Great Anticipation- Black Madeira

[Bellefleurs]

Today I discovered that the first black Madeira fig of the season is beginning to ripen. It’s BMKK and is grafted onto a vigorous Frankenfig.
Hopefully the critters won’t swipe it before it is ready.

[Evdurtschi]

You are in for a real treat!!!! Have you had one before?

[Bellefleurs]

This branch is a graft that fruited last year.
The figs were incredible (first year, even).
Tasting that Black Madeira last summer helped me understand why people grow figs!!

[Simongrow]

Please keep us post and let us know how it tastes! Do you get tight clusters of fruit near the apical growths?

Simon

[TNJed]

In the ground?

[Bellefleurs]

It’s grafted to an in ground rootstock.

[American Infigdel]

My MIB is starting to ripen too. Does anyone know of a top tier fig that ripens later? I think I need one!

[JMF75]

Any of the Col De Dame figs tend to ripen late and are delicious.

[American Infigdel]

JMF75 - Thanks. I have a CdD Gris on my radar.

[Bellefleurs]

Definitely CdD figs....DSJG is late (for me) as well.

[mwhight34]

Looks good!

[doubleblue]

@Bellefleurs
Kindly do not water the tree during this ripening time, BM will be very easy to split at this stage if it is watered.
Hope you will taste it very soon!

[Bellefleurs]

Fortunately we don’t have rain in the forecast and my irrigation doesn’t kick in again until Tuesday.
Should I turn it off for a few more days?

[doubleblue]

@Bellefleurs
Yes, good idea to turn it off until you get this ripe BM.
When I see my BM turns to ripening stage, I often do not water the tree and cover the pot with plastic bag to keep the potting mix in pot being moisture during that time.

[American Infigdel]

Bellefleurs - The AZ monsoon kicked in last week and we had 3 inches of rain. Two of my MIB split and a bird pecked out one that was partially ripe. I picked one because it was dripping honey, but it may be too early. I'll cut it open tomorrow. Keep a close eye on your baby!

[Forrest]

Congratulations on your BMKK. Looks delicious

[ZingsFigs]

That one looks like it is going to be amazing, enjoy

[ZomVee]

[Otis]

Great news. Almost made your special day too! I'll have to wait another year for this one since I made the newbie mistake of letting my 1st year BMkk carry 10-12 fruit last year that formed too late to ripen. The tree was 5 1/2 ft tall, but still a bad idea. This year I'm needing to let it gain its strength back. Please comment on the flavor when it's ready and pics would be great too ☺️

[claret]

Hopefully the critters won’t swipe it before it is ready.

Time to install a cage! Hardware cloth would work. Or you can clamp a clear plastic box over that part of the branch (e.g., a container like you get fresh strawberries in at the grocery store).

[Vitooch1]

I wish I could have one lol, congrats !! My bm didnt do so well this year 😔

[Bellefleurs]

I’m convinced that this one is doing well because it’s a graft on a well established (in ground) rootstock.
My Violeta (young, in ground tree) ripened a couple of figs last month but they both split.
Preto (also in ground) is loaded with figs but they are still unripe. Same for Black Tuscan, Cravens Craving and MIB.

[swethakyadav]

Isnt it too early in the season ? Considering some 120 days to ripen, the figs should have formed by 1st or April.

[Bellefleurs]

Today I picked the fig!!!
I was worried about losing it to a certain creature (that got tangled up in the bird netting that was protecting the Olympia fig tree.
What a GAME CHANGER.
This Black Madeira fig was without question the best fig I’ve tasted EVER. I’m thankful that my tree is loaded and I’m looking forward to many more to enjoy and to share with friends and family. ❤️

[Halligan-]

Did you give him some swimming lessons?

Great looking fig!!

[Bellefleurs]

No swimming lessons. I let it go....

[Forrest]

I am glad your fig survived and you were able to enjoy.

[swethakyadav]

How many days was the hang time..Guess a longer hang time would make it better. Last year my tree started ripening in October/November and with all the rain and cold weather it was hanging in there for ever and was pretty bland when I picked them. Hopefully this year is different as it is in full sun and the figlets formed over 2 months ago.

[Bellefleurs]

This one took around 3 days or so.
The intense heat and lack of rain allowed it to soften up quickly. I’m sure that it could have used a couple more days to ripen. It was still incredible.

[swethakyadav]

BM is known to hang for ever... I think it was like 9 days or so last year but weather was definitely cooler. I think atleast 6 days is what you need to get the intense flavor and its also a learning curve to pick them at the right moment for every variety.

[Bellefleurs]

My grafts ripened figs last year so I know how great these can be.
This one might have been hanging longer but I was counting the days from when I first noticed that the fig had turned purple.

[American Infigdel]

I just got my first BMjon off a brown turkey rootstock tree that is only about 3 feet high. I think this will be a real winner once when the graft & tree get older.