Little Ruby
- Thread starter MC Dub
- Start date
Hi @MC Dub , I'm going to copy/paste a review of Little Ruby that I put on another gardening forum, part of a review that I did of all of my figs that I grew last year.
I've seen the criticisms, and I've also seen people sing its praises. Honestly, I think the factor that makes Little Ruby a bit polarizing is that it's a dwarf fig. Note that Ross Raddi expressed his surprise at how good Little Ruby was after a few seasons, and also note that he raves about Little Ruby's breba.
Here's the review:
Little Ruby: my cuttings from Little Ruby came from a friend of mine who leaves it outside in a pot in zone 7a, unprotected, all winter long. This shocked me because I didn't think that any figs could handle that, but this one seems to coast through. To be honest, I really wasn't sure I would like this fig, and part of me honestly didn't want to. Eventually I'd like to get to the point where I can downsize to 4-5 really good fig trees, and a dwarf fig really wasn't something that I thought would win a permanent place in my collection. Plus, I'd read some reviews saying that this one is at best a gimmick. When I tasted the first one, I was pleasantly very surprised. It's really a good tasting fig. Similar in berry-ish undertones to Mt. Etnas but lighter, with sugar and fig flavors. I've also read that as they mature, they develop more of a mild butterscotch-like flavor. These were also early, ripening right on the tail of the first Mt. Etnas. So to summarize, they are a) very tasty, b) early and c) cold hardy. The only real drawback that I'm seeing is that they are a dwarf fig. While they get the taste of fig in your mouth, they do leave you wanting more. It's a shame, because I think if it was a full-sized fig, it would be much more popular.
I've seen the criticisms, and I've also seen people sing its praises. Honestly, I think the factor that makes Little Ruby a bit polarizing is that it's a dwarf fig. Note that Ross Raddi expressed his surprise at how good Little Ruby was after a few seasons, and also note that he raves about Little Ruby's breba.
Here's the review:
Little Ruby: my cuttings from Little Ruby came from a friend of mine who leaves it outside in a pot in zone 7a, unprotected, all winter long. This shocked me because I didn't think that any figs could handle that, but this one seems to coast through. To be honest, I really wasn't sure I would like this fig, and part of me honestly didn't want to. Eventually I'd like to get to the point where I can downsize to 4-5 really good fig trees, and a dwarf fig really wasn't something that I thought would win a permanent place in my collection. Plus, I'd read some reviews saying that this one is at best a gimmick. When I tasted the first one, I was pleasantly very surprised. It's really a good tasting fig. Similar in berry-ish undertones to Mt. Etnas but lighter, with sugar and fig flavors. I've also read that as they mature, they develop more of a mild butterscotch-like flavor. These were also early, ripening right on the tail of the first Mt. Etnas. So to summarize, they are a) very tasty, b) early and c) cold hardy. The only real drawback that I'm seeing is that they are a dwarf fig. While they get the taste of fig in your mouth, they do leave you wanting more. It's a shame, because I think if it was a full-sized fig, it would be much more popular.
Ikibahd
Well-known member
I grew Little Ruby while I was in Dallas but gave it to a friend when I moved to Maryland. It had only produced for 1 season so I can’t judge flavor, but I can comment on the figs a bit:
As mentioned above, they are quite small. In addition, they have quite the open eye, and I didn’t know if I wanted to keep them because ants would crawl into them regularly.
That said, they can be quite an attractive fig, and I realized why the name was “Little Ruby” - it had a lovely ruby blush of color by the end of the season!
As mentioned above, they are quite small. In addition, they have quite the open eye, and I didn’t know if I wanted to keep them because ants would crawl into them regularly.
That said, they can be quite an attractive fig, and I realized why the name was “Little Ruby” - it had a lovely ruby blush of color by the end of the season!
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Figless
Well-known member
As some of you may know I am but a newbie 15 months in to Growing figs. I have in the past considered growing little Ruby. At this point I'll probably hold off as I am propagating now for next year's cutting giveaways. Though looking at these pictures might make me reconsider. It's a very beautiful fig.
JC Figgy
Well-known member
I grew little ruby for about 3 seasons. There are better figs out there. It is a dwarf tree with slow growth and short stature. Fruited pretty well but man the figs were tiny and were mediocre to me. I just dont prefer soft and mushy figs I guess. I like juicy ones and meaty ones for sure.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Too small and too slow growing here. The figs were for me, ok at best. I think it would make a decent balcony fig.
