In Louisiana we used to have giant fig trees but freezes have killed back a lot of the big trees back to the roots in recent years. I`m planting at least 8 more trees soon but I have to get things set up where I can protect them before November. But I`m growing Mulberry trees too so I can get some guaranteed food, hopefully. The weather has been ridiculous lately. Hopefully I survive the weather long enough to eat some fruit. Two tornadoes have touched down close enough to hear in the past 14 months.
My nerves are toast. My area was hit by cat 1 and cat 2 hurricanes in 2020. I`m in a low area surrounded by hills so the wind has been less extreme here so far. But when you hear NOAA say "take cover now...80mph winds are coming" it`s terrifying and it happens a lot lately. @@RossRaddi
Thanks Ross! Enjoying the variety reviews. Can you believe my 2 LSU varieties have baby figs already! 9b protected microclimate, no real chance of below average temps😊
Interesting. I picked one up from the Figaholics sale this year, the description is: "This dark fig has been at the USDA collection at Davis for many years and has had a great reputation for being a great fig but it has typically been difficult to root and slow growing. We've had great success in grafting it onto more vigorous rootstock and our initial findings are that the cuttings from these plants root well. This is a variety with a fairly intense berry flavor and it is very much worth growing." I also grabbed one called Vista (aka Vista Mission) as well because I wanted to compare it to VdB: "Productive and rich-tasting variety. Similar or maybe the same as Violette de Bordeaux, though some believe it is slightly different and better." Looking forward to this possible-synonym showdown, until I get fruit I'm curious how you would describe "Bordeaux Berry" flavor and would you say the Ischia Black has it?
I don't believe in a Bordeaux berry flavor profile. Ronde de Bordeaux tastes like plums. Violette de Bordeaux tastes like strawberries here. In dry places, it can taste more like a cherry. To me, their profiles are very different. I think what other growers are trying to say is that their profile is more complex than your average berry fig. There's also the possibility that they think they have a strong resin flavor when underripe, which ronde definitely has.
@@RossRaddi They both came from Kremp I haven't had any issues with them not being true to type. The leaves of the Black Ischia AD did not match my VDB but I will pay more attention this year. The AD was about 3-4 weeks earlier than the UCD so that seemed odd to me. Is the Ischia Black USDA different then the UCD? The UCD did have bad FMV at first but quickly outgrew it in my potting mix. Now I'm curious and want to try cuttings of Ischia Black USDA
It would help, but the scion should also be very healthy. Like I said, the scion eventually becomes healthy after time in the ground combined with rejuvenation pruning.
I am new to figs and just picked up 2 from local big box. Other than these videos I have zero knowledge. Can you suggest a few figs to start with for zone 10a Central Fl. And a affordable place to purchase trees? Thank you
To train your doggo not to eat them? Maybe coat them in something bitter like Aloe Vera gel, or spicy like water mixed with Cayenne pepper? Otherwise some sort of physical barrier like chicken wire wrap around the plants at doggo height.
I have the ischia, i haven't tasted yet
In Louisiana we used to have giant fig trees but freezes have killed back a lot of the big trees back to the roots in recent years. I`m planting at least 8 more trees soon but I have to get things set up where I can protect them before November. But I`m growing Mulberry trees too so I can get some guaranteed food, hopefully. The weather has been ridiculous lately. Hopefully I survive the weather long enough to eat some fruit. Two tornadoes have touched down close enough to hear in the past 14 months.
Best of luck man. Lots of extreme weather down there.
My nerves are toast. My area was hit by cat 1 and cat 2 hurricanes in 2020. I`m in a low area surrounded by hills so the wind has been less extreme here so far. But when you hear NOAA say "take cover now...80mph winds are coming" it`s terrifying and it happens a lot lately. @@RossRaddi
Thanks Ross 😊 So nice shot at the time
Thanks Ross! Enjoying the variety reviews. Can you believe my 2 LSU varieties have baby figs already! 9b protected microclimate, no real chance of below average temps😊
That is awesome!
Interesting. I picked one up from the Figaholics sale this year, the description is: "This dark fig has been at the USDA collection at Davis for many years and has had a great reputation for being a great fig but it has typically been difficult to root and slow growing. We've had great success in grafting it onto more vigorous rootstock and our initial findings are that the cuttings from these plants root well. This is a variety with a fairly intense berry flavor and it is very much worth growing."
I also grabbed one called Vista (aka Vista Mission) as well because I wanted to compare it to VdB: "Productive and rich-tasting variety. Similar or maybe the same as Violette de Bordeaux, though some believe it is slightly different and better."
Looking forward to this possible-synonym showdown, until I get fruit I'm curious how you would describe "Bordeaux Berry" flavor and would you say the Ischia Black has it?
I don't believe in a Bordeaux berry flavor profile. Ronde de Bordeaux tastes like plums. Violette de Bordeaux tastes like strawberries here. In dry places, it can taste more like a cherry. To me, their profiles are very different. I think what other growers are trying to say is that their profile is more complex than your average berry fig. There's also the possibility that they think they have a strong resin flavor when underripe, which ronde definitely has.
So far Ischia black is a sugar fig. There was very little berry last year. Compared to ronde, there is no comparison.
www.figboss.com/post/what-do-figs-taste-like
My container AD and UCD grew 8ft from cutting and gave about 20 figs first year.
The AD is another name for VdB. That's normal. I would not expect that from the USDA version though. I hope it's labelled correctly.
@@RossRaddi They both came from Kremp I haven't had any issues with them not being true to type. The leaves of the Black Ischia AD did not match my VDB but I will pay more attention this year. The AD was about 3-4 weeks earlier than the UCD so that seemed odd to me. Is the Ischia Black USDA different then the UCD? The UCD did have bad FMV at first but quickly outgrew it in my potting mix. Now I'm curious and want to try cuttings of Ischia Black USDA
The USDA houses its collection at UCD. They are the same.@@matthewking2209
@@RossRaddi Well I should have waited on you to respond I have two UCD and I just ordered 3 cuttings from Harvey.
All things considered, I'll just stick with my Violette de Bordeaux. Much less hassle, and it produces beautifully.
so it makes me wonder... how much would this one benefit being grafted to a tissue culture root stock sense they are usually FMV free
It would help, but the scion should also be very healthy. Like I said, the scion eventually becomes healthy after time in the ground combined with rejuvenation pruning.
I am new to figs and just picked up 2 from local big box. Other than these videos I have zero knowledge. Can you suggest a few figs to start with for zone 10a Central Fl. And a affordable place to purchase trees? Thank you
Growing figs in Florida is difficult. You could try Celeste, Smith, or LSU purple. I should have some Smith trees for sale in about a month.
My dog keeps eating my fig leaves I know that can't be good for my fig plants what do you suggest I do?
To train your doggo not to eat them? Maybe coat them in something bitter like Aloe Vera gel, or spicy like water mixed with Cayenne pepper? Otherwise some sort of physical barrier like chicken wire wrap around the plants at doggo height.
Chicken wire would work.
Good 👍