Fig Tree (Ficus carica) SULTANE

Common Fig - Variety 'Sultane'

'Sultane' is a noble French variety that will captivate every grower with its generosity, exceptional elegance, and high yield. This cold-hardy fig is a true master at producing sweet fruits throughout the summer. Thanks to its ability to produce two distinct waves of harvest and a firm skin that excellently protects the fruits, it belongs to the absolute elite in European gardens. It will bring not only a rich harvest but also a piece of Mediterranean harmony to your space.

Common Fig (Ficus carica) 'Sultane'

This is a historically very significant variety, traditionally grown mainly in southern France (in the Solliès-Pont area in Provence). It is also known by the synonyms Bellone (or Bellone bifère), Noire de Juillet, or Grosse de Juillet. The cultivar is one of the traditional pillars of French fruit growing and was described in detail by prominent botanists as early as the 19th century. For centuries, it has been highly valued for its balanced stability and strong vitality.

Main advantages of the variety:

• Double crop: Bears fruit twice a year (Bifère) with very good overall productivity.
• Firm skin: The unusually firm skin of the autumn crop guarantees excellent resistance during harvest and transport.
• Excellent taste: Jammy-honey flavor with dark red flesh.
• Strong growth: A vital tree that quickly creates a natural green screen in the garden.
• High cold hardiness: Mature wood reliably withstands frosts down to -15 °C.
• Self-fertility: The variety is parthenocarpic and overall easy to grow.

Detailed variety description: Plant

• Growth and habit: The tree is strong, energetic, and naturally spreading. In the open ground, it reaches a height of 3 – 4 meters. Thanks to its more vigorous habit and large leaves, it creates a beautiful green screen.
• Shaping: Responds very well to spring pruning, which makes it easy to keep the canopy at the desired height for comfortable harvesting.

Fruits and flavor profile

• 1st crop (Summer / Breba): Ripens from late July on last year's wood. The fruits are medium to large (60 – 85 g), pear-shaped with a short neck and distinct ribbing. The firm skin is black at the top and transitions to reddish-brown shades. The strawberry-pink to red flesh excels with honey sweetness and an intense aroma.
• 2nd crop (Main autumn): Ripens from mid-August to September/October on new shoots. The fruits are rounder and smaller (40 – 60 g). The skin acquires black to deep dark blue shades with a waxy bloom. It is unusually firm, which protects the fruits during handling. The flesh is dark red with a full, jammy concentrated taste.

Growing characteristics and agrotechnics

• Pollination: The variety is parthenocarpic (self-fertile) and belongs to the Adriatic botanical group. Fruits develop without the need for pollination by the fig wasp.
• Resistance and requirements:
  • Cold hardiness and planting: High (down to -15 °C). Plant 2 to 3-year-old trees in the open ground. In cooler locations, protect the trunk and crown with fleece until the trunk reaches a thickness of 6 – 7 cm.
  • Health: The variety is naturally healthy, strong, and highly productive. It does not suffer from common diseases or pests.
• Agrotechnics (Tip for perfect harvest): You can recognize perfect honey ripeness when the neck of the fig softens, the fruit bends slightly downwards on its thin stem, and no white milky sap (latex) oozes when picked. At this point, the taste is the sweetest.

Disadvantages of the variety:

• Space requirements: Vigorous and spreading growth requires plenty of space in the garden or regular maintenance pruning.
• Winter protection: Young plants require winter protection in the first years after planting in the open ground.