The Desert King Fig: MUST Read Before Growing
Updated: Feb 4
Many people may not realize that thousands of fig varieties exist. Over the years, I have grown and trialed hundreds of these myself, investing significant time, effort, and money to better understand them—all for the benefit of fig enthusiasts like you.
This process is ongoing; every year, I test new varieties, gather more data, and uncover new favorites that are well-suited to different regions worldwide. Despite the time and cost involved, this work remains a passion and a continuous endeavor.
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The Desert King Fig
The history of the Desert King or “King” fig is somewhat obscure. From Condit’s monograph:
The exact origin and identity of the King fig have not been determined. About 1930, cuttings from a fig tree growing near Madera, California, were planted by Sisto Pedrini, Western Evergreen Company, at Los Altos and at San Francisco. The young trees produced such excellent fruit that hundreds of plants were propagated and distributed in Pacific Coast states and elsewhere by the King Fig Plantation, San Francisco.
However, my research strongly suggests it likely originated in Italy. Today, a fig widely recognized in Italy, known as Petrelli, shares many similarities with Desert King. My friends Cornelia and Mattia of Omezzolli Nursery in Italy, have discovered fig varieties resembling Desert King in their efforts to preserve Ficus carica. Despite its prominence in the United States for many years, particularly for its reliable breba crop, it is almost certain that this variety traces its roots back to Italy.
Breba Crop and Popularity
Desert King is especially favored in regions like the Pacific Northwest and parts of the United Kingdom due to its reliable and tasty breba crop. The breba crop refers to figs ripened on last year’s wood, typically maturing 30–45 days earlier than the main crop which takes more time to ripen as it forms on new growth. This early ripening makes it ideal for areas with mild summers, where heat units required for ripening the main crop may be insufficient.
In warmer parts of the Pacific Northwest or the United Kingdom, early-to-ripen main crop fig varieties can ripen without issue. However, fig growers in these areas often prioritize breba-producing varieties highlighting the importance of choosing the right type of fig for your climate.
Related: Early Ripening Fig Varieties
Types of Figs
Understanding the different types of figs is crucial to understanding the nuances of the variety you're growing. For example, Desert King is referred to as a San Pedro type, meaning its breba crop does not require pollination, but its main crop does. This means that for 90% of fig growers, the main crop of Desert King cannot ripen, making it a fig variety that only ripens a breba crop.
Want to understand pollination and the fig wasp at a higher level? Check out this article.
When born from seed, figs will genetically fall into four categories based on their pollination and cropping characteristics:
Common Figs: Female figs that produce fruit without pollination. These can be:
Bifera: Produce both breba and main crops.
Unifera: Produce only the main crop.
Smyrna Figs: Female figs requiring pollination for their main crop.
San Pedro Figs: Produce breba crops without pollination but require it for their main crop.
Male (Caprifigs): Used for pollination and does not produce edible fruit (unless persistent - a topic for another day).
Traits of Desert King
Origin: Italy
Categorization: Bifera
Similar varieties: Norman’s Yellow, Filacciano Bianco, Fico Petrelli
Taste grouping: Sugar Berry
Texture: Jammy
Size: Medium
Ripening period: Mid-season
Vigor: High
Rain resistance: High
Split Resistance: High
Hang time: Average
Climate preference: Well-adapted
Hardiness: High
Taste rating: 4.4/5
Light requirements: Low
Productivity: High
Climate Considerations
For successful cultivation of the Desert King fig variety, preserving last year’s wood is critical for reliable fruit production of the breba crop.
Cold Climates:
This makes Desert King unsuitable for areas with harsh winters where wood may be damaged by freezing temperatures. While fig trees can tolerate temperatures down to 0°F, breba buds may be damaged at slightly higher temperatures. Desert King thrives in USDA zones 7b and higher. While it can be grown in USDA growing zone 7a or lower, the risk of cold damage increases without winter protection.
Use the guides below to learn how to properly prune and protect your Desert King fig tree for maximum breba production.
Tropical Climates:
In tropical areas, such as southern Florida, the lack of a dormancy period prevents breba formation, rendering this variety ineffective.
A quick story...
When I first started growing figs and had little knowledge of them, my Grandfather purchased a Desert King fig tree online and planted it at his home in Southern Florida.
What we didn't know is that his tropical climate usually doesn't have a dormancy period, which is essential for Desert King to ripen its breba crop. Despite years of effort, the figs would form but ultimately fall off due to the absence of the fig wasp and in turn pollination. The fig wasp is only found in parts of California, the Mediterranean, and some areas of Asia. Unfortunately, the variety proved unsuitable for Florida, and his efforts to grow it were ultimately in vain.
Having said that, a common misconception about fig trees is that they require chill hours. Read more about that here.
Growth and Fruit Characteristics
Desert King figs are green-skinned with a red interior, often filled with honey-like sweetness and mild berry undertones. When pollinated, the main crop is of an exceptional quality and eating experience. It’s highly productive and resistant to splitting and rain damage. The figs ripen early, often avoiding rainy periods, contributing to their higher-than-average consistent fruit quality.
Cultivation Tips for Desert King
Pruning: Preserve last year’s growth to ensure breba production.
Climate: Avoid regions with extreme cold or tropical conditions where dormancy is not achieved.
Pollination: Understand that the main crop requires pollination, which may not be feasible outside areas with fig wasps, like California or parts of the Mediterranean.