Fioroni di Puglia

[Rafaelissimmo]

I just bought these at a fruit market in Bologna where I am vacationing.

[Rewton]

What a treat! It will still be a few weeks before I get my first ripe fig of the year.

[Harborseal]

And how did you like them. Describe the taste in 57,853 words or less. BTW, I wish you European vacationers would sell subscriptions to your travels. Any figs you get cuttings of are mailed to us at cost.

[FMD]

If you are going up to Padova and Venice I can give you the locations of some fig trees I bumped into last year.
I hope you enjoy your vacation as much as we are enjoying ours.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Frank I am going to see a master horticulturalist preservasionist in Padova tommorow, let me know!!!

[Rafaelissimmo]

These are called "Petrelli" or "Culummaro."

[vito12831]

Hi Rafael.
I wish I was there with you eating figs and ejoying that beautiful country.
Maybe next year I'll take my wife and go.
Enjoy your vacation my friend and be careful.
Regards.
Vito

[Rafaelissimmo]

Hi Vito

Wish you could be here now caro amico

[FMD]

Padova was my home for 6 years, Rafael, so it has a special place in my heart. There is a fig tree in Piazzale Pontecorvo. Going east over the bridge on the left side you will see the top of the tree. The trunk originates 20 feet below on the property of a restaurant. It would be cool if you took a picture and a small souvenir from it.
Try and visit the Bo' and take a tour of the Anatomy Ampitheatre where Gallileo's colleagues used to perform autopsies.

[Taverna78]

Raf you will visit Rome and Coliseum?? I know 3 different type figs in piazza of arena. Very easy to take cutting

[Taverna78]

Also Raf,
If you have time and small extra money's. You can take 45 minute flight from Bologna to lamezia will cost $28 usd per ticket. If you can go couple day I have my Cugino Pick you up at airport and you can stay at our family resort on mountain of Sila no charge. Here is belle area and more fig than you known what to do with. Here is link to Ryanair with cost.

https://www.ryanair.com/us/cheap-flights/bologna-to-lamezia/?out-date=2015-08-19

[Rafaelissimmo]

Fabio

Grazie for the offer but I am already fully booked. No Rome either. Next time!

[Taverna78]

Prego my friend. Any time let me known. Be safe !

[Rafaelissimmo]

Ok Frank here it is, I went to Piazzale Pontecorvo, here is your fig tree by the bridge. As you will note, it is a Caprifig. So no souvenirs in my luggage unfortunately!

[FMD]

Damn!
Last fall there were no figs on that tree. Thanks for clarifying.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Incidentally, the area around Padua is crawling with Caprifigs, and with Blastophaga wasps. I was surprised to see the wasp so far north, but apparently, winters have become considerably warmer in the area. Birds eat caprified common figs, and then drop seeds in their guano that can be male (caprifigs) or female (fruiting common figs). Fig trees everywhere, growing out of every bog and crack in the earth!

[Rafaelissimmo]

Finally, a few pictures from Mr. Rocco's garden, with permission.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Rigato del Salento

[Brian M]

Looks similar to panache

[Rafaelissimmo]

Only similar because they are variegated. Panachee is white and green, Salento is yellow and green.

[Taverna78]

Raf,
I send you PM or visit message personal to you.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Fabio

I never got your PM.

[Taverna78]

I think is old post because you respond to me

[strudeldog]

Well now can't make up my mind if I want to be Frank or Rafael when I grow up. I still have a few years to decide I guess kids tend to change their minds on things like that.

[Hershell]

I know Phil, at least we have something to look forward to!

[Chrisk]

Wow. Very nice Rafael. Thanks for sharing your special vacation moments with us all. Have a great great time and be safe.