Bass, why not just get a caprifig for a pollen source? Hand pollenation would take some trial and error, but it must be possible since it's done before by others for breeding purposes. I ordered some persistent caprifigs this past winter to give it try myself.

Bass, I got a cutting of the Armenian from uc davis about 3 or 4 years ago. It rooted and I have some small figs on it for the first time. The tree froze to the ground this past winter but came back from the roots and the small figs are on the new growth.

I had an Armenian in Scottsdale a few years back. It bore alot of figs at an early age and they were excellent. It has a fairly open eye but it did not need caprification to the best of my knowledge.

Are there fig wasps in NM?
George (NJ).

David let me know how well it'll do for you.
I'm getting mixed reviews about that fig... I'll just grow it and see how well it will grow for me.

Bass

No we don't have fig wasps in New Mexico. All of my varieties are common figs. I lived in Scottsdale, AZ for about one year and had the Armenian there. I wish I had not given it away before moving back to NM. It produced alot of figs on a small tree. They were excellent as I recall.

There maybe a confusion in the name. There might be different varieties that came from Armenia, and they were all labeled armenian.
I visited Herman yesterday, He has 2 Celste trees totally different in shape of leaves.. There's always mislabeling in nurseries, or individuals.

bass

I also got this one from Berkley and it rooted so I'll let you know how it fairs down south. I don't like that info about the open eye! That tends to equal spoilage down here in the humid south.
Mike

Hello,

Finally I got 'some' answer. At present, UCD does not
know under which 'type' (Common, San Pedro or Smyrna)
the DFIC0157 Armenian fig fits in. UCD is presently doing
some experiments and hopefully will have an answer by
next year. It was mentioned to me that the Armenian is
quite productive at UCD.

Pity, it is my best rooter cutting. Since there are no fig
wasps in NJ, if it is a Smyrna type, it will be useless
here. Rather than dumping on the compost heap, I will keep
at least one cutting and see what happens. If I ever ea
one fruit from it, it will mean that it is not a Smyrna...

George (NJ).

Here is a link that might be useful: Ray Givan - figsex

pitangadiego,

I forgot to mention that your armenian description
in figs4fun
http://figs4fun.com/fvar-A-B.html#ARMENIAN
contains information that seems to belong to marseilles:
'Large, almost round fruits, slightly ribbed; pale green to
yellow, translucent flesh, rich and succulent. Good hardy
variety for walls or forcing. At Jefferson's Monticello,
[in Charlottesville, VA - I think no fig wasps there either]
Marseilles bears abundant crops (002)'

George (NJ).

Here is a link that might be useful: crfg Armenian and Marseilles description (002)

George,

You are correct, and I will fix it.

I fixed Armenian, and Marseilles as well. That's why the foot notes are there, so everyone can view the sources for themselves. And thanx to George, we all benefit.

Thanks for the info george and pitanga.
I'll just wait and see.

I'm about to throw away my petite nigra.. It's a large tree, about 8 ft. in a half a barrel. I got only 2 figs from it, and only 1 fig forming... It's not worth protecting in winter. too heavy... If anyone wants it is welcome to it. probably i'm not patient with it. this is the second year.

HA!!! Boy I'm tempted to ask for that fig Bass but Pa. would be some long drive ;o) HA!!! "Honey how about a vacation to Pa.?" ;o)
Mike Who knows when to stop with the figs. Not! ;o)

Hello,

The following is a response I just got from UCDavis
regarding any tests done on the Armenian to determine
if it is of a
Common, San Pedro or Smyrna type.
Guess we have to wait some more...

"The evaluation ...(snip)... completed in the fig block this
year did not include Armenian. We will most likely include
it in next years evaluation. I have also asked 2 other Fig
specialists if they know its statis."

Georeg (NJ).

Bass:
I have not received any email from you regarding the Sycamore Fig or source for one. Is there a problem with your email server?
Thanks,
Leon

Leon.... I emailed you offline as well.. I'm not sure... my email is fine...
here's my address: Bassem@gardener.com

Ok, thanks.

Hi Bass,

The email I tried to send you tonight came back undelivered.

~james

Hi james... I'm not sure... I've been getting emails fine..
I'm gonna email you

Bass:
When are you ever going to email me? Still waiting on the Sycamore Fig info.
Leon

I received your email, however, my reply to it came back undelivered.

james.. not sure.. Leon I emailed you..
Try to start a new email send it to the above email address... it's possibly the link is not working on gardenweb... however i'm able to recieve emails...

Bass

Hello,

Good news. Just got an email from UCDavis saying that the
Armenian is a Common Fig after all! I guess that this
conclusion came about by asking other fig experts
(rather than experimentation).

I have 4 rooted ones in pots (under a foot). Need only
one for myself, so now I can give away the other 3
with confidence...

Here is the answer:

"I was able to find information on the pollination needs
for the Armenian Fig. It is considered a common fig, and
requires no wasp pollination. So you may feel free to
order this fig."

George (NJ).

hi george...
thanks for the news... I hope it's early enough to bear for us in the northeast...
I lost the tag on mine not sure which is the armenian... I'll have to wait for it to bear.....

Leon, James.. If you're still not able to email me back... try beyrooti@aol.com

I was reading old fig forum postings, and came upon the Armenian fig. I had a very vigorous plant from EL that produced lots of rootsprout figs, and, as I recall, some breba fruit. There was one major problem. The fruot would start to really size up, and then it would drop. I later learned from EL that it was believed to be a Smyrna type that needed pollination. Considering the confusion of names with figs, it is likely that several fig varieties share the "Armenian" name, but some of these will probably NEVER produce in the eastern United States. Too bad! It was such a fine grower!

My Armenian from UCD did fruit. However, most of the fruit
tasted as good as cardboard.
George (NJ).