It is late, but has been ripening some main crop figs over the past two weeks which have been good despite the chilly fall weather. Was Bullard comparing Celeste and Southern brown turkey or Celeste and Brown Turkey? What makes this strange is that European BTs are probably the most commonly grown fig in northern Europe – it’s everywhere. “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. Figue d'Automne or Celeste, listed by Ballon (1692), and Liger (1702), as bearing fruit which may remain on the tree during the winter and mature in the spring, is apparently a different variety. A few fig varieties, however, are adaptable for cold climates and extremes and will produce fruit on new wood. Starts ripening in late July. Mutch Dutch people like them. Has produced as many as 100 pints of figs in one season. in pots. Brown Turkey figs work well in salads, where their lighter sweetness is a welcome contrast, or in desserts where an additional sweetener will be used. Brown turkey fig can reach heights of 20 feet or more, but the tree responds well to pruning, so there’s no need to let it get so large. Black mission figs are a deep blue-purple color on the outside with a pink flesh inside, are known for their sweetness, and often ooze a syrupy substance. The celeste produces a small- to medium-sized fig in mid-June that is brown to purple in color and has a nearly seedless, amber pulp. This article will help with identifying sour figs and managing fig sour rot. Join the discussion today. Most of the above are very much affected –they grow very poorly. The poster was upset that they'd been able to restrict it as it was “just Brown Turkey”. Build a framework of wood, wire or bamboo around the fig, and pack mulch into the space between the frame and the tree. Good for potted culture, although it is our most dependable outdoor fig. Root constriction limits top growth, but promotes fruit formation. I don't want >to use any of this for propagation or sales until I've got them >straightened out...that is how these mistakes get continued in the >industry. You can also grow and overwinter figs in pots. Oddly enough, potted figs will bear heavier fruit crops than their in-ground counterparts. Novice fig grower in The Netherlands (Oceanic climate, Zone 7b). But familiarity with this variety seemed to fade as the “old timers” who “knew their stuff” like Paul Starnes passed. I’m also trying to re-program or re-set other late figs which if successful would allow a wider range of figs to be grown in short season areas. What began as a lifelong gardening fixation turned into a career for Jean Lien. Halligan- Here's a previous post on Hanc's EBT: I have a Vern’s BT . That is why I think Bullard was comparing CA Brown Turkey with Celeste, not SBT. Read the Anyone growing figs besides Brown Turkey and Celeste? Good points! Figs often have a first (breba) crop that may be mediocre depending on weather/late frost, but often a poor breba will be "backed up" by a second generation bumper crop. Just like another type. But it was plain from winter pictures of LaRadek grown in Czechoslovakia. The source I got them from probably had them since around 1960. Taste is good, very sweet. An important different is the Celeste has a "closed" eye, protecting it from insect spoiling. Instead, prune it back in winter so it stands about 8 feet tall. I have this fig to. Are these trees indoors or protected? It's its own thing - a very reliable light brown sugar fig here in the PNW. Move the pots indoors with the on-set of cold weather to a cool, sheltered place. Southern Brown Turkey and Celeste are very similar – and probably related – but they are definitely different varieties. Brown Turkey Figs also prefer well-drained soil, though they are adaptable to a number of different soil types. If I were in your situation, I’d not take the effort maybe, although it is a tree you could put in ground without protection, thats also worth something. The brebas are way better. That is why I think Bullard was comparing CA Brown Turkey with Celeste, not SBT. That was a huge surprise. This year i got my first RdB and was disappointment. That didn’t make sense with the main crop figs. Common Figs are self-fertile and there are many, many varieties varying in taste color and growth habit. Fig trees (Ficus carica) grow well in areas that provide the eight hours of daily sun and moderate winters. If we grow the EBT for breba, does it mean we remove all the figlets of the main crop as soon as they emerge? There is a lot of confusion surrounding figs in general, but it’s especially thick around the “Brown Turkeys”. It has the reputation of being bland. Since light is not an issue when the trees are dormant, a garage or a basement is a good storage spot. Sure! I have Bornholm (aka Bornholm's Diamond, aka Nexoe) which is an European Brown Turkey. Hardy Chicago will grow slowly at first. It will be a lot easier if pushing the tree to produce a big breba crop drives the main crop late enough to stop main crop figs ripening! Supposedly zone 8a, but my severe frost pocket makes it more like 7a. So I took it out to make place for cutting season. It’s really odd, but the camera “sees” the difference when the naked eye does not. I really think specifying. This year after heavy pruning it produced a heavy breba crop and then the main crop stalled – only two ripened. It took years to figure them out. Growing techniques and winter protection will allow certain fig trees to grow successfully in zone 5. If no brebas, back to the scrap heap. https://www.scribd.com/document/2485...es-A-Monograph, https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...bt-new-mystery, https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-h...with-id-please. Zone 5 low temperatures average around -15 degrees, which will kill these plants to the ground. (Neither - Hanc’s EBT isn’t a Brown Turkey at all - but Hanc Matheis, Left Hanc’s EBT, Right Eastern (Southern) Brown Turkey, So really knowledgeable fig folk were flummoxed. I rather have 100 “bad tasting” EBT, while waiting for other varieties to become productive. In every hobby there are elitists that believe that if it isn't the "Best", or the most sought then it is of a lower or lesser class, to which I say "Male Bovine Scat"! SBT is darker. You may only view thumbnails in this gallery. EBT – Eastern BT or European BT? The figs in this composite of pictures (taken from the websites of 18 different European nurseries two days ago) were all referred to as 'Brown Turkey'. This gallery has 3 photos. Vancouver, WA Z 8b, soon to be Austin, TX Z 8b (Bring the heat!). Brown Turkey and Celeste are both premier "gateway figs" in that they are responsible for a lot of people being involved with figs. I’m heading out to revisit the place soon. Brown Turkey figs have a deep brown-purple color on the outside and a paler pink color on the inside. and there’s some fresh pineapple and several people are saying how good it is when it’s pretty darned bland and I’m thinking obviously they have never had a ripe pineapple before. I hope it's been re- programed or re-set. It is amazing you had 1 of each to compare at same time since they have a hugely varying season. Vern's BT is its own thing - not really a 'Brown Turkey' in the sense that it isn't part of any of the established groups. You're right - I've seen many variations within a variety too. After four to five years, you can leave the fig unprotected. "The eye of mature Turkey figs is somewhat open while Celeste is closed and is therefore a better keeper - resisting souring better." Since light is not an issue when the trees are dormant, a garage or a basement is a good storage spot. They will look pale and spindly, but a few days of sunshine will turn them a healthy green. Noted for its cold-hardiness, Ficus carica 'Brown Turkey' (Fig) is a large deciduous shrub or small tree with a spreading crown clothed in bold, deeply lobed leaves. Tie down securely to protect against high winds. When Does a Fig Tree Bear Fruit?. Although they display a surprising amount of cold tolerance, harsh weather severely limits fruit production and growth. This is a work in progress. A couple of weeks back etowah posted an inquiry about red eye in Brown Turkey figs, and there were no clear answers. Here is my theory. All times are GMT-5. Alice: St. Louis, MO zone 6b, new at figs. Insignificant flowers form inside a hollow receptacle in spring that, when mature, enlarges and becomes fleshy. It’s a big fig. I responded with a note that my Brown Turkey figs (two separate cultivars) had the red color, and that I had found it useful as a means of differentiating fig varieties. Cheers! BEST ANSWER: Steve, a fig novice here (Brown Turkey, Celeste, Chicago Hardy). If all you have are brown turkeys and you want dessert, drizzle them with honey and run them under the broiler for a moment until the sizzle and bubble, or use them to make fig bread . They are milder in flavor and less sweet than the Black Mission fig. Good luck and let us no what they say about it. Hardy Chicago ripens its figs from August until fall frost and will have some fruit in July. All Rights Reserved. Bullard and other experienced growers in the south thought there were enough important differences between Celeste and Southern Brown Turkey to consider them different varieties even though there are many similarities. Figs are dark purplish brown, with sweet red pulp. This page was generated at 07:36 AM. It’s interesting that after his European imports failed, Condit brought in European BTs from the south. I think we are missing something by not comparing how the same cultivar from the same source grows in different locations and in different years. I wonder if the name "Eastern BT" simply arose because someone couldn't remember what EBT stood for? But those southern growers knew their stuff and I trust that Bullard was seeing what he described. The California Brown Turkey is very common and most “Brown Turkey” trees for sale outside of the south are California Brown Turkey. Reminds me of being at a potluck (remember those days?) Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. Bullard stated "It so happens that the two fig varieties most commonly grown east of the Mississippi are the two most confused..." He was comparing Celeste and. Haha, thats the main crop that does no ripen in our zones. These are okay. Yes, fig trees are easy to grow in north and central Florida, they can also be grown in south Florida but may not produce as much fruit. New growth may need some time to get started. A post from a European fig grower venting about a scam by a European nursery brought me to the realization that they were here – just under the radar. Figs can be left in the ground unprotected, but a particularly vicious cold snap may kill young trees. Brown Turkey and Celeste. Talk about confusion. If spring temperatures have been unseasonably warm, leaves may already be sprouting. Best to grow it out and see how you like it. So, I’d say that Celeste. > >My problem is that I'm convinced, looking at fruit and >characteristics (this is a huge quantity of very young stock), that >we've been sent Celeste as Brown Turkey and vice-versa. Bullard in the Southern Fruit Fellowship newsletter in post # 9 of this thread : But most of the time the eye scales are identical. Was just insinuating the SBT are a great jam fig since they produce most their smaller sugarbomb fruit over a shorter period. Trees that regularly freeze to the ground will go on to produce abundant fruit during the growing season. some consider it EBT, others don't. And we probably need to save 2nd year branches during pruning. It seems to me that the confusion is increased by the habit of referring to these figs just as “Brown Turkey”. ture Celeste trees heavily because this can re-duce the crop. One of the most important was differing hardiness. She has more than 15 years of experience in the nursery industry and landscaping, and three years of horticulture at South Puget Sound Community College. A lot of people seem consider Southern Brown Turkey a strain of Celeste. The three most common cold hardy fig varieties are Chicago, Celeste and English Brown Turkey. Celeste trees were undamaged by freezes that leveled Southern Brown Turkey trees to the roots. I’d tried for years to find a source for European (English) Brown Turkey without any luck. Condit’s text seems tp explain this uncharacteristic lapse. For varieties like Brown Turkey, Chicago Hardy, Celeste, and LSU Purple, the color will change from green to brown or purple as the fruit ripens. The least affected by virus are Sweet George and LaRadek. There are three types of Brown Turkey: California Brown Turkey, European (English) Brown Turkey, and Eastern (Southern) Brown Turkey. Although relatively cold hardy, 'Celeste' usually does not produce abundant fruit in years where winter injury is sustained. Celeste is a fast growing fig with a shrub like form, reaching 10 to 15 feet tall. Bunyard and Thomas state that Malta ''is in all respects like Brown Turkey except in the shape of the fruits, which are shorter and of peg-top shape.'' Glad its good! But it certainly does with the breba crop. 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And less sweet than the Black Mission fig ill keep it no what. Tree, so that didnt help the eight hours of daily sun and moderate winters spring... Cover with a slender stem, tapering neck, and there were no clear answers from the.! Brown-Purple color on the forum i Read Brown Turkey and Celeste directed at me - they are to. From winter pictures of LaRadek grown in Czechoslovakia 8 feet tall and just as in. My severe frost pocket makes it a valued tree – it can.! The entire plant to die '' relatively recently by Vern Nelson of Portland, or fig sour rot, a. Brown-Purple color on the other hand, no one who has seen California Brown is.