I just wanted to share what has been an inspiring lesson on generosity for me.  A couple of weeks ago I posted a thread seeking to buy some cuttings of Maltese Falcon and Maltese Beauty.  There was some debate and discussion as to whether or not $20 a cutting was enough, whether a dollar amount should be listed publicly, and whether or not top dollar should be paid for "designer" figs.

Well, a couple of people went above and beyond and gave me what turned out to be by far both the most unexpected and best Christmas presents; both Maltese Falcon AND Maltese Beauty.

First, thank you to (Ricci) jazzbass for mailing me a cutting of Maltese Falcon.  He refused postage.  A class act all around!

Secondly, thank you to (Marius) mnedelcu for more than doubling my entire fig collection with your generosity.  He too declined any sort of compensation, even for shipping.  He sent me some rare figs, basically checking off everything on my "want list".  O-M-G.

I have never received anything from a stranger for free, and I consider my 2014 already made.  Thank you Marius, and thank you Ricci, so very much.  I'm putting in an order for more garden markers this weekend, and will have the gift varieties inscribed with "Donated by Marius Nedelcu" and "Donated by Ricci", for all of my garden visitors to see over the coming decades.

Here are a couple of pictures of the cuttings Marius donated to me.  Potted in 4:3:2 perlite:microbark:calcined clay (as recommended by Dr. Tapla) in clear cups, with a rayon wick out of the bottom.  Temporary tags are attached, identifying cultivar and donor.  The two pictures are all different cuttings, all donated by Marius.  Holy Cow!

  

Congrats!

Where do you order your garden markers?  I noticed in the other thread you had some very nice markers.

Good for you! I wish you the best of luck.

Congrats!
Very nice of Marius and Ricci!

Very cool!  And it looks like the cuttings are in very good hands :)

Congratulations!  There are some amazing people here.

Very hart warming , thanks for sharing your pleasant experiences here with us Tylt33 ;)
You have done an excellent job of caring for those cuttings, I hope they all take and become fruitful mother trees.

Update: I have experienced the generosity of several members from forum also. Although I have payed the s/h (which is the least I could do) I still consider the cutting as donations. I have about 200+ cuttings in the fridge all sleeping comfortably until I start rooting them in a month or so. I want the weather to be welcoming them to this wonderful world. About 60% is donated cuttings. When I make tags for them I will mention the Variety/Donor/Date/Location from, that way they will always be remembered. I mean...look at my "wish-list" guys, it's almost complete, this is so amazing. In most cases I do return a favor by sending what I have for exchange but sometimes the donor says they are not interested in more varieties.
So , I thank you all wonderful people out there who spread the blessing, and who knows... maybe they had their share of blessings in past and know how it feels to be encouraged by someone who is more experienced in Figging.
Sharing is Caring ;)

very generous members in this forum :) 

Those are very generous members and very credible.  Congrats, and looking forward to their progress this year!

Yup, very nice! I've had the same experience here as well. Some very good people on the forum!

What amazing people! May God bless their generosity 100 fold.

I love it when people act in excellent ways!!! This is such a great group of people!!! 

Generosity is not one way. always remember to pay it forward...

Hi, all I can say is I want 200 cuttings,Lol. i did 100 cuttings last year,this year I will do as many as 20. There are some great people on the forum. Rex.

Alright DisneyLand, time to hand it over....
THIS is now "Officially" The Happiest Place on Earth!
(Or... the Web!)
Really glad to hear of all the great trading going on & BIG THANKS to all for helping out us Newbies
I feel a Group Hug coming on :)

For sure, a great group of people here!! Just remember,   Pass it on....

Hurray for cool people!

Totally agree! Ricci and Marius are top notch! I too have been blessed by these gents. They are truly.....the best.

Very nice!!!!
Way to go Ricci and Marius!!!!

Very inspiring!!! Many talk, these 2 walk

Yes, very generous group I have ever met. Out of the blue, someone here ( more than one person) offered me cuttings. Eventhough I am a newbie and my success rate is low, they still offered some cuttings for me to grow. And I have reciprocate by giving cuttings to members in Malaysia. Must pay forward. Thanks a million to ' you know who you are'.

Norhayati

I am lucky to have met this group and the amazing people in here. I find that this must be a special group of elevated mind. The generosity of some of you there is no words to describe. All I can do is pay forward.   I am thankful to so many of you...
Specially those who took me under the wing, shared knowledge, cuttings, etc, when a few 'elders' were threaten by my vamp introduction. 

A great thank you to Kerry,  Jon, Slavi, Doug, Art, Dave Il, Dave in AZ,  Dave in CA, Andy, Jennifer (where are you girl?), Jim, Susan, James (1,2,3...) Steve, Igor, Vito, Cantor, Rex, Jack, Dennis, Aaron, Bill here, Bill out there, Pete 1, Pete 2 NY, and so many others... you are my fig HEROES, 

Thank you all for your amazing gift to this community. Lets all have an amazing 2014 with lots of figs....

And the NOMINEES are...(drummssss!!!!!)  LOL :x