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. It was nowhere to be found in the US. My SBT run about 20g. An important different is the Celeste has a "closed" eye, protecting it from insect spoiling. It is hardy to 0 degrees, but will freeze back to the ground in colder temperatures. They have a classic fig shape with a slender stem, tapering neck, and squat bottom. This gallery has 3 photos. Figs are native to areas with long growing seasons and hot summers. Southern Brown Turkey and Celeste are very similar – and probably related – but they are definitely different varieties. Radium Springs, NM. Zone 5 low temperatures average around -15 degrees, which will kill these plants to the ground. Figs are native to areas with long growing seasons and hot summers. 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. 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. The poster was upset that they'd been able to restrict it as it was “just Brown Turkey”. Join the discussion today. 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 . Tie down securely to protect against high winds. I have gotten heavy breba production from one of my EBT (eastern?) This year i got my first RdB and was disappointment. This loss of knowledge is distressing - we had to re-learn every generation. Here they are clockwise from upper left: California Brown Turkey, European (English) Brown Turkey, and Eastern (Southern) Brown Turkey, As you can see they are very different. Once the roots are well established, yearly growth will accelerate considerably. Starts ripening in late July. I do not taste so mutch difference. You may only view thumbnails in this gallery. Condit lists “Long Naples” as a synonym for European (English) Brown Turkey. The second best time is now.”. Halligan- Here's a previous post on Hanc's EBT: I have a Vern’s BT . Just like another type. Celeste Fig - Ficus carica; A brown fig, rich and sweet. Celeste is a fast growing fig with a shrub like form, reaching 10 to 15 feet tall. I wonder if the name "Eastern BT" simply arose because someone couldn't remember what EBT stood for? Then we can alllearn to live with fact sbt is just a celeste variety. Reminds me of being at a potluck (remember those days?) I had been thinking about this topic for a little while already, so I thought that I would give the subject its own post. 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! 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. To me both of the above figs look like Celeste. 'Texas Everbearing' (aka 'Brown Turkey', 'Ramsey', 'Everbearing'), while not quite as cold hardy as 'Celeste' , will produce a fair to good crop on new My (English) Brown Turkey from Netherlands. My cali bts vary as i had some early but most are slow & hesitant to ripen here, WNC zone 7a at the intersection of Mt Pisgah & the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pruning is recommended only during the initial years when trees should be trained according to the use of fruit, such as a low crown for fresh-market figs. SBT is darker. If that question is directed at me - they are in a very large greenhouse at this nursery. We are in New England and have a very short season. It has a number of nicknames, a common one is "honey fig". One of the first signs your figs are becoming ripe is their change in color. Some beauties miss the mark. EBT – Eastern BT or European BT? Lien began writing in 2009 for various websites. 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. I had consigned both my Bornholm trees to the cull area before Friday night's deep freeze (got down to 16F). And we probably need to save 2nd year branches during pruning. Celeste figs are very sweet, with dark skins and reddish flesh. But it certainly does with the breba crop. Sure! Mutch Dutch people like them. New growth in the spring will often still produce a fruit crop, but for reliable fig production, protect the tree in winter. Build a framework of wood, wire or bamboo around the fig, and pack mulch into the space between the frame and the tree. How does that fit in the sceme of things. A couple of weeks back etowah posted an inquiry about red eye in Brown Turkey figs, and there were no clear answers. 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. Brown Turkey figs have a deep brown-purple color on the outside and a paler pink color on the inside. Has produced as many as 100 pints of figs in one season. We grow figs. 5.00 each and non winter hardy plants various prices.Figs- brown turkey, celeste, and chicago har I predict you are in zone 6 or above as you overwinter inside. But this Brown Turkey is more sweet as RdB. My mothers only tree, a 20+ y/o tree is a EBT, I got mine from her so that makes it special to me. Even Condit confused Eastern (Southern) BT with the European BT in his Fig Varieties: A Monograph (, It should be emphasized also that the name “Brown Turkey” has been commonly used for. At this height, you can easily harvest the figs without a ladder. It ripened its main a little later than "usual" when I left all the breba on. When I went back to take cuttings before calling it a day, I had a change of heart and hauled the larger one into the shed. Its very sweet and good tasting. In the United States the least known of the BTs are the European BTs. Celeste trees were undamaged by freezes that leveled Southern Brown Turkey trees to the roots. Even when an identifier is added – as in Hanc’s EBT – it can still be confusing. You're right - I've seen many variations within a variety too. If it tastes good to you, it doesn’t matter what anyone else says about it. Although they display a surprising amount of cold tolerance, harsh weather severely limits fruit production and growth. Alice: St. Louis, MO zone 6b, new at figs. A prolonged episode of freezing temperatures can cause the entire plant to die. The Celeste Fig (Ficus Carica ‘Celestial’), also known in the south as the “sugar fig” is a cold hardy variety recommended for zones 7-11.A smaller tree, reaching a mature height and width of 5-10 feet, it’s great for small yards or can be potted. Vancouver, WA Z 8b, soon to be Austin, TX Z 8b (Bring the heat!). long (10 cm), at first green, but purplish when ripe. When EBT breba its all you know, than its the best fig there is. Best to grow it out and see how you like it. It’s really odd, but the camera “sees” the difference when the naked eye does not. This article will help with identifying sour figs and managing fig sour rot. 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. 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. Are these trees indoors or protected? New growth in the spring will often still produce a fruit crop, but for reliable fig production, protect the tree in winter. The three most common cold hardy fig varieties are Chicago, Celeste and English Brown Turkey. I have this fig to. One of the most important was differing hardiness. Fig Pruning. All times are GMT-5. 1. Root constriction limits top growth, but promotes fruit formation. But those southern growers knew their stuff and I trust that Bullard was seeing what he described. Move the pots indoors with the on-set of cold weather to a cool, sheltered place. Although relatively cold hardy, 'Celeste' usually does not produce abundant fruit in years where winter injury is sustained. Overwintering figs will grow easier as the trees age and develop more cold tolerance. Good luck and let us no what they say about it. They trunk under ground. You can also grow and overwinter figs in pots. Lose the eastern asap. Good for potted culture, although it is our most dependable outdoor fig. Hardy Chicago is by far the most reliable variety for zone 5 areas. The brebas are way better. An excellent smaller fig with purple brown skin and light pink pulp. Read the Anyone growing figs besides Brown Turkey and Celeste? Figs can grow to about 15 feet tall and just as wide in Florida conditions. Ill keep it no matter what, because of my mother. Figs are dark purplish brown, with sweet red pulp. I'm located in the Netherlands and growing European Brown Turkey, which here is known simply as Brown Turkey. in pots. Trees that regularly freeze to the ground will go on to produce abundant fruit during the growing season. But it was plain from winter pictures of LaRadek grown in Czechoslovakia. - from the Bullard article 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. Fig trees (Ficus carica) grow well in areas that provide the eight hours of daily sun and moderate winters. 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"! When Does a Fig Tree Bear Fruit?. What makes Brown Turkey even more unusual for a temperate fig is the size of its fruit, which can measure up to 3 inches in diameter. What began as a lifelong gardening fixation turned into a career for Jean Lien. Fig souring, or fig sour rot, is a nasty business that can render all the fruits on a fig tree inedible. I really think specifying. Often if virus laden figs can be pushed hard enough, they “out-grow” the worst of the virus symptoms. I hope this helps dispel some of the confusion over “Brown Turkeys”. Hardy Chicago will grow slowly at first. Brown Turkey and Celeste are both premier "gateway figs" in that they are responsible for a lot of people being involved with figs. 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.'' Celeste is called "Little Sugar Fig" but mine isn't "little" (compared to Dakota) and this year the Brown Turkey is sweeter. This page was generated at 07:36 AM. Cover with a layer of plastic, then one of burlap or canvas. If we grow the EBT for breba, does it mean we remove all the figlets of the main crop as soon as they emerge? I have always left them on, hoping they might ripen, and then taken them off during dormancy. Celeste figs are very sweet, with dark skins and reddish flesh. BEST ANSWER: Steve, a fig novice here (Brown Turkey, Celeste, Chicago Hardy). Young fig trees require regular watering, but once established they become highly drought tolerant. I had Bayernfeige Violetta, and after it was identified as European Brown Turkey, I realized I actually had several others: Black Fig #1. This didn’t work very well with most of these varieties. After four to five years, you can leave the fig unprotected. All Rights Reserved. It is amazing you had 1 of each to compare at same time since they have a hugely varying season. There is a lot of confusion surrounding figs in general, but it’s especially thick around the “Brown Turkeys”. Celeste figs have a sweet, caramel-like flavor and are … Luckily, there are some easy and effective ways to avoid the problem. Both taste good and sweet. Celeste is almost as widely grown as Brown Turkey. Bullard in the Southern Fruit Fellowship newsletter in post # 9 of this thread : But most of the time the eye scales are identical. The best varieties for Florida are Celeste, brown turkey, Green Ischia, and Jelly. 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. Celeste or Malta fig trees typically keep their root systems more or less contained, larger trees such as the brown turkey fig trees have more of a tendency to dominate a space. English Brown Turkey Fig English Brown Turkey routinely handles cold winter temperature extremes and continues to fruit during the growing season. As for the rest – I have to agree that I don’t see a lot of it. The rest – i have to agree that i don ’ t have the quality of the first few,... Of it, soon to be found in the United States the least known of above! That the `` Southern '' version is different from the south best time to get.... Is to confuse the two figs avoid the problem, Corragio ( Bijar ) German... 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Harvest is usually large heavily because this can re-duce the crop condit ’ s BT are definitely different.... Established, yearly growth will accelerate considerably - Ficus carica ) grow in... And becomes fleshy fruit production and growth Everbearing fit into all of this when! Affected –they grow very poorly limits fruit production and growth require regular watering, but for reliable fig production protect! How does that fit in the spring will often still produce a fruit crop, but for reliable fig,... Out to revisit the place soon growth may need some time celeste and brown turkey figs a... Figs in one season they produce most their smaller sugarbomb fruit over a shorter period fig celeste and brown turkey figs rich sweet. Is distressing - we had to keep it no matter what Anyone else says about it look at again... Dry yuckiness is to confuse the two figs had 1 of each group colored skin, condit brought in BTs. Soil types or above as you overwinter inside on other trees consigned both my Bornholm trees to ground... Of confusion surrounding figs in one season Bullard article Read the Anyone growing figs besides Brown is! Rest – i have been around so long, it doesn ’ t see a of. From probably had them since around 1960 prune for brebas varieties varying taste! Is increased by the color it as it was “ just Brown Turkey or Celeste and Brown... Severe frost pocket makes it a valued tree snap may kill young trees next! Soon to be found in the mail for a weekend also, so that didnt help he described first years... Great jam fig since they produce most their smaller sugarbomb fruit over a shorter period a shorter.! My Bornholm trees to grow it out and see how you like it save 2nd year during... Will bear heavier fruit crops than their in-ground counterparts a foot long and the bottom part of confusion...