Wow! I have about 20 and that is too many. But I agree I could probably pick 70 easy!
I do want badly about 15 more, but told myself no.
1 Like
Drew51,
You are right. Nobody needs this many varieties. Thatâs why i said this âfig virus colectorâ hits hard and can turn ugly quickly. I told myself i have an excuse - one of my aims is to collect as many Portuguese old fig varieties as i can and preserve them. There are many old varieties which have already disappeared and itâs a dam shame.
But collecting other countries varieties is plain curiosity. I want to see how they do where i am and, later on, i probably will get rid of the ones that are unsuited for my location or donât quite cut it, taste wise.
One of my problems is that at least 1/3 of the best Portuguese varieties i want to collect are Smyrna types. Old folks are unanimous in saying they are the best tasting fig of all (like InchĂĄrio Branco and Preto - this later one is considered the best tasting fig we have). The problem is, i donât have the wasp over here. I am trying to introduce it and see if it can survive our winters (that are not that cold, so there is a good chance).
A good friend has send me some caprifigs full of wasps this week and i placed them near my grafted caprifig so the wasps can find a new home. I hope i am successful.
In the process i will try to benefit from the polen the wasps carry so i can taste some of these varieties, like InchĂĄrio Branco - the wasps seem to be doing their pollinating job near the small InchĂĄrios.
1 Like
That is very cool about the wasp! Where are you?
Yes some of the best figs. Most are not suited for my area. I have one from Portugal, it is an unknown but for sure is not Preto, and BM. Cravenâs Craving. It looks to be OK here with large fruit already.
I am located in the center of the country near the ocean. My winters are not very cold (minimum temperature rarely goes below -4Âș C (25Âș F) on some odd years)
I know there are wasps near Lisbon. I am just trying to move them some 100 km North.
The problem with some Portuguese cultivars in the USA is that people who brought them there didnât know their names so they are renamed over there what leads to confusion, like Dark Portuguese - we havenât a clue to which Portuguese cultivar people are referring to. There are dozens of Black Portuguese figs over here.
I have recently recollected some 20 cultivars from the North mostly unknown and they are simply referred locally by âBlack fromâŠâ and then the name of the location - like Preto de Dores, Preto de Covas, Preto do GĂȘres, Preto da Travessa and so onâŠ
Iâve just realized we have hijacked Saraâs thread - Sorry, Sara.
I will try to open a new thread to discuss Portuguese Figs.
2 Likes
You are not hijacking at all! I love reading about all the varieties of best tasting fig in Portugal, I actually am going to be there in September. Can I get fresh fig to eat during that time there?
Actually, anyone know if itâs ok to bring back some cuttings or scion wood from Portugal? Maybe I can graft some to my hardy Chicago.
Sara, I donât blame you for hoping to bring back cuttings or scion wood from varieties you enjoy. Who wouldnât want to be able to grow them for themselves and be able to enjoy those fruits every year? Unfortunately, we canât tell whether plant material is carrying diseases or pests just by looking. The accidental introduction of pests and plant disease can cause devastating harm to our agricultural economy and native plants that have no resistance. Some of the pests and eggs are too tiny to see. Which is why it is illegal to transport plant material into our country without obtaining some very expensive health certifications. At best, your cuttings would be confiscated. Worse, you could be detained or face federal charges and high penalties. 
Oh, well. I know we are not suppose to bring plants in, was hoping a little twig would be ok. Guess I have to try to stuff my self with fresh figs there thenđ
Thanks for the info on your location. It does get a little cold, so the figs from Portugal that ripen early should work here very well. Keep up the good work too. If you obtain new ones feel free to post about them. Maybe you can help me identify Cravenâs Craving one day. I need to grow it a couple years! Happy to have ONE from Portugal!! The man who brought it here is still alive, in California, not sure what part of Portugal he came from?
The Preto we have in the U.S. is called âFigo Pretoâ or just âPreto.â It does not need the wasp to fruit, and it is ranked by many as the second best fig that can be fruited in the Eastern U.S. (behind Black Madeira), but it is easier to grow than Black Madeira, so it may actually be the best, all things considered. It requires protection indoors (greenhouse) or must be kept in pot culture; the roots cannot survive cold winters.
Both of those are Portuguese. Black Madeira is a made up name for here. And I have a third,Cravenâs Craving, is also in the Exotic Berry flavor group like the former two. I decided not to get Preto and BM as they fruit so late. Others in that flavor group fruit earlier and many consider them top rate, and close if not the best too, like Galicia Negra, Genovese Nero,Black Tuscan, or Bassâ Favorite, In that groups is another I have Brogiotto Nero. Another very good fig.
Drew,
I can try identifying Cravenâs Craving but it usually is not that easy. When you have them post some pictures of fruits and leaves.
When i have results on my newly found Northern varieties i will post them.
Regarding late varieties. I also donât have a very long summer, but there is always the odd year where they can accumulate enough heat to mature before the rains. So i am going to try many varieties that are not the most adapted to my location.
Matt,
I know about Black Madeira and Preto.
They probably are strains of a very old Portuguese variety (Violeta) that went to Madeira Island more than 500 years ago. Over there they named it Figo Preto and some immigrant went to the USA with it, where it was disseminated and is now Black Madeira or Preto.
Thanks to a friend i have recently added to my collection the original Violeta. Now, itâs a matter of trying to find some cuttings of Preto and Black Madeira so i can compare the 3 strains and check for differences that could have accumulated over the years.
1 Like