6 trees I would never live without

Summary

In this video, RK Figs shares the six fig trees he would never live without, highlighting their unique flavors and growing conditions. From the reliable Italian Honey to the highly praised i258, each tree offers distinct qualities that make them indispensable in his collection. RK also discusses how fig trees vary in performance based on climate, including the challenges of humid conditions for certain varieties. He emphasizes the importance of early ripening figs for short growing seasons and shares personal insights on the trees that have remained in his collection over the years.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fig growers often go through cycles of acquiring and getting rid of fig trees based on flavor profiles and growing conditions.
• 😀 Some fig trees thrive in certain climates but struggle in others, requiring careful selection for optimal growth.
• 😀 RK Figs shares his top six fig trees that he could never live without, which he personally loves and relies on in his fig-growing journey.
• 😀 The **Lula Italian Honey** fig is praised for being a sweet, reliable tree that always produces delicious honey figs, even with a short growing season.
• 😀 The **Strawberry Verte** fig is an Adriatic type with a sweet, jammy strawberry-like flavor, and RK has multiple varieties of it in his collection.
• 😀 **Cypress Honey** figs are medium to large in size and have a caramel honey flavor, though they can be sensitive to humid and rainy conditions.
• 😀 The **Ronda de Bordeaux** fig is early-ripening and has a rich berry flavor, making it a favorite in RK's climate, where it helps avoid the wet season.
• 😀 **Yellow Long Neck** is a large, cold-hardy fig that is sweet and delicious, making it a fig RK could never part with despite its name confusion.
• 😀 **i258** is RK’s number one fig choice due to its vigorous growth, honey-filled figs, and its early ripening compared to Black Madera, which suits RK’s short growing season.
• 😀 RK emphasizes the importance of having early-ripening figs in regions with shorter growing seasons to maximize fig yield before the season ends.
• 😀 The video encourages viewers to comment, subscribe, and check out RK’s older content and product recommendations for fig gardening.

Q & A

Why do fig growers often acquire and get rid of fig trees over time?

Fig growers may acquire and get rid of fig trees because some trees don't fit the flavor profile they desire or may not thrive in their specific growing conditions, even though they might do well in other areas.

What is the appeal of the Lula Italian Honey fig tree?

The Lula Italian Honey fig tree is popular because it's reliable and dependable, providing sweet, honey-flavored figs every year. It ripens in time for short growing seasons and offers a Breba crop, giving an early taste of what's to come.

What is a distinguishing characteristic of the Strawberry Verte fig?

The Strawberry Verte fig, an Adriatic type, has a green exterior and a red, jammy interior, with a flavor commonly compared to strawberry jam. Each Adriatic fig type has unique flavor tones despite sharing a similar taste.

What makes Cypress Honey figs unique compared to other honey figs?

Cypress Honey figs have a caramel honey taste with fig undertones, offering a rich flavor. However, they are sensitive to humid and rainy conditions during their ripening phase, which can cause spoilage in certain climates.

Why is Ronda de Bordeaux a favored fig among growers?

Ronda de Bordeaux is favored because it is early-ripening, vigorous, and produces figs with a deep, rich berry flavor. It allows growers to enjoy figs before the wet season begins and before pests become a problem.

How does Yellow Long Neck compare to other fig varieties?

Yellow Long Neck is a large, delicious, and cold-hardy fig variety. It's highly valued for its size and flavor, though it is sometimes confused with similar varieties. Despite differing opinions, it's regarded as a great fig to grow.

What makes i258 the number one fig for RK Figs?

i258 is RK Figs' number one fig because it ripens earlier than Black Madera, making it more suitable for short growing seasons. It produces medium to large figs with a honey-filled center, and its vigorous growth ensures a high yield.

How does i258 perform in RK Figs' climate compared to Black Madera?

i258 performs better in RK Figs' climate than Black Madera because it ripens earlier, allowing for more figs to reach maturity before the season ends. Although not extremely early, it is considered a winner for growers with shorter seasons.

What is the advantage of i258's vigorous growth?

i258's vigorous growth is advantageous because it produces a large number of figs on nearly every branch, ensuring that the tree is always loaded with fruit. This makes it a reliable and productive fig variety.

What kind of fig quality can growers expect from i258?

i258 is regarded as a top-quality fig variety. Its figs are medium to large, with a sweet honey pool in the center, offering a delicious, rich taste. The figs' quality makes it a standout in RK Figs' collection.