant fig there,it does seem these brown skin figs in particular (Florea,hardy Chicago etc) have some real cold tolerance in them,may be some common genetics?.Thankske the PM,will reply but battery dying on my phone
__________________
Haroon,Birmingham UK,Europe,USDA zone 8

Growing:B.Turkey,Jerusalem,V.Dauphine,Pd.Dalmatie W.Adriatic, RDB,Goute D'or,W.Marsailles,Bavarian Violet,Ali Pasha,Falls Gold,
Alma,W.Broggioto,Conadria,G.Ischia,Celeste,a dozen unknowns

Deceased:Mission( received new cuttings from a generous member today,thank you!)
MStanleyross

Registered:
Posts: 108
Posted Reply with quote  #20 
Nice current history on this fig. Good looking fig and the cold hardiness is great. I will have to seek cuttings of this one.  Thank you all for sharing.
__________________
Wish List: Sodus Scilian, Dall' Osso, Kathleen Black, I-258, Malta Black, Ischia Black, Persian White, Native de Argentile, Lampeira Preta, Sofeno Petro and any LSU or any duplicates you may have.
Zone 7 East Tn.
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply