Italian Black

[OurFigs]

Italian Black - Bechnels

[eboone]

This is the Italian Black from Durio's Nursery, which is supposed to carry the Becnel's variety.

Zone / Region: SW PA, zone 6a

Cultural practice: Grown in a 7g pot. Started the fig shuffle 2nd week of April to give it a head start. Plant not very vigorous or productive in the 3 years I have had this plant, which was already at least 2y old when I received it; it was root pruned early spring 2016 and was slightly more productive in the following summer.

Leaf descriptions: Deeply cut 5 lobed leaves, most with 2 'thumb' lobes as well pointing straight back toward the stem

Fig descriptions: Very sweet, rich fig; Very dark purple, with pink to red interior, this is one to let start to shrivel a bit before picking if possible as it will be much better quality. Prone to splitting in rains. First fig in 2015 was on 9/14. in 2016 was on 9/10.

Growth habits: Not vigorous


Exterior in 2015:




Exterior in 2016:




Interior in 2015:




Interior in 2016:




Typical leaves:

[ross]

Ed. The Italian Black I got from you will fruit this year! I'm glad it improved in 2016. To me it looks like a mission type. Have you had Matlese Falcon or Kathleen's Black to compare?

[CliffH]

Italian Black. Four year old tree.