Fig of the Week. #23 Olympian

Olympian Fig

Hardiness: Thrives the Seattle Winter with great Brebas
Type: Bifere
Fruit Ripens: July and Sept
Fruit Color: Long neck Fruit with an amber orange color with pinkish interior very productive
Taste: Rich and berry like. Tastes better than Chicago Hardy
Fruit Weight: 50grams

Olympian: Breba (Taste Score)

Taste: 6.5

Size: 4

Productivity: 5

Total =15.5

Discovery:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/living/article25888723.html

The Olympian was discovered here in Washington State and was genetically tested  by Denny McGaughy to show that it was an undiscovered fig. Pretty cool story, to know that we have a local fig here.

Fruit: The Olympian Bears some resemblance to the Gene's Vashon, they both have a long yellow neck and a copper color to the main part of hte fruit. However the taste is much different in comparison. Gene's Vashon has silkier melony sweet taste vs the Olympians fruit. Watch the video for more detail on the comparison.

Conclusion: This is a must have fruit for any area. It's a bit harder to root this variety than lets say a DK or Gillette but the beauty of the fruit and it's great breba makes it a perfect candidate for any garden.

Tasting Violette de Bordeaux, Florea, & Olympian Figs

Tasting Violette de Bordeaux, Florea, & Olympian Figs

The Brebas are winding down and these are about the last ones I'm picking off of my fig trees.

Violette de Bordeaux

The Violet de Bordeaux 3rd yr in ground has finally hit it's maturity level. The figs are top notch this year in terms of taste.  The color, texture, flavor and did I mention color of my VDBs this year were spectacular! The breba productivity kinda stunk though because I only pulled about 5 figs from this tree.

VDB for any Seattle grower should go in ground, you will be rewarded nicely with some of the best figs to eat.

VDB: Breba (8/14/17) - 3yr old plant

Taste: 8

Sweetness: 7

Size: 4 (40 grams)

Productivity: .33

Total = 19.33 

Florea

This is a great fig! My 2yr old tree grown in a 2 gallon pot has proven to be incredibly productive. It had 10 figs on basically a single branch! I think it maybe a good candidate to go in ground here. It's definitely a keeper.

There's a real strong punch of sweetness and strawberry from the Florea. It's small but carries a big flavor stick.

Florea: Main Crop (8/14/17) - 2yr old plant

Taste: 8

Sweetness: 8

Size: 3 (22.6 grams)

Productivity: 6.6

Total = 25.6

Olympian

The Olympian has gotten better and better over the last couple of years. It definitely has adapted very well to the climate that we have here in the PNW. The brebas are large and very attractive with it's bright yellow necks.

The taste on these were less figgy than the Gene's Vashon, it was sweet and melony. My kind of fig. Very little seed crunch compared to the Gene's Vashon. I'm glad to have this guy in ground it will only get more productive with time.

Olympian: Breba (8/14/17) - 3yr old plant

Taste: 7.5

Sweetness: 7

Size: 7 (68.7 grams)

Productivity: .6

Total = 22.10

Tasting the Marlow Fig 2018

The Marlow fig was originally offered by Burnt Ridge Nursery (Which operates out of Onalaska, WA) around 2010. It is no longer available on their catalog. However some of the trees that were are still in circulation with some fig collectors.

Picked on 8/19/18

I got mine from my friend Slavi.

I tasted it for the first time in about 3yrs. It is a good fig but the similarities of it compared to the Olympian is almost undeniable. It ripens around the same time as the Mary Lane Fig.

1. They ripen around the same time.
2. The leaves look quite similar
3. The figs shape and color are almost identical
4. They even taste the same

Check out this side by side comparison. (2017 left, 2018 right)

Marlow Leaf left  - Olympian Leaf Right

So... if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck. Then it probably is one. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that the Marlow and Olympian are the same variety. Which also means that it's the same as Gene's Vashon.

If you have one of these you do not need to buy the others.

So onto the taste. This one came in at 75.5grams

I personally think the olympian fig is a great tasting fig! It's big, perfectly sweet, meaty and flavorful. There's very little seed crunch and produces tasty figs when watered properly.

Marlow (Olympian) (8/19/18) - 3yr old plant
Breba
2 crops
Taste: 8
Sweetness: 7
Size: 75.5 (8 grams)
Productivity: 3
Total = 26

More Fig Tasting! Olympian, Gene's Vashon, LSU O'Rourke, & Desert King

July is a great time of year for fig lovers! This is when the beginning of fig ripening season begins and it could go well into October depending on your varieties.

Yesterday was a treat. I got to taste 4 different varieties. Olympian, Gene's Vashon, LSU O'rourke, and Desert King


Olympian:
This fig came off of a 3ft tree and was recently placed in ground. It wasn't as juicy as I like but the flavor may improve with age. Overall it's a very productive tree for it's size with such gorgeous looking fruit.

Gene's Vashon:
The Vashon Violet was the best tasting out of this bunch that I had today. The tree is much more mature and has been in ground for about a decade. It was moist and juicy and the flavors were amazing. Very silky and rich. Melony tones.

 

LSU O'Rourke:
Unfortunately, this fig was knocked off too early by my young gardener helper and didn't get a chance to fully develop it's flavor. What I did taste has great promise though. A nice bit of acid and berry tones. You can taste the greenness of it still though. I love the color of and ribbing on this fig. Until next year young fig.

 

Desert King:
One of my favorites here in the Northwest. Never fails to impress me how good it is. Very refreshing and flavorful. And filling too. One 90gram fig can satisfy your hunger.

Desert King: Breba
Taste: 9.5
Size: 10
Productivity: 10
Total = 29.5

Genes Vashon: Breba
Taste: 8.7
Size: 5
Productivity: 7
Total = 21.7

Olympian: Breba
Taste: 6.5
Size: 4
Productivity: 5
Total =15.5

LSU O'Rourke Breba
Taste: 4.5 (not fully ripened)
Size: 2.7
Productivity: 1
Total = 8.2

Tasting the Olympian Fig 2018 & my thoughts of climate affecting fruit

I've always been a big advocate of putting a limitation on naming "NEW" fig varieties. It's a proven fact that figs are highly adaptable fruits. They can grow in a wide array of climates. However depending on the environment it grows in the color and fruit shape can be severely affected. 

Check out the Breba on my Grantham's Royal for example. HERE

Based on conversations with my friends who grow figs in Singapore. Black figs sometime do not turn black being grown in a tropical environment. The variance in fig appearance can be quite drastic even within the micro climate of a backyard.

So let's not be too hasty in naming a discovered fig because it looks slightly different from a fig you found through google.

I think there are 4 factors to verifying a fig. 

1. Experience with a true variety
2. Leaf shape
3. Fruit shape
4. And taste

It's hard to ID any fig through pictures alone.

So let's look at the figs below.

Olympian from my tree

Olympian from my brothers tree

Marlow Fig

Gene's Vashon

These all have different names but in my honest opinion they are probably all the same fig. With that being said. It is still a very good fig. Big meaty, melony fig that grow great here. However if you have one of these you do not need the other.

Olympian: Breba (8/24/17) - 4yr old plant

2 crops

Taste: 7.5

Sweetness: 7

Size: 6 (55 grams)

Productivity: .25

Total = 20.75

Nurseries that sells figs

I have been going a bit fig crazy. Ebay is a great source but the price can be somewhat elastic and sometimes nuts. Nurseries are a great source for figs that have a reasonable price. I've looked up dozens of nurseries and what varieties they carry. Let me share what I've learned below in no particular order.

Northwest Nurseries:
Burnt Ridge- (Great nursery in WA, they also sell at the Olympia farmers market. I purchased some figs from them and highly recommended. Most of the plants were about 3ft tall)
432 Burnt Ridge Rd.
Onalaska, WA 98570

Atreano, Cordi Stella, Desert King, Hardy Chicago, Italian Honey (Latarulla), Olympian, Violetta,  Violette De Bordeaux

Raintree (Great source for NW figs and other fruits. Good amount of tested PNW figs. I would buy from them again)
Raintree Nursery
391 Butts Road
Morton, Washington

Black mission, BT, Conadria, Dan Favorite, Dauphine,  Desert King, Excel, Flander's, Hardy Chicago, Lattarula, Mary lane, Nordland, Olympian, Osborne Prolific, Panache, Peter's Honey, Petite Negri, Tashkent, TX Blue, Violette de Bordeaux, Desert King

Calendula (Call first family nursery)
5111 36th Ave E,
Tacoma, WA 98443

Stella, Peter's Honey, Lattarula, Negronne, Desert King, Vern's BT

One Green World
6469 SE 134th Ave
Portland, OR 97236

Atreano, Black Spanish, Desert King, Lattarula,  Negronne, Peter's Honey, Stella, Vern's BT

Portland Nursery (Multiple sites. I visited one of their stores and was impressed with the selection of plants.)
Portland, OR

Atreano, Black Spanish, BT, Lattarula, Negronne, Oregon Prolific, Peter's honey, Stella, TX Ever bearing, Verns BT, King

Northwest Harvest (Operated out of someone's home)
10470 NE 6th Dr,
Portland, OR 97211

Atreano, Black Spanish, Chicago Hardy, Conadria, Desert King, Lattarula, LSU Purple, Magnolia,  Negronne, Peter's HOney, Petite Negra, Stella, Vern's BT, Black Jack, Black Mission, Celestrial, Italian Everbearing,  Osborne Prolific, TX everbearing, Ischia, Olympian, White Kadota, BT

Sky Nursery (I've visited this place a few times, no online list of plants, best to wait for the 30% off sale that happens often.)
18528 Aurora Avenue North
Shoreline, WA 98133

From what I remember. Chicago hardy, Desert King, Petite Negri, BT, Violette De Bordeaux, 

Mclendons (They have a couple varieties and only in small qtys. If you like  BT or Desert King that's about it)
Locations throughout WA

The Grange (This is a co-op and is hit or miss but great quality for a good price)

Lattarula, DK, BT, Peter's honey

Kent Hill Nursery (great nursery with a good selection of fruit plants, only a handful of figs)
116th Ave and 240th St
Kent, WA

Atreano, Peter's honey, Desert King Stella, BT

Molbaks
13625 NE 175th St,
Woodinville, WA 98072

Not a lot of selection and sells fast. Desert King, Olympian, Violette De Bordeaux

Flower world Been here many times. It's a huge nursery. Lots of everything and only a handful of figs
9322 196th St SE,
Snohomish, WA 98296

Black Spanish, Desert King, BT, Peter's Honey

Furney's They only get figs in around March. The plants are large but somewhat pricey. Upwards of $50+
21215 International Blvd,
Des Moines, WA 98198

Panache, Desert King, BT, Black mission


Reputable Online Nurseries: 

Rolling River (I made a purchase the other week I have a review on this blog. I'm very pleased with the purchase the trees are very tall and established)
Orleans, CA

Alma, Atreano, Barnissotte, Nero,  Beall, Black Jack, Black mission, Black Spanish, BT, BT South, Bursa Siyahi, Calimyrna, Celeste, Chicago Hardy, Conadria, Dauphine, Deanna, Desert King,  Emalyn's purple, Excel, flanders, Hollier, Ischia White, Kadota, Latturula, LSU Gold, LSU Purple, Marrabout, Monstrueuse, Nazarti, Negronne, Normon's Yellow, Osborne Prolific, Panache, Peter's Honey, Snowden, Tena, TX Everbearing, Ventura Strawberry, Vern's BT, White Genoa

Just Fruits and Exotics - (Prices are a bit high)
30 Saint Frances St.
Crawfordville, Florida 32327

Alma, Beall, Black Jack, Black madeira, BT, Celeste, Champagne, Conadria, Flanders, Green ischia, Hardy Chicago, Hollier, Hunt, Mary Lane, LSU Gold, LSU Improved Celeste, LSU Purple, SLU Scotts Black, Miss Hall, Nero, ORourke, Panache, Smith, St Peter;s Tena, White Tx Everbearing

Almost Eden  (Great prices and great selection)

Almost Eden

Address

1240 Smith Rd
Merryville LA 70653

 Alma, Calvert, Atreano, Banana, Beall, Bisirri, Black mission, Brooklyn White, Brooklyn Dark, BT, Capelas, Celeste, Champagne, Conadria, Creech Family Sugar fig, Cucumber, Danny's delite, Delcon, Dr. Monticeillos, Deanna, Excel, G and A Violette, Gillette, Hollier, Ischia Black, Jack qtr pounder, Jurupa, Kadota, Kathleen Black, LSU Gold, LSU Pruple, LSU Gold, Lyndhurst White, Magnolia, Marylane Seedless, Mega Celeste, Negronne, Nero, New Dan, Osborne Prolific, O'Rourke, Pan Tiger, Peter's Honey, Purple Passion, Red Italian, Salem Dark, Salem White, Sal's Fig, Smith, Stanford Fig, Stella Cordi, Strawberry Verdonne, Syrian Long, Yellow Magnolia.

Edible Landscape I've purchased my Che fruit and jujube from them. They were very healthy looking plants
361 Spirit Ridge Lane
Afton, VA 22920

Hardy Chicago, Celeste, BT, LSU Purple,  Conadria, Violet De Bordeaux, Petite Negri, TX BA-1, Latarulla, Verte (Green Ischia), Black Mission, Kodata, Panache, Marseilles, O-Rourke

Hidden Springs They only ship from Nov to April.
170 Hidden Springs Lane
Cookeville, TN 38501

Celeste, LSU Gold, LSU Purple, Chicago Hardy, Magnolia

Encanto Farms (runs figs4fun)
San Diego, CA

Too many to list. Here's the link. Encanto Figs

Figtrees.net
 721 American Legion Hwy. 
Roslindale, MA 02131 

Paradiso or Genova, Whiter triana, Votata, San Peitro, Tarantella, BT, LA GOCCIA D'ORO, black triana, Black Mission, Petite Negra, Italian Honey

Figrific Another great micro nursery with rare fig varieties, sells mainly on  ebay. The actual site seems to be under construction
North Carolina

Atreano, Black Madeira, Galicia Negra, Genovese Nero, Jolly Tiger, Maltese, Martinenca Rimada, Mary Lane Seedless, Red labanese, Souadi, Sals Corleone, Zingarella, Ronde De Bordeaux, Marseilles VS black, Black Greek , Col De Dame, Violette De Bordeaux, Markopoulou, LSU Purple, Sals Gene

Bay Flora
 1563 Solano Avenue, 
#428, Berkeley, CA 9470

Janice seedless Kadota, Panache, Lattarulla, White Genoa, Negronne, Peter's Honey, Black Jack

Three Fold Farm ($100 minimum order for shipping, no limit on pickup orders. Sorry, no shipping to AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, or WA)

Adriatic JH Fig, Atreano Fig, Black Madeira Fig, Bryant Dark Fig, Dark Portuguese Fig, Col de Dame Gris Fig, Col de Dame Noir Fig, Latarolla Fig, Florea, LSU Gold Fig, Kathleen's Black Fig, LSU Tiger Fig, Keddie Fig, Longue D'Aout Fig, Lyndhurst White Fig, Macool Fig, Malta Black Fig, Maltese Falcon Fig, Marseilles Black VS Fig, Neri 1 Fig, Nero 600m Fig, Niagara Black Fig, O'Rourke Fig, Panache Fig, Takoma Violet Fig, Large Negronne Fig, Petite Negri Fig, Ronde de Bordeaux Fig, Sal's Corleone Fig, Smith Fig, Tim Light and Vista  

Figs Galore - Backyard grower

Charlotte, NC

Alma, Black Italian, Celeste, Dark Portuguese, LSU Black, Lyndhurst White, Marseilles, White, Mary Lane, Osborne Prolific, Petite, Negra, Purple Passion, Red Italian, Salem Dark, Southern BT, Strawberry, Syrian Long, Violet De Bordeaux, White TX Everbearing, Wuhan

Trees of Joy Has a great selection of rare figs. Also sells on Ebay
Bethlehem, PA

Varieties Link

Willis Been around for 22yrs

 200 McCormick Road
Cartersville, GA. 30120

Black jack, Black Mission, Italian Everbearing, Conadria, Desert King, Peter's Honey, White Kadota, Brown Turkey, Celestrial Fig, TX Everbearing,

Trees of Antiquity  Heirloom fruit trees
20 Wellsona Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Black Jack, Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Conadria, Flanders, Genoa,  Osborne Prolific, Peter's Honey, TX everbearing, Verte, Violette De Bordeaux, White Kadota

Petals from the past  Focuses on growing old world plants
 16034 County Road 29
Jemison, Alabama

 Celeste, Green Ischia, Lemon fig, LSU Black, LSU Purple, O'Rourke, White Marseilles

French Fig Farm - Family grower, Specializes in french figs
NYC
Battaglia, Calliopes Red Greek, Col De Dame Blanc, Col De Dame Blanca-Negra, Dalmatie, Doree, Blanquette, Frank's Salermo, Dauphine, Italian 258, Longue d'Aout, Madeline De Saisons, Negronne, Pastilliere, Sucrete, Ronde De Bordeaux, Volette De Bordeaux, Violette De Sollies

Ebay Sellers:

Plant-Creator
Driveway Farmer
KK
Willys-a-gas
churl82
treesofjoy
mgwillis55


This list is by far not complete and will continue to grow. Feel free to comment on nurseries that you know of.

The varieties and stock may change yearly so be sure to visit the sellers website for the latest.

Tasting Review of the Peter's Honey, Shiro Plum, Spartan Apple, Desert King, and Gene's Vashon

Tasting Review of the Peter's Honey, Shiro Plum, Spartan Apple, Desert King, and Gene's Vashon

Peter's Honey Breba:

I think the Peter's honey grown in ground here in the PNW is a great compliment to other mild weather figs such as the Desert King, Vern's Brown Turkey, Olympian and VDB. What they have in common is that they all do well here in ground. But that's about it. The flavor profiles are so different and they all encompass the various flavors of figs. Berry tone (VDB), Melon Tone (Vern's BT), Honey tones (Peter's Honey), and the classic figgy taste (Olympian). 

The Peter's Honey fig is such a sweet fig. It's like pure honey! Even on the breba the figs are super duper sweet. The breba I ate recently was so syrupy and thick with honey. I felt like I was going to get diabetes with each bite. All kidding aside Peter's honey is a great honey fig. The main crop may not ripen here but the breba's certainly make a great snack.

If you live in Seattle add this to your in ground collection.

Peter's Honey: Breba (8/8/17)

Taste: 7

Sweetness: 9

Size: 6 (54.4grams)

Productivity: .66

Total =  22.66

Shiro Plum:

I purchased this plum tree from a local seller. Her sells them out of his backyard. He's got great trees and for a fair price. It's been a superb grower in my yard. Very disease resistant and low maintenance. 

The plums are very delicious and usually more plump when we have more rain. But Seattle has had 55 days without rain and I only water these guys about twice a week, so they are not as juicy but the sugars have definitely concentrated and the flavor is quite good. 

Dont forget that these trees need a pollinator so if you buy one, also considering getting the following Japanese plums. 

Redheart, Early Golden, Ozark Premier, stasuma and Methley

Spartan Apple:

I have about half dozen apple varieties in my yard. Spartan by far has been the most vigorous and productive tree. It's also an early apple. Ripening in early August. 

The apple is quite pretty. It shines up nice. However based off of the the one I tried it was already quite mealy. I will have to try another from the tree to see if it's any different. I'll reserve the review until then.

Desert King:

I love the Desert King Fig. It's always so reliable and very tasty. And also very productive. I've already eaten my fill of these. A must have in ground for all cool weather climates. 

Desert King: Breba (8/8/17)

Taste: 8

Sweetness: 7

Size: 7 (61 grams)

Productivity: 2

Total =  24

Gene's Vashon:

This little guy was rooted last year. I didn't expect this little tree to bear fruit yet but it did and it wasn't too bad. 

It had a strong figgy taste with some hints of acid. Because I just had eaten the Peter's honey, this one was relatively bland compared to it. But pure sugar would've bland compared to a Peter's Honey.

My thoughts on this fig after a few yrs is that it's probably in the same family as the Olympian. So if you have one or the other you don't need both.

Gene's Vashon: Breba (8/8/17)

Taste: 5.5

Sweetness: 5

Size: 5 (42 grams)

Productivity: 1

Total =  16.

My little one also wants to get into the watering fun.