Anyone growing Negretta?

[PacNorWreck]

So, I recently learned that my Negronne is actually a Brunswick, and I’d like to replace it with a bordeaux type fig (I’m already growing pastiliere and RdB).

One of the many awesome growers here in Seattle has very kindly offered me a spare VdB, which is super generous of him.

There’s also a possibility that the original source of my mislabeled Negronne / Brunswick will make it right, in which case I could try again with a hopefully not mislabeled Negronne or (more interesting to me) I could give Negretta a try.

So, is anyone growing Negretta? What I’ve seen so far seems to indicate it tastes like a VdB, might be a little earlier, has a somewhat distinct leaf shape, and the fruit are smaller but abundant.

If anyone could share their experience with it, especially in comparison to other VdB-types, I’d really appreciate it! There’s also little information out there as to whether Negretta makes brebas, so I’m especially curious about that.

Anything you can share helps, thanks!!!

[WIFigger]

I've got a couple of them growing. I started them last year as cuttings and got a few ripe ones late. They ripened well even in cooler weather. The figs are pretty small. Inside isn't as red more yellow if I remember correctly. Really good though. I'm hoping it's a winner here. I got a couple breba. I pruned it hard last year so I'm not sure how good of a breba producer it is.

Hope that helps some.

[PacNorWreck]

Very helpful thanks!!

[jrdewhirst]

I've got Jason's Unk Black Ischia, which is almost certainly a synonym for Negretta.

The tree itself is gorgeous. The buds and leaf stems are often a burgundy red. I commented in a post a few years ago that it could be grown as an ornamental.

From memory, the fruit is sweet, mildly fruity, but otherwise unremarkable. Tony (mountainfigs) had some info on his website. Herman / Vasilie included it in his top N for the north. See also:

https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home/87376-negretta

[PacNorWreck]

Thanks Joe! I tried to reference your ripening order from 2020 but didn’t see a ripe date - do you recall whether it was earlier than VdB?

[jrdewhirst]

PacNorWreck -- My records show that Jason's Unknown Black Ischia ripened a first fig on 09/08/20.

Did you miss it because you were looking for Negretta?

[PacNorWreck]

jrdewhirst - no, I looked at the cleaned up table on page 4 and the JUBI info was blank like maybe it hadn't been recorded or didn't ripen for you in 2020. Now that you point out 9/08/20, though, I see it on page 3.

[zepls]

I have a Negretta which I received in early June from Boyer Holdings. I am impressed as to how beautiful it looks, by the color of the leaves, and how fast it is growing. It is definitely shaping up to be a beautiful and healthy tree.

[Rewton]

I'm also growing Jason's Unk. Black Ischia and my experiences are very similar to those of jrdewhirst . I think Violette de Bordeaux is a superior variety, at least in my climate and would strongly choose it over JUBI/Negretta.

[PacNorWreck]

Thank you Steve! Is that due to flavor mostly?

[Rewton]

PacNorWreck for me VdB is superior both in size of the fruit, flavor, and breba production. Keep in mind VdB might not be an ideal variety for comparison because the flavor profile and pulp color are different. Another caveat is that this is my own observation and others growing Negretta/JUBI (especially in different climates) could come to a different conclusion.

[don_sanders]

I have a couple of UNK Negrettas from different sources that were supposed to be Marius’ UNK Negretta aka Picolla Negretta but they look more like Dieseler’s Negretta. It’s a good fig but not a VDB type. Looks like newnandawg’s in Joe’s link.

[PacNorWreck]

Could you describe your experience with it? Flavors, growth habit, earliness (or not), productivity (breba or otherwise)?

[don_sanders]

Fairly early (mid August to end of August here). A little after Mt Etnas. Ripening today this year. I’ve had some breba but not many. Fairly small. Not sure how to describe the flavor…I wouldn’t say berry though. Probably not as aggressive a grower as some varieties.