Software
Houzz Logo Print
wild_forager

My tree DID ripen figs, but not the variety I thought...

16 years ago

So, my IH is not an IH. It is instead a medium (on the smaller size of medium I think) sized purple fig. They have distinct ridges much like an IH. I'm in a rush so I'll post pictures later today. Based on the shape of the fruit and leaves I was certain this was an IH. Now I just don't know. Only two have ripened so far (the rest soon to follow) and the flavor was good, but not as good as I was expecting from an IH.

Comments (15)

  • 16 years ago

    This Complain is very common,to all of our Fig forum older posters.
    One time or another we Bought a fig like that,and wonder Why,and what it is?.
    In most cases,is not a known cultivar at all,but an unknown,with mediocre Qualities,and some bad behivor,like souring or splitting and losing flavor.
    That is why i have a final,selection of about 12 high quality,cultivars,and a reminder of about 40 varieties in trial,some older some newer.Not t0o mention,the other at least 40 cultivars,and unknowns,I discarded for serious reason.
    Wellcome to the fig complications.!!!!!!!

  • 16 years ago

    Herman is right, why? and what is it? I had bought a fig billed as a Celeste from someone in Georgia years ago only to find out when it grew and started producing it was not a Celeste not even close. I was lucky as this fig does taste good though not happy that it was not as stated. So after that i ask people where the parent tree came from and i'm very picky now but that just me as my space for fig trees is limited and anything now other than the 3 trees i truly want would have to be discarded or given away. I surely would have put that tree in my burn can if i did not like the taste,one day i might get a clue as to what it is when i post some pictures of the ripe fruit along with the leaves and i guess some of us are in the same boat.
    Martin

  • 16 years ago

    I forgot to show the size of these figs in repsect to a quarter or something, but the largest ripening ones are roughly an inch or so across, some a tad bit larger. Before I thought that this tree was an IH I was led to believe it was a BT. But even now that I know it's not an IH, the figs seem a bit small for a BT. Any ideas?

    Before I eat the next oen I'll cut into it and display it next to a quarter for size and color comparrison.

  • 16 years ago

    Wild forager:
    In this case you are lucky:
    Unless it has an open eye your fig is Blue Celeste.
    Best Regards

  • 16 years ago

    Fruit looks like Celeste, but leaves seem a little "plain" for Celeste.

  • 16 years ago

    Also, they are arriving way too late for regular Celeste. I do seem to recall (don't know why I didn't take special note) that when I ate the first one it had a reddish flesh, which seems to coincide with pictures on figs4fun. I believe the eye is closed, though my experience with figs is small enough that I'm not sure I can tell the difference. Is there a good description somewhere of open vs closed?

  • 16 years ago

    very easy it could be Bifara and/or Natalina fig?

    it looks good, doesn't matter if we don't know
    its name.

  • 16 years ago

    OK Eye,is almost closed,or closed.
    I have no doubt your fig is Blue Celeste,I repet again.
    Not Celeste,---but,Blue Celeste.A very good fig,that i have too.
    Enjoy.

  • 16 years ago

    Herman, I think you are probably right, but just to confirm... I noticed that not all the eys looked as closed as this one, though maybe they tighten as the fig shrinks? The flavor was a sweet berrylike flavor, but I can't think of much more to describe it. Maybe a bit like a good raspberry. It's definately not a monster fig, but still delish!

    Also, maybe it could have used one more day but I was getting nervous with the flocks of birds always sitting a few yards from my tree. They never eat anything they shouldn't, but I know they're thinking about it!

  • 16 years ago

    I am not Probably right,I am 1000 percent rite in this one.
    You have a BLUE Celeste,and you can leave it out till shrinks without a problem if you install a net,over.
    It will dry on tree if you let it on longer.
    And the taste will be,10 times better.
    You got a Winner there.Enjoy.

  • 16 years ago

    evil thoughts about figs and cannot be trusted.
    That bluish color is lovely on the outside of the fig. I've never eaten a blue celeste. Is it like the standard one that is all over New Orleans? I used to eat those until the roof of my mouth hurt.

  • 16 years ago

    It is a beautiful fig.
    Is it the consensus that the Blue Celeste has better taste or other qualities compared to Italian Honey?

    Wild Forager - where did you get the Blue Celeste?

  • 16 years ago

    I don't know how it compares to much else at all since I'm new to figs.

    I got the fig from Gurneys, who's website said it had lovely evergreen foiage and beautiful flowers as well as delicious fruit! Haha. This was before I knew anything about figs, but now I see how rediculous it is. It was supposed to be "Italian Honey Fig", though blue celeste does go by "Honey Fig" sometimes, so maybe that's where they go confused. But basically it's total misinformation and you probably won't get the same fig as me if you order from them.

  • 16 years ago

    The taste is the same as regular Celeste but the fruits are more beautyfull.
    Best Regards

  • 16 years ago

    Mrhappy:Comparing it to Italian Honey,is like Comparing Apple with Oranges.
    Italian Honey Is Yellow has Breba and Main crop,taste good but different,and is Honey color in the interior.
    Wild forager :If you really want an Italian Honey Fig ,I have 2 young ones started last Fall,you can have them for Greens.
    Email me.:Here is a picture: