Petite Negri. It just gets better with time (I think that is the name of a song by The Whispers). Same story as last year. It is a large fig. I think it is the Miles Davis trumpet of figs. Outstanding, complex, not figgy (like Celeste), not sweet (as Celeste) but jammy thick with a Wow factor that most figs this size do not have. The first fig of the season worried me because of the amber pulp color and the watery taste but there had been two days of heavy rain. The second fig was true to form and spent three days in the Fig Protection Program. 



 

JD, do you think if space is limited whether it is worth growing both VdB and Petite Negri?  Also does it live up to its reputation and grow as a "dwarf" for you?

JD, very nice. One of my favorites.

I know I've said this before,  you can make a fig look like fillet mignon,  JD.

So these aren't brebas?

Rewton, PN probably needs more heat than VdB, even though both needs heat.

Thanks.

Steve,
Yes, I would grow both Vdb and Petite Negri here in 8B.
Yes, when compared to the growing habits of other figs, Petite Negri does not grow as rapidly.

shah8,
No, they are not brebas. They are about two to three weeks earlier than last season.

Beautiful figs JD.  Nicely photographed too.  I can't wait to taste Petite Negri... this year it has lots of figs on it here.  Hoping for good warm weather ahead.

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a

Nice pics. 

I'll ask Steve's question a little differently....if you are limited on space and could only have one, which would you pick, VDB or PN? 

I have both and am looking to size down my collection.  I am considering that since these figs are similar, I will keep only one. 

Looks great JD.  Surprising that two figs on the same tree could have such different pulp color even in the same season. 

While we're on the topic, has yours produced brebas as well?  I have one I bought from Edible Landscaping a couple years ago and this year it had a handful of breba as well as a decent number of main crop.  Are the breba worth keeping?  I tried one, but I think I probably picked it too early.  Main reason because the color seems to attract birds so it already had a couple pecks taken out of it, and I didn't want to risk losing it completely. 

Really just looking for recommendations on best way to grow it.  I definitely think it's a keeper.  I am in Maryland, zone 7a, but I bring my pots in for the winter so winter kill is not a problem for me. 

JD: Very tasty figs and nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

Best,
Tam

last year it was favored by most of my fig friends when they came over for tasting, very good fig, better each year too. MichaelTuscon I may be tasting your PN this year too.  

Just got a petite negra, are they one and the same? Thanks for clarifying for me.

Thanks folks.

m5allen,
Right now Petite Negri. Love the one you're with! (Isn't that the chorus of a once popular song? By...?). I prefer to answer the fig question in a couple of weeks when VdB and Petite Negri are producing at the same time. I only have one season of data but last season, I support what Barry (BLB) has posted and I'll say it again, Petite Negri would be my choice today.

Rob,
No brebas to date here in 8B.

[QUOTE=BLB]last year it was favored by most of my fig friends when they came over for tasting, very good fig, better each year too. MichaelTuscon I may be tasting your PN this year too.  [/QUOTE]

Glad to hear it, Barry.  I'll be interested in comparison to see if it's the same variety as your other one.  I remember that thread from a few years ago, where Vasile was telling us about the various confusions surrounding names on this variety.  I recently posted pics there of immature main crop and breba from that tree, in that same old thread, here:  http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/doesnt-look-like-petit-negri-but-is-it-5930769?pid=1283564594#post1283564594  Looks like I'll be tasting the Sal's Corleone you sent me a cutting of too.  :-)

I'm also glad to see you're active in the forums again.  Hope you're healthy and enjoying lots of figs this season!

Mike   central NY state, zone 5a

JD, Stephen Stills.  I love your "Miles Davis trumpet of figs", and I get it.  Going to add this one to next years list.  Keep the updates coming.

Michael, it's gonna take a few years I think before we can get a proper taste comparison. My PN/Aubiqua Petite took at least 5 yrs to taste as great as it does. It always had a good taste but last year, wow it got super good. I'm willing to wait though and enjoy each year of fig production 

JD

By any chance is this PN derived from Belleclare nursery?

Don,
Thanks. Glad you get it...with Miles.

Rafael,
I acquired my tree from Frank (FMD) and I cannot trace its origins beyond him. Maybe he will post on this thread.

Frank,
What are the origins of your Petite Negri?