Charlie Dodgson
Well-known member
Perhaps in your locale. My figs are grown outdoors year-round. I've never seen differences in fruiting between TC and non-TC.
Which Is The Best VdB Variant?
- Thread starter Inflorescence
- Start date
9ah-figlet
Well-known member
I have Negronne from Zeamaizing (FigBid and OF), and it’s producing pretty well in its 2nd year in an 8-gallon pot.
I also have Nero 600M and true Violette de Bordeaux as 1st year cuttings, but too early to make any comparison.
I also have Nero 600M and true Violette de Bordeaux as 1st year cuttings, but too early to make any comparison.
DallasFigShop
Active member
I was wanting to do this same thread recently, especially after seeing somewhere it said that VDB has some off years. I think some varieties just dont take the pause well and the shorter runway which stinks because the best vdb ive had so far was one of the best figs period and up there with the best CH but not exactly consistent
This year's weather patterns threw it off i believe . I have two, one hasn't produced for two years in a 3gal but didn't grow huge, another in the exact same except in slightly more sun.. Cuttings from the same seller, didn't make fruit.. the one that fruited made a bunch at got rained on and all of them split and rotted .. months before the harvest from the year before and then didn't make fall figs
But finally I saw one in ground and taller than me yesterday and with a report that it produces well and and that they all perform the same here, and VDB was the one he stuck with.. and so maybe they are great for pots in some conditions or not in others where they'd need to be in ground like the nice one I saw.
With that said i saw excellent reports for Valle Negra in high heat and so I got one incase... someone also said it has the slightly better flavor which i would find difficult to imagine over the best VDB ive tasted...
Someone else claimed Fort Mill Dark was the best for them i think it makes larger ones? It's one id like to get but I was not able to root the ones that have been available... I don't understsnd why they havent gotten round more
This year's weather patterns threw it off i believe . I have two, one hasn't produced for two years in a 3gal but didn't grow huge, another in the exact same except in slightly more sun.. Cuttings from the same seller, didn't make fruit.. the one that fruited made a bunch at got rained on and all of them split and rotted .. months before the harvest from the year before and then didn't make fall figs
But finally I saw one in ground and taller than me yesterday and with a report that it produces well and and that they all perform the same here, and VDB was the one he stuck with.. and so maybe they are great for pots in some conditions or not in others where they'd need to be in ground like the nice one I saw.
With that said i saw excellent reports for Valle Negra in high heat and so I got one incase... someone also said it has the slightly better flavor which i would find difficult to imagine over the best VDB ive tasted...
Someone else claimed Fort Mill Dark was the best for them i think it makes larger ones? It's one id like to get but I was not able to root the ones that have been available... I don't understsnd why they havent gotten round more
DallasFigShop
Active member
Also in regards to the variables in VDB it's possible there are several.. I noticed that both my RDB and VDB had red tipsast winter and ive seen some photos showing green tips.. mine also start put purple and slowly turn green as they gain size and then turn purple again when they ripen, last year in half sun.. someone said jist a matter of how much sun they get
Also** I found a post before where someone claimed there are as many as 5 from Bordeaux and that it was just common to call figs based on color and location they came from ... maybe some variables were complicated even more by the US nursery system and ebay
Also** I found a post before where someone claimed there are as many as 5 from Bordeaux and that it was just common to call figs based on color and location they came from ... maybe some variables were complicated even more by the US nursery system and ebay
DallasFigShop
Active member
I saw a photo of Valle Negra that appeared to be as productive as I258 in a peak year, almost. maybe one works that way here, another there... summer dormancy or exposure to extra high temps... it makes figs behave different i think but when the roots are in ground it helps to stabilize root temps and keep them cooler
Inflorescence
Well-known member
Those look really good, Nina! It’s my understanding Negronne is pretty much exactly VdB, but Nero 600M & Vista are both reported to be more productive or vigorous variants. That Negronne looks delicious!
Inflorescence
Well-known member
That is surprising to me, I wouldn’t expect Little Miss Figgy to be more productive. I wonder if LMF is the same as Petite Negri? Both are supposed to be “dwarf” trees…
White Tank Figs
Member
Very interesting thread. VdB types are apparently winners in greater Phoenix so I will be adding it as a graft. Sometimes the oldies are terrific and hot ones are questionable here.
Inflorescence
Well-known member
Wow, that sounds promising! I’ve been avoiding the early ripening, dark skinned types out of fear they are Mt Etnas since I already have so many.
So, I’ve ignored this one on Harvey’s list, but a quick search on it shows many like it. May have to give it a try regardless!
TorontoJoe
Administrator
Someone coming here to do research after they bought a VdB at a big box or nursery might get very confused.
Will the real VdB, please stand up!
Will the real VdB, please stand up!
rnexus
Well-known member
Valle Negra likes to grow in a bush form. It's a bit of a nuisance with all the shoots
DallasFigShop
Active member
I saw somewhere commented that it is better and that it doesn't sucker.. my vdb plants have not suckered early. LarsB made the comment elsewhere in an 'under the radar' thread... also didnt list his climate location...he said its the best vdb type in terms of fruit, vdb 4th place.
Also i forgot about another confusing one Valle Calde I think there was a point when ppl got these mistaken. I'm not sure if Calde is an earlier fig also or what form
For me it would be about consistency in this climate which would be probably more about ripening time in pots and in ground. Also at what temps they will set fruit the higher the better.. if they will set early to mid summer when we are close to 100F I will get alot more fall figs ...with that said i have had one incredibly excellent vdb and the others seemed to have problems related to ripening time but that would have worked better on an in ground tree ... and of course I want to be all or mostly in ground eventually
Does VN it make alot of basal branches instead?.. the problem is that VDB is such a great fig but can reportedly have off years in some climates, (or maybe just ij potw) and also which is the most consitent VDB type?. I saw a tall healthy looking vdb the other day among others. He had one or two other vdb types and said they are just the same
Challenging to train with a single trunk I guess or more tedious work ...
DallasFigShop
Active member
What does EL stand for?
Figgin' A
Well-known member
My VDB from Garrett4534 on FigBid has been spectacular by my standards. It is one of my best trees overall, considering growth vigor, health, productivity, split resistance, ability to ripen multiple figs simultaneously, and taste.
It was quite productive in it's first year, 60 out of 80 ripened figs.
Last season (its second season), it set and ripened around 230 figs for me.
It was quite productive in it's first year, 60 out of 80 ripened figs.
Last season (its second season), it set and ripened around 230 figs for me.
DallasFigShop
Active member
@leon_edmond
I found you on another forum. Wondering if you still have VC? And if you have VN... apparently VN means Black Valley and VC means Hot Valley.
The link is on Houzz but it's not letting me post it. It is titled
'Vallecalda and Valle Negra Question'
I'd love to have both please let me know if you still grow it and also please share any information about the traits and growth habit of either, if they are different and if they compare to VDB in your opinion and climate
I found you on another forum. Wondering if you still have VC? And if you have VN... apparently VN means Black Valley and VC means Hot Valley.
The link is on Houzz but it's not letting me post it. It is titled
'Vallecalda and Valle Negra Question'
I'd love to have both please let me know if you still grow it and also please share any information about the traits and growth habit of either, if they are different and if they compare to VDB in your opinion and climate
I grew a vallecalda for a couple of years. It grew almost the same as my two other vdb's but had more unique leaves (longer skinnier 'fingers'). I got a bunch of comments on its looks specifically and thought about keeping it, but then realized I'm growing them for fruit. They all grew bushier and spindly with plenty of suckers. It was a shy bearer here along with those two vdb's so it is no longer in the collection.
All the vdb's that I've tried are on the later side of ripening here. I've seen some suggest earlier subtypes but I think that really comes down to growing conditions and a particular tree in a particular year. On average, it's a mid-late fig here. I'll keep one around because when they ripen properly they are really good.
Inflorescence
Well-known member
They look good, very productive!