PFTP Papa John

[COGardener]

I bought this fig from Petals From the Past as Papa John. It was topped for shipping and is now growing quite well. I saw another member posted a pic of the PFTP Papa John and I could not see the pink on the new leaves that mine shows. It made me wonder, was it just the pic or are they in fact mislabeled and we have two different figs. If they are different, which one is the Papa John and what is the other... or are neither Papa John...lol

Could other post pics of their Papa John to compare please.

Thank you

[AscPete]

I don't remember Papa John specifically having pink leaves and petioles, but most similar cultivars (dark figs with dark pulp) develop them at times. Papa John is very similar to Hardy Chicago except that it's a few weeks to a month later in ripening figs. My tree died during winter and I've chosen not to replace it because of its late ripening habit and that its flavor profile is similar to all the "Mount Etna types" in circulation.

From observations of the Mount Etna types the colors usually occur when the leaves and tips grow out in intermittent cooler weather, it is also eliminated when there is an increase in nutrients. Good Luck.

[SeattleFigs]

Papa John is very similar to Hardy Chicago except that it's a few weeks to a month later in ripening figs.- this is the key im looking for to decide if i can grow in my area thank you so much very helpful!

[COGardener]

Pete, thank you for the great insight as always, and the cultivar specific info. I only acquired the tree a few weeks ago, so I'm sure there is some shock, additionally we have had a great deal of intermittent cool weather. The tree gets plenty of nutrients in a compost rich soil and enjoys a weekly addition of Floralicious Plus.

I will be watching this tree closely for the next couple years, to see what it does.

[mountainfigs]

I've been watching Papa John put on figs for the first time this year, a lot of figs, and seeing the leaves, I've thought, If that's not a Mt Etna fig it's darn close.

There are a couple odd leaves on it and a couple odd shaped unripe fruit that have made me think it might not be a Mt Etna, but ... given Pete's observations above I can only see it increasingly as a Mt Etna.

Also in accord with Pete's observations, most or all of the Mt Etnas here have currently or have had the pink that Scott notes.

[COGardener]

PFTP description:
Ficus carica 'Pappa John'
An unknown fig brought to this country by a Greek immigrant. It has dark purple skin with red flesh and delicious sweet flavor.

[AscPete]

To clarify, I'm not saying that it's a "Mount Etna Fig" just that it can be placed in the general group "Mount Etna Type". It has similar growing characteristics, leaves and the figs have a similar taste profile. A large percentage of the "found" figs in NYC can also be placed into this group. Papa John's late ripening may be useful for those in warmer zones with longer growing seasons to extend the fig harvest....

[bamafig]

i have a PFTP Pappa John bought 2 months ago. its grown 2 feet and has several figs. I have not seen any pink coloration at all with it. My climate is quite different from yours (Alabama), as you can imagine.

[COGardener]

Interesting. I'll keep watching it and post a fully developed leaf for comparison one I have one. The tree was topped and just started growing, took it about three weeks to do so. I would love to get a couple feet of growth this year, it's not likely however, figs stem to grow much slower here than elsewhere. That's ok though, they grow and I'll get figs from at least 3 of my yes this year.