I learned so much on the first forums I had joined over 6 years ago. To do the same on Figfanatic.com, I want to see if there is any interest on the part of members to grow and report on Unknown varieties in my collection that I would like to offer as giveaways each year. My goal would be to offer 4-6 rooted cuttings to members across various hardiness zones in the US each year and have members report on the growth of their trees and the flavor of the figs they harvest. I would only ask for the actual cost of shipping should you be chosen to receive a tree.
If there is interest, my 2024 Unknown giveaway will be for a variety I bought as "DaVinci Code". It is an adriatic type fig which was found growing on the property where Leonardo DaVinci spend his childhood years. I assume it was planted there many years after DaVinci lived there. A California grower had family in Italy and somehow, cuttings made their way to the US many years ago. In NJ, I grow this variety in a pot, where it is a modest grower, possibly indicative of being a natural dwarf. It is a unifera variety that does however, ripen its full crop for me. Figs weigh in between 30 and 50 grams each. A perfectly ripe DaVinci Code fig has a nice berry flavor with an acidic bite that lingers in your mouth. If left to hang longer, the figs get sweeter and have a more intense berry flavor, but lose that acidity.
I already have friends from Georgia and Arkansas who want to be part of this trial, so I would hope to also find members in the following regions to take part:
Pacific Northwest
Texas/Arizona, New Mexico regions
Midwest
Louisiana/Florida
So we all can learn more about unknown varieties, I hope members can do the following:
1) Report once in the spring and once in the fall about progress
2) Grow in ground or in a pot, using your local preferred method
3) Post pictures
4) If the fig grows well for you, feel free to pay it forward to friends
If there are multiple members from on region, I will randomly choose the member to receive the tree. Please just don't express interest if you have no desire to post follow up information. After all, this is intended to be a learning experience for members.
Members interested in participating should respond to this post by Oct 9th. That should give current and newly introduced members time to review and respond. If their is enthusiasm for such giveaways, maybe a sub-folder can be created so members can easily find and track updates.
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If there is interest, my 2024 Unknown giveaway will be for a variety I bought as "DaVinci Code". It is an adriatic type fig which was found growing on the property where Leonardo DaVinci spend his childhood years. I assume it was planted there many years after DaVinci lived there. A California grower had family in Italy and somehow, cuttings made their way to the US many years ago. In NJ, I grow this variety in a pot, where it is a modest grower, possibly indicative of being a natural dwarf. It is a unifera variety that does however, ripen its full crop for me. Figs weigh in between 30 and 50 grams each. A perfectly ripe DaVinci Code fig has a nice berry flavor with an acidic bite that lingers in your mouth. If left to hang longer, the figs get sweeter and have a more intense berry flavor, but lose that acidity.
I already have friends from Georgia and Arkansas who want to be part of this trial, so I would hope to also find members in the following regions to take part:
Pacific Northwest
Texas/Arizona, New Mexico regions
Midwest
Louisiana/Florida
So we all can learn more about unknown varieties, I hope members can do the following:
1) Report once in the spring and once in the fall about progress
2) Grow in ground or in a pot, using your local preferred method
3) Post pictures
4) If the fig grows well for you, feel free to pay it forward to friends
If there are multiple members from on region, I will randomly choose the member to receive the tree. Please just don't express interest if you have no desire to post follow up information. After all, this is intended to be a learning experience for members.
Members interested in participating should respond to this post by Oct 9th. That should give current and newly introduced members time to review and respond. If their is enthusiasm for such giveaways, maybe a sub-folder can be created so members can easily find and track updates.
Click for original
Click for original
Click for original
