I had heard of an amazing unknown fig from a friend in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego (I know, another?!!!) last year and grabbed some cuttings from the owner.  I tasted my first fig from the mother tree on August 24 of this summer (2015) and had the first fig from my small 5 gallon pot tree on December 14, 2015.  The weather has been cold and rainy lately (not typical for San Diego) so I was surprised it wasn't watery at all.  They were both delicious figs.

I am amazed how much these figs look like Black Madeira/ Figo Preto.  I have both and it is neither.  I can say with certainty that this fig tree was brought to San Diego by the original owner from Portugal.  He still lives in the home and I have spoken to him several times about the tree. He does not know the variety name so it is officially an unknown.  He hadn't heard of a "Figo Preto" either.

Regarding the Point Loma area of San Diego, it is very close to the ocean, which has typical overcast/foggy weather in the early to mid summer.  Not exactly a prime location for figs so if one does well here, chances are it will do well in most other areas.

If you want to call it anything I'm thinking "Craven's Craving" since the owner has never shared cuttings before and I will hopefully be distributing it to the fig community this winter.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  The taste was delicious, even the December ripening fig!

 

More pics...

 

...

 
 

You can see the comparison with Black Madeira/ Figo Preto here 

Looks like a winner!  Look me up if you would like to trade this winter.

Padsfan, those are delicious looking. Great find and great story. Yummy; ) If your making a want list, please add me. I would love to grow this out :) thanks

NICE FIND!

Padsfan, it looks absolutely deliscious!! Congratulations!!

Yes very cool that you have some of the history here padsfan.  I love the trees that people brought with them from the old country.  A lot of magic in that.  Alas my great grandmother brought horseradish from Austria!  Not figs.  ;-(  I showed this post to my friends in my second family in Point Loma off of Rosecrans and Goldsmith, they would love to have a local fig.  Let me know if when there might be cuttings available.  So cool to be adding to the figgy gene pool daily it seems around here.  

That's picture are killing me

Looks amazing. Please contact me when cuttings are available.

Special fig.  Congratulations!

Would Love the chance to grow that one

oh wow looks amazing. Count me in for cuttings!

Absolutely beautiful fig! If only I could taste things through my computer screen!
I'd love it if you'd consider me for cuttings.

I love the Point Loma area of San Diego.  Great find!!

Add me to the list!!!!!!

And yet another one for the list. 

Looks amazing with a story that matches, thank you for sharing. 

Do you have photos of the leaves?  The shape of the fruit, especially in post #4, does look like Black Madeira/Figo Preto to my eyes, FWIW.

[QUOTE=HarveyC]Do you have photos of the leaves?  The shape of the fruit, especially in post #4, does look like Black Madeira/Figo Preto to my eyes, FWIW.[/QUOTE]

Harvey - if i'm not mistaken from his wording (edited), i think that was an actual BM/Preto picture of his, he was just using as an example to compare against posts #1-3. So you got a good eye ;)

Agreed - would love to see leaf shape though.

Wow sign me up for a cutting if you plan on selling some!

[QUOTE=Brooklynmatty][QUOTE=HarveyC]Do you have photos of the leaves?  The shape of the fruit, especially in post #4, does look like Black Madeira/Figo Preto to my eyes, FWIW.[/QUOTE]

Harvey - if i'm not mistaken from his wording (edited), i think that was an actual BM/Preto picture of his, he was just using as an example to compare against posts #1-3. So you got a good eye ;)

Agreed - would love to see leaf shape though.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I didn't catch that, start drooling at photos, what can I say, LOL.

I though the neck of the fruit in the top photo of post #3 also looked like BM/FP and spots on the skin.  Hard to draw much conclusion about fruit appearance late in the season.

Put me on the list too, it's getting rather long! Looks awesome!

To clarify- they are all pictures of what I will be calling "Craven's Craving".  None of the pictures are of Black Madeira/Figo Preto.  My Black Madeira/Figo Preto fruits do not crack like this one does, as seen in the 3rd picture. Sorry but I do not have any leaf pictures.

I will hopefully be collecting cuttings around the winter solstice.  Stay tuned to this thread for updates!

I would try real hard to get some leaf pics. That would help a lot and possibly id it.

Just realized this is where Preto was discovered. I wonder if there is a coincidence somewhere. I believe the Preto is no longer there.

Oh wow.

Here's hoping that you get some cuttings. Good luck!

Hi Padsfan.
Nice find! And nice story. The figs look delicious. Please include me on the cuttings list.
Vito

Update- I just got a few cuttings today.  Sadly there weren't many available.  It's a very old tree and so is the owner!  I just hope this variety doesn't have the same fate of Figo Preto.

The cuttings are pretty thick but I have several tip cuttings- that are also thick HAHA.  I will update this thread this weekend.  This is the first time they are being offered to the fig community :-)

Would Love to be on the Trade list

Thanks

I'm interested looks like a winner

Yes me too. My friends in Point Lona are very interested in having a cutting of this local fig. ;-)

Please add me to the list of any are left.

Any more left? I would be interested too.

Woukd youadd me to the list, please? Thanks in advance!

Looks like I'm a little late. If there's room, I too would be interested in being on the list 

I'm interested in being on the list.  Somehow, I'm not feeling too lucky :)

Does anyone know if the fig requires the wasp?

I would like to be on the list as well. If there aren't enough to go around this time hopefully there will be more next year

I also Like to be on the List...
Mark

I don't have many cuttings available but am selling the extras.  The cost is $30 for two cuttings including shipping. Remember they are thick at about a half inch in diameter.  All cuttings will have at least 3 buds.  

Paypal accepted, first PMs will receive first priority.  There has been HUGE interest with this tree and I would like to get the cuttings shipped out this week. I hope it does as well for everyone as it does here!

PM sent. Thanks!

Yes me too.  PM sent.  Thank you for working to save and share this gem also.  Best, Jodi

PM sent!!

Pm sent

Sent you a pm! Thanks for offering this to the community!

My New Year resolution was to NOT add to my fig collection and in abject resignation, I surrender. Put me on the list. I am perfectly OK if I must wait for next year. That way I can argue that I kept my resolution. Maybe I'll get some horseradish instead.

Point Loma is a fig mecca!

Update-  I'm almost out of cuttings for this variety.  First come, first served!

[QUOTE=zeitgeist]Point Loma is a fig mecca![/QUOTE]

I actually like Point Loma as the name or Point Loma unk. But that is not my call.

Beautiful area great looking fig. Thanks for sharing please keep me on your list for cutting.

Nice find! Great Story. The figs look delicious. Please include me on the cuttings list. Thanks so much!

If there's still room to be included, I'd love to be on the list for a cutting or two.  Thanks!

I'm basically out of cuttings everyone.  Sorry!  I have I believe 2 thick, mean, and ugly cuttings left.  

I sent a PM and posted in the thread a while back but never heard anything. I would take the ugly cuttings!

The cuttings just came. They're beautiful. Thanks so much.

Got them today looks great thanks again!

thanks for the cuttings again! I got them today and thanks for the extras!

I received mine today as well, thanks! Even the extra Preto I purchased along with them was very generously cut! Can't wait to get these suckers goin!

Looks like I missed out....  dang!  Next time.

I got mine too, and they look good! Nice and fresh for sure, thanks for making it easy! Fresh cuttings are so much easier to root.

The cuttings came in yesterdays mail. Nice cuttings. They are already in the bag method. Thanks

If anyone is still interested in this fig, I just posted my last two cuttings on eBay.  Here's the link-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201527959255?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649  

Thank you everyone for your interest!

That fig is a beauty!  Great find!

Very nice, great find.

This is a fig I found in Orange and it reminds me of yours. I am rooting cuttings now. I would be curious to compare when leaves & figs come in :-)

I believe the shape is very different. Yours looks like a Black Mission shape and the other is more like Black Madeira.

Yes, I see that Brian. I see the fig shape is different from the picture of the tree in the pot.

Just an update mine was slow to root. I had only one cutting take, but once it did it took off and produced large leaves for such a small plant. Thanks again for this one!!

Padfan, do you know what part of Portugal the man who brought this fig here is from? I know over 20 cultivars are from Portugal, so it would be hard to identify, but knowing where he was from would help.

Wow. That picture looks delicious and the story adds another layer. I'm curious if others have the same experience as Drew in rooting/ growing this cultivar.
-Dan

My plant is still small. Amazingly, it is producing figs. It is first leaf, a rooted cutting from the spring.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/002_11.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/002_11.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/003_7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/003_7.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Now that we have a leaf sample pic, I'm interested to know what Harvey and the others think this unknown is. 

[QUOTE=drew51]My plant is still small. Amazingly, it is producing figs. It is first leaf, a rooted cutting from the spring.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/002_11.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/002_11.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/003_7.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/003_7.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/QUOTE]

Drew, that is one lush looking tree.  What is your preferred container mix and fertilizer?

[QUOTE=blindesign]

Drew, that is one lush looking tree.  What is your preferred container mix and fertilizer?[/QUOTE]


I make my own potting mix. I use 3 parts pine bark fines, 1 part Pro-mix (instead of straight peat), 1/2 part diatomaceous earth for water storage and oxygen to the roots (granules same size as perlite). And 1 part manure compost to supply a bit of nutrients,trace minerals, bacteria and fungi. Also to prevent root rot (numerous studies support this claim)
For fertilizer I use what I have on hand usually. This year I ran out of Plant-tone which is what I usually used along with Dynamite slow release that is a lot like osmocote except it lasts longer, and has a better NPK ratio. I may supplement organics with Foliage Pro once a month. I used it only once on this plant. I also put in some generic organic fertilizer I got cheap at Ollie's. I ran out of Plant-Tone by the time I up-potted this. I'm new to figs, but have grown tropicals for 40 years.
Some of my other plants. A couple 2nd leaf plants. Osborne, and VDB (right).
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/001_17.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/001_17.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

On the leaves, the photo doesn't tell us a lot. The leaf straight forward is actually deformed a bit, not a good example. On the left it has well defined fingers, on the right the leaves look almost solid with less lobe definition. Not sure it tells us much?
I can say with the advanced fig growth, this looks like a good selection for short season places. An early ripening Portuguese fig! Unlike Preto or Black Maderia which are also Portuguese but need a long season. The photo is from 6-16, one fig is at least twice the size of a grape. This plant has the most developed figs of all my plants, including VDB, MBVS, Florea, etc. Unless it's super long to mature, this plant looks extremely promising for my area.

My cuttings didn't root unfortunately. I hope someone on here will offer cuttings in the future. I'll try grafting it next time instead.

[QUOTE=raimeiken]My cuttings didn't root unfortunately. I hope someone on here will offer cuttings in the future. I'll try grafting it next time instead.[/QUOTE]

I did find this one very hard to root. Heat under really good lights, in soil, wrapped in parafilm, worked. The one in the dark with heat in Sphagnum moss failed. I find the ones that don't root in moss in the dark root better in light, in soil wrapped in parafilm. Some rooted both ways, some failed both ways, so who knows? I lost 2 really valuable figs that failed to root this year, so I feel your pain.

Drew, congratulations on what's looking to be a great find and on successfully rooting the cutting.

Is the soil you used to root it the same as the potting mix you mentioned above and what type of lights do you use or would define as good?

I'm asking so much specifics because I'm new at rooting and want to replicate as much as possible others' successes in this particular cultivar, as well as hopefully generalizing to other difficult to root Portugese figs.

Thanks,

[QUOTE=Figinfever]Drew, congratulations on what's looking to be a great find and on successfully rooting the cutting. Is the soil you used to root it the same as the potting mix you mentioned above and what type of lights do you use or would define as good? I'm asking so much specifics because I'm new at rooting and want to replicate as much as possible others' successes in this particular cultivar, as well as hopefully generalizing to other difficult to root Portugese figs. Thanks,[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I use two soils to root. One was the same, the other was a seed starter soil with DE added. Not sure which I used? I have a 4 lamp t5 HO fixture, and a 4 lamp T5 VHO fixture. I used both as one broke down, It had a bad ballast, I need to order a new ballast.
Oh I have a photo of it under the lights, hmm, looks like regular soil. Labeled as Pt Loma.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/001_13.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/001_13.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Ok. Thanks for the information. I also noticed something when comparing the PT Loma under lights versus in the sun; You can see the great amount and degree of lignification in the three branches during that space of time, which lends more evidence that it is very likely cold hardy and quick to mature.

- Dan

Dan, Great observation, you're right about the lignification. I recently met a guy from Portugal who mentions many northern cultivars that mature early, so it looks like we at last have an example! Well I'm hoping so. Even if not, nice to have another Portuguese fig!

I concur. Hopefully, others who have acquired cuttings have at least a few rooting successes so in a couple years this cultivar can be more widespread and enjoyed by more fig fans...Of course, I'll be the first in line when that occurs. : )

Here is one of my two Point Loma CC cuttings. The other one is alive with a small green bud but absolutely no signs of growth.

[QUOTE=Jerry_M]Here is one of my two Point Loma CC cuttings. The other one is alive with a small green bud but absolutely no signs of growth.
[/QUOTE]

Congratulations on the success and thank you for adding more info. Looks like it's a difficult to root fig, but from your picture, I see the amount of lignification is consistent between your rooting and Drew's. Nodes are truncated and plentiful, similar to some pictures I saw of Preto. May be a close relative?

Were your cuttings of similar size? What was the rooting method and growing conditions?

Thanks,

-Dan

[QUOTE=drew51]


I make my own potting mix. I use 3 parts pine bark fines, 1 part Pro-mix (instead of straight peat), 1/2 part diatomaceous earth for water storage and oxygen to the roots (granules same size as perlite). And 1 part manure compost to supply a bit of nutrients,trace minerals, bacteria and fungi. Also to prevent root rot (numerous studies support this claim)
For fertilizer I use what I have on hand usually. This year I ran out of Plant-tone which is what I usually used along with Dynamite slow release that is a lot like osmocote except it lasts longer, and has a better NPK ratio. I may supplement organics with Foliage Pro once a month. I used it only once on this plant. I also put in some generic organic fertilizer I got cheap at Ollie's. I ran out of Plant-Tone by the time I up-potted this. I'm new to figs, but have grown tropicals for 40 years.
Some of my other plants. A couple 2nd leaf plants. Osborne, and VDB (right).
[/QUOTE]

Thank you for sharing!  How are you liking smart pots versus more conventional pots?

Dan, like others I try various methods each year for rooting cuttings. I had many failures this year. One of the cuttings is 3/4 inch, the other is smaller. These cuttings were origionally started in plastic bags for a couple days, then I decided to direct pot to quart containers outdoors under a glass door covered with shade cloth over a hoop made from rewire. The soil, I think, was Foxfarm Coco Loco Potting mix or Premier Horticulture 3.8CF Pro Mix HP Biofungicide and Mycorrhizae. I might add that my most successful rooting this year came late by sticking cuttings in 5 gal well drained buckets of potting soil. The buckets were placed on the north side of a big fig tree and under some of it branches. If pictures werenxt so hard for me to post here I would post pics of the glass door and the 5 gal buckets under the tree. Good luck with your future cuttings and welcome to the wonderful of figs.

Thanks Jerry, Drew, and others on the forum for taking the time to share your experiences and techniques in detail and to welcome me into the forum. Even if I haven't or will not identify specific optimum factors for rooting this cultivar and other hard to root figs, your responses have been very valuable to me and I'm sure others, as well. At the very least, your individual experiences have given me ideas, that I would have never thought of, to try in the future. I really appreciate it.

-Dan

[QUOTE=blindesign]

Thank you for sharing!  How are you liking smart pots versus more conventional pots?[/QUOTE]

Sorry for the late response. Well plus and minus. Technically I'm using root pouches sold at greenhouse megastore. They are dirt cheap, and is the true reason I use them. Air root pruning is a plus. Quick drying is a negative. Also algae tends to grow on the outside of older containers.
That root pouch is 10 gallons and costs $4.50. 4 bucks each if you buy 10. It should last 4 years, maybe longer, so container cost is about a dollar a year!

Dan,

thanks for the kinds words. We are all here for a reason. i want to learn to. If nobody else does, no worries about a plant, when it's bigger I will share cuttings, or try air layering this hard to root fig.  Let's not jump the gun, I could kill this thing yet!

No worries. I have confidence in your skills. Knock on wood. : )

Some updated photos of my plant.

[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/007_6.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/007_6.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
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[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/009_3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/009_3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Woah. That main leader is tall, thick, and filled with embryos. The fig to the left of it on the first pic is the biggest. The tree continues to have amazing growth and vitality. Congrats.

Hey all, I just saw the new posts on this thread.  Great to see that some of you are having success with this great variety!  It's really exciting to see how it works in other climates.

I'll be stopping by the mother tree in a soon and will try to post pics if I get them.  I'll ask the owner what part of Portugal he's from as well if I see him.

Any further details/ pics would be great. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Your plant is developing nicely, Drew.

Hope you'll be able to taste the figs this year (remarkable for a cutting rooted a few months ago)

Is it my impression or judging by the color of the ostiole in your photos it seems a white fig? Or they are still too young to tell?

[QUOTE=Jsacadura]Your plant is developing nicely, Drew.

Hope you'll be able to taste the figs this year (remarkable for a cutting rooted a few months ago)

Is it my impression or judging by the color of the ostiole in your photos it seems a white fig? Or they are still too young to tell?[/QUOTE]

No it looks like Preto or BM, but it is not. See the first posts in this thread for photos. This thread is about the fig I have.

I know it's your plant, Drew, but it's from a cutting from that unknown from Point Loma, isn't it?

I was noticing the great development in such a short time. You say that "My plant is still small. Amazingly, it is producing figs. It is first leaf, a rooted cutting from the spring."

I was also noticing the clear ostiole that usually is what white figs have. I believe that black figs, even when young, tend to have red ostioles, but i may be wrong.

[QUOTE=Jsacadura]I know it's your plant, Drew, but it's from a cutting from that unknown from Point Loma, isn't it?

I was noticing the great development in such a short time. You say that "My plant is still small. Amazingly, it is producing figs. It is first leaf, a rooted cutting from the spring."

I was also noticing the clear ostiole that usually is what white figs have. I believe that black figs, even when young, tend to have red ostioles, but i may be wrong.

[/QUOTE]

All I was saying is you can look at figs from this plant in the very first post of this thread. I have a cutting of that plant. I have no reason to suspect it's not what the Original Poster said it is. So it should be a black fig. If not Padsfan has some explaining to do!

I also have a number of first leaf trees with figs. I know it is unusual, but conditions have been hot here, and I have been on top of watering, so they have really taken off. Also they have been growing a long time. Many since January! I have indoor lights. So they look a lot bigger than typical first leafs. The reason I say it's small is here are some of my other first leafs.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/008_3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/008_3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

My 2nd leaf figs started a lot later overwintering in the garage. They did not leaf out till April, so they are about the same size height wise. Here a 2nd leaf in the middle of two first leafs.
[URL=http://s128.photobucket.com/user/whitenoise_photo/media/010_3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p181/whitenoise_photo/010_3.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I have been only growing figs for 2 years. Although I have grown tropical and sub tropical plants for over 40 years. So I know what I'm doing. I was 19 when I started growing them. I'm 59 now. I disagree with many methods advocated by experienced fig growers here. But I agree do what works for you. I had decades to figure it out.

My Figo Preto does not have a red eye.

Drew,

I was not doubting your methods. I was amazed at the results for so recently rooted cuttings and i see that your experience in growing tropicals has payed off. We should be copying you.

I am also a recent fig grower in pots. They seem to be developing well but the majority have no figs yet.

Some of my fig trees - mostly 2 year leafs:


Also, as you have said, there is no reason to doubt Padsfan.
I was merely noticing what i thought was common among fig ostioles color (red for dark figs, white or clearer for white figs).

Seeing Figgysid1 answer about his Figo Preto (thanks, by the way), i see that i had the wrong impression. I am glad i asked the question. I haven't noticed that could be the case before, as all the figs i have over here follow that "rule". Always learning with figs.