Where are the stripes?

[cjmach1973]

Back in 2013 my son bought me a panache fig tree. It came in at about 3 inches tall. Now at about 28 inches tall, it has 5 figs starting to grow. If it is true to type, when should I see stripes on the figs?

[COGardener]

I would guess that it's not true then. Post some pics, that will help.

[cjmach1973]

I tried to upload pics, and it said they were to big

[Sarahkt]

You have to make the files smaller. Emailing them to yourself in Gmail (where it asks if you want low quality/size, medium or high quality) is one way, or exporting them as a lower size with your computer's photo program works too.

[Sarahkt]

I felt your pain earlier this year. My first fig was a Panache ordered from Raintree last year, but turned out to be something else.

There's two easy ways to tell if it's a Panache:
1. Figs growing should be striped (it becomes apparent very early on, by the time they're the size of a dime).
2. Young wood should be variegated. You should be able to see yellow and green striped variegation on the new wood growing. If you don't, then it may still be a reverted chimaera (Jon calls them "Reverse") which is just as tasty but not striped, or may be something entirely.

You can also make inferences from the shape/color of the figs growing, or the shape of the leaves, but these are the two easiest ways to tell.

I ended up looking for local nurseries stocking Dave Wilson-sourced Panache figs and buying two from two local nurseries. I first tried buying cuttings, but the fact that Panache may be one of the harder/slower to root varieties, and I really didn't know what I was doing then, resulted in failure.

One thing is sometimes a limb on a Panache will revert to the Reverse, and the wood on that branch will not be variegated and the figs growing on it won't be striped. The fig's quality and taste are still the same, just not as attractive. If some of your tree has striped young wood, and other branches aren't, it may be that you have a Panache with some reverted limbs. Some people seem to aggressively prune those off to keep the tree 100% Panache, others leave them on and enjoy all the figs they can get. I'm leaving my reverted branch on for now because it's a young tree and already has a few figs on it. I'll take all the figs I can get at this early fig collecting stage!

[COGardener]

I either resize them on my computer or reduce the size i take them with my phone.

[cjmach1973]

pictures of plant purchased as a panachee

[Chrisk]

I'm almost certain you have a Brunswick cj. Leaves and figs match mine. Not a bad fig but not a Panachee.

[Sarahkt]

I'd say that is definitely not a Panache. Probably not a Reverse either, leaves don't look right.

Figs should have clear striping at that size, and the green young wood should have green and yellow variegation.

[Sarahkt]

I'll be pruning my two new Panaches this fall. They're too tall but since they already had figs at the top I couldn't bring myself to trim it earlier. If you would like to try rooting cuttings (and live in the U.S.), would be happy to send you a couple.

[cjmach1973]

Always looking to try new varieties, thanks. Send me a message when your ready to ship in the fall.

[Sarahkt]

Sure, just PM me a reminder in case I forget (which is likely given my poor memory).

They do seem to be on the slower side when it comes to rooting, just so you're aware. You might be better off if someone else here has already rooted cutting or layer to spare.

[Rafaelissimmo]

The same thing happend to me in 2011. I bought a Panachee and grew it for 2 years before realizing it was not a Panachee. (Due to the fact that it did not fruit in its first year). The grower replaced the tree free of charge. That tree died last spring, I think fungus gnats killed it. The grower kindly again replaced the tree. It did not fruit last year either. My first fruits are ripening as we speak.

[cis4elk]

I also think the leaves look like a possible Brunswick.