Best honey fig for the south

[m5allen]

This question has been asked before on a broader level, but new forum and new members, so I'll ask here: what is the best honey fig for the south? I have read that the LSU Gold taste gets pretty washed out in the rain (guess the same could be said for any fig). But since the honey figs are kind of mild to begin with, it is probably more pronounced. So what is the best honey fig that can stand up to the rain and retain some strong honey flavor?

Thanks.

[Tejas]

The only honey fig I have had a chance to try so far is Peter's Honey. I think it taste great. I live in Georgia and a friend nearby has two large trees that thrive. They were my first fresh fig exeperience and now here I am with the rest of you addicts.

[AscPete]

Mike,
I'm not in the south but many of my fig choices are based on varieties that do well in the Southeast (high rainfall and humidity).

For an extended harvest over a large portion of the season Early - Mid - Late, these cultivars, Italian Honey/Lattarula - Champagne - Kadota or Peters Honey can't be beat for flavor and productivity. If I had to choose only one then it would be Champagne, for taste and productivity. They all have a rich Honey sweet flavor that IMO places them in that Flavor Group. Kadota and Peters Honey have open but sealed osteoles (eyes) and may not fare well with excessive rainfall.

[Darkman]

This question has been asked before on a broader level, but new forum and new members, so I'll ask here: what is the best honey fig for the south?

Opinions change so even if it's been asked it is still a valid question Thanks for asking. Maybe one day I'll have enough ripe figs to form an opinion.

[m5allen]

Mike,
I'm not in the south but many of my fig choices are based on varieties that do well in the Southeast (high rainfall and humidity).

For an extended harvest over a large portion of the season Early - Mid - Late, these cultivars, Italian Honey/Lattarula - Champagne - Kadota or Peters Honey can't be beat for flavor and productivity. If I had to choose only one then it would be Champagne, for taste and productivity. They all have a rich Honey sweet flavor that IMO places them in that Flavor Group. Kadota and Peters Honey have open but sealed osteoles (eyes) and may not fare well with excessive rainfall.

Pete,

Out of those you listed, which is the latest to produce? If I got a really late producer, this would help to avoid the rainy season here - which starts to taper off at the end of September.

[AscPete]

They're listed in ripening order, Kadota and Peters Honey are the latest. Italian Honey/Lattarula produce a good breba crop and are the earliest. There are probably later ripening Honey Figs but they wouldn't work in my zone.

[Snaglpus]

In this order...

Excel (fat round shaped fig)
Votata (not many folk talk about this one but it is absolutely divine!)
Peter's Honey (you have to hold on the fence when you eat one of these!) Mine took years to get excellent
Kadota (needs lots of heat but well worth it)
Italian Honey (the darkest yellow fig I own---I have a hard time getting some due to critters)

[brettjm]

I don't suppose you have an opinion on where Brooklyn White might fall in that list, by chance? I don't think its that common in the south...

[Claymango]

In this order...

Excel (fat round shaped fig)
Votata (not many folk talk about this one but it is absolutely divine!)
Peter's Honey (you have to hold on the fence when you eat one of these!) Mine took years to get excellent
Kadota (needs lots of heat but well worth it)
Italian Honey (the darkest yellow fig I own---I have a hard time getting some due to critters)

Snag can you give a more detailed review on Excel if you don't mind... I purchased a 5g a few weks ago based on a review you gave a while back placing it above many known favorites rating it a 12 out of 10, yet I don't see many here raving about Excel.....in fact more people seem to prefer Peters Honey or Kadota over it.... I'm sure it's a winner, but right now it's on Deaths door and I will go and get a replacement from the nursery I bought it from if it does bite the dust...Will I get another Excel or should I grab a different Honey Fig?

[Snaglpus]

Excel is very rich tasting. The older your tree the better the figs will be in my opinion. My Excel trees are older and gives me more figs which is one reason why I rank it higher. The past 2 winters have been tough on my yellow honey fig trees. It won't be a problem from now on because They will be inside my GH. Peter's Honey is super excellent but with the Ambrosia beetle hitting some of my trees, I've had to chop them down and kinda start over. I recommend getting an Excel and comparing it to Peter's Honey.

It's like comparing wild honey to Tupuleo Honey. Tupuleo Honey is hard to beat and is the cadillac of honey!

[Darkman]

At least even though you had to cut it, IT thinks it is still old! It should produce excellent figs on a more compact bush/tree. IF that works it could be something others could use to have more figs trees in a smaller area. Allowing them to grow and get larger than the intended size and then cut them back to a more maintainable size. I spaced my figs on fifteen feet but I almost cannot walk between them now on the oldest figs.

BUT

I think I'll wait to hear how this works for you before I get the saw out and start cutting... at least until after this years crop!!!

[Claymango]

TY Snag!

[F. Bennett]

I gave my Excel one season. It was lacking in flavor. Atreano, on the other hand, gave me outstanding honey figs in the first season. I wish I had the space to let Excel shine, but I went for best first impression.

[Claymango]

Well I may grab 1 more Honey Fig, I hear Hunts and Hollier areEpic...One thing I'm not big on...is the classic "Fig Newton" Flavor....not that big on the "figgy" Fig Newton taste.... I definitley want a Fig with decent complexity....however I can do 1 or 2 Sweet Figs.

[noss]

I never thought of a Fig Newton as having a figgy taste at all, which is why I don't like them. I guess the figgy flavor people talk about is not any one flavor. I think of Celestes that aren't dead ripe as figgy and the Atreano Herman gave me to try was so delicious it almost knocked me off my feet. It was strongly figgy, but was full in flavor. Fig Newtons are nasty.

[Darkman]

Hollier was outstanding at LSU Burden Field and I hope it is that good here. Mine is almost four feet tall now. On the other hand you almost live in another world climatologically so I don't know if any of our SE USA reviews are going to be right for you. I hope they will.

EDIT: Not saying it's a honey fig just commenting on my tasting of that fig.

[m5allen]

LSU Hollier is a honey fig?

[Snaglpus]

My Hollier is not a honey fig. I got mine from James Robin. I got his last 2. I love Peter's Honey so much that I just bought 3 more at top dollar! They are very healthy and around 5 years old. These 3 will live inside my new GH in SWPs.

[Claymango]

My apologies, i thought Hollier was a sweet honey tasting fig? Does it have complexity to it?

[Chrisk]

Peters honey is my only honey fig so far and I'm with you fine fellas. I wouldn't mind having an army of them! I got 6 Brebas on it and I just can't wait!

[Tejas]

Dennis,
Did the beetles attack healthy Peter's Honey trees, or were they in poor shape?

Max
Roswell, GA.

[Sas]

My best Honey Fig for two summers in a row was Deana! The flavor is close to a Smyrna type fig and the fruit is twice the size of other varieties I have.

[shah8]

Sas, that's not really fair. You're practically all West and stuff.