When is a fig a new variety?

[AmericanFigLover]

At what point do you know when you have a new fig? I noticed people often rename a fig that they find in the wild or one that a label is lost for. For example there is a fig on ebay going by the name "valley black" claiming to be a new fig. How would you know that you're not just renaming a already known fig.

Do you have to submit a sample to one of the fig breeding programs to confirm?

[Brian M]

That is my listing and this is why it was named. It was verified by the owner of the tree to be a seedling that germinated on the side of there house. It is a new variety and that's why. The odds of this happening to produce an amazing fig is extremely rare. Most are Capri figs or they do not fruit. If you id a tree out and about it is considered an unknown until it is identified. I have 4 unknowns right now that I have spent an ungodly amount of hours researching data bases to try and id.

[AmericanFigLover]

My post wasn't aim at your listing on ebay. It was a question in general. I just use that as a example. Yes if is comes from seed then yes there is a chance that it can be new. This is a given and why members are growing figs from seeds hoping to hit gold.

My trees seem to share the same leaf patterns, fruit similarities, etc. We could go base on the taste description from the one who found it, but taste it's self seems to vary. As far as I know base on my limited knowledge Olympian might be the newest confirmed fig due to DNA test. A average Joe would be willing to dish out money for a DNA test.

I'm guessing if a fig is found in a remote location then it has a high chance of being new? Or if it is released by one of the fig breeding programs correct?

[WillsC]

Think if it comes from seed it is always a new variety, it is just getting one that is superior is unlikely.

[Brian M]

It was really amazing for this to happen. I walked my son by this house soo many times over the last few years hoping to see someone home. I finally got lucky and this is out of hundreds of seedlings around town in fresno. In fact I would say 90% have not fruited.

[WillsC]

Not fruited even after many years?

[Brian M]

Wills by fruit I mean edible. There are some that were Capri figs but most never produced. This is over a two year period. I do believe that many could potentially produce but they get pruned by Gardners and homeowners who have them a long fences or in bushes.

[WillsC]

Brian thank you for the clarification, that makes more sense. Fruiting plants fruit....it is there purpose in existing so the thought of them not doing so surprised me.

[Chrisk]

Hey Brian. Are there any photos of the "valley Black" fig and leaves that you could post? If there was a topic about it that I ve missed please point me at the right direction. Thanks .

[Brian M]

I have a leaf picture on my other camera I will load on here.

[sal]

Incredible looking Fig.. I love the stories behind finding different types and History.

[Brian M]

Out of all the figs my wife and I have been eating this is both our favorite. It's cool to try a bunch at one time of different varieties because they are all so different. This fig wins because of the complex flavor kinda like a fine bottle of red wine. For instance the adriatic is good but just tastes like sugar that's it.