superdave336
Well-known member
Are LSU O'Rourke and Improved Celeste the same? Around the 3 minute mark in this video he says O'Rourke was originally called Improved Celeste.
LSU O'Rourke vs. Improved Celeste
- Thread starter superdave336
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Bofig
Well-known member
These visually are the same for me. I think the names are interchangeable. Orourke is a little different like darker but mine hasn’t fruited yet
Fignomenious
New member
O’Rourke and Improved Celeste: 2 Distinct Cultivars
O’Rourke fig cultivar and Improved Celeste fig cultivar have been confused in the nursery trade and among home orchardists. This post will attempt to clear up much of the confusion about thes…
mountainfigs.net
Bofig
Well-known member
I meant icon and improved Celeste are the same and name is used interchangeably, orourke is quite similar also leading to the confusion. Heck even Tiger looks close to them and I’m sure has been confused a few times.O’Rourke and Improved Celeste: 2 Distinct Cultivars
O’Rourke fig cultivar and Improved Celeste fig cultivar have been confused in the nursery trade and among home orchardists. This post will attempt to clear up much of the confusion about thes…
superdave336
Well-known member
I’m starting to understand why I was told there’s many very similar but different names and not get wrapped up in trying to get them all or chase the latest greatest.
Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
O'Rourke and Improved Celeste are the same cultivar. If yours differ then there's a problem with your supplier or growing conditions.
www.lsuagcenter.com
Figs remain popular Louisiana fruit
(Distributed 06/01/15) BATON ROUGE, La. – June is time for figs in Louisiana, and many of the popular varieties around the state have come from a breeding program at the LSU AgCenter.
387PETE
Well-known member
No problem with either. Do you have O'Rourke and Improved celeste? Have you compared them to each other? Big difference, Improved celeste is bigger more productive and tastes better. So they are not the same. Maybe I have an ICON. They are also considered an Improved celeste
Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
I'll agree that yours are not the same. That is a problem. Read the article written by LSU AgCenter, then contact them about the identity of your fig trees.
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GoodFriendMike
Moderator
Both figs where called "Improved Celeste". Later hobbyist started calling one ICON to end confusion. As people were selling both under the same "improved Celeste" name.
This you would think would help solve the issue but brought more confusion.
O'Rourke should be called O'Rourke the other fig ICON.
This you would think would help solve the issue but brought more confusion.
O'Rourke should be called O'Rourke the other fig ICON.
Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
@GoodFriendMike , @Bofig
It's more likely that the better of the specimens (larger, better flavor) is the true O'Rourke. I'll conjecture that somewhere back in the long ago, a seller sold Celeste or similar as O'Rourke and the confusion ensued. @387PETE could check his specimens directly with LSU AgCenter, set the record straight on FigBid, and be a hero to the fig community.
It's more likely that the better of the specimens (larger, better flavor) is the true O'Rourke. I'll conjecture that somewhere back in the long ago, a seller sold Celeste or similar as O'Rourke and the confusion ensued. @387PETE could check his specimens directly with LSU AgCenter, set the record straight on FigBid, and be a hero to the fig community.
GoodFriendMike
Moderator
This may help a little.
Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
2010.
"This selection has previously been unofficially named and propagated as ‘Improved Celeste’; however, ‘Improved Celeste’ is not necessarily the same as ‘O’Rourke’."
I.e., there are ‘Improved Celeste’ imposters.
Rojo
Well-known member
This is why I ask for "Blacks" from you earlier........if it grows, eats good, has a robust fig flavor I'm good. BTW I have 28 growing well.
Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
That's good advice for collectors.
When discernable, "fig flavor" owes to the proteins in fig cell structures. The other 11 categories of flavors in figs are the results of compounds produced by the hundreds of fruitlets in fig syconia. In several desirable cases, these overwhelm the basic fig umami flavor.
Rojo
Well-known member
I'm scientific about a very large swatch of subjects but when it comes to Food - something I savor at every meal, never wasting a opportunity to eat well, I just want a very good to Fantastic tasting fig. The lighter colored figs when I just pull them off the tree and bite in two don't seem to pop with Fig Newton fig flavor for lack of a better description. Robust like a ripe Black Mission, neck bent, slightly cracking, a little damp at the eye, and needs careful picking so not to tear it, any fig that is in that neighborhood I'm happy to Crunch & Munch.
Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
@Rojo
"Robust fig flavor" certainly has different meanings in the context of personal preference. I'm happy to learn you like ripe Mission figs. Some people prefer a resinous honey fig, while still others prefer those dominated by caramel flavors, and so on. There are also folks who have no preference -- provided the fig is spot-on ripe.
In flavor science there is one meaning. Although it might not be of interest to consumers, it is helpful for those interested in fig breeding.
"Robust fig flavor" certainly has different meanings in the context of personal preference. I'm happy to learn you like ripe Mission figs. Some people prefer a resinous honey fig, while still others prefer those dominated by caramel flavors, and so on. There are also folks who have no preference -- provided the fig is spot-on ripe.
In flavor science there is one meaning. Although it might not be of interest to consumers, it is helpful for those interested in fig breeding.