For some reason or another. My Brandon Figs did not score too well this year. First of all it didn't grow any brebas and only gave me a main crop. Which is disappointing considering the brebas on this tree tastes better than the main crop.
It may have been affected when the landscapers moved some of my figs to work. This one may have been out of reaching of my sprinklers.
The color and stripes on the fig this year looks extremely attractive.
Almost 20 grams.
The flavor on this fig may have been affected by the fact that it wasn't getting enough water through out the summer. I repotted this fig 2 weeks ago and it responded very well by ripening these two figs. But it may have been too late to let these ripen in the optimal conditions.
The flavor was somewhat watered down and I was disappointed compared to last years figs.
Which brings up an important thought about figs. They are finicky, especially when grown in pots. All of the inground figs had a much more consistent taste and size to them.
From left to right: Brandon, Takoma Violet, Zingarella, Jack Lily and Italian plums. This was my haul for 9/13/18
1. Figs are not easily accessible at any grocery store. Have you ever seen figs at Safeway or at a major chain? Probably not, besides the dried ones. a fresh fig is just so much better
2. Figs are an easy fig to grow. They are mostly disease and pest resistant
3. Figs are plain and simple deliscious
4. They are very nutritious
5. I failed to mention on the video that collecting figs can be very fun as well. The community around figs can be great to learn and share knowledge with Visit my Fig Addiction Group on facebook for more info.
I think the Brandon Unk Fig is a real winner here in the PNW! It ripens 2 crops successfully without any protection. The brebas in my opinion tastes better than the main crop. It's also got decent production. You can see from the photo below that there are 6 figs on just one branch.
Here's a few shots of the main crop. Smaller fig with a tight eye which makes it rain resistant.
16.2 Grams
I have to admit the flavor of the main crop is not as good as the breba. I'm attributing that to the fact that it's still in small pot and hasn't received enough watering. The flavor was more of the classic figgy taste. The sweetness content was lower as well. Makes a good little snack.
Another real winner in my book. The Takoma Violet fig is productive and very tasty. It is also a very fast grower. My single trunk tree which is only 1.5yrs old had 10 figs on it! I love the crackling of the skin on this fig. It means the skin is delicate and easy to eat.
It too has a tight eye. The coloring could be darker but it ripened in the greenhouse and didn't get any direct sun exposure. Which may have attributed to the delicate skin. It usually is a bit dark.
This is what a sunripened Takoma Violet looks like. Much darker. Photo from 2015
2017 Greenhouse ripened. Notice how the color and the skin looks so different.
34.3 grams
This a delicious fig. Is strawberry jam like taste is quite desirable. It also has hints of acid when it hits the back of your throat. Combine this with it's cold hardiness, productivity, and you have another winner!
Takoma Violet Main Crop Fig (9/5/17) 1.5 yr old plant
Taste: 8.5
Sweetness: 8.5
Size: 4
Productivity: 8
Total = 29
LSU Tiger Fig:
OK. This fig has risen to the top my list for favorite figs. I do not know how but it's a perfect combination of jammy sweetness, all the while remaining this juiciness that gushes all over your tongue. It's quite amazing!!
It's got beautiful coloring, firmness, a tight eye and is a perfect size for eating.
45.2grams
This fig is now in my top 5 for favorite figs. Now if you have been following me, I like the figs with more melony tones vs something that is too thick and jammy that. I don't think overly syrupy figs that clue your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
Well the LSU Tiger is a perfect combo of jamminess, sweetness and juiciness. I plan on propgating more of these trees for my own personal garden. It's a great fig!
The Brandon Unknown Fig is a great little fig. Initially I thought it looked like a celeste fig but after getting fruit from my own tree now I'm not so sure.
It could possibly related to the English Brown turkey or Bronze paradiso but it's smaller than both. So I'm not so sure.
I've been calling it the Brandon Unk Fig based on where it was discovered but I hope to figure out it's true name. The breba has a beautiful Bronzy and yellow color. And ripens early. Way before DK here. It also ripens it's main crop reliable in Seattle. The taste is a sweet syrupy raspberry and strawberry mix with a slight crunch from the seeds. The sugar content is perfect in my opinion when perfectly it reaches it's bronze color. Its very good and I plan to put a few of these in ground here.
I've sent some of the Brandon St. Unknown figs cuttings to a handful of fig growers and there are reports that it is the earliest ripening breba in their collection. Which is probably why it can ripen 2 crops here in Seattle.
"I've never had a fig (breba) this early in Lancaster...ever. It was raining today and had been a pretty mild spring. The variety was binbin's "Unk Brandon". Binbin has some really BA unknown varieties. Anyway, despite the rain, the fig was really sweet, slight crunch and absolutely delicious. It didn't split, and the flavor was not diluted ( although it was my first one ever, so I don't know if the flavor would be even more concentrated under better conditions). My daughter thought it tasted like a ripe strawberry, and I'm inclined to agree. Prior to today, the first brebas I've had were desert king (June 28) and rockaway green (June 30). " Bill from https://www.facebook.com/offthebeatenpathnurseries/
My guess is that this fig is from the Celeste family. What makes it stand out is that it holds it's Brebas and ripens an early Breba and Main crop.
Which is unlike the other celestes that I have here.
I finally got a properly ripe Brandon St. Unknown fig recently and it's a real winner. Better tasting than VDB or RDB. The taste ranks up there. It produces 2 crops here successfully here in Seattle. Judging from the looks of this fig. My guess is that it is a sport from the Celeste Family. A sugar fig of some sort.
What makes it stand out in this area is that it holds it's brebas unlike most Celeste and it ripens the main crop as well which is extremely rich and sweet!
The Breba crop is super early and probably will be the first ripe breba you'll pick from your collection.
I have a few cuttings available from the main tree and is for sale on Ebay.
