This morning's haul

[PawPaw Gene]

This morning I picked 1 Improved Celeste that could have waited 1 more day but it was where the birds could get to it so I jump in first, 1 Cajun Gold ripe to perfection, and several O'Rourke. All were great tasting especially the extra sweet Cajun Gold.

Cajun Gold at top, Improved Celeste lower center, the balance are O'Rourke.

[Taverna78]

My mouth is water. I am very jealous. Many member start posting photo of figs. I have very small fig on new baby but don't think they will ripen on such small trees

[newnandawg]

Gene, very nice. Thanks for sharing pics.

[AscPete]

Gene,
Thanks for sharing the pics and info.

Do you know approximately how long it takes to ripen, form swelling and changing color to being ripe?
I'm curious because my my IC and O'Rourke take approximately 6 or more days, but are darker inside and out, I'm guessing that the heat makes them turn faster but also develop less color. I don't have a Cajun Honey but my Kadota and Banana also develop dark amber pulp. Thanks.

[Erick]

Gene,
I think that would be one reason to wake up happy in the morning. Knowing that you had ripe figs to go outside and pick..

[Chris]

Gene,

Makes my morning better seeing all of this delicious figs.

Is the Cajun Gold the same as the Louisiana/Cajun Honey that Dan named? If so that must be sweet!

[COGardener]

Very nice Gene! Very nice.

[jmaler]

The Cajun Gold looks like a fig i need. Need to track this one down for sure.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Gene

We northerners are most envious of Louisiana fig heaven. Congrats!

[PawPaw Gene]

Thanks for the kind remarks. Cajun Gold is the name I gave this fig after much searching for a couple of years for another such tree. I purchased the tree for a LSU Gold from Lowes and for a couple of years I just thought it was. Then I saw what a real LSU Gold looked like and realized that my tree was different. That's when I search for the correct name and found none. I found out that the tree had the great probability of coming from Becnel's nursery in Belle Chase La. I also found out that in Dr. O'Rouke early years at LSU he had passed out cuttings of some of his research tree to nurseries to help him more quickly research them as he had hundreds of tree. I've come to the conclusion, my guess only, that the tree I have is probably a sibling to the officially released LSU Gold that was started from cutting originally dispersed by Dr. O'Rourke. In doing a comparison to LSU Gold and Cajun Gold there are very few differences. The most notable is that LSU Gold is larger and flat on the end, while the Cajun Gold is smaller and round in shape. The taste is almost identical with my Cajun Gold seemingly slightly sweeter but again that's my opinion. The internal structure of the fig is very much like the LSU Gold as is the color. One major difference is that my Cajun Gold puts on many more figs than a LSU Gold. It starts growing and putting on figs early in Spring and keeps on growing and putting on figs until the first frost. The only problem is it will not ripen all these figs as many are left on the tree at first frost. All of this is non scientific but it's all I have.

Last year i pinched each branch after around 8 to 10 figs to hasten ripening but the tree only stopped growing for a week or two and then resumed it strong growth. This year I let the branches grow out to many more figs per branch, some as many as 30 or more, and then I pruned the branch to allow around 10 t0 15 figs per branch. I did that a week ago and now some of the figs are ripening. Perhaps by doing a heavy prune it might not resume it strong growth this year. If it does I will cut it back again in hopes to ripen most of the figs.

Cajun Gold on the Right and LSU Gold on left

[Taverna78]

Gene. I know I post it couple other time but if you have fig you want ripe faster dip you finger in olive oil and just dab the fig eye with you finger. It will ripen in 24 hour

[Whiterk]

Nice job describing the comparison and conducting the research.

[Sarahkt]

Thanks for sharing, Gene. I'm rooting LSU Gold now, and it's very interesting to hear what the differences are between the two Golds.

Ah, envious of everyone enjoying homegrown ripe figs now. Most of my main crop figs are still the size of marbles. And now, time to morosely eat a couple Brown Turkeys bought from the store... tastes like slightly sweet cotton balls but the closest thing to a real fig until the farmers markets and my trees are ready!

[m5allen]

Looks good Gene. Which Gold fig holds up better in the rain - Cajun or LSU? Or are they pretty similar?

[lilfiggy]

So pretty and so many figs. It is wrong to covet thy friends figs? Joyce

[PawPaw Gene]

Joyce, of course not. As long as you don't jump the fence and eat some. But if you can reach them from over the fence then I think you'd be alright.

Allen they are very similar in shedding rain. Daily rains and they will get watery and spoil but occasional rains are alright. I like to see at least 1/2 inch a week just to maintain the trees but when it gets to 2 to 3 inches a week it effects the figs.

Sarah, if you're interested in growing them side by side I will have cutting late this winter.

Whiterk, I just wish that I knew for sure where it originated from instead of doing some guessing.

"gene"

[Sarahkt]

Thanks for the kind offer, Gene, I might take you up on that.

My spare Sultane is going out to you next Monday, and I can attest for its having both roots AND leaves. Waiting for some USPS priority shoeboxes to arrive! Thanks for the tip on shipping plants, Wills!

Joyce, depends on if a branch is over the property line or not. I kid, I kid...

[Gina]

So pretty and so many figs. It is wrong to covet thy friends figs? Joyce

Lol, of course not. Coveting figs is what keeps us coming back time and again.
And why we can never have enough of them.

[Taverna78]

Cugino Geno,
You receive my private message?

[COGardener]

I do like your terminology Gene, "haul". The rest of us have a couple, or one. ... or none.... but Big Gene.... has a haul of figs.

it's just not right. ... just not right.

So, how do the rest of us get a Cajun Gold? ??

[Sarahkt]

I agree, it's not right. I have more fig trees than figs.

[Taverna78]

I have one fig size of a dime and about 25 trees😔

[PawPaw Gene]

Scott I should have cuttings this winter.
"gene"

[COGardener]

I'm looking forward to it.

[PawPaw Gene]

Mike I don't see any message from you.
"gene"

[Taverna78]

I will try again. Check you email

[Darkman]

Just a side note. Gene kindly provided me one of these special trees and while it is still small in a pot it probably has 11 figs on its single stem!

I have a special spot to put this one in ground.

Many thanks Gene hope you make the LSU Fig Field Day!

Hope all you make it!!!

[COGardener]

I would love to go to the LSU fig field day, it is an 18 hour drive from here which I've been think about doing..... But instead I get to head to the east coast for work. Such as life, it's good, I will get to be there through pics and the experience of others.

[drphil69]

Wow I probably have a month yet to taste my first fig.... so jealous...