Hi Lecompte, those sure do look different from my Celeste too! My Celestes will sour inn the rain also if I leave them on the tree.Some great qualities regarding the rain on this variety. Just curious(not doubting you) why you call them celeste. Do they taste like celeste and have a celeste leaf? I'd love a couple cuttings if you are able to take some later on. Thanks for posting. Tim

Interesting pics, here is my Celeste Fig.

Jeff here's a picture of my Celeste figs, looks pretty close to yours. Mine didn't split but the flavor was washed out a bit with all the rain that fell. We probably got between 5 and 10 inches of it over the last week and a half.

and here is one next to an Improved Celeste.

Thanks for posting, I love the pictures.

also from the bayou,
"gene"

I second Gene. I have had celestes that were identical to Jeffs celeste. Also a friend of mine has a celeste that appears to be the same strain.

Nice to see you posting and pictures are a wonderful way.
I know you will be getting many request people wanting to trial them and such - it happens, no worry i will not ask i know how it feels though and it can be fun most times.

I like to add it does look like Celeste i have seen as well, figs can look sometimes different even on "same tree" its to be noted in interior color and shape,
climate, soil, etc all plays into the equation. ; )
The world of figs can be interesting and confusing.
You have a wonderful looking fig and its great it tasted well for you, many thanks for taking the time to post those nice pictures.
Martin

My job allows me to travel around south Louisiana, so I see lots of fig trees. Every other house has a Celeste. The smaller celeste have a thicker skin, and hold up better. The only thing about the smaller celeste, is that it takes them longer to get soft once they start to ripen. The bigger ones get soft as soon as they swell, which is why they dont hold up as well. Like Martin said, lots of things play into the equation. A really healthy looking tree with lots of new growth produces bigger figs. Alot of times the tree that looks like it needs to be fertilized produces smaller, but better quality figs.

Hi Lecompte,

That's a gem of a tree if that's the way the figs are always from it. Do you live in Lecompte? I live in Lafayette.

What is this tree you found the smaller figs on like? Is it large? Is it in a sheltered area? I've noticed that large trees seem to have smaller figs overall, but there aren't many large trees around here that I've seen, anyway. There's a larger one across the street from Don's Seafood and Steak House, downtown Lafayette. Those figs were huge and I'm pretty sure it's a Celeste. I missed my chance to get some cuttings from it because it's at a house that my friend's father owned and my friend and her husband recently renovated it and sold it. Never did get to see the renovation job and it sounded great. If I'd gone to see it, I'd have seen the tree!!!

Vivian

Thanks,

Vivian

I live in Thibodaux. My last name is LeCompte. This is the first time I have picked figs off of this tree, so I don't know anything about its past crop. The tree itself is not very big, and not very old.
Jeff

Jeff,

That fig looks like an unknown heirloom fig (likely of French origin) I've found growing in our area. It has been documented to be in our area since the 1800's. I went to visit the mother tree this week to get some data on this cultivar. It too is rain tolerant & bug resistant and very rich and sweet tasting. Size is smaller than Celeste and the eye is closed. This tree does not grow to be very large and exhibits dwarf like characteristics. The owner of this fig tree told me that he had lots of figs fall during the dry period that we had in early June.

FYI.....My young in ground tree was completely top killed this past winter. However, I've found out that the new growth from the roots will produce a crop of figs. This is important information and distinguishes this variety from a common Celeste.

Dan

I had one just like Jeff tree,it grew fast,but it dropped about half of the fruits,in July.
It was not very productive any way,but yes it was very tasty.

Hi lecompte,
here is something perhaps similar also showing leaf.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4794835&pid=40986136#post40986136

>>> Best Celeste Ever!
I am still wondering which one off the many, many, many
(one of the most USA grown/abused) fig trees
is the true genuine Celeste (including Synonyms).

You bring up a good point gorgi, What is the real Celeste and more so, where did it originate from.
"gene"

I am certain that "best" Celeste is growing somewhere in South Louisiana. Either Jeff, Gene, Young, or Dan is going to find it.....

FYI.....my neighbor has one that I THOUGHT might be the one. It is a very large 45 year old tree that is growing right next to a shed. No attention is given to this tree other than when its fruit are ripening.....no watering or fertilizer ever. Last year this tree produced tons of outstanding fruit. This year the tree dropped no fruit during the dry period that we had earlier this season. However, when I visited the tree following the very heavy rains that we had in the last few days.......the figs were cracking badly and infested with wasps slurping up the nectar. Lots of souring figs were on the ground.

Dan

Jeff, will you be at the next LSU field day? If so... Would you want to bring cuttings from your special, closed eye, humidity loving Celeste? Willing to trade for something... :) (Btw, off topic, have you ever attended the Pawpaw Field Day?)

My Celestes and Improved Celestes look exactly like that, except that the eyes are more open, and the skin does not have those lines in it when ripe. They also split more, it appears.

And... Maybe you could ask Dr. Johnson if they would want this variety for the collection, too.

Tyler

Hey Tyler, I will be getting cuttings off of this tree, and I am more than happy to hook you up. Also do you know when the Pawpaw day will be. I would sure be interested in that.
Jeff

That sounds great. I can't wait to start growing this Celeste.

I wish I knew! I think it should have been announced by now, but I haven't heard anything from LSU. I've even emailed Dr. Hegwood once or twice, but maybe I annoyed him too much with my enthusiasm for fruit crops at our last meeting...

Anyways, if you hear of a date, please shoot me a message. I'm dying to try some of those pawpaws. And hopefully all of the fig varieties at the center will be ripe at the same time.

Tyler