Is it worth getting a black mission?

[GAfigs]

So far I've been collecting the popular cultivars...black madeira, col de dame, de la roca, HdA, figoin, etc. And I'm quite happy with this flavor profile.

However, I grew up on some classic sweet and figgy tasting figs decades ago.

I actually don't like sweet figs when that figginess is missing. For example I've tasted some figs from neighbors which were sweet but lacking a figgy taste and I didn't enjoy those.

I also generally don't like Celeste for the same reason. I do have a small unknown fig, which is also only sweet, but I enjoy that one only because the flavor can get really concentrated even despite the rain.

After reading the description of black mission, it seems to fit the type of fig I grew up on.

1. Do you think it's still enjoyable for those of you who have become spoiled by/accustomed to the black madeiras and the col de dames?

2. Are there any figgy green figs? My childhood fig was actually a sweet/figgy green fig.

 

[TorontoJoe]

The missions I've had haven't been that sweet so you might want to give some a try... There are different strains out there so if you go for one I'd recommend trying to find someone growing it so you can try theirs first to see if you like it..... if that's an option.

I can't think of a particularly "figgy" green fig. Definitely nothing I've had in North America.

 

[Charlie Dodgson]

It's a very good fig. People who solely obtain "berry" figs might do better by growing some high quality Fragaria, Morus, and Rubus - then see which berry figs they want to keep.

 

[TorontoJoe]

It's a very good fig. People who solely obtain "berry" figs might do better by growing some high quality Fragaria, Morus, and Rubus - then see which berry figs they want to keep.

I'm not familiar with any of these three.... Would yo know where I could get some information on them? Do they require pollination? Even Google is turning up nothing in searches....

 

[MJFIGS]

In my opinion, uncaprified is just not worth the long wait, I think you have many better choices that are earlier

 

[Charlie Dodgson]

@TorontoJoe

Fragaria = the genus of true strawberries

Morus = the genus of mulberries

Rubus = the genus of bramble fruits e.g. blackberries, raspberries, dewberries

 

[TorontoJoe]

I learned something

 

[ktrain]

I grew a few Mission types here in Georgia, I gotta say...there are much better varieties to take up space.
Unless you are going to hand pollinate, I'd skip it.

Edit...I figured I'd add...they are very bland tasting here.
No splitting or anything, just not a lot of flavor at all.

 

[ktrain]

I have heard and have been curious about Kadota (green fig), maybe look into that one a little more.

 

[GoodFriendMike]

Some people love this fig.
It is definitely not my favorite.
Now I won’t turn it down.
But many others I’d rather eat.

 

[SteveG]

I’m still fairly new to growing figs and figuring out the different flavours but when I think of figgy flavour I think of grocery store figs. I find many figs have this flavour when picked early. Rdb is one that comes to mind. I like them to be much more ripened but seems like many people enjoy them at this stage.

 

[GilaMonster]

If it's not an imposition you should get a plant and see if you like what it grows, they are so common, cuttings or fully rooted plants up to 2 gallons can easily be obtained.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I have heard and have been curious about Kadota (green fig), maybe look into that one a little more.

I’ve had Kadota. It’s a pretty good green fig.

 

[2Angels]

The way a given fig variety performs in one climate can be very different than in a different climate. Black Mission is a really good example of that. It is wonderful in the west and southwest. Here is the South...not so much.

 

[LaFigGwr18]

I have never owned a mission plant but I have tasted it and it did not wow me so I have never went after it. I have heard it being a work horse though.

 

[LaFigGwr18]

In my opinion, uncaprified is just not worth the long wait, I think you have many better choices that are earlier

Can you explain what you meant? You mean common figs are not worth it unless pollinated? Do you live in a fig wasp area or you hand pollinate?

 

[GoodFriendMike]

Can you explain what you meant? You mean common figs are not worth it unless pollinated? Do you live in a fig wasp area or you hand pollinate?

Pollinated mission is a lot tastier than unpollinated mission.
If you have the wasp and the right weather it can be a good fig. If you don’t have those two things I would grow another fig instead.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Pollinated mission is a lot tastier than unpollinated mission.
If you have the wasp and the right weather it can be a good fig. If you don’t have those two things I would grow another fig instead.

I’m looking forward to some future hand-pollination tutorials

 

[ktrain]

I'm getting a pollen Canon...gettem all at once.

 

[GoodFriendMike]

I'm getting a pollen Canon...gettem all at once.

Wasp would be the closest you going to find to that.