Assumed to be English BT Variants Hanc's English Brown Turkey - As he aged, Hanc Mathies only kept 3 figs in his collection, this being one of them. He acquired it from (now defunct) Miller Nurseries as Brown Turkey. They got it from a wholesaler in the South. herman2 and Bob Harper both suspect it is actually a Southern Brown Turkey. It is extremely hardy, possibly to Zone 4b as per Bob Harper. It is a heavy bearer with an explosion of flavor as per 'Noss'. Reportedly very hard to propagate, even by air layer. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1273716032&postcount=4 and http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1892526/english-brown-turkey-hm
Süßer Georg (Sweet George) - According herman2, this is an English BT variant. Originates from a nursery near Vienna, Austria. According to the story, the nursery owners grandfather acquired the fig in Styria, Austria in the 1930's. A GardenWeb member from Europe seems to have sent this variety to at least 2 American collectors. Produces large fruits on both breba and main crop that are rain resistant. Brebas may not be as hardy as other EBT varieties. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/s%C3-%BC-%C3%9Fer-georg-fig-5146586 and http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/sweet-george-fig-5511150
I don't know if this is related to its hardiness or not, but of all my in ground fig varieties, 'English Brown Turkey' held onto it's leaves longer than any other variety well into fall this year. I just checked it a couple days ago and a few leaves did fall off when I handled it, but otherwise it was fully green, not even showing fall color while all the other in ground figs were bare or almost bare with remaining leaves turned yellow. I've heard claims that 'Olympian' is the same as 'English Brown Turkey'. I did grow 'Olympian' for a number of years previously but culled it due to underwhelming performance and hardiness. I can't compare the two directly, but I often observed tip die back on a portion of the 'Olympian's branches each winter in my USDA zone 8a garden.
USDA zone 8a, Unincorporated Pierce County, WA, USA Wishlist: Girsh
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