so there has been some interest in Paradiso Gene. and few who followed my threads on this fig knows that i love this fig. but this fig is not without problem. still, this is my favorite fig. 

the tree i have is one that gene h. sent me when i first started growing the fig. the tree was rooted in spring of 2010. so the tree is now going into its 5th yr. i have pruned heavily this yr in order to do major root pruning. also rooting some back ups. 

the tree has been growing very well. it's about 5' tall. couple of yrs ago, i cut the leading branches so it will not grow any taller, but i can see the potential for this trees to grow very tall and strong. 

leaves are very attractive. it's a good size leaves and good healthy green color. 

the figs are medium size and since last yr, it will have honey at the eye when ripen. 

the taste is honey and nut during the summer and during late season towards the autumn, it will have melon note. 

but this tree has a problem. it doesn't like humidity. the figs will get very soft in high humidity. if the weather is not hot, as in last yr, this will not happen. when the weather is hot and humid like our typical summer, the fig will turn soft and the eye will open up. this will attract large number of bugs around the area. 

during the summer of 2012, we had rather hot and humid late summer. this basically attracted all the hornets and wasps in the area to my Paradiso Gene. for about 3 days, i didn't even go near the tree. i don't like getting stung by the wasp, nor hornet. then i figure if i manage the figs little better, i won't have that problem. so i took a long stick and started knocking down the figs that were damaged. for the rest of the season, i had no issues. but i made sure to pick the figs as soon as they were ripen, and did not leave any figs that were damaged on the tree. 

last yr was cooler and wet all yr around. with amount of rain we had, i was sure that Paradiso Gene would be a disappointment. however, it wasn't. 

out of 3 original trees i had, Paradiso Gene was the only fig that kept it's flavor intact. VdB bleed all the flavor out, and Kathleen's Black was still improving. however, Paradiso Gene's flavor was still full and complex with note of honey and nut. it was a great joy enjoying this fig. i made sure i monitor the tree often and get rid of any figs that i didn't get to so it won't attract any insects. but with cooler wet weather, insects weren't much of problem. the skin on the fig was different in 2013. it was little more.. thicker and had bite to it. it wasn't as soft as previous yr, however, if left on the tree longer, the skin will more or less separate if handled rough. 

the tree puts on good amount of fig, but for the size, it's doesn't put on as many as VdB. VdB at about 3' tall, put on about 80 figs last yr, most of them were tasteless. Paradiso Gene put on about 50-60 figs. it's very reliable as far as taste is concerned. last 3 yrs it has improved in taste and i'm hoping to get more taste out of it this yr. 

this fig isn't exactly a fig for people who doesn't like to micro manage their figs. however, if you are looking for a good tasting fig, this will fit right in. 

i have been trying to collect most of known Fico Paradiso. currently, i'm also growing Paradiso Bronze and Nero, however, i have not had chance to eat from mature tree to know what they will taste like. i had few off cuttings i rooted last yr, but they didn't impress me. thinking back, the figs on Paradiso Gene in 2011 wasn't all that impressive, however, it only ripen in nov., and it still had melon note.  

previously, i had failed to keep Mario's Paradiso Nero alive, however, the name of that fig has been changed, and thanks to bill saxon, i'm also growing it to compare to others. 

in conclusion, it's a great tasting fig. however, if you have serious bug problem in your area, this might not be the best fig for you. taste is reliable, and productivity is just in the middle of the road. 

Pete, have you tried using organza bags to prevent the bug problems?

rewton, 

no. my figs go commando :) lol

Gene Hosey thinks this fig along with Kathleen's Black are the two best figs he knows of.
I have not had as many issues with mine.
I have ant issues with the Paradiso I got from Joe Morle, but ants will target one fig and eat the whole thing so I let them be.
I live a few hundred miles and a growing zone away from you Pete so perhaps your increased heat and humidity has adverse affects on this fig.
Mine is only 4 or 5 years old as well and I'm going to up pot mine this spring. Time will tell. It is certainly a great fig as far as I'm concerned.

I can't wait to have a mature Paradiso Gene! I tried Giovanni's Paradiso figs last summer, they were some of the best I've ever eaten! Nice report Pete, thanks for all the info.

rafael, let me know if you can get your hand on giovanni's Paradiso cuttings. i've trying to track him down, but no luck. his figs look very close to Paradiso Gene. maybe location difference is making his figs in such way that he can peel the skin.

Pete Did you try to email the lady that wrote the article? She implied that she had received cuttings. She may be easier to track down than he is. I may go back to Philadelphia to buy more in August, will keep u posted at that time.

not the lady, but the guy who wrote the article with her. his reply was that giovanni is a very private gent and he can not discuss his where about nor the location of him or his tree :)

Pete, yes, thanks for providing this information.  I hope to taste Paradiso Gene for the first time in 2014 and reading your report leaves me feeling more enthusiastic about it  than before.  Compared to your other figs do you think it would become a particularly large tree when planted in the ground or average size?  I think I'll trial it in the ground at my place and am considering the correct spot.

rewton, 

i can see this tree growing very large. the original tree has 3 trunks. they are actually 1 trunk with two branches i buried deep when i moved to 10 gal. when i started this, i had only 3 trees and i moved them into 10 gal their 2nd yr. by that time, this tree was well over 6'. i cut the top off to make it around 5' so i can pick the figs easy. it's the tallest tree i have. i'm going to plant one in the backyard this yr where it will get good sun along with one of KB. KB for me grows with multiple trunks and low. 

just learned giovanni is in his 80s. his Paradiso is from abruzzo. it was a cutting that he brought in in 1975. i have a new lead.

Hey Pete, here's a picture taken of 2 of my finest tasting green figs, Strawberry and Paradiso. Now, I don't recall it being called Paradiso Gene. When I got it it was called Paradiso. I've had this tree about 7 years. I got it from Herman2, aka VS. The interior is drop dead beautiful! But, my GM# 9 is redder than these 2. Both of these fig were so sweet that you had better be sitting down when you eat it or risk passing out from its outrageous goodness. In the pics below, Strawberry is the round one and Paradiso is the oblong shaped one. Notice the drop of honey from the eye of Strawberry! [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/image_zps1e2882c0.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/image_zps1e2882c0.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/image_zpsa77cc49a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/image_zpsa77cc49a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s605.photobucket.com/user/snaglpus/media/image_zps96c7059f.jpg.html][IMG]http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt134/snaglpus/image_zps96c7059f.jpg[/IMG][/URL] One day, I'd like to get one or two of Giovanni's Paradiso and compare these to it.

dennis, 

some time ago, there was a long discussion about which Paradiso is the right Paradiso. mainly among Joe's Paradiso and Gene's Paradiso. to avoid confusing that i just call one from gene h. Paradiso Gene. 

your Paradiso looks just like mine when weather outside was good like in spring/early summer of 2012. it is a very good fig. 

Love the photos Dennis!  I have plain Paridiso also.  Got it from rcantor.  I hope it's just like yours!!  Mine seems to be a vigorous grower.  In ground, it has one trunk with one shoot, but that main trunk grew quickly in girth and height in it's first summer in ground.  It had no figs last year.  Bob told me that it needs pinching to produce figs, but I'm waiting for that trunk to get higher before doing that because I want a tree, not a bush.

Suzi

here are some old pix. 

my best shot. it's from late spring 2012. 

 

same fig pulp, eye and outside. 

 

 

 

same tree, figs from 2013. 

 

 

 

I can confirm that Dennis' Paradiso foto looks just like Giovanni's Paradiso!

Also, here is the original Paradiso dispute on Gardenweb, with comments by Gene himself: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg0222022731287.html

i might be wrong, but i believe herman got his from gene. 

very last Paradiso Gene from 2012. 

 

Hermans Paradiso (Paradiso Bronze VS) is not the same as Paradiso Gene, this, from people in the know. HERMAN, what say you?

donna, bronze came up some time after the green/white one along with Nero. i remember herman talking about his bronze when dusan's bronze was discussed.

Paradiso Gallesio?

rafael, 

that pix came up when discussing who's Paradiso was the real thing. that was used to indicate Paradiso Gene is more like the documented one. from growing gene's Paradiso, the fig itself looks similar to the pix, but not exact. the leaf shape are not a match. looking at the pix of giovanni's Paradiso, the leaf still doesn't match. from the information i looked up, giovanni's Paradiso came into US in 1975, or at least that's when he planted his cutting. his Paradiso came from abruzzo. 

not sure if that illustration is accurate or if the Paradiso we have now day is not the exact one that gallesio drew. 

Vivai nursery in Florence, Italy sells a Paradiso like Gene's and Giovanni's, but they are not a reputable nursery. http://www.vivaibelfiore.it Too complicated to order from overseas. On the other hand, I have also heard that the Morle Paradiso is also found in Abruzzo, but I am not a huge fan of that variant.

more rounder Paradiso on following link. you have to move the mouse over the pix to see the figs. i wish some of these places will post pix of leaf also. 

http://www.ficuscarica.com/carica/paradiso%20bianco.html

[QUOTE=rafaelissimmo]Pete Did you try to email the lady that wrote the article? She implied that she had received cuttings. She may be easier to track down than he is. I may go back to Philadelphia to buy more in August, will keep u posted at that time.[/QUOTE]

Which article is being referenced here? 

This one: http://www.messyandpicky.com/index.php/2009/09/28/giovanni-the-man-behind-the-figs/ Also: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/giovanni-the-man-behind-the-figs-5982066

picky is a guy, and messy is a girl. they have one email addy fir both. when i wrote them, picky replied. he was picky. i have a new lead and the response was much more positive. will see what comes out of it. whole idea is to compare and preserve his tree.

There was a time that the 'only' known USA 'Paradiso' (aka., Heaven) fig came from Gene_DC.
It should be (and is the default) of the Green(skin)/Red(pulp) kind of fig.
It seems that nowadays there are 'other' Paradiso figs going around.

gorgi, i should be able to tell this yr if Paradiso Bronze VS and Paradiso Nero are same as Paradiso Gene. have them in 1 gal.. i just wish i know which one if Nero and which is Bronze. i mixed the cuttings by mistake.. 

Pete (or anyone),  Would you happen to know if the Paradiso on Jon's list is the same as "Paradiso Gene"?  Thanks

as far as i know, gene sent Paradiso to jon and USDA/UCD. not sure if current Paradiso is from gene or not 

It has been a little over a year since I commented on my Paradiso.  Out of all the green figs out there.  This fig is definitely a 10 in my book.  Over the years, I was able to obtain one of Giovanni's Paradiso and boy to I treasure it!  And it does favor mine.  This Paradiso fig is one of the best.

do you actually have a clone of his tree? I am local to him and have been thinking about seeing if I can get in touch with him about cuttings or if anyone has his clones available.

He is almost impossible to reach and his tree was badly damaged the last two winters. Would love to know if you can reach him.

I'll see what I can do. My Fiancee is a Italian south philly native and everyone from the old Italian neighborhood all knows everybody there, so probably wont be too hard. very large but a very close knit community. 

I did find the location of the tree, I went to go by this morning to see if Giovanni was tending to his tree, to see if I could discuss things with him, and see if it were possible to acquire a cutting and unfortunately the tree has been cut back severely almost looks as if it started from the roots again either this year or the year before maybe. not even recognizable compared to the articles and pictures, I saw a few main trunks at most 4 feet tall. 

Chris:Of course the tree is now at 4 foot tall,that is the result of the last 2 Winters,harsh and prolonged Cold.
I have trees that were 12 foot in 2013 and now they measure 4 foot ,EX :Atreano.

See Pix in 2013

Herman do you prefer your trees in the ground opposed to pots? I am doing pots as of now because of fear of our winters, but everything I see in the ground gets so much larger faster. 

Is not that I prefer them in ground,it is that I have a true way to test for adaptability in cold climates like NJ.
Fig trees are not suppose to grow in zone 6 ,but some rare varieties,are stubborn to survive and ripe fruits here and most are not.
I would quote the best adapted to adverse climatic conditions,i have:
Malta Black,ripe early ,produce fruits growing from soil level every time,starting with first or second leaf there will be an incipient fruit.
After 2 years of onslaught frosty climate,some of my "Keeper" cultivars,were refusing to form fruits early in June,this year,but,:
Malta Black is loaded with fruits,in Fact the old original plant and the other 3 younger plants are loaded.
If i had them in containers i would have never know how they perform in cold Winters,because then all of them,are inside ,so all perform the same!

I also grow in ground because of necessity,as I can not handle moving large containers in and out,having ,had back surgery.
Of course your situation could be different,so if you can grow in containers good for you.
Fig trees in containers produce incipient fruits earlier in the Spring,and also can keep Breba fruits ,till ripe so you will have earlier ripe fruits every time.!
I hope this answer your question

Best Regards

appreciate it Herman thank you 

I'm starting to pull my trees out of the ground and just keep them in pots.  Our 5 degree winters over the past 2 years really took a toll on my trees not winterized.  Growing figs in 27g self watering pots seem to work best for my climate.  My large Paradiso was winterized this past winter and this year I only got to taste brebas.  It's not in a SWP yet but the 15g pot that its in is just full of roots.  Will be root pruning it this Fall.