JD Van Deventer's Kwekery/Nursery

Cultivar; Kaapse Bruin/ Cape Brown

Clone Number; unknown

Origin; England

Royalties/ Levies; not enough data

Yield; excellent

Fruit use; small to medium fig, brown with pink flesh, multi-purpose

Type; brown fig

Shelf-life; good, 2-3 days in a fridge, 12 months if frozen

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Water requirements; around 750mm of annual rainfall is required, or must be supplemented with irrigation. Overwatering during fruit development or harvesting can cause the fruits to split.

Soil type; any type, but the soil must be well draining, and fertile or nutrient rich. Acidic to neutral soils work best. The ultimate pH would be 6 to 6.5.

Sun requirements; full sun, figs thrive Figs are relatively tolerant of saline environs and can withstand salts up to 1000ppm. Thrives in regions with hot summers and mild winters, often grown in the Little Karoo.

Chill hours; 400 or less

Pruning; minimal, recommended only during the initial few years and is best done in late winter

Soil depth; 1,5m

Care; Planting the rows from North to South allows for the sun to reach from both the East and West, allowing for the figs to ripen evenly. Figs like a climate similar to that of many stone fruits, however, be careful of winter rainfall areas as figs under 5 years are likely to die back during winter, especially if the soil is wet. Be careful of winds, it is best to plant figs in a sheltered region.

Fertiliser requirements; calcium, potash and nitrogen are recommended when growth is minimal, however do not over-fertilise with nitrogen- this causes excessive leaf-production, and slows ripening, in addition, over fertilisation causes fruit drop for many years after the event.

Pollination requirements; not enough data

Successful test-crosses; not enough data

Bloom time; summer

Harvest time; January

Vigor; slow

Size and shape; small or dwarf tree

Tree age; will start to fruit at 3 to 5 years of age

Average life span;  20 to 30 years depending on the rootstock used.

Susceptibility to pests and disease; resistant to flies and pests, cold resistant, susceptible to mosaic virus.

General notes; One of the oldest varieties in SA. Also known as Koffievy, Osborn's Prolific, Neveralla, Archipel, Figue Grise, Hardy Prolific. Produces Breba figs.