Good day, A lady (Irene) contacted me about a fig tree she has in her yard.   She’s getting ready to sell her house and wants to take a part of the tree with her.  She said she bought the house 15 years ago. The owners were from Greece and did not speak any English.  At closing, her translator said the Greek lady said she brought cuttings over with her from Greece stuffed in her luggage years ago.   Irene said the figs taste like none she ever tasted.  Irene said, the figs are long fat purplish black figs with a flat bottom.  She asked me to help her.  So, yesterday evening after work, I set 10 air-layers.  The tree has a grayish white knotty bark and spreads outward like a spider. 

In my area, due to the late rain and heavy flooding our figs are a month late in ripening.  Despite what other might think, the tree does not have FMV.  I was in awe as I set the air layers.  I don't think this tree is a Black Maderia but I could be wrong.  Time will tell.  The only flat bottom fig trees I have are Black Maderia and LSU Gold. 

I'm posting some pictures of the tree and a few leaf patterns.    This tree had 3 lobes, 5 lobes and some other node shapes.  I will be visting this tree every week for 4 weeks to keep the airlayers watered.  I think the airlayers will take.  One of these trees will be available at our Southeastern Fig fest and I will send one to Jon.  I will send pics to Jon to post here.    

thanks,

Dennis,

Any chance you can take a bunch of cuttings to send to forum members?  I'd be interested. 

Looking forward to the photos and I'm with Rob on cuttings! :)

Great score Dennis!!!

This sounds like a great tree congrats on the find, I would also be interested in cuttings if available

Congrats on the great find and ditto on the cuttings if possible!  =)

Dennis, perhaps you can assign it some name (i.e., tied to city or owner's name) besides simply "Black Greek".  Marius already grows and has sold a fig that is called "Black Greek" which he has told me he believes to be the same as Belleclare 23/Chios-C.  I see potential for more confusion.

Dennis, ditto on all of it

Great find Dennis ! Double ditto for me !!

Great find Dennis, Keep me in mind .

Sounds promising. Does it have a tight eye?

How exciting. I think we all dream of stumbling on some unknown. If there's a share list, I'd love to be on it if it happens.

Would love cuttings of these to try out in a colder climate if she ends up selling it during dormant season.  I'm currently growing Black Greek from a cutting from Marius and it was very vigorous and tasty and productive so I hope this is the same!

Great story. Can I get in line for cuttings as well?

I will try to get some cuttings.  The tree is loaded with figs.  I want this tree so bad and so does the owner!  She said she will take a look at the air layers every 3 days after I check on them  At least with the 2 of us checking they should not dry out.  I am so excited!  I know she's going to cry when I give her a couple of those air layers.  I will probably call this one Black Greek IG until I get a firm identification of it.

I got another tree to go visit tomorrow.  This one is Pat's fig.  I think this one is a Purple Magnolia.  According to owner, the tree's been there since 1890.  I've seen this tree and sampled some of the figs.  I plan on setting 10 airlayers on her tree too.  More to come on Pat's fig.

Dennis me too Ditto ditto Ditto.

thanks
goss

great find, unabashed cuttings begger. . .

Dennis,

Mark me for one of each. 

Hi Dennis
Great find, it sounds awesome, i would love to trade cuttings with you.
Vito

I'm not too proud to beg  :)

Nice find and I'd love to add it to my collection.

Wow, Dennis, you started a golden rush over here :)
Please count me in if the cuttings are available.

Dennis Great find, I would love to trade cuttings with you as well.

SCORE!

It is your generosity that pays back! Good luck!