O'Rourke Fig
Ficus carica
O'Rourke was selected from a group of seedlings from a cross of Celeste X C1. C1 is a designation given a caprifig obtained from the University of California at Riverside in 1950. The cross was made in 1956 and an individual plant selection made by E.N. O'Rourke in 1960 and tested as L57-11-103. This cultivar is named to honor Dr. Ed O'Rourke's (Professor) service to the fruit industry.
The fruit stalk is longer on O'Rourke than most common fig cultivars.
The eye (ostiole) of O'Rourke is not completely closed when fully ripe compared with a closed eye of Celeste. Internal color is golden with red near center of fruit when soft ripe. Fruit ripen before Celeste or approximately the last week of June in Baton Rouge, LA. O'Rourke fruit hangs down when fully ripe. The main crop of O'Rourke ripens over a 15 day period, which is comparable to Celeste. But ripens earlier than Celeste and continues into fall.
O'Rourke is more resistant to defoliation caused by the fig leaf rust [Cerotelium fici and leaf spot complex than Celeste.
| Plant Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Pest Resistance | Very Good |
| Disease Resistance | Very Good |
| Drought Tolerance | Good |
| Heat Tolerance | Excellent |
| Humidity Tolerance | Very Good |
| Sun Tolerance | Excellent |
| Wet Soil Tolerance | Poor |
| Shade Tolerance | Poor |
| No Spray | Excellent |
| Salt Tolerance | Good |
| Fresh for Kids | Excellent |
| Deer Resistance | Good |
| Thorns | No |
| Plant Type | Shrub |
| Soil Type | Well Drained |
| Edible Type | Fruit |
| Self Fertile | Yes |
| This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, comments/opinions are always welcome | |
x