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I've been debating with myself about discussing this variety, but I think it's a good variety that should have some more info available on it and hopefully a wider distribution. The finder of this variety wanted it kept quiet for a while until it could be trialled more widely and they didn't want it getting on eBay. However, they do not seem to be participating on any forum anymore and haven't responded to emails from myself and at least one other person. Hopefully this doesn't bother anyone, so here does nothing!
The American mother tree for this variety grows in Willow Grove, PA (zone 6b/7a) at the Navy Base and was planted 8+ years ago. An officer (not the finder) who was stationed at the base plants a fig tree at every land base they have been stationed at, the original tree is from Bari, Italy. The Willow Grove tree had never been protected, and (as of my info from before last winter) it never suffered any dieback. Others who have this variety said it did die to the ground during the winter of 2013/2014 (polar vortex), so it is not bulletproof!
The fruits are fairly small, purple/black skin with red flesh. They have some seed crunch and a sweet, figgy flavor. I sampled a few last year and they were tasty, but I lack the palette/experience to describe further. I do not know if it produces brebas, but once it starts producing main crop figs it does not stop until the plant goes dormant. I was pinching figlets through October last year. It can fruit after being killed to the ground.
I've talked to a couple of people who have this variety, some think it might be Mt Etna type, others don't. Whatever it is, they like it! The finder of this variety (who has an 80+ variety collection) said this is their best in terms of hardiness, productivity, and flavor.
The plants themselves are extremely healthy and vigorous. I planted a rooted cutting last spring which easily grew to 4-5' tall and wide with constant pinching and developed a 2" thick trunk. In it's first year it ripened about 10 figs (most of which ants got). More probably could have ripened but I was being conservative.
My plant died back to about 1' during this past winter. It was protected under about 18" of mulch. I have high expectations for this year. My avatar picture is this variety's leaf.
Seems to be easy to root, I took 8 summer cuttings last year and every one took.
I guess this could be considered an unknown, but I am representing it under the name I received it and that I know others use.
The American mother tree for this variety grows in Willow Grove, PA (zone 6b/7a) at the Navy Base and was planted 8+ years ago. An officer (not the finder) who was stationed at the base plants a fig tree at every land base they have been stationed at, the original tree is from Bari, Italy. The Willow Grove tree had never been protected, and (as of my info from before last winter) it never suffered any dieback. Others who have this variety said it did die to the ground during the winter of 2013/2014 (polar vortex), so it is not bulletproof!
The fruits are fairly small, purple/black skin with red flesh. They have some seed crunch and a sweet, figgy flavor. I sampled a few last year and they were tasty, but I lack the palette/experience to describe further. I do not know if it produces brebas, but once it starts producing main crop figs it does not stop until the plant goes dormant. I was pinching figlets through October last year. It can fruit after being killed to the ground.
I've talked to a couple of people who have this variety, some think it might be Mt Etna type, others don't. Whatever it is, they like it! The finder of this variety (who has an 80+ variety collection) said this is their best in terms of hardiness, productivity, and flavor.
The plants themselves are extremely healthy and vigorous. I planted a rooted cutting last spring which easily grew to 4-5' tall and wide with constant pinching and developed a 2" thick trunk. In it's first year it ripened about 10 figs (most of which ants got). More probably could have ripened but I was being conservative.
My plant died back to about 1' during this past winter. It was protected under about 18" of mulch. I have high expectations for this year. My avatar picture is this variety's leaf.
Seems to be easy to root, I took 8 summer cuttings last year and every one took.
I guess this could be considered an unknown, but I am representing it under the name I received it and that I know others use.
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