Madina

[Rewton]

This variety was obtained from Gene Hosey who obtained it in 2006 from Sergio Carlini of Genoa, Italy. According to Sergio, this variety produces "long and large figs, with thick blue/black skin, red pulp; ripening early to mid-season". It was named for the wife of Mr. Carlini's friend (his wife’s cousin). This one was one of the last remaining survivors from Gene's orchard as it was taken over by the native forest. It withstood the 2013-14 winter way better than many other figs around it so it seems to be very cold hardy.

Does anyone know what this variety could be? It almost seems like a hybrid between Dalmatie and Longue d'Aout. Some of the leaves are Dalmatie-like although they are larger than the leaves on my Vasilika Sika (Belleclare) which is supposed to be Dalmatie. (The last two pics are of my V.S. for comparison.) Plus some of the more recent leaves do not look like Dalmatie at all. It certainly does have long figs. One is swelling now but I would be surprised if it gets much darker. It might be more of a yellowish fig when grown in Maryland. The plant has been a bit neglected and needs to be potted up. As soon as the fig ripens I'll post it here unless the critters get it.

[Rewton]

I just found an email exchange I had with Sergio a year or so ago about this variety. He thought it could be an Italian variety called Piombinese.

[ross]

I think you'll know your answer when that thing is ripe. I recommend waiting as long as you can. A fig like LSU Red when ripe isn't actually red until you really wait. It may turn color very quickly.

Whatever it is.. it looks like it has two leaf patterns, and I think this may just be something I've never seen before. You could be right Steve about it being Vasilika Sika, but my gut says it's not.

[Rewton]

Ross, I don't think it is identical to Vasilika Sika (Belleclare)/Dalmatie but I thought of VS-B and LdA as the varieties it is the most similar to in my collection by outward appearance. I sent Sergio this link and he replied that "on the basis of your pictures (shape of fruits, many indicative) this variety is Piombinese, aka Vallecalda (by me named), or San Piero (by Giorgio Gallesio in Pomona Italiana, 1814-1839). The variety is VERY tough, wet-cold hardy, adapt to transport, it has two fruiting (*), breba and true-fig."

[quackmaster]

Wow, those leaves look cool!!

[Rewton]

The fruit was definitely ripe when I checked it this afternoon. The flavor was excellent - one of the best of the year so far! Not sure how to describe it. There was a "brightness" to the flavor that come on strong at the beginning - it could almost be described as a creaminess - then a richness lingered afterward. The other thing I noted, but forgot to capture in the photo, is the ostiole is totally closed on this variety. This one is definitely a keeper. It will be interesting to see how early it is once it is established.

[Rewton]

Here's a description of Vallecalda from Planetfig: http://www.planetfig.com/cultivars/fcveng8595.html

Is anyone growing Vallecalda by chance? The newer leaves on mine do match Vallecalda leaves. The fruit on mine is much lighter and less round than what is shown at Planetfig but perhaps pollination or other conditions could explain the difference.

[ross]

What color was the eye?

[ross]

I'm almost certain your fig is in this family:

Dalmatie

Makedonian White

San Pietro

Vasilika Sika (Finger Leaf)

White Greek

Stella

[Rewton]

Ross, I don't think the eye was particularly red but there is another fig that will ripen in a few days and I'll check on it. The leaves are quite a bit different from Dalmatie (apparently synonomous with Vasilika Sika-Belleclare and Stella), especially the leaves that have formed more recently. Although I do agree the fruit shape resembles that variety. The fruit shape doesn't seem to match the other varieties you listed Maybe this will become more clear once the plant is more mature.

[ross]

Steve. In my opinion and of others those varieties I listed are all the same if not very closely related.

The eye I believe shouldn't be red, but pinkish. Herman said in one of his posts about Stella that there's really not much color to the eye at all.

I think your leaves are immature and time will solve that mystery. Looking forward to pics of the next fig.

[Rewton]

Here is the first fig of 2017 from my Madina. I had meant to plant this tree in the ground this year but never got around to it nor did I give it excellent care in its container this year. I'm sure it needs to be potted up and fertilized more. Nevertheless the first fig was huge! It's among the largest, or the largest, fig I've ever grown. It was also excellent tasting. It was noticeably sweeter near the eye than near the stem.

[Rewton]

One thing of note about this fig so far is that the fruit is indeed "long and large" in keeping with Sergio's description but here it MD it has green/yellow skin, not blue/black.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Steve I don't see how it could be Vallecalda/San Pietro/Piombinese/Succhetta if it is white skinned. You need to run that by Sergio

[Rewton]

Yeah, I don't think this fig will become dark with more maturity.