Exquisito vs Nardi Black

[Fig-Doctor]

They are couple of days early but looks very close to me. I ate several of them already. They are tasty but I can’t separate one from another. Opinions?

[Ktrain]

Never had either....look good!
Can't tell the difference.

[TNJed]

Wow that’s uncanny! I predict a run on Nardi Black in the near future…

[MJFIGS]

They look the same, but both look under ripe.

[Fig-Doctor]

Yes, I picked them a week early. It is the best time to compare.

[Bluemalibu]

I PM'd Wills on the 16th, asking him about the back-story on Nardi. He has not responded to me. I had never even heard of the variety before you queried me about it.

I have never sold any Exquisito, but I have certainly made a ton of it available to the ficus community since 2011. And ten years is an awfully long time to afford someone if they were inclined to re-brand and market a cultivar, if that is indeed what has happened here. It would hardly be a unique situation... anyone care to venture a guess as to how many names Hardy Chicago is being sold under right about now?? .

[Fig-Doctor]

Hey, you did a great job for fig community for many years in many way! I highly respect you! Ether Exquisito is the same as Nardi Black or not Exquisito is a great fig and I will keep it for a long time! By the way, it is still mystery why Thermalito did not splitting so far. I covered most of my favorite figs to stop splitting from rains but I left Thermalito uncovered. We have been having rains almost everyday. If it continues like this next year than Thermalito is going to be truly something!

[Bluemalibu]

.
Thanks so much, you are much too kind.

Indeed, Thermalito proved itself here to be extremely split-resistant. I have posted before about the water main that burst on a neighbor's property, and which flooded my orchard. Thermalito was unfazed by the 12" of water, while the trees surrounding it looked as if they were adorned with fig grenades.
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[American Infigdel]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But isn't Exquisito a seedling fig found near Oroville, CA? A quick search shows they were talking about Nardi Black back in 2010 on the Figs4fun forum. If Doug distributed Exquisito in 2011 how could they be the same?

[Fig-Doctor]

It is just my opinion so far! Nothing is confirmed!

[Bluemalibu]

First off, please know that I am a universe away from being the last word on everything ficus. And, I really must apologize here, as I should not have automatically assumed that someone's marketing scheme might be the motivation behind these two varieties appearing to be identical. Paul (Paully) in Ontario had a picture of his Nardi Black posted on the forum in 2011, and a year later, that exact picture was used in an ad by someone in Europe selling Violette Daughine.... But, as rampant as selling counterfeit ficus has become, it was indeed wrong of me to assume that in this case.

The mis-identification or mis-labeling of trees is an everyday occurrence within the industry, as well as for we backyard hobbyists. Heaven knows that I have paid many hundreds of dollars to each of the largest fig retailers in the US, only to have a tree later bear caprifigs, or yellow figs on an Ischia Black. But every mishap has been quickly reimbursed by these firms. And this is a testament to the stand-up individuals within our chosen pastime. And, I too have tried to follow their lead by always offering a double-your-money-back guarantee on each of the many trees that I have given away. .

In addressing the Exquisito / Black Nardi question, Nelson did indeed mention his Nardi Black tree in 2010, but the earliest pictures that I could dig up were from 2011.


















And these are currently hanging on my Exquisito....





Are the two Nardi Blacks (Nelson and Paul's cultivars of circa 2011 vs. those being sold today) still the same cultivar??? I'll let you be the judge... check out both the leaves and the fruit from post #1 and Nelson's.

Anywhere along the way a cutting or a plant can become mismarked and a trusted source then can but pass along what they have received. I too see a heck of a lot in common between the Exquisito and Nardi Black that Fig-Doctor shows in the pic above. It would certainly make me question them as to being the same.

[swethakyadav]

Doug - how do you guarantee a double money back offer on something you gave away instead of selling

[Bluemalibu]

Sorry Sweth, I'll really try to limit my humor going forward for our Frisco Farmers. ;-)

[leon_edmond]

Looks like Palermo Red

[Nelson]

I have been growing Nardi Black since 2010 and still grow it today. Based on the pics I have seen they do look allot alike

A little about Nardi Black , this fig was introduced to the fig world by Prof. Michael Bostock in British Columbia many many years ago. He got it from an Italian friend of his then shared it with Adriano, I sampled this fig in 2009 at Adriano's house and wanted it asap so Paully22 send me cuttings of the Nardi Black , Enrico & Vincenzo all figs introduced my Prof. Michael Bostock long time ago.

[davej]

In the last [thread] NB was being compared to Sals.

[Pdiscool]

I’ve been eating a handful of exquisito for about 2 weeks now. Very good unique caramel’ish flavor. Never tried The NB fig to compare