I leave figs on the bush as long as possible until they shrivel up some.
I try to pick when they are fully drooping and soft like a marshmallow. I tend to pick a day or two early due to impatience and fear of birds/squirrels. I ha e a friend with an enormous Conadria who always has tons of cuttings.
Great info guys thanks. It was marshmallow like, nice to know I can leave them on too! It didn’t want to come off, do you cut them?
I harvest when the handle bend down lower and texture is soft, sometime skin starts to crack. But I am afraid the animals get them before I do , so I alway harvest when it is still on the tree.
All 11 of my fig plants are starting to feel the arrival of autumn. The leaves are turning yellow and will likely be on the ground in the next few weeks.