Malta Black

16 years ago

This fig is called the grandfather of Celeste. It is a better quality than Celeste, it shares some similarities to Celeste. It bears early, these figs were picked on August 7th, which is very early compared to other figs.

It has a closed eye which makes it suitable for wet and humid summers.

It is very sweet.

Bass

Featured Answer

User

16 years ago

Noss:I am the one I could answer to your question,because I have the tree inground for 3 years and fruited last year too in one of the worst rainy Sommer in NJ,and this Sommer one of the Hottest Sommer on record.
Rest Assured Malta Black do not have any bad unknown problems,It is not known in the south,because before the computer time people had few way to find information,so it did not get there.
They had to relay on BOOKS,that are as good as the writer have experience in growing it,and most writers are not gardener,so they copy one another without any way to verify the informations,the intrest being to sell the BOOK.
In the future,Celeste will be replaced by better cultivars like Malta Black and others,just as good.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

User
16 years ago
Now I know you grew it in a pot ,but I wonder if you kept it in Greenhouse to get ahead of mine in getting ripe.
Tell the true,because mine outside is full of figs,but none are ripe?
Fess up Bass
bonsaist
Original Author
16 years ago
The tree is currently grown in a pot, trees in a pot usually bear a little earlier than in ground figs.
This tree was kept in the garage over winter the same way I treat most of my other figs. It is still earlier than some of my other figs that are currently in a pot.
The past two weeks I have already picked a few main crop figs that are in pots. These are Persian white, Atreano, Malta Black, Dark Portuguese.
It has been a good early year for figs.

Bass
Related Professionals
Cumberland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Raleigh Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Montréal Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Wichita Landscape Contractors · Baltimore Landscape Contractors · Grand Island Landscape Contractors · Eureka Landscape Contractors · Hilo Landscape Contractors · Natchitoches Kitchen Remodelers · Waterbury Kitchen Remodelers · Boston Kitchen Remodelers · Springfield Kitchen Remodelers · Grand Island Kitchen Remodelers · Brooklyn Kitchen Remodelers · Portland Kitchen Remodelers
noss
16 years ago
Is the Malta Black good in hot, humid climates? How about dry and hot? We have both, these days. Is there a drawback to Malta Black, that it's not widely known, or is it widely known and it's just not registered in my awareness?

Anybody down here on the bayou have this tree and can tell me about it?

I've just gotten to thinking that I might not like figs that taste "fruity", after all. I like figs that taste like figs, like Celestes have that figgy aftertaste that will fill you whole mouth. If the Malta Black is better than Celeste, how is it in taste comparison?

Thanks,

Vivian
gorgi
16 years ago
From (closed) Belleclare of Plainview (LI/NY) last 2006 known fig list:
1. MALTA BLACK (Grandparent to Celeste) (a) medium, black, dark red center, sweet (2 crops)
Who ever has it, enjoy!
User
16 years ago
George I am growing one for you ,and it is growing very fast and very well to replace your lost original fig from Belleclare.
Cheers.
gorgi
16 years ago
Thank you Herman!
You would not beleive the (2 stage) effort(s) I went
through to first originally aquire my (lost, my fault)
MB mama specimen.
As ever, I do want it bad!
User
16 years ago
Any Time you have bussiness close to my area come in and I will gladly hand it to you toghether with some other new cultivars I found in the area.
noss
16 years ago
Does anyone know if Mr. Robin has these trees? Do they tend to drop their figs if they're heat stessed?

Thank you Herman for your information about the Malta Black. Where could I get a tree that I would know is really a Malta Black?

noss
alb419_ny
16 years ago
Herman,
how hardy is Black Malta?I do have this fig thanks to George.Mine does have fruits ,hoping thay will ripe soon.Ciao,
Giuseppe
User
16 years ago
Giuseppe:It is hard enough for me to keep it inground here in Zone 6B.
I know in your place is much colder,so I will not say that is hardy in your climate without protection,but with good protection it will be fine .
Noss I have only a couple extra plants,and I will sell mine on Ebay in November.
Another gardener that has it and I know it has better conditions than me to multiply it is Bass Salaam,on top of page.
You see George M bought the last tree from Belleclare and to an accident his tree died,so he could not multiply it except a couple from wich I got one.
Next Year I could make more plants,but not this year.
loslunasfarms
16 years ago
George, mine is also from BC (not from u). If you need one, let me know.
noss
16 years ago
Thanks, Herman. I hope your Malta Black will grow in size, beauty and health so you can get a lot of cuttings from it.

George, I'm sorry your MB tree died and hope the tree that Herman is growing for you will grow like mad for you, just like I wish for Herman's MB, which came from you.

Y'all touch my heart so with your caring and generosity. There are so many good people on this forum, so just plain good to others.

Thanks,

noss
yunelai99
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm living in Malaysia, and I would like to know how I can buy a few Malta Black figs twigs cuttings from friends in Malta via courier or post. Thanks
Vic Stellway
10 years ago
HELLO ALL... I RECEIVED 6 CUTTINGS OF THE BLACK MALTA FROM MALTA ON EBAY AND NOT ONE OF THEM EVER ROOTED OR GREW!! I TRIED EVERYTHING.. NO LUCK.. I THINK THEY ALL WERE TOO DRY BECAUSE IT TOOK SO LONG FOR THEM TO GET TO ME!! I HOPE YOU HAVE BETTER LUCK THAN I DID GORGI !! THEFIGSTER F4FF
myermike_1micha
10 years ago
Vic..I am so sorry about that...How did you try to root them? Did you scrub them with soap and water before you started to root them? Did you cut the tips to see if there was any green for sure? Scratch the outside of any of them?

MIke
Vic Stellway
10 years ago
The first batch of 3 i floated in water and they all floated, which mean't they were bad, then i cut them open and yep. dryer than a bone! The second bath of three, one floated and the other two sank so i did have two good one's i thought.. I tried rooting them like i always did the others and they wouldn't even root.. and yes, i did scrub them with soap to get anything bad off of them before i tried rooting them.. Just not mean't to be i guess!!!