How cold hardy is the Black Madeira?  I would rather plant it in the ground in zone 7b/8a if it would survive the winter here in Memphis.  Response from anyone with experience with this fig would be welcome.

Good suggestion.

In my zone, 8a, it does quite well planted in a pot and mulched heavily.  My tree is around 5yrs old and in a huge pot.  In the past 2 yrs, I winterized mine indoors.  Inside my garage 2yrs ago and no burns.  Garage is insulated but temps do drop down to 25 in there 2 yrs ago.  This past winter, I stored it inside my shed, uninsulated and watered every 2 weeks.  Today, it does have about 2 inches of burn on the tips but the tree is leafing out fine.  THerefore, BM does pretty well in our zone, but make sure it is winterized if the tree is small/2 yr old.  I'm afraid to plant mine in my orchard.  I got the room but lost 2 BMs in the past.

Snag...why do you water your figs in the winter?  I am in Columbus ohio, I store my figs in the garage.  I have never watered them during the winter.  I would think by watering them in the winter you increase the chance of root damage.

My Black Madeira has been in a pot on the deck for the last few years here in North Georgia. I have taken it into the garage if the temperature dropped into the lower 20's or below, usually for just a day or two, then back out on the deck. I've never had any cold damage on it. I would want a tree planted out to be several years old.

I keep the roots moist using a moisture meter. I've lost figs in the past stored inside and did not water them. Since I've been watering in winter.....haven't lost one.