What's the difference?

[FiggieFive_0]

Is there a difference between Blue Ischia and Black Ischia? In many different literatures I read they are one and the same. A certain nursery was marketing a Blue Ischia a couple years back, but in all the articles I'm reading, Blue and Black are the same variety. Anyone?

[Harborseal]

To my knowledge 1 person has had the tissue culture blue ischia fig fruit and it was definitely not black ischia.

[FMD]

Yup, my Blue Ischia turned out to be Green Lemon and the Nursery that sold them did not give a crap.

[mgginva]

It seems to me that one day Blue Ischia just appeared on Ebay and the grower did not answer any of my attempts to get info. I'm not sure there is a Blue Ischia.

[WillsC]

Michael hello glad you signed up. Frank what nursery was it?

[eboone]

The nursery I have seen selling 'Blue Ischia' on eBay was Hirt's. Not sure of any others

[Willofig]

Hirt's customer service sucks!! I purchased a blue ischia from them that was a 6 inch size ,arrived and the plant was about 1inch tall and half dead,when I called customer service they said that I had to ship the plant back so they can tell if it was really dead at my cost and if it wasn't dead I would be charged for shipping the same plant back. Still have the plant, it is now 3 years old and about 1 foot tall,only kept alive by feeding the hell out of it.Maybe this year it will finally start to really grow.

[Willofig]

Also it has never fruited or so signs of fruiting!!
If it doesn't start,time for Martin's burn bucket!!

[Gina]

There is more than one Black Ischia being sold. UC Davis, Jon's faux BI, Richard Watt's renamed Black Provence, and others at various nurseries over time. I consider the one from UCD the 'real' one.

As for 'blue Ischia',.. since Black Ischia is a highly sought after fig, they would call their 'blue Ischia' a 'black ischia' if it really was one. Or close to one.

[Brian M]

I have a Black Ischia that I recieved from a friend(collector) in London. So far no FMV. Its only a few years old and hopefully will get a fig this year.

[FiggieFive_0]

Mahalo, everyone for all your input. From what I've been reading, Hirt's Blue Ischia sounded like they just wanted in on the market and make a quick buck. Hopefully after I get this to grow, I'll be able to share some valuable info. You guys rock my face off!

[greenfig]

I had a Hirts Blue Whatever for two seasons, sent to heaven last Fall. It was a complete waste of money, time, soil, and water. Had no hint of figs whatsoever , grew like weed