In horticulture, Bird Pecking describes fruit damage caused by birds. Related glossary ideas include integrated pest management.. . Bird Pecking is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

The term “Black” or “Dark” frequently appears in the names of fig varieties and typically refers to the color of the skin rather than the pulp. These figs often have deep purple to almost jet-black exteriors when ripe and are among the most popular among collectors for their rich, jammy flavors and striking appearance. The designation "black" is often used descriptively or culturally and can vary based on region, language, and historical naming customs. Some famous examples include Black Mission, Violette de Bordeaux, Noire de Caromb, and Negretta. Many of these names have been passed down or translated through local traditions, and as figs travel from one region to another, the term for “black” is often translated to match the local language. Here's how "black" is expressed in some of the key fig-growing cultures: Catalan: Negre French: Noire (feminine), Noir (masculine) Greek: Mávros Italian: Nero Portuguese: Preta (feminine), Preto (masculine) Spanish: Negra (feminine), Negro (masculine) Turkish: Siyah It’s important to note that while “black” figs may share similar coloration, they can differ significantly in flavor, vigor, leaf pattern, and season. Not all “black” figs are genetically related; some may have only been named for appearance. For collectors, knowing the linguistic roots can help trace the origins of a variety, especially when comparing similarly named figs from different countries.

Black Fig Fly (BFF), scientifically known as Silba adipata, is an increasingly problematic pest in fig cultivation, particularly in Mediterranean regions and now emerging in parts of the United States. This small black insect, about 3 to 4 mm in size, is a species of fruit fly that specifically targets fig fruits. It should not be confused with the common fruit flies seen around overripe produce; BFF has a unique life cycle and host specificity that makes it especially dangerous to fig growers. The female black fig fly lays her eggs inside immature figs using a sharp ovipositor. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin feeding on the fig’s internal tissues, causing the fruit to drop prematurely or rot from within. Symptoms are often subtle at first, but signs include unexplained fruit drop, soft spots, and sometimes a small puncture hole where the egg was deposited. Because the damage occurs internally, infestations often go unnoticed until substantial crop loss occurs. BFF can produce multiple generations in a single season, making it hard to control once established. For fig collectors and orchardists, BFF is particularly devastating due to its ability to destroy prized or rare cultivars silently and quickly. Control measures are still being studied, but efforts include sanitation (removing fallen fruit), exclusion netting, and targeted insecticide use. In regions where the fly has become established, some growers are also exploring sterile insect techniques and monitoring with bait traps. The growing concern about BFF has led to increased awareness and collaboration among fig enthusiasts and agricultural authorities. For collectors, staying informed and proactive about BFF is essential, especially as the pest spreads into new territories where figs are cultivated both commercially and by hobbyists.  See PEST ALERT – Black Fig Fly and the Black Fig Fly article on Silba adipata McAlpine. Also watch these well-received segment on combating the black fig fruit fly and Silba Adipata - Black Fig Fly Damage Identification by Eric Durtschi.

The "Black Madeira" fig family encompasses a group of late-ripening, dark-skinned common figs (Ficus carica) prized for their intensely sweet, jam-like flavor and attractive appearance. Native to Madeira Island, Portugal, these figs feature deep purple to nearly black skins and rich red pulp. They are self-fertile and don’t require pollination, making them more reliable than Smyrna types—but they can still crack during humid conditions and may be susceptible to fig mosaic virus. Within this family, several clones and strains exist: Black Madeira (DFIC 144) – The classic strain introduced by USDA/UC Davis, known for its intense sweetness and complex berry‑caramel notes. Black Madeira KK – A vigorous clone with similar flavor but faster growth habit and potentially better resilience. Figo Preto – Portuguese for "black fig" and often synonymous with Black Madeira, especially in Madeira cultivation; noted for excellent flavor and adaptability to containers or cooler northern climates. These clones may show slight differences in vigor, rooting ability, or mosaic virus tolerance, but their fruit quality remains remarkably consistent—making them a staple for collectors chasing flavor excellence. Collectors consider the Black Madeira family as some of the best-tasting figs available. Their complex, dark‑berry flavor profile often becomes the benchmark for gourmet fig tasting.

The Black Mission family, occasionally called Mission Fig, is a historically significant group of Ficus carica cultivars originally introduced to North America by Spanish Franciscan missionaries around 1768. These figs feature characteristic deep purple to nearly black skins with luscious strawberry-pink flesh and a jammy, honey-rich flavor that balances sweetness with subtle berry notes. They are reliably biannual producers, offering both an early-season breba crop and a later main crop, and are self-fertile—making them excellent for both home gardens and container growing. Black Mission figs are cherished in collections for their rich historical background and dependable productivity. As one of the earliest figs propagated by European settlers in California, they represent a living legacy of agricultural heritage. Their distinctive flavor, combined with two crop cycles per season, often makes them a benchmark against which collectors compare newer varieties. However, collectors should note they can be prone to skin splitting in wet climates and may carry fig mosaic virus—though this seldom affects their fruit quality

In horticulture, Blade Margin describes the outer edge of a leaf blade. Blade Margin is useful when comparing fig leaves because leaf shape can vary by cultivar, tree age, shoot vigor, and season. Clear leaf descriptions should mention the part being observed and should be paired with photos when the term is used for identification.

Blastophaga Life Cycle is a term used for the developmental cycle of the edible fig's pollinating wasp. . For Blastophaga Life Cycle, the practical interpretation depends on the growing setup: container or in-ground tree, drainage, watering pattern, sunlight, season, and local weather.

Blastophaga psenes is the tiny fig wasp species uniquely associated with the common edible fig (Ficus carica). Native to the Mediterranean region, it has been introduced to Pacific and Californian fig orchards to ensure proper pollination. Adult wasps measure just 1–2 mm and live only for a few days—long enough to complete their entire life cycle and ensure fig reproduction. A gravid female wasp homes in on a receptive fig (syconium) using scent compounds emitted from the ostiole. She enters the fig, lays her eggs in the short-styled flowers (typically male caprifig flowers), and at the same time deposits pollen she collected earlier. After eggs develop into larvae and pupate, wingless males emerge first, mate with emerging females, then enlarge an exit tunnel. Mated females exit, dusted with pollen, and fly to another fig to continue the cycle. This intimate partnership, one of nature’s classic mutualisms, is essential for Smyrna and San Pedro fig types—though common figs rely on their parthenocarpic ability to fruit without pollination, the wasp still plays a fascinating ecological role. Read this blog...

Borer is a general term for an insect larva or other pest that tunnels into plant tissue such as trunks, branches, roots, or fruit. Boring damage can weaken structural wood, interrupt vascular flow, invite decay, and make plants more vulnerable to additional stress.

For fig trees, borer concerns are usually diagnosed by symptoms such as holes, frass, dieback, weakened branches, or galleries under bark. Because different borers require different management, growers should identify the pest before treating and should also reduce stress that makes trees more vulnerable.

Boron Deficiency refers to a shortage of boron affecting growing points and fruit development.. . Boron Deficiency is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

Botrytis means gray mold disease favored by moisture and poor airflow in practical plant language.. . Botrytis is most useful when it is tied to the exact plant part, season, cultivar, and growing conditions being described.

In horticulture, Bottom Heat describes heat applied beneath cuttings or seedlings. . For Bottom Heat, the practical interpretation depends on the growing setup: container or in-ground tree, drainage, watering pattern, sunlight, season, and local weather.

In horticulture, Bottom Watering describes watering from below the root zone. . For Bottom Watering, the practical interpretation depends on the growing setup: container or in-ground tree, drainage, watering pattern, sunlight, season, and local weather.

Branch dieback is the death of shoots or branches beginning at the tip or along a section of wood. It may result from cold injury, drought stress, root problems, canker disease, physical damage, pest injury, or weak wood that failed after fruiting or pruning.

On figs, dieback is common after severe winter cold and may also occur on container trees that dry out or suffer root damage. Growers should prune back to healthy living tissue, disinfect tools when disease is suspected, and look for the underlying cause rather than assuming all dieback has the same origin.

A breba is the early-season fig crop that develops on wood formed during the previous growing year. These fruits begin forming in late summer or fall, overwinter on the tree as tiny embryonic figs, and then swell and ripen the following spring or early summer—well before the main crop appears. Not every fig variety produces brebas, and among those that do, quality can vary widely. Some cultivars are famous for excellent brebas, while others produce large but bland fruit that growers often remove to redirect energy into the main crop. Brebas are usually larger than main-crop figs, often more pear-shaped, and can have slightly thicker skins. Flavor can range from mild and honeyed to richly sweet depending on genetics and climate, but in many varieties the main crop is still considered superior in complexity. Because brebas rely on last year’s wood, heavy winter pruning or cold damage can eliminate the upcoming breba harvest entirely—a key detail for collectors in colder regions or for those shaping trees aggressively. For fig growers and collectors, brebas are both a treat and a strategic consideration. In cooler climates with short summers, a reliable breba-producing variety can mean enjoying ripe figs weeks earlier than usual. In warm areas, brebas extend the overall harvest season, turning one crop into two. Careful pruning, winter protection, and knowledge of a cultivar’s fruiting habits all determine whether the breba crop becomes a highlight—or a sacrifice made in favor of later abundance. Understanding brebas also helps explain why two people growing the “same” variety might report very different results. If one grower loses overwintering wood to frost or cuts it back in spring, the brebas disappear, while another in a milder climate may enjoy a heavy early harvest. That seasonal rhythm is part of what makes fig collecting so nuanced—and so addictive.

Breba crop development describes the formation and maturation of figs produced on wood from the previous growing season. Breba figs usually begin as overwintered buds or young fruiting structures and ripen before the main crop.

The reliability of a breba crop depends on cultivar, winter survival of the older wood, pruning style, and spring conditions. Heavy winter pruning can remove much of the breba potential, while preserving healthy one-year wood may help varieties known for brebas produce an earlier harvest.