Fig suggestions: rich/sweet for pots in Atlanta area

14 years ago

Hi there! I'm pretty new to this GW forum, usually hang out over in the Georgia Gardener forum. Ever since we incorporated a fig into our landscape 2 years ago, I've had the fig bug. We've always had edibles in the landscape, but ... I'm infatuated with the fig like no others. I've started collecting and rooting scion wood from various places.

We're looking at putting between 2-4 on our full-sun back deck (in pots). We want something that is both sweet and rich, bears well from pots, will do well in the southeast US. I think it would be nice if there was a decent breba crop, but it's not a requirement.

After digging through varieties, I have been considering the following, ones with * are of particular interest to me:

*Negronne

Nero

*Vista

Sal

*Sultane

Ventura

Petite Negri

Hardy Chicago

Hunt

*Black Madeira

Excel

I am wondering if anyone has helpful suggestions on those varieties so I can try to narrow the field? Any pros/cons, things to think about, disease resistance, crop size, growth rate, anything?

I have the following scion already rooting or on the way:

Beall

Black Madeira

Conadria (DFIC0050 & DFIC0005)

Excel

HÃ¢tive de Argentueil

Violette De Bordeaux

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Comments (4)

ejp3
14 years ago
Looks like you have a pretty good start. I dont know if I would change anything. VDB, conadria and excel have not split on me in the past which should be a consideration in your climate. I hear alot of praise for lsu purple in your neck of the woods.
scott_ga
14 years ago
Hi Satellite,

You do seem to have a good start. VdB (Negronne) has done well in a pot for me here. Hardy Chicago has been more productive. VdB for me so far has been a shy bearer. The birds also seem really get excited about that black coloration.

Hunt, Sal's, and Black Madeira have not borne any figs for me yet (young plants).

Splitting is a consideration. As you know, after a long drought, we are getting lots of rain. Some figs split more than others. Hardy Chicago, VdB, and Col de Dame haven't split for me yet.

Scott
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mcleod
14 years ago
Keep this thread updated please. I am in search for two varieties to replace the one I have (unk variety). It ain't cutting it in the flavor dept. I have room for two maybe three tops planted in ground more if I did pots and kept them cut back.

satellite, where are you finding info on the varieties and the scion wood?
satellitehead
Original Author
14 years ago
Hey mcleod,

I will embed some links in the following text so you can click through to pages I'm referencing, they will all spawn a new window so you don't lose your place here.

I have found the figs4fun.com website to be an absolute blessing for information. In particular, the Varieties section of the site is great - I spend two days poring over every single page - thousands of figs - looking primarily for dark figs, sweet and rich, with tolerance in the southeast (where noted), I clicked through on a lot of the number links on several figs. They also have a forum with logs of fig junkies, but I haven't gone there yet.

I also used Ray Givan's website - he is the NAFEX fig coordinator, I believe he lives in central/south GA, and had a huuuuge fig collection up until middle of this year. More info on how he lost his collection, along with his results with his fig crops can be found on his "My figs" page. Overall, you will find a plethora of info if you click on all of the embedded links I've included.

Finally, I'll leave on last link for you. Everything I know about planting in pots and rooting cuttings "properly" I learned from the first and last link on this figs4fun page. I printed out the middle/2nd link and hung it up in my growing area so I have a quick reference. I use the bag method to root all my cuttings, and I found that my enclosed entertainment center provides a good 80Â° temperature constantly, all day, and is very suitable for holding my temps solid. I keep my bag sitting on top of my Tivo, in the enclosed cabinet, and it's just .. dark, warm and perfect.

Hope all of this info helps!!!

Fig suggestions: rich/sweet for pots in Atlanta area

Comments (4)

ejp3

scott_ga

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mcleod

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Fig suggestions: rich/sweet for pots in Atlanta area

Comments (4)

ejp3

scott_ga

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