I live in Michigan, USA. Where the fig growing season starts from early to middle of May depending on the last spring frost day of the year. I noticed similar thing as you did that even though some varieties are known to be early seasoners, some of them don't start to grow little figs until July. I am starting to think that cumulative heat requirement to start growing little figs varies even among early seasoners. For example, my Ronde de Bordeaux and Hardy Chicago do not start growing figs until July whereas my Celeste starts growing little figs from early June.
@@irishfruitandberries9059 Here is the list of fig varieties I grow and their timing of growing little figs (i.e. when you observe little fig looking like a head of a match) In summary, figs I would keep are Black Madeira and Smith (both with head start in the kitchen), Violet de Bordeaux and Celeste (no head start needed). Black Madeira and Smith seem to be dwarf types (at least the ones I have), which is hugely beneficial for me as I can fit them in the kitchen for head start. They are also extremely productive (grows figs at every node, also seems to not need much heat unit to start growing little figs but will take longer time to ripen than most varieties) I-258 and Col de Dame Noir seem to grow very rapidly thus will become huge trees very quickly, but that means I need to cut back the tree every year or every other year and it will delay their production. I have not decided if I will keep I-258 and CDD or not. I-258 has similar characteristics as Black Madeira and Smith, but it grows too fast. White Madeira #1 and Bordissot Negra Rimada seem to be very productive and if they keep their tree sizes compact, I will keep them. Below is more detailed list of varieties that I grow mainly. Moved from my garage (winter storage) to drive way (outdoor) from 5/8: - Violet de Bordeaux, started growing little figs on 6/14 - Celeste, started growing little figs on 6/14 - Hardy Chicago, pronounced double nodes observed on 6/24 - Ronde de Bordeaux, no pronounced double nodes yet as of 6/27 Moved from my garage (winter storage) to the kitchen (70F constant temp with LED lights on 24hours a day) on 3/23 for head start then moved to driveway from 5/8: Note: I did acclimate those trees by keeping them in the garage with the door open to expose them to the morning sun for a few weeks. - Black Madeira JFE, started growing little figs on 5/24 - Black Madeira KK, started growing little figs around 5/24 - Green Ischia, not showing any pronounced double nodes yet (as of 6/27) - I-258, leafed out around 6/20, this is due to heavy root pruning as well as the main stems cut back heavily to fit in the kitchen. - Smith, leafed out around 4/30, main stems cut back heavily (although the tree was not big) but no root pruning. - Col de Dame Noir, leafed out on 4/20, not showing any little figs, the main stems cut back heavily but not root pruned Note: it started to grow little figs from early June last year but with no pruning pruning affects fig production (timing) significantly especially in colder climate in my experience also, if you do heavy root pruning, you will significantly delay the leaf out timing (or even the tree dies) - Martinenka Rimada, leafed out on 4/22, not showing any little figs, same as Col de Dame Noir Note: it did not grow any figs last year and year before as well, looks like this variety needs a lot of heat units to even grow little figs however, since the variegation on the stems and the shape of the tree are beautiful, I keep it Still 1st year trees but looking promising: - White Madeira #1, already have a fig - Bordissot Negra Rimada (grafted), already have a fig Note: they both came from a grower in Chicago (colder than Michigan) who grew them from cuttings in his green house, I bought them in this spring.
@@nabedono I was surprised to hear the Ronde De Bordeaux was slow I got the impression that it was a very early fig producer from watching USA based TH-cam channels. The Celeste fig seems to be a good early fig and it may also be a good choice in Ireland. However, I found that most plant nurseries in Dublin don't have fig plants and if they do they only stock Brown Turkey plants. I am just getting started in growing figs and your research is a great asset. The Irish climate is unusual by most standards. Over here we don't get really hard winters but we can get four seasons in one day even in summer that's why I think this Irish Fruit and Berries channel contributers provide a great knowledge base for people starting out like me. I like your detailed research approach and I also can't wait to get some home grown Irish figs. Up to this I did not think it was possible to grow figs in Ireland.
I'll be cutting her back in winter so I can give you cuttings if you want. Although, it's quite a later ripener and not as productive as other varieties, just so you know.
@@irishfruitandberries9059 That is fantastic. I look forward to hearing from you when your ready cut back the Peter's fig tree. I heard from USA videos that it is a great tasting fig. I suppose that is only true if they suit our climate. But I am willing to give it a go. Which of all the fig varieties that you have suits the Irish climate best for fruiting. Thank you Peter
@@ImRaHorakhty the ones that habe done best so far are Ronde de Bordeaux, Michurinska 10 and Desert King, but there are plenty more varieties out there so there could be better ones than those
@@irishfruitandberries9059 I have heard the Ronde De Bordeaux and Desert king names mentioned quite a few times on other US fig channels so it's great to get the fig variety and Irish weather performance perspective. I think that having so many fig varieties as you do! is a great educational tool for Irish, UK and US growers with similar climates. Perhaps a fig variety can be specifically developed for our growing conditions by experimentation.
I'm amazed by how luxuriant the polytunnel is looking now, getting seriously jungle like 👍
I live in Michigan, USA. Where the fig growing season starts from early to middle of May depending on the last spring frost day of the year.
I noticed similar thing as you did that even though some varieties are known to be early seasoners, some of them don't start to grow little figs until July.
I am starting to think that cumulative heat requirement to start growing little figs varies even among early seasoners.
For example, my Ronde de Bordeaux and Hardy Chicago do not start growing figs until July whereas my Celeste starts growing little figs from early June.
Good to hear your similar observations. Would be interesting if someone compiled a list of varieties that begin producing figs early in the season.
@@irishfruitandberries9059
Here is the list of fig varieties I grow and their timing of growing little figs (i.e. when you observe little fig looking like a head of a match)
In summary, figs I would keep are Black Madeira and Smith (both with head start in the kitchen), Violet de Bordeaux and Celeste (no head start needed).
Black Madeira and Smith seem to be dwarf types (at least the ones I have), which is hugely beneficial for me as I can fit them in the kitchen for head start.
They are also extremely productive (grows figs at every node, also seems to not need much heat unit to start growing little figs but will take longer time to ripen than most varieties)
I-258 and Col de Dame Noir seem to grow very rapidly thus will become huge trees very quickly, but that means I need to cut back the tree every year or every other year and it will delay their production.
I have not decided if I will keep I-258 and CDD or not. I-258 has similar characteristics as Black Madeira and Smith, but it grows too fast.
White Madeira #1 and Bordissot Negra Rimada seem to be very productive and if they keep their tree sizes compact, I will keep them.
Below is more detailed list of varieties that I grow mainly.
Moved from my garage (winter storage) to drive way (outdoor) from 5/8:
- Violet de Bordeaux, started growing little figs on 6/14
- Celeste, started growing little figs on 6/14
- Hardy Chicago, pronounced double nodes observed on 6/24
- Ronde de Bordeaux, no pronounced double nodes yet as of 6/27
Moved from my garage (winter storage) to the kitchen (70F constant temp with LED lights on 24hours a day) on 3/23 for head start then moved to driveway from 5/8:
Note: I did acclimate those trees by keeping them in the garage with the door open to expose them to the morning sun for a few weeks.
- Black Madeira JFE, started growing little figs on 5/24
- Black Madeira KK, started growing little figs around 5/24
- Green Ischia, not showing any pronounced double nodes yet (as of 6/27)
- I-258, leafed out around 6/20, this is due to heavy root pruning as well as the main stems cut back heavily to fit in the kitchen.
- Smith, leafed out around 4/30, main stems cut back heavily (although the tree was not big) but no root pruning.
- Col de Dame Noir, leafed out on 4/20, not showing any little figs, the main stems cut back heavily but not root pruned
Note: it started to grow little figs from early June last year but with no pruning
pruning affects fig production (timing) significantly especially in colder climate in my experience
also, if you do heavy root pruning, you will significantly delay the leaf out timing (or even the tree dies)
- Martinenka Rimada, leafed out on 4/22, not showing any little figs, same as Col de Dame Noir
Note: it did not grow any figs last year and year before as well, looks like this variety needs a lot of heat units to even grow little figs
however, since the variegation on the stems and the shape of the tree are beautiful, I keep it
Still 1st year trees but looking promising:
- White Madeira #1, already have a fig
- Bordissot Negra Rimada (grafted), already have a fig
Note: they both came from a grower in Chicago (colder than Michigan) who grew them from cuttings in his green house, I bought them in this spring.
@@nabedono crikey, that's a proper list. Thanks for that
@@nabedono Wow, great detail and research.
@@nabedono I was surprised to hear the Ronde De Bordeaux was slow I got the impression that it was a very early fig producer from watching USA based TH-cam channels. The Celeste fig seems to be a good early fig and it may also be a good choice in Ireland. However, I found that most plant nurseries in Dublin don't have fig plants and if they do they only stock Brown Turkey plants. I am just getting started in growing figs and your research is a great asset. The Irish climate is unusual by most standards. Over here we don't get really hard winters but we can get four seasons in one day even in summer that's why I think this Irish Fruit and Berries channel contributers provide a great knowledge base for people starting out like me. I like your detailed research approach and I also can't wait to get some home grown Irish figs. Up to this I did not think it was possible to grow figs in Ireland.
Amazing how some varieties are so heavy producing, some must be triggered by the extra warmth of the polytunnel
i have 2 black mission and 2 texas blue giant and 1 ponte tresa fruit im hoping they will ripen for me to try 😁
Fingers crossed 🤞
How are the Campiniere figs going? Also where did you get it, also Improved Celeste?
Campaniere didn't do well for me. It dropped a lot. Same happened to another grower i know. I got it from figsdumonde in France.
what is the name of the first fig the unknown.i couldn't make it out when i watch,thank you
@@chuckpatch1230 don’t know. I never could find out what it is
Hi, great video, where would I get a Peter' Honey in Dublin.
I'll be cutting her back in winter so I can give you cuttings if you want. Although, it's quite a later ripener and not as productive as other varieties, just so you know.
That would be great.
@@irishfruitandberries9059 That is fantastic. I look forward to hearing from you when your ready cut back the Peter's fig tree. I heard from USA videos that it is a great tasting fig. I suppose that is only true if they suit our climate. But I am willing to give it a go.
Which of all the fig varieties that you have suits the Irish climate best for fruiting. Thank you Peter
@@ImRaHorakhty the ones that habe done best so far are Ronde de Bordeaux, Michurinska 10 and Desert King, but there are plenty more varieties out there so there could be better ones than those
@@irishfruitandberries9059 I have heard the Ronde De Bordeaux and Desert king names mentioned quite a few times on other US fig channels so it's great to get the fig variety and Irish weather performance perspective. I think that having so many fig varieties as you do! is a great educational tool for Irish, UK and US growers with similar climates. Perhaps a fig variety can be specifically developed for our growing conditions by experimentation.
Are Vdb and Negronne the same?
They not supposed to be but its pretty hard to tell them apart