Celeste varieties

[rayray]

Celeste is one of my favorite figs, of course I'm going by the UNK Celeste I got from the old lady (West Allentown, Pa). It's been in the ground, unprotected in zone 6b (some reports now claim 7a) for decades (40 plus years). It grows along the west side of her detached brick garage that does not have heat. I was able to get 4 cuttings last fall, all were doing well until I got busy with a major family issue and two died. One is mine, the other will go to my buddy in the near future. My other buddy who wanted one will just have to wait...he's not serious just doesn't like being left out of anything so I don't feel that bad. I'll make up some excuses or give him a different fig, he'll never know.

Along with this UNK Celeste I have a Chincoteague Celeste cutting from Big Bill that is doing well. The leaves are similar, very similar to almost identical in appearance. The only difference is the Chincoteague has a different hue and the leaf feels like shark skin, exactly like shark skin (sandpaper for those that don't know what shark skin feels like), the UNK Celeste (Old Lady) feels like smooth velvet, remarkably smooth. Both have leafed out about the same time, and both have been rooted, and cared for the exact same manor in the same place. Both are still in pots, currently outside in the same location. Both have the exact same soil. Both were easy to root, and remained healthy.

I have another Celeste from the the forum (figfanatic), and a Blue Celeste from Harvey (Figoholics) that I'm trying to root.

I'm interested to see, and taste the figs and see the growth of these plants to compare. I bought the Blue Celeste but was thinking of the Black Celeste but that's okay. All of these are most likely better comparisons.

I also have a Constans fig from Big Bill, even though I know this has been compared to a Pastelliere there are some reports it looks and tastes like a really good Celeste. The leaves do not look like my other Celeste's, but appears to be just as hardy, it's starting off as a tough little plant for sure 100% in my area.

As time goes on, I'll add pics and update this thread.

The UNK Celeste (Old lady) is a pretty little fig with extremely tight eye, typical Celeste looking fruit that is sweet with a light berry flavor, no seed crunch. Late last year it put out a darker fig with a slightly darker interior but I don't think it tasted better then the regular crop, in fact the main crop was much better.

If anyone has Celeste of any variety please post away. I really like this variety.

 

[Red_Sun]

Now growers name their figs as "Celeste" just because the figs look like the typical Celeste. The typical Celeste fig is small or tiny. Smaller than 20 grams. Shape is long teardrop, with long heck and long stem. The inside color can be sugar to light berry.

It is just like Mt. Etna fig group. When folks do not know what the figs are, they just lump them together. This is the reason that we get a lot of "Celeste" too. Some can be very different in terms of leaf shapes and growth habits.

This is a decent group. But it is not as robust as the Mt. Figs like Hardy Chicago. Figs are just too small. Not as hardy as the Mt. Etan. More suitable for warmer climate.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Celeste is one of my favorite figs, of course I'm going by the UNK Celeste I got from the old lady (West Allentown, Pa). It's been in the ground, unprotected in zone 6b (some reports now claim 7a) for decades (40 plus years). It grows along the west side of her detached brick garage that does not have heat. I was able to get 4 cuttings last fall, all were doing well until I got busy with a major family issue and two died. One is mine, the other will go to my buddy in the near future. My other buddy who wanted one will just have to wait...he's not serious just doesn't like being left out of anything so I don't feel that bad. I'll make up some excuses or give him a different fig, he'll never know.

Along with this UNK Celeste I have a Chincoteague Celeste cutting from Big Bill that is doing well. The leaves are similar, very similar to almost identical in appearance. The only difference is the Chincoteague has a different hue and the leaf feels like shark skin, exactly like shark skin (sandpaper for those that don't know what shark skin feels like), the UNK Celeste (Old Lady) feels like smooth velvet, remarkably smooth. Both have leafed out about the same time, and both have been rooted, and cared for the exact same manor in the same place. Both are still in pots, currently outside in the same location. Both have the exact same soil. Both were easy to root, and remained healthy.

I have another Celeste from the the forum (figfanatic), and a Blue Celeste from Harvey (Figoholics) that I'm trying to root.

I'm interested to see, and taste the figs and see the growth of these plants to compare. I bought the Blue Celeste but was thinking of the Black Celeste but that's okay. All of these are most likely better comparisons.

I also have a Constans fig from Big Bill, even though I know this has been compared to a Pastelliere there are some reports it looks and tastes like a really good Celeste. The leaves do not look like my other Celeste's, but appears to be just as hardy, it's starting off as a tough little plant for sure 100% in my area.

As time goes on, I'll add pics and update this thread.

The UNK Celeste (Old lady) is a pretty little fig with extremely tight eye, typical Celeste looking fruit that is sweet with a light berry flavor, no seed crunch. Late last year it put out a darker fig with a slightly darker interior but I don't think it tasted better then the regular crop, in fact the main crop was much better.

If anyone has Celeste of any variety please post away. I really like this variety.

I had a OC Celeste that I purchased from Trees of Joy it died this past winter. I’m desperately trying to root a cutting of it. It was 4 years old. Sure is tuff having gone from A-M and now going back to A. Anyway here’s the listing from trees of joy

 

[rayray]

I had a OC Celeste that I purchased from Trees of Joy it died this past winter. I’m desperately trying to root a cutting of it. It was 4 years old. Sure is tuff having gone from A-M and now going back to A. Anyway here’s the listing from trees of joy

View attachment 7163

I lost my Peter's Honey from TOJ, it didn't make it even though it was potted and in the garage--think I watered it too much.

 

[rayray]

Now growers name their figs as "Celeste" just because the figs look like the typical Celeste. The typical Celeste fig is small or tiny. Smaller than 20 grams. Shape is long teardrop, with long heck and long stem. The inside color can be sugar to light berry.

It is just like Mt. Etna fig group. When folks do not know what the figs are, they just lump them together. This is the reason that we get a lot of "Celeste" too. Some can be very different in terms of leaf shapes and growth habits.

This is a decent group. But it is not as robust as the Mt. Figs like Hardy Chicago. Figs are just too small. Not as hardy as the Mt. Etan. More suitable for warmer climate.

Yea, my UNK Celeste is fairly small fig but tasty, as you said sugar with light berry flavor. My UNK Mt. Etna has a solid berry flavor, I wouldn't call it complex but it's a berry with a little "punch" to it type flavor. Two years ago I was getting figs into the 2nd week of November with the UNK Mt. Etna.

There was someone on YT that posted a short video of their "Celeste" no fruit just the tree but looking at it I swear it's a Mt Etna variety, I even said those look like typical Mt Etna leaves--they responded with can't go by leaves (I know) and swore it was a Celeste--they said they'll post the fruit when they get them. We'll see...cause man, sure looked like Mt. Etna but what do I know.

I was happy my unk Celeste had the typical fruit and leaves to make a good educated guess--the Old Lady couldn't rmember the name, just said it's a fig lol.

 

[ETXfigs]

If anyone has Celeste of any variety please post away. I really like this variety.

I have three Celeste trees. All three are loaded with figs and figlets right now. Two of them are 2nd year trees and one is a 3rd year tree. They seem to be very vigorous and reliable. The only trees I have that are growing faster are the VdB and Beer's Black. Dr Gowaty is growing really fast but it's a small rooted cutting and too early to tell how well it will do. I think next year it will really show out. I am thinking about putting one of these Celestes in the ground. I have noticed that the 3 year old Celeste has recently stopped putting out new growth. I think that because it's so loaded up with figs, it's putting all it's energy to fruit production. It has a fig at every node of new growth.

 

[rayray]

I have three Celeste trees. All three are loaded with figs and figlets right now. Two of them are 2nd year trees and one is a 3rd year tree. They seem to be very vigorous and reliable. The only trees I have that are growing faster are the VdB and Beer's Black. Dr Gowaty is growing really fast but it's a small rooted cutting and too early to tell how well it will do. I think next year it will really show out. I am thinking about putting one of these Celestes in the ground. I have noticed that the 3 year old Celeste has recently stopped putting out new growth. I think that because it's so loaded up with figs, it's putting all it's energy to fruit production. It has a fig at every node of new growth.

View attachment 7176View attachment 7177

Nice!! But I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out where West/East Texas is located, like there's NW, SW, NE, SE but WE or EW?? It makes my head hurt lol....and I lived in Texas for 7 years.

 

[ETXfigs]

Nice!! But I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out where West/East Texas is located, like there's NW, SW, NE, SE but WE or EW?? It makes my head hurt lol....and I lived in Texas for 7 years.

I had a feeling that might be confusing. I wrote that kinda jokingly. I will probably change that. In the area that is east Texas, I am on the west side of that area, if that makes sense. Half way between Tyler and Dallas.

 

[rayray]

I had a feeling that might be confusing. I wrote that kinda jokingly. I will probably change that. In the area that is east Texas, I am on the west side of that area, if that makes sense. Half way between Tyler and Dallas.

I lived in Houston and San Marcos, outside of Austin Texas. Austin is still one of my favorite area's. Have family in Houston and Lake Livingston, some distant relatives in Dallas area.