Florea and Other Superhardy Figs

17 years ago

In the post, Cuttings progress..., Herman mentioned what appears to be a super hardy fig that he had named Florea.

"It is called Florea.

I do not have it anymore because i did not like the taste as grown here.

But is growing strong in USA with no winter protection at all here in New Jersey and no die back ever for the seven years it was planted in the grownd."

Herman, would you - or anyone out there - know where I can get this fig?

Another apparent super hardy fig was mentioned by Marylandmojo in the post, Freezing roots, in January/07:

"It's pretty common knowledge that Figs will generally grow back from the roots when tops are Winter-killed--but what about a Fig that never has a bud-tip killed, at overnight temperatures down to -10 degrees F (-23 C)?? That appears hardy as an Oak tree, in that it has never lost a bud-tip in my zone 7a climate, no matter the temperature that has occurred, in the last 100 years that it's been inground? That is situated fully exposed, whith no structure around at all? That produces a huge crop of Figs every season, no matter how cold the previous Winter? "

Mojo, If you are able to aquire this fig, I'd greatly appreciate a piece.

If anyone else has any other unusually hardy figs, please let me know.

I don't have much to trade at this point, but would be glad to discuss compensation. Thanks.

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Comments (14)

herman2_gw
17 years ago
Hi Fignut:Yes a lot of people allready have it but not me.Ask Gorge(George) in NNJ,or the Mentioned Marylandmojo.
One thing to mention about Florea is that last year(and every year in fact,it had ripe fruits,(main crop),two weeks,earlier,here in NJ,and i went to visit,my aquintances,and they gave me a bowl of fresh ,main crop figs,at around on 8th of August.
My earliest were,Black Marseilles,Hardy Chicago,and Sal's fig,on,20th,of August.
Here is a picture of the fig bowl, i was given on 8th of August last year: The Picture was uploaded,on 08 09 06,but they had fruit much earlier,!!!
This fig was planted in the grownd,after the cutting was rooted and was never protected from cold.It has better tasting figs where is planted now because,the soil is more sandy and more wind blow every day as the house is on the Delaware bank.Best Regard
gorgi
17 years ago
Another possibly hardy fig is the Bayernfeige Violetta,
from old Bavaria, Germany.
I have read 'somewhere' in this FF of one person
specifically looking for it because of it's hardness.
There is a nursery, I believe in Oregon that stocks it,
but offers no shipping. I do have a very small specimen.
see:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg1107172029416.html

George (NJ).

Here is a link that might be useful: Violetta
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I'm sorry I was slow to respond, but it looks like Tonytran had the same experience I did and my figs look just about exactly the same size as his (both the plant and the fruit). As for whether they will ripen or not, I just don't know. I have had 3-4 ripen already, but they seem to be odd-balls since the vast majority of my fruits are still a little larger than marbles. My season, by the way, is about 6 months or so....the last frost is usually in mid April and the first frost usually in mid-October. I am in middle Tennessee, btw. I uncovered my Chicago hardy figs in mid April and they appeared completely dead. I cut the dead wood back to about 8 inches up from the ground, at which point I saw a little green so I stopped. Nothing happened for like a month or so (which makes their eventual growth and fruit more amazing) but then it slowly started to grow back. It grew slowly until around July, then took off and put out fruits as it grew. Its now about 4 foot tall and has lots of small green fruit. Again, my situation sounds and looks very much like Tonytrans, so I guess it isn't THAT unusual after all. BTW....the 10 new figs I planted THIS YEAR are about 3 feet tall and also have a good deal of fruit. They aren't nearly as thick in fruit or brush as the ones that are 3 year old re-starts after winter kill. If you have other questions let me know.
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So:Those fruits are from the,New Jersey fig,that is the point. I do not know anybody to have ripe main figs now,so early,while Jon,harvests figs starting on Aug 1st,2009,from his Florea fig,right here in New Jersey. What I am looking for is finding another cultivar,the same early like this one,but with better tasting fruits. It is impossible that Florea is the only early fig,and there are no others. So far I had no luck. All the varieties I trialed are late ripening compared to Florea fig. If you know another one Please let me know. Best Regards
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Some of the earliest varieties are: Florea, RdB, Malta Black, Improved Celeste, and Marseilles VS Black. All are considered hardy to zone 6. In zone 5 you'll have to some work winterizing and choose carefully if you want to plant in ground (try Florea and Marseilles VS Black) or grow in containers.
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That's interesting. I didn't realize figs would continue root growth while dormant. I know other plants do (why fall planting is such a good idea), but I kind of thought of figs as a hot weather kind of plant that shuts down. Never considered it. That changes things. My big concern with overwintering just potted bareroot trees has more to do with moisture in the pots than cold temps. Heavily rooted plants seem to regulate water better - even while dormant. The channels through the soil that the roots make maybe? What I have here is kind of an "overpotting" situation. I have enough roots for the size pot, but they are all in one spot, basically, surrounded by a mass of water retentive soiless mix. Not a healthy situation - making me nervous - the pots are sodden. I've actually started wicking some of the moisture out with clay pots and paper towels. I've overwintered very successfully in the garage - even when temps dropped to 10*F in there. The only time I had a number of plants die was early on, when they seemed dry in late winter/early spring, and I gave them a drink. A number died. I know it was the water because I also "helped out" some hosta I had in the garage with a drink and lost them also, and they are dead hardy. Never did that again. The problem is finding a place cool enough to keep them below 40* F. Anyone have any experience overwintering at higher temps (40* +)? If I go this route, I'd probably want to take you up on the Wilt Pruf. Thanks for the offer. Another benefit of a deep horse manure mulch might also be in preserving roots. Many roots are right at soil level (probably why it got the reputation for being shallow rooted) and low temps and fluctuations (freeze-thaw) might do damage. So not only would you have new root growth, but probably also root preservation. This manure mulch sounds better and better. I think there is a little misunderstanding about horse manure. When I say it's hot I mean that it heats up when composted, not that it "burns" roots. Old time market gardeners in Canada used to use it to produce melons. They dug a pit, covered it with a cold frame and put in very fresh horse manure and a layer of soil. Planted melons in the soil very early and got a big start on the season using the heat from the manure. I'm not sure where it ranks in "burn" potential - I'll believe Christy's assertion that it's less "burny" than cow - sounds like she's talking from experience (How great to have your own manure sources). It would be helpful to know just how old the manure your friend gets actually is. Probably through the hottest part of the process? I have a friend with large manure making machines (Clydesdales)and could get some, but would want to make sure I'm reproducing the conditions your friend has.
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gorgi
17 years ago
Forgot to mention that my Florea is still very small..
gorgi
17 years ago
Is Hardy Chicago considered a 'superhardy'? I think not!
I hear that it is famous for 'bouncing' back from normal
fig winter kills to average figs
(new growth from the base/roots).
Herman may have just proved this by his experiment/pictures
of his (winter) unprotected HC (bark split) in USDA
zones 6/7 NJ.
George (NJ).

Here is a link that might be useful: Winter Damage on fig ,Left Exposed in New Jersey!!!!
rob5020
16 years ago
Hello I was wondering does anyone have this fig for sale?Please email me @mdusha01@baker.edu thank's
paully22
16 years ago
As far as I know Desert King, Lattarulla and Brown turkey have no problem in my zone. Lots of ethnic Italians grow these without any protection in Vancouver. We get artic outflows to -12*C(like recently) and windchills probably in the 20's Centigrade plus every year for periods of up to 7 days per period when it comes down.
heirloom_newbie
16 years ago
paully22
are you saying they are in the ground and survive these arctic outflows? -12*C translates to 10*F, roughly. We get quite a bit colder than that out here on the prairie, like last night, down to 0*F. And it can get colder than that. For a second I had a glimmer of hope...til I did the math..maybe a south exposure with some blankies...I think I'll stick to pots. As shared in other posts, no sense in pushing the envelope farther than it was designed, just need to focus on what works around here. I'd love to have citrus, but it is out of the question for outside, too. And there is only so much room for potted plants....sigh....

Mark
paully22
16 years ago
Mark -- Yes those varieties including Osborne Prolific I mentioned are planted in ground. Theres quite a few of them in my neighbourhood. Most people I talk to overhere are surprise that figs can take to pot culture. I have not put my trees in ground yet but I am definitely putting some this year. I agreed that it is not worth taking any chances with figs grown outside in specific zones where the cold weather can do so much damage.
elder
16 years ago
Gee, no one mentioned Danny's Delite. My DD has survived, without protection, single digit temperatures at least twice. Did I say survived? It has flourished!!! But only one edible fig in three years.
chills71
16 years ago
Elder...

that means your Danny's Delight has produced exactly one more fig than my also flourishing mulberry tree (which to date hasn't produced a single fig, but it does produce yummy mulberries)

I was looking for DD's once upon a time, but your experience does not seem atypical.

~Chills
elder
16 years ago
I hope this isn't too far out of line for this thread - does anyone have any experience with increased cold hardiness as a result of grafting different varieties on cold hardy rootstock such as Dannys Delite? I do know that in other fruit varieties you can force normal plant material to grow dwarfed as a result of grafting on specific rootstock.
herman2_gw
16 years ago
My Maryland Brown Turkey also resisted to 8* F.
I had 2 of them ,one next to house ,on the south side and one in the open ,top of hill end of my yard.
Both made it just fine last year (third),without any die down,and no protection.
And they produced over a hundred and fifty,fruits each this year.
Expect more next year,and they are yammy too.
This year I left Hardy Chicago,and Marseilles vs Black without protection.
We will see,thow it will not be the same because we had a mild winter with only 14 *F lowest,so far.
Best Regards
kate2008
16 years ago
You mentioned you did not like the taste of a fig. How do you know in advance of planting a variety and waiting for it to mature, bear fruit and ripen whether or not it will be sweet and luscious? Figs I buy in the supermarket come in two or three varieties but the supermarket just labels them figs and does not give a variety.
I am taking early retirement from my overseas job and moving to the panhandle of Florida this June- sandy soil and one block from the salt air of the East Bay. I have been looking forward to planting figs for the last several years. How do I know what kind to order? If there was a variety called "Sweet Luscious Beauty" the choice would seem clear, or would it?
Kate
herman2_gw
16 years ago
That is Why the fig forum is.
One can only reaserch a certain variety,that other people have and ask their evaluatian about it.
99 percent of people asked will be honest enough to tell you the true.Providing you get a fig identical with theirs,Coming from a piece of wood,rooted from original tree,that the person you asked ,has one,the taste will be the same.
Once you have about two people response you will know.
I was growing some fig trees well before the internet time,so we had to grow them,for a few years to know,and get frustrated.Ha Ha.
Best Regards

Florea and Other Superhardy Figs

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