First Smith 2016

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DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1467649984	Reply with quote #1

I waited some what patiently, but no dripped honey to seal the eye. Still delicious, sweet and slightly creamy. Smith is a very good fig. This one is in its third leaf. I'm pretty sure this is main crop, all the breba froze off after late freeze. She is making another batch still. Good weather for figs. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

bigbadbill

Registered:1357527109
Posts: 376

Posted 1467652229	Reply with quote #2

Looks great, Don! I'm looking forward to finally trying Smith later this summer! Thanks for posting the pics. Have a great season! __________________ SE Pa, zone 6b https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries

sobelri

Registered:1429038724
Posts: 89

Posted 1467655222	Reply with quote #3

Very cool. How big is that container? __________________ SE Texas, zone 8b

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1467660896	Reply with quote #4

Quote: Originally Posted by Frankallen Hey Don! You lucky Dawg! Beautiful Fig, hopefully, I might get one or two off my small Smith tree! Thanks for Posting Bud! : ) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

SCfigFanatic

Registered:1450004954
Posts: 469

Posted 1467662696	Reply with quote #5

I can't wait for my smith to produce. Thanks for sharing Doug __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8

ADelmanto

Registered:1359774201
Posts: 911

Posted 1482263886	Reply with quote #6

I'm looking for info on Smith. Is there more than 1 fig that is called Smith. I've seen them as white and dark figs. The leaf pattern above is nothing like what I've seen before. Most Smith leaves I've seen are more long fingered Brunswick types. __________________ https://www.facebook.com/From-The-Ground-Up-403313193085649/

grant441

Registered:1358456015
Posts: 173

Posted 1482265924	Reply with quote #7

I got my Smith from Just Fruits and exotics and it has the Brunswick type leaf. __________________ South Carolina zone 7b

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1482280446	Reply with quote #8

Smith does not have Brunswick leaves. But what I do know is JFE has an overstock of Magnolia fig trees so you tree is probably Magnolia. I recommend calling them and talk to Brandy. She can help you if the tree was mislabeled. I have 5 Smith trees and they are all have the same leaf pattern. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

jrdewhirst

Registered:1420324567
Posts: 91

Posted 1482282989	Reply with quote #9

My Smith has leaves and fruit like Don's. __________________ Joe D

grant441

Registered:1358456015
Posts: 173

Posted 1482319220	Reply with quote #10

Quote: Originally Posted by snaglpus Smith does not have Brunswick leaves. But what I do know is JFE has an overstock of Magnolia fig trees so you tree is probably Magnolia. I recommend calling them and talk to Brandy. She can help you if the tree was mislabeled. I have 5 Smith trees and they are all have the same leaf pattern. Thanks for the heads up Dennis! Sick and tired of getting the wrong thing especially from big name nurseries.I I got a LSU black from Petals from past that I found out is really LSU Scotts black so now I am back on the trail.A black Triana from figtrees.net that turned out to be a big white fig?I have better luck with forum members. __________________ South Carolina zone 7b

brandon87

Registered:1459521730
Posts: 78

Posted 1482329788	Reply with quote #11

If you had to pick between Adriatic JH And Smith which would you pick? I'm running out of room and have been considering it for a while.. __________________ Zone 9 NW Houston-- Open to trades, message me.

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1482330525

Reply with quote #12

I have one Smith with this leaf

Registered:08/04/12
Posts: 2,536

Posted 08/01/14	Reply with quote #29

Pete, here are the leaf pics you asked for.

and three Smiths with leaves like Don's photos, and one Smith that has a combination of both(probably immature leaves), now I'm confused. Will the real Smith please come forward.

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1482370791 · Edited	Reply with quote #13

Waynea, I know your talking about leaves, but the flavor is distinctive in my opinion, Smith stands out from the rest so far in the varieties I have tried. Brandon, With that said, currently I would choose Smith over JH Adriatic. I'm glad I don't have to, I would find something else to nix, JHA is a wonderful fig. Also JH Adriatic ripens a few weeks later. Smith more so than JHA leaks delicious honey from the eye. And where as I like the wrinkled mottled Smith fig fruit with its everyone a snowflake kinda thing, JHAs tend to have more eye appeal to most people. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

AltadenaMara

Registered:1422990132
Posts: 375

Posted 1482374605	Reply with quote #14

Quote: Originally Posted by ADelmanto I'm looking for info on Smith. Is there more than 1 fig that is called Smith. I've seen them as white and dark figs. The leaf pattern above is nothing like what I've seen before. Most Smith leaves I've seen are more long fingered Brunswick types. A usually reputable source for Smith cuttings somehow had a mix up last year and sent out the wrong batch of cuttings to usually reliable re-sellers. The Smith-not produced black figs that were good tasting but not great. The seller apologized and refunded me what I paid. I'm keeping the Smith-not a second year to see if they improve in flavor. I have another real Smith that didn't fruit, so have hopes for next year. __________________ Mara Southern California Zone 1990= 9b 2012= 10a 2020=?

brandon87

Registered:1459521730
Posts: 78

Posted 1482380571 · Edited	Reply with quote #15

Thanks for the great analysis!! Guess I'll be sneaking "more sticks" into the house. __________________ Zone 9 NW Houston-- Open to trades, message me.

Rayvino

Registered:1474935913
Posts: 36

Posted 1482416497 · Edited	Reply with quote #16

I'm following this thread with interest because I just ordered a Smith from Just Fruits & Exotics in Florida and I would like to be sure that it is actually a true Smith. Since I'm unable to load a photo here's the link of the picture on their website, could someone please confirm that this photo is of a true Smith. For my inexperienced eyes the photo in post #29 looks like the tree on JF&E website below. Thanks http://www.justfruitsandexotics.com/JFE/product/smith-fig/ __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, N.Y.

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1482417997	Reply with quote #17

Rayvino- A couple of things first, I am no expert, and two, I really like JFE. The plants I have received from them (not figs) were healthy and painstakingly packaged well. But, from memory (take that as you like) the leaves do not look like what I have as Smith. Their fruit pic of Smith does not look like any Smith I have seen. Their fruit appears un-ripe for sure. Maybe someone who has more experience will chime in, I don't have any figs in my collection currently that look like JFE's Smith pic, it may be a knock out fig for all I know. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

kkk2210

Registered:1420862008
Posts: 474

Posted 1482421886	Reply with quote #18

Real Smith video. some people have posted some browinsh looking smith on Facebook. God knows what that is. Video by Ben __________________ Vinny Bognor Regis, United Kingdom Wish List : Callara, De La Rio,Cul Noir, Calvy, LSU Red, I-258, Maltese Beauty, Preto, FMV Infected Ischia Black UCD. My Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/myb/Summary?MyEbay&gbh=1

Rayvino

Registered:1474935913
Posts: 36

Posted 1482435543	Reply with quote #19

Update - I just called Just Fruits & Exotics and spoke to Brandy about the Smith tree. I pretty much wanted to know where they get their cuttings from and if it was the same tree they were selling in 2014, when my friend Rafael bought his and he loves his tree. Brandy said for the Smith, JF&E has their own in ground mother tree and that's where she takes her cuttings from and it's the same tree they have taken cuttings from for at least 5 years. I asked her about the shape of the leaves on her website being different than other Smith trees, she said that trying to id a fig tree by the leaves is very difficult since many things can affect the shape of the tree's leaves. I'm pretty satisfied with her response, she was very helpful and knowledgeable. I'll get my tree from them next month. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, N.Y.

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1482437552	Reply with quote #20

I'd like to believe in your confidence, but.... in this case there seems to be two different Smiths on the market. This is the leaf shape from the JF&E ad. How did the Black Madeira episode turn out from a couple of years back(Nov. 2014), did JF&E sale of Black Madeira turn out to be the real deal? I know that they are a good source for plants, but even the best make mistakes and you can tell they are the best by realizing and admitting to their mistakes. I hate to see a wrong variety being resold/gifted over and over again and perpetuating the problem. If this is the real deal then I will rename mine to an UNK and get one from JF&E. This is the advertised Smith from JF&E

Rayvino

Registered:1474935913
Posts: 36

Posted 1482440107	Reply with quote #21

waynea - I hear what you are saying, and you bring up a good point and Brandy mentioned about their past issue with Black Madeira. I have no idea where her original mother tree came from, or what a real Smith is, or is not, but she gave me confidence that I would get a tree from the same mother tree that my friend Rafael has. Rafael's tree is just a few miles from where my tree will be, just about the same climate, so if it's a great fig for him, then I don't care what we call it, I can always change the label or put an * next to the name. Thanks for your insight, I'll update this post when I get some figs from the tree. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, N.Y.

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1482445742	Reply with quote #22

Sounds good Rayvino, they have quality plants and are not trying to deceive anyone, hopefully they are the same and growing conditions have something to do with different shape of the leaves. There is/was a well known grower in Louisiana who had an excellent reputation with quality true to name plants, but something happened and varieties or tags got mixed up and now some varieties have 2 names or 2 varieties of the same name, I believe Smith could have been one of them??? Hopefully not.

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1482458597 · Edited	Reply with quote #23

https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/variety-test/3828-smith https://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/smithan-incredibly-wonderful-fig-7065950?pid=1284178803 I am willing to concede there appears to be a difference between the Becnel Smith and the JFE Smith. However, it may be overblown. Cajun's Dan's blog is inaccessible but if only we could go back, it stated quite unequivocally and authoritatively that a Smith fig grown in colder zones would have a darker skin coloration so it may be they are the same. I do recall my JFE Smith and Texas-BA-1 having very similar leaf patterns. In any event, I agree with Ray that whatever people want to call my JFE Smith, it is without doubt my best overall fig, the taste is superlative, it does not split, drips honey, and ripened an abundant crop over an entire month starting August 19 this year, and it grows extremely vigorously and nicely shaped. There is really nothing more I could ask for, and so it is my No.1. I do not see any resemblance between my Smith and Magnolia, sorry Dennis. As for any suggestion that my Smith is a mistake, all I can say is I ordered two separate Smith trees in separate seasons from JFE and they are both the same. It would be rather odd for them to commit the same mistake twice. Nurseries are not perfect. The Black Madeira situation was unfortunate, but I think JFE has consistently shown that they are at a completely different level than some of the lesser quality nurseries that deservedly have poor reputations, like Ty Ty and Willis Orchards. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1482464931	Reply with quote #24

I get a real kick out of snarky, arrogant newbies posting sophomoric, conclusory, vague allegations that are of no particular interest. Like if I said hosting a Facebook fig page that misspells the names of many figs and specializes in photoshopped pictures does not make one a fig expert, that wouldn't be very convincing now, would it? Just a lot of conclusory, "formulated arguments." __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

kkk2210

Registered:1420862008
Posts: 474

Posted 1482507667	Reply with quote #25

It's always interesting to read posts by some duplicitous self proclaimed non governing Dr Figs. Apparently years of tending and cultivating a garden don't count or make one an experienced gardener unless he or she has been a longstanding member of a particular forum. Oh well we'll wait. I would say hosting a Facebook page with non fabricated names ( e.g.: uncle jacks purple Fig ,spelling ok? ), showing kindness and respect to fellow members of any race or nationality is better than being a two faced haughty hypocrite who posts immature patronising and sarcastic comments. We have no interest in such low class individuals and I can guarantee that they are consistently being monitored and blocked. __________________ Vinny Bognor Regis, United Kingdom Wish List : Callara, De La Rio,Cul Noir, Calvy, LSU Red, I-258, Maltese Beauty, Preto, FMV Infected Ischia Black UCD. My Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/myb/Summary?MyEbay&gbh=1

HarveyC

Registered:1212433117
Posts: 3,294

Posted 1482512490	Reply with quote #26

I'm trying out Jake Shimabukuro's theory that the ukulele is an instrument of peace and learning to play that. I suggest everyone get one for Christmas! :) I can't post a photo of mine here, getting an error message that storage limit is exceeded. Here's a link: https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics/photos/a.560029974057420.1073741827.556076651119419/1137370112990067/?type=3&theater __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14 http://www.figaholics.com https://www.facebook.com/Figaholics

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1482517001	Reply with quote #27

You're a good figster Harvey and forum member, I know, I know, figster is not a word, I'm guilty, I made it up. This is Don's thread and we need to respect someone else's thread. Everyone commenting on this thread are good forum members, let's keep it civil. Remember, fig forum, figs 4 FUN!

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1482529903	Reply with quote #28

I'm not sure how it tuned sour, or even who it's aimed at, but I for one like pictures of figs, please post away! Here is what I could find for my Smith: https://s28.postimg.org/gus5qweil/smith2_008.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/g6jb7yfst/smith2_011.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/ktpd9q35p/smith2_016.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/q6e7nur25/smith22_004.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/qx6xtmtfh/Smith_003.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/xp1ya87st/smithgoats_023.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/87jjqmq2l/smithgoats_024.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/4cg5o26wt/smithgoats_110.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/hhvnu60sd/smithgoats_111.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/a36c1sewt/smithgoats_112.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/3qr6rybul/smithgoats_113.jpg" target="_blank">https://s28.postimg.org/gus5qweil/smith2_008.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/g6jb7yfst/smith2_011.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/ktpd9q35p/smith2_016.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/q6e7nur25/smith22_004.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/qx6xtmtfh/Smith_003.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/xp1ya87st/smithgoats_023.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/87jjqmq2l/smithgoats_024.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/4cg5o26wt/smithgoats_110.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/hhvnu60sd/smithgoats_111.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/a36c1sewt/smithgoats_112.jpg https://s28.postimg.org/3qr6rybul/smithgoats_113.jpg" class="bbc_img" alt="[smithgoats_113]" /> __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1482530193	Reply with quote #29

__________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

kkk2210

Registered:1420862008
Posts: 474

Posted 1482535176 · Edited	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by DonCentralTexas Hey don, Sorry mate my comments weren't towards you but towards some self proclaimed wall street fig growers. Thanks for taking time and showing us your smith. It looks very similar if not identical to ben's smith. I also like to thank Harvey for sharing his knowledge about figs and ofcourse Ukulele. Ukulele has really helped me to go through the difficult time I'm in right now. And I wish you all a Merry Christmas __________________ Vinny Bognor Regis, United Kingdom Wish List : Callara, De La Rio,Cul Noir, Calvy, LSU Red, I-258, Maltese Beauty, Preto, FMV Infected Ischia Black UCD. My Ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/myb/Summary?MyEbay&gbh=1

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1482536035	Reply with quote #31

Nice photos Don!

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