I had 3, wanted a couple more "good" ones, and the rest is history. But it is the most fun I have ever had. Now I just need more space and time.

42?
isn't that the answer to the question in the "Hitch Hiker's Guide to the universe"

grant,

not sure what you are asking... but yes. the answer is 42.. :)))

Grant,
You mean Galaxy (not universe), right?  The answer is 42, but the question is tricky. 

I like the way Jon's number spells out ILEI upside down.  Who is ILEI?

Mike

There are worse things you could be doing with your time and spending your money on!!

And if anyone looks at you like you are crazy (shhhh they don't have to know you are;)  ), just tell them it keeps you off the streets at night and out of trouble!!  :) :) :)

Bullet,
Since you are in the south I think you should consider O'Rourke or an improved Celeste as one of your 42. I have read that these are excellent varieties and should grow well in your area. Or possibly LSU Scott's Black. Just make sure that you weed out unproductive varieties so that you never actually hit the 42 mark. That way you can continue to experience the joy of evaluating new varieties.

LSU Scott's Black.. i need to look into that. also Native Black and Italian Black from Durio Nursery. 

Well, anyone in "the know" knows 42 is not the answer, it is 17.  42 sounds like a good number of figs to have, but 17 is the universal answer.  Somehow many moons ago urban legend started this 42 thing, but it's all so incorrect.  Look it up, you will find 17 not 42.  And now I've given away my true identity, cause anyone that has met me knows my answer is always 17  : )  My story of 17 goes like this.....long before Hitchhikers Guide my middle school science teacher told us the answer to any question was 17.  So now when a person asks me a question pertaining to a numerical answer I blurt "17" and so far I've never been wrong.

Pete - I would add Smith to the list.

OK James, I'll bite since another person probably will.  I think you mentioned this in one of your posts a long time ago but what is the egg crate type material around the pots?

JH Adriatic, Atreano, Battaglia Green. You'll get lots of one season wonders -- some really are good -- some are being marketed and some may be good every once in a while. These are always good. 42? You'll never make it -- sorry, but good luck down there in my home town.

42 ... "read my lips" ...
Yeah right ?!?

already have JH Adriatic.. completely forgot about that. i heard Paradiso Gene might be similar to Battaglia Green. yeah.. it will be hard to stop at 42.. but will have to try. i like my other things :)

Pete,

If you are done at 42, then you may want to delete your wishlist. Fig counts go by price is right rules. As soon as you hit 43 its game over.

tim,

there is always room for certain figs. and i'm not counting them in "42". things like Cendrosa, Maltese Beauty, certain Portuguese figs.. :)

Pete,

Seriously though, 42 is a solid number.  My end game has always been a 10 tree orchard in which I do not protect during the winter here in 6A.  It's still my goal but like you said...there's always room for a few extra "special" ones.

Must be some "shady" accounting rules. By those rules, I stopped at 42 also, but have room for several hundred "special" ones.

dang it. i think i broke 42 already.. realized that i forgot to count some others at home. and few that's coming in.

Those can be off the books, under the table, or whatever, too.

sub rosa. if anyone asks how many i have, my answer will always be 42.

tim,

i'm trying my best to make sure she doesn't have chance to complaint about the figs. making sure they are nicely tucked away before winter.. making sure that all the cups and baggies are hidden around my study.. make sure she knows that all the cuttings coming in are not costing arms and legs.. i think she still has more shoes than i have my figs.. lol

And you can eat the figs!

Pete, just tell her it's a nice harmless hobby so you can stay home and be with her and the kids.

The shoes are edible, too. Just substitute them for eggplant in your favorite eggplant parmesan recipe.

Hahahahaha!  Jon!  You crack me up! 

Suzi

James,

Nice setup with all the Airpots, I have 10 myself atm with various fruit trees. I am looking at adding another 10 this year. How long have your trees been in the container?

Nice list! I may have the same issue one day, I'm sure I can be creative and make a garden on the roof of my house or maybe borrow my neighbor's yard and bribe him with figs:)