As per last post went out and picked another plate of figs following a few days of cool (55F days) rainy weather. 

Another plate full that has me drooling. Well done Pino and thx again for sharing your harvests.  

Nice to see so many options for our area. 

I just might need a bigger back yard...lol.

This must be the result of global warming. Enjoy it while you can. Are all of these in ground?

@Steve- thanks by the way more land for figs is why I moved to Niagara from Toronto..lol

@Sas - sounds like we need to advertise Canada more. 
The weather here ranges from 35C/95F during the summer to -22C/-8F in winter. 
The -22C scares people and they lose sight of the fact that 30-35C is a nice hot summer.   The figs go to sleep for winter so as long as you protect them for the winter they are good to go in spring.  To be clear late ripening figs don't do well here without a greenhouse.

This year was hotter than usual but I didn't notice a big difference in fig ripening since we had a drought all summer long so the figs were under stress all summer and didn't ripen any faster.

To your question; At this time my in ground figs are; the big producers (Ciccio Nero, Fico Bianco and Dalmatie). 
Other in ground Lattarola, Desert King, HC and MBVS. 
This year also planted in ground RdB, Doree and Capelas Azores.

Those Dalmatie of yours are really something Pino!

How does the Desert King do in ground in zone 6 for you? I always regarded them as more of a west coast fig so this is interesting to hear

It's supposed to be a nice heavy Breba. I just received a beautiful air layer in a trade so I will have to see how it does for me. No clue in ground but I've seen lots of reports if high productivity!

Another nice plate.

[QUOTE=pino]As per last post went out and picked another plate of figs following a few days of cool (55F days) rainy weather. 

[QUOTE=figoffrandy]How does the Desert King do in ground in zone 6 for you? I always regarded them as more of a west coast fig so this is interesting to hear[/QUOTE]

@Devin - Thanks!

@figgoffrandy - Only had the 3yr old Desert King in ground since June/2015 so will know better next year.  Last winter was mild.  This summer it produced 1 breba and grew really well (5/6 branches 2-4' each).

Hoping that these new large branches will translate to an abundant breba crop next year.
The results will hinge on how well I protect it for the winter and how severe the winter is.   

This year will still be simple to protect for winter.  But looks like this tree will want to grow really big so I will need to find a way to bend it down for the winter in future years or attach it to the side of the building and apply protection?  Suggestions welcome.

DK beginning of June
 

DK end of August

@Pino,
I'm very familiar with Canadian weather. Had my share of it for over 15 years, but was led to believe that there's a warmer microclimate in the Niagara Falls area, which might extend your harvest season or perhaps allow your trees to be in ground all year long. I miss Canadian Summer days the most, especially when it gets really hot down here. I guess, you can't have everything in this world.

Don't know if you saw this video about the Seattle fig man.

https://youtu.be/jGVQ8TD5iS0

Thanks Chuck and Tony!

Sas you got it  The key for us is Lake Ontario a big buffer, keeps temps from the really crazy lows  in winter and gives us a cool spring so plants take their time waking up and avoid some of the late frosts.

[QUOTE=Sas]Don't know if you saw this video about the Seattle fig man. https://youtu.be/jGVQ8TD5iS0[/QUOTE]
Zone 6 imposes certain limits in growing figs.  You can only protect so many in ground figs and you can only store so many container figs for the winter.
So glad I don't live in a zone 8 or greater because this would me.  Looks like he is drowning in fig trees..lol

If I were you, I would keep on trying to find the hardiest variety that might eventually survive in the ground. All you need is one tree similar to what he has in that video:)

@Sas - Many have been trying to find the magical fig that can survive -25C winters.  But I don't think it exists.  Fig wood is very tender and prolonged exposure to -9C will kill it. 

Now if the tree is in a protected area maybe against a wall away from the wind then the established (> 4yrs) trunks could survive limited exposure to even colder temps.  The 1yr growth of course would not survive but it likely would grow new shoots and produce some figs. 

In my area if you don't protect a fig tree for the winter then it will die back to the ground and you will be re-growing the tree every year.  In a good summer you will get a few ripe figs from the new shoots for your effort with the early and mid ripening cold tolerant fig varieties.  Hardly worth the effort. 

Happily with minimal winter protection early and mid ripening cold tolerant fig varieties do very well here in ground. 

Years ago, I saw some large trees around NY city, with zones ranging from 6b-5. The were growing in small yards but protected by dense housing construction on all four sides. So it would've been cold but not windy in those locations, which made me think that cold wind is number one enemy for figs. I recall seeing a tree that had branches reaching the second floor window.

I have had my container desert king for 2 years now. was probably 1 year old when I got it last spring. im guessing minimum 3 years, max maybe 4. this summer it put out a few fruit late summer, didn't ripen don't think were brebas. hadn't had much luck with it yet. hopefully next season I will see something. if not I might lose hope and get rid of it my space is tight. the tree rats (squirrels) got my fruiting figs and apples. getting live traps and netting next year.  I need some earlier ripening varieties. what is your guys thoughts on placing a fig in ground zone 6? the older the better?? thanks

PINO looks  great  you are doing a great job roger

[QUOTE=EB18702]What is your guys thoughts on placing a fig in ground zone 6? the older the better?? thanks[/QUOTE]
As soon as fig trees got 25-50 cm (10-20 inches) I plant these inground (hole deep 15 - 20 inches down) in zone 5. For 7 years only one of around 20 died.

I salute you for ripening that panache.

Great Plate there.

@Sas - interesting that fig trees can do that well unprotected in the big apple.  Maybe I should visit I could spend a week visiting all the f4f members and collecting cuttings..lol

@Thank You Roger!

@Elin thanks, we are having a week of rain and the cool climate figs don't seem to mind although they do ripen much slower.  They are calling for a week of sunny weather now just what my Fayumi and other late ripeners have been waiting for.  How is your Sbayi doing? 

[QUOTE=Serge] As soon as fig trees got 25-50 cm (10-20 inches) I plant these inground (hole deep 15 - 20 inches down) in zone 5. For 7 years only one of around 20 died.[/QUOTE]Thanks Serge!  interesting that you plant them 10-20" deep.  How do you protect for the winter?

A few other figs that ripened nicely during the cool wet week (55F days).
Sultane could have used another day but I panicked due the heavy rain.

 

The long hot summer is continuing and many figs are ripening nicely!

Hope others are also getting some delicious ripe figs.

Thanks for looking comments welcome!
  

 

 
 
  

   

   

 
 

 


 

 

 
 

Hi Pino,
Pics don't show up for me ...

[QUOTE=jdsfrance]Hi Pino,
Pics don't show up for me ...[/QUOTE]

@jdsfrance - Thanks for letting me know!

Fixed it.  After an extremely painful experience drowning in internet spam voila;

Another great display Pino.  My jealousy continues....lol

Thx for sharing.

Hi Pino. I'm rooting some cuttings that just came back from Sicily. I'm still a novice when it comes to figs. One of the ones I'm growing here I believed were Sicilian Black but now looking at your pictures I think it might be Sicilian Red. I have a few pictures here. I would welcome any input in identifying...What do you think?

Joe

   

[QUOTE=gofiger]Another great display Pino.  My jealousy continues....lol

Thx for sharing.[/QUOTE]Hey thanks Steve!
Don't get jealous get nice figs for yourself.
 Easy to do;  Carefully select cultivars that are healthy, taste great and good producers in your area don't fall for the hype.

@Torontojoe - Very nice fig.  How does it taste?
I have one that looks similar but it has mostly 3 lobed leaves I have called it "Best Tasting Unknown". 
I love it but have no idea what the cultivar name is or whether it has a name at all.  Most figs don't have a name but grow so well and are so delicious that they have been handed down for generations.

I don't think your fig is the Sicilian black or Red figs.  Those names came from this side of the pond and were directed at this group of figs;  

 http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/sals-corleone-palermo-red-aldos-4887658?highlight=sal%27s+corleone&pid=41926961

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/questions-regarding-sicilian-family-of-figs-black-jr-dark-white-wm-red-6773540?highlight=sicilian&pid=1292717906


H

The taste was absolutely delicious. Sweet like jam. Softer texture than most figs I've had. Those pictures were taken at an old family grove near Palermo. I just assumed given their location that it was Sicilian black but the fruit to me looked more like your red....It appears it's not either....

I'm rooting cuttings from three different trees I got from there this past August (legally)...This would mean I don't know what variety any of them are now...  I have good pictures of all of them but nobody has been able to tell me what they are.

My cousins there have dozens of trees but don't seem to care about the cultivar.... They've just always had them and that property has been in the family longer than anyone can remember....

@Toronto Joe - Sounds like you may have gotten some nice figs from Palermo.  Hopefully they don't ripen too late and are not Smyrna types.

Here is the fig I was referring "Best Tasting Unknown" to that came form a Sicilian lady;

 
 

 

oops pressed add reply too soon.

Here are some more figs from today. 

By the way my best tasting figs today in order are; forastera de c'an revue, "best tasting unknown", Drap d'Or.  The others were also very sweet and nice but these 3 were outstanding;

 

 

 


 

Wonderful job as always Pino. Its like your in fig heaven.

Can you recommend the best fig varietys for Toronto Ontario area that taste great and will ripen in time. For me most will be grown in containers, I may try a few in ground with winter protection.

I have Chicago Hardy in the the ground. I'm not aware of any other variety that you can leave in the ground here. I'm right on the lake in a bit of a micro climate and mine make it through covered with burlap and leaves. My barber lives not far north in Stouffville and he lost his two winters back even though they were covered. Mind you we had two pretty cold winters there....

We're right on the edge of the zone even for the Chicago.

That being said - years ago my father had some other (unknown) varieties in the ground but he had to over winter by fully burrying the trees in big trenchs. Hard heavy work....

I have 2 Negronne in pots that are supposed to be very hardy but I wouldn't leave them outdoors....maybe if I were in Niagara wine country.....

[QUOTE=tinyfish]Wonderful job as always Pino. Its like your in fig heaven.

Can you recommend the best fig varietys for Toronto Ontario area that taste great and will ripen in time. For me most will be grown in containers, I may try a few in ground with winter protection. [/QUOTE]
@Tony - Thanks for the kind words! 
You are only 50 miles away you should also be able to create your own fig orchard limited only by your space available and how much effort you put in.
 
In Toronto area since there is no fig wasp you need to limit yourself to common type figs and few San Pedro figs that will only give you some brebas as early as July.
Stay away from Smyrna figs.
Also stay away from the late ripening figs unless you are willing to invest in a greenhouse with lights, heating and cooling. 

The temperature has dived now and it has been raining all day.  Just picked another plate that I will take photos and post as soon as they dry

All the figs posted in this thread were ripened outdoors many of them in ground with no greenhouse assistance. 

[QUOTE=TorontoJoe]I have Chicago Hardy in the the ground. I'm not aware of any other variety that you can leave in the ground here. I'm right on the lake in a bit of a micro climate and mine make it through covered with burlap and leaves. My barber lives not far north in Stouffville and he lost his two winters back even though they were covered. Mind you we had two pretty cold winters there.... We're right on the edge of the zone even for the Chicago. That being said - years ago my father had some other (unknown) varieties in the ground but he had to over winter by fully burrying the trees in big trenchs. Hard heavy work.... I have 2 Negronne in pots that are supposed to be very hardy but I wouldn't leave them outdoors....maybe if I were in Niagara wine country..... [/QUOTE]


Surprisingly there are quite a few fig varieties that can grow very well in ground in S. Ontario.  

IMO For S. Ontario once the figs are protected then -25C is not an issue. 
The real problem is the growing window that includes ground warming and first/last frost dates has to allow adequate time for the figs to grow and ripen. 
This means once you go north and your last frost date hits June and your first frost date is in September then you will need to do something to extend the grow season for the figs or they won't ripen.  For some other latitudes the Sun intensity is also an issue but not here.

Here is a topic from last year on this subject;

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/favourite-in-ground-figs-for-cold-climates-7892590?highlight=ground

Given the turn in the weather these figs picked yesterday in pouring rain may be the last fig plate of 2016 although there are still some swollen figlets on Ciccio, Dalmatie, Sucrette, Bolzano, best taste unknown, Alma, JH Adriatic and a few others. 

These figs tasted as good look.  The Paradiso, Adriatic and Drap were outstanding the others just great!

Thanks for looking comments welcome.

 

That best tasting unknown looks wonderful.

[QUOTE=pino]@Sas,

Best Tasting Unknown was a very pleasant fig surprise.  I thought I was given a white fig but got this delicacy.  A bit later ripening;

 
 

 [/QUOTE]

Just watched the video of Bill from Lebanon.  His desert king trees are ridiculous! They are crazy like those wild greek figs Andreas was posting last year.  Like wow, just totally out of control!! I know he planned them that way, but it is certainly and interesting method of growing.

@Devin - he is lucky in zone 8, doesn't have to worry about winter protection.

We are looking at frost tonight but managed to get 1 last plate and a basket of deplorables figs.

https://goo.gl/photos/KNdY42cuULvA8KZr7

Also a basket for jam.

https://goo.gl/photos/E2qtzqxqLLUHZK9J6

Your dalmatie looks awesome'

Thanks Dom!

What I also like is that this late in the season and Dalmatie is still very sweet and flavourful. 
We have had 2 patchy frosts recently that didn't seem to affect figs close to buildings but it has been cool and wet so some other figs are splitting and tasting flat.

Pino,

How's your Forastera? I got one this spring, and I'm anxious to taste it next summer.

Those are some lovely figs, especially this late in the season.    Mine are done of the year, last one a week or so ago.  We'll see what next year brings.

[QUOTE=ross]Pino,

How's your Forastera? I got one this spring, and I'm anxious to taste it next summer.[/QUOTE]
Hi Ross
It was great! 
Nice and sweet with unique tropical flavour. 
Planted in ground this year and the fig ripened striped and full flavoured.
Planted in container it could colour further.  

 

[QUOTE=joann1536]Those are some lovely figs, especially this late in the season.    Mine are done of the year, last one a week or so ago.  We'll see what next year brings.[/QUOTE]Thanks Joann!

We have had several patchy frosts so most of mine are done as well except there are a few still trying to ripen their last figs so have been picking a few a day.  Not the best tasting this time of year but still sweet and nice.

https://goo.gl/photos/hUTeibKU3pWrQ3fP9

Also have a few late ripening figs in the greenhouse that are almost ripe.  (CdD Blanc, VS Melisi, Battaglia green and Black Madeira.) 

Very nice Pino.