Colonel Littman’s Black Cross
(CLBC)
One of the best tasting figs!
Rich, dense, sweet. The complex flavors remind me of other black figs such as Black Maderia or a Genovese Nero / Italian 258, but not as syrupy it is more dense and hearty. I think it is way better than any VdB figs. Many people say it is slow to start producing figs when grown in ground, but my mother tree started producing it's first year in a 5 gallon pot. It has quickly grown with no issues, very rust resistant here in the Fall, and produces amazing figs at every node sometime too many at some nodes. My second year CLBC produced 51 ripe figs, in the same 5 gallon pot. I only lost one to a side split, probably from moving it indoors. CLBC is a later variety and I have to ripen many under LED lights if I don't give it an early enough start here in Michigan. I like CLBC better than my Black Madeira KK which many people considered the best tasting fig and production is out of this world! I love this fig.
(CLBC)
One of the best tasting figs!
Rich, dense, sweet. The complex flavors remind me of other black figs such as Black Maderia or a Genovese Nero / Italian 258, but not as syrupy it is more dense and hearty. I think it is way better than any VdB figs. Many people say it is slow to start producing figs when grown in ground, but my mother tree started producing it's first year in a 5 gallon pot. It has quickly grown with no issues, very rust resistant here in the Fall, and produces amazing figs at every node sometime too many at some nodes. My second year CLBC produced 51 ripe figs, in the same 5 gallon pot. I only lost one to a side split, probably from moving it indoors. CLBC is a later variety and I have to ripen many under LED lights if I don't give it an early enough start here in Michigan. I like CLBC better than my Black Madeira KK which many people considered the best tasting fig and production is out of this world! I love this fig.
CLBC - Timeline of Rooting, Up-potting to Ripe figs
It took 11 Months from a cutting to the first ripe CLBC fig.
8 figs + 51 figs = 59 good ripe figs between 3/18/21 - 3/4/22
It took 11 Months from a cutting to the first ripe CLBC fig.
8 figs + 51 figs = 59 good ripe figs between 3/18/21 - 3/4/22
3/18/21 CLBC cutting arrived and planted in D.E.
4/12//21 up potted into a 1-gallon pot with potting soil
6/20/21 Up potted CLBC to 5-gallon trade pot
9/22/21 CLBC lost all leaves outdoors other figs did not, started to regrow outdoors
10/23/21 CLBC had regrown many small leaves and mini branches outside.
Brought CLBC inside under LED lights and placed 5-gallon inside self-water SIP
12/5/21 Many figs starting to form (picture below)
2/16/22 First CLBC ripe fig under LED
8 CLBC figs ripened over the Winter under LED lights
Did not make this CLBC fig tree go dormant, left in the basement with leaves under lights.
5/1/22 Took CLBC outdoors for Summer
7/11/22 CLBC First fig of the Summer, Good tasting fig nice and ripe
Total 14 CLBC figs ripened outdoors in the Summer
9/22/22 Moved CLBC indoors Has 37 figs on the tree, a few almost ripe, many mid-sized,
some tiny just starting.
9/27/22 2 ripe CLBC figs after moved indoors
9/28/22 3 ripe figs
32 more figs on the tree, tree in in a 5-gallon pot inside a 5-gallon bucket
11/16/22 Total of 51 good ripe figs on CLBC one was picked off because of a side split.
3/4/23 Let go dormant and placed in attached garage for the last bit of winter. (two months of dormancy)
5/1/23 Took CLBC outside from garage to start to wake it up for the Summer.
I did not count CLBC figs this summer or winter. Now I have way too many trees to be counting figs.
I now have three versions of this tree and keep them all in 5 gallon trade pots.
Fig trees growing outside some in soil some in Hydrostone all set inside 5-gallon self watering containers.
CLBC - tree in the middle container - 7 months old 10/23/21
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Close up of CLBC 12/05/21 forming figs.
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10/23/21
CLBC brought inside 10/23/21, growing inside a 5 gallon trade pot set inside a 5 gallon bucket to create a SIP.
You can see the roots starting to grow out of the 5-gallon trade bucket.
I placed a small airlayer (black ball) on to create another tree.
I ripened 8 CLBC figs indoors the first Winter.
CLBC brought inside 10/23/21, growing inside a 5 gallon trade pot set inside a 5 gallon bucket to create a SIP.
You can see the roots starting to grow out of the 5-gallon trade bucket.
I placed a small airlayer (black ball) on to create another tree.
I ripened 8 CLBC figs indoors the first Winter.
CLBC figs drying on the tree indoors 2/16/22
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CLBC ripened indoors photo taken 2/24/22
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I currently have three copies of CLBC because it is a good tasting fig and grows well.
My main problem is it produces late in the season.
I have to give it an extra early start under lights or bring it indoors to fruit in the Fall or Winter.