Celeste, A Common Misconception! About The Breba!

[@NovaPrincess]

I just planted two young celeste figs at my house. I can't wait to see them grow over the years. Thank you.

[@loumonti10]

You are certainly welcome! Thanks for watching. Lou Monti

[@pjorge8363]

Thank you so much for the great information on the Celeste figs. This video cleared up a lot of confusion about this cultivar. Growing a young Celeste now in my yard. Be well!

[@loumonti10]

Thank You! Regards from Lou Monti

[@donavonmacallister3101]

Wow that tree is big. I bought one today. In the southeast. I hope it looks as good yours. I'm in 7b.

[@rumpleshiznit]

I like the oreoles singing. They show up here in spring and hang out for a month or so to nest. They then get quiet for a bit befire disappearing. We had them in southern cal by the river in north san diego county.

[@grandpatroy8701]

Love the Celeste, goes back 60 years for me. I have a new tree now and it does loose Breba.... The main crop is heaven.

[@loumonti10]

Hi, Grandpa! Lol! You should know that all true Celeste (and there are many variants) loose almost the entire crop of Breba. Breba are extremely rare with Celeste, and the quality is seldom satisfying. I have several in ground Celeste trees that have never ripened a Breba in over 28 years. Some trees do ripen a few. Thanks for watching! Lou Monti

[@paulnipper4071]

Thank you for your enlightened videos .... Ive been frustrated with my Celeste

[@planetfeelgood17]

Thank~You~* Lou* , you are rocking awesome. . giving thanks!!

[@AveryOCason]

Thanks for this information Lou I'm new to growing figs and I planted a Celeste last fall the new growth got killed off by the late unexpected frost April 22nd zone 8a its trying to recover so this was good info for me I enjoy learning from you thanks for taking the time to teach us newbies you are a wealth of knowledge and I so appreciate your passion of figs willingness to share it with everyone take care and keep'em growing and the videos coming

[@loumonti10]

Thank you, Avery!

[@Figamico]

Great to see you back Lou

[@loumonti10]

Thanks, Vito!

[@gefeng5312]

I enjoy your videos. I have a young improved celeste in ground, the brebas do not fall off.

[@loumonti10]

Yes, that's correct. The Breba do not fall off on Improved Celeste, only on true Celeste. The two varieties are not the same. Actually, they are quite different from one another and, in my opinion, Improved Celeste should have never been given that name. It's confusing and misleading, and it has resulted in the original Celeste variety having been unfairly undervalued as a result! After all, why would anyone, unfamiliar with true Celeste, prefer it over (so called) Improved Celeste? This is one reason why Improve Celeste has been so successfully marketed in recent years??? See my point? Don't misunderstand me, both cultivars are very worthy of anyone's collection. Regards from, Lou Monti

[@raphaeldubois698]

I have “the one” the Breba have held and are massive. I will reply with the weights and taste when I harvest in a few days (August 1) here in CA 2024

[@readbooks9985]

My Kadota fig ripens and does not fall off. You can use unripe figs in clear Chinese soup. Tasty.

[@SA-lr1sf]

So it's best to cut the tree lower since it fruits on new growth. Good information! so the problem is not with the new crop. Thank you

[@Iloveorganicgardening]

What I consider my best fig tree is an unknown variety that I assume is celeste. It loses all the breba and produces the main crop reliably just like you say. I usually prune it back because it is in a small area...with no worries about hurting the breba crop!! This year I am getting breba from my JH ADRIATIC, yellow longneck and yellow Lebanese. It's the first year to get them on these younger trees...if I had known I was going to get breba, I would have pruned them less!!

[@loumonti10]

So true! We live and learn! Regards, Lou Monti

[@Avemarianow]

I have my White Celeste, it was my first fig baby!

[@crockettown6788]

Hey Lou, thanks for the video. I currently have three Celeste trees from three different sources. This is the third year I have had my oldest celeste and it has dropped at least least 95% of the figs it produced in the last two years (I have harvested less than half a dozen figs from the tree in two years). Meanwhile, the Celeste I started from a cutting last year produced around half a dozen figs in its first year and did not drop a single fig. I bought my third and newest Celeste in the middle of the season last year from a nursery and it produced around a dozen figs without a single one dropped. Therefore, I wonder if there are slightly different variants of Celeste and some variants may be more prone to dropping.

[@loumonti10]

Yes, in deed, there are many, many, variants of Celeste. For what it's worth, the very best, in my opinion, can be viewed in my video titled....No Brainer Figs. I will elaborate on this variant again in a soon to come video. Second to that, but only slightly (SLIGHTLY) behind, is the Chincoteague variant that I have also made videos about. For that variant, I will reccomend my video titled.... The Mighty Celeste! Regards, Lou Monti

[@crockettown6788]

Thanks again for the information and for taking the time to comment! I will checkout the video you mentioned in your comment.

[@TheRootsGardens]

Just started our fig area and we are super excited about the celeste! Thoughts on beers black and Chicago varieties in our zone? I am also in a 7A/B situation! Godbless my friend

[@loumonti10]

Hi, there! The truth is, I did not like Beers Black. It simply wasn't productive enough for me, personally. The tree gre nicely and was very vigorous. However, it didn't produce abundantly, even after several years. I do discuss the Mount Etna types quite often in my videos in those zones. Thanks for watching! Lou Monti

[@linaperrone7037]

Your are right it’s hard to grow last year’s fruit on fig tree I usually take it off the tree an concentrate on new wood an

[@linaperrone7037]

People have to understand that’s it’s tropical tree growing in a four season country if you get the second season fruit your golden remember you need almost 70 to90 day to get one fruit an consistent Temperature

[@loumonti10]

Celeste ripens it's main crop, on new wood, beginning around late July and early August, in 7-A and 7-B. The first crop Breba, almost entirely, fall off! Lou Monti

[@nickka2009]

Hi Lou. It was a long off season. Great to see your face also. Speaking of endorsements, you had previously endorsed celeste, Peter's honey, Malta black, and finally improved celeste edging out desert king for a potential #4 for ground varieties. If one is growing improved celeste in ground, is celeste really that much better to warrant it as well?

[@loumonti10]

Yes ,Nickka, I do think that common Celeste is well worth having in the ground, even if you have Improved Celeste growing already. They are not the same and, in my opinion, Improved Celeste should have never been given that name at all! Desert King is also an excellent variety for growing in ground. In my opinion, it does not perform as well in containers! Regards! Lou Monti

[@amyasgaming9200]

That tree is super close to the house....

[@NetzachUmholtz]

ISHS Article re: Nazareth Cultivars. Thanks 🙏

[@forbiddenfruit.garden4672]

Nice tree!

[@nicklepackage5]

The branches on your Celeste are very tall and drop most/all their Breba. Since you don’t get a breba crop on your Celeste I don’t see a reason to keep last year’s branches so tall. Is there a reason why you don’t trim your branches to a lower height so the main crop figs you get on the new branches are more readily accessible to you?

[@loumonti10]

That's an excellent question! I've answered that question, specifically, in several of my videos. Also, if you look closely in the video, you can see how drastically I have pruned my Celeste in past years. I have a video on a method I use, where every third year I cut the top one third of the tree completely off. A word of caution though! While many varieties respond well to radical pruning strategies, some do not! Celeste does not take well to Drastic pruning. Accordingly, it's best to drastically prune it every 4th year, instead of three, providing that the tree doesn't grow completely out of control beforehand. Regards, Lou Monti

[@nicklepackage5]

@@loumonti10 Thank you for answering my question and sharing your knowledge.

[@bryceh8]

Hey lou i was looking for the video of your jingle bell berrie? I remember you talking about it and was looking for the official name

[@loumonti10]

Sorry, I don't understand your question. Lou Monti

[@Figs4Life]

Watch the documentary Back To Eden and use that method, I have a good feeling that you will get brebas if you do this.

[@loumonti10]

The vast majority of Celeste variants, of which there are many, to not ripen their Breba crop. Regards, Lou Monti

[@audiemueller7500]

Hey Lou, is it a good idea to pick off the breba to help the tree conserve energy?

[@loumonti10]

Hi there! It can't hurt, Audie, but most of the Breba will drop off soon enough and I don't think that they are much of a drain. Celeste, by nature, is an extremely vigorous grower and is able to produce an abundant crop, even under extraordinary circumstances! Good luck! Lou Monti

[@audiemueller7500]

@@loumonti10 Thanks Lou, you're the coolest figster out there, love the channel!

[@loumonti10]

@@audiemueller7500 Thank you! Your compliment is deeply appreciated! Lol!

[@lhy2000]

What haooened to your tick branches? My celeste branches are very tick after three or four years if they dont get killed in the winter. 7a, CNJ.

[@loumonti10]

Hi there! I've collected at least 5 different Celeste variants over the years. They are all slightly different in characteristics from one another. Regards, Lou Monti

[@LiliansGardens]

So the celeste is only good for maincrop.

[@loumonti10]

Yes, absolutely! Celeste is a main crop only fig variety. It's an early ripener, beginning in late July and produces abundantly through August. It ranks among the very most Winter hardy figs, produces extremely well in humid climates, has a closed eye, seldom cracks or spoils in bad weather, is extraordinarily reliable, and when fully ripened, has a unique and delicious taste. Keep in mind that there are many variations of this remarkable, widely distributed, time proven, cultivar. Regards, Lou Monti

[@QuantumLeapMotivation]

How old is your tree?

[@loumonti10]

Hi, Andrew! My Celeste tree in the video is at least 28 years old. Thanks for watching! Lou Monti

[@jeremymassimino1176]

Hey Lou, is Peters Honey one of your top? If yes- which video date should I watch?

[@loumonti10]

That's a very complex question to answer correctly. I do not favor Peter's Honey in containers. I do value it considerably for in ground use in Zone 7-A and Zone 7-B. I do go into detailed discussions on this topic in several of my videos. Regards! Lou Monti

[@jeremymassimino1176]

@@loumonti10 thanks Lou- I did find your video on it, that original trunk was ENORMOUS!

[@Athabina]

Thanks for the video Lou; I don't have Celeste but I have two rooted cuttings of Improved Celeste. Do you know if they also lose their brebas? John C in Victoria, BC

[@loumonti10]

Hi, John! I do highly recommend both Improved Celeste and certain variants of ordinary Celeste, as well. Both will reward you with a bountiful main crop harvest, for which both are well known, not Beeba. Improved Celeste is a bit earlier and, in my opinion, although sweet and delicious, more closely fits the description of a sugar fig. Good luck! Lou Monti

[@Athabina]

@@loumonti10 Thanks Lou: I always enjoy your video chats and greatly value your counsel on growing fruits and figs

[@jamessilvestri9025]

Hi Lou, Glad your back in action. Do you think celeste has a almost peach taste? Also, where can I purchase a cutting from that beautiful celeste tree in your summer house? I know you sent it to for people to develop. Which nursery has it?

[@loumonti10]

No, James, I don't think that Celeste tastes like peach. Mine have an exceptionally distinguished (unique) taste of their own, especially when well ripened. As for the cuttings, I have gifted two sellers, that they might distribute them to the public at large, but they are in short supply. I'll see if I can provide you with a contact email. Regards, Lou Monti

[@jamessilvestri9025]

​@@loumonti10 Thanks Lou. I would really love to have that tree. I watch that video with such envy and wish I had that beautiful tree.

[@nelsonpagel2175]

I'd think people would buy "Improved Celeste" over Celeste. I read that it doesn't drop breba, not sure what other differences their are between the two.

[@loumonti10]

Hi, Nelson! One should remember that Improved Celeste is not Celeste! They are two different varieties with some different qualities. Both are excellent cultivars! Improved Celeste is a laboratory Hybrid, cross, with ordinary Celeste serving as a parent. Both are very early, both are quite tasty, both are extremely prolific and reliable. One should seek a good variant of Ordinary Celeste, as there are several. Ordinary Celeste is more Winter hardy. Ordinary Celeste is more weather resistant to humid and rainy conditions. Improved Celeste is slightly earlier. Both are very useful for growing in the Northeast and anyplace with a short growing season. Both are excellent for growing in ground and take well to container growing, as well. Both are no nonsense work horses! I grow both. Good luck! Regards, Lou Monti

[@nelsonpagel2175]

@@loumonti10 Hello Lou, thank you for the indepth reply. I think I'm getting the fig bug so to speak. It seems like they are getting more popular lately here in the Seattle area. I'm in zone 8b, very wet but fairly mild winters, summers are not very hot or long, acidic soil. The first fresh fig I ever ate was last year from a small Dessert King plant.

[@stevebattista6686]

Hey Lou, how different is the improved celeste compared to celeste.? I’m growing one from a cutting just wondering if the breba will drop like the Celeste..

[@loumonti10]

Hi, Steve! Improved Celeste and all of the many variants of ordinary Celeste are truly different from one another. There are similarities, of course, since ordinary Celeste is one of the parents of Improved Celeste. Some Breba do ripen on improved Celeste. This subject is vast and fascinating, and impossible to cover in this text! One could easily write a book on this topic. However, it should be noted, in my opinion, both are extraordinary cultivars, each deserving of an in ground sweet spot in zone 7-A and warmer. I cover this subject in several of my videos, all of which I welcome you to watch should you find the time. Kind regards, Lou Monti

[@stevebattista6686]

@@loumonti10 Thank You Lou, I’m up in CT zone 6b I do plan on putting the improved Celeste in ground with protection. Also I will look for the videos thanks again..

[@bryceh8]

How do you fertilize in ground trees?

[@loumonti10]

Hi, Bryce! I fertilize my in ground figs sparingly, in order to prevent excessive branch growth at the expense of fruit production. A few handfuls of organic fertilizer will work fine. Be sure to use plenty of calcium (crushed oyster shells is best) in the hole when planting. The hole should only be as big as allows the rootball to fit. Compressing the roots will result in higher fruit production. Throw in and mix a few handfuls of granulated lime into the hole, as well. You can watch my vidio titled...Why are my fig trees so early, productive, and tasty? Part 1 & 2. Good luck! Lou Monti

[@janiceadriana6830]

@@loumonti10 hi Lou, can i use crushed egg shells instead?

[@ainurag270]

fig tree planted too close to the house