Hey JD,
Wow is all I can say!!! My Dad will be most happy to hear that his tree is now thriving in Florida. It must be your climate, but his tree's fruit were not that large, but it does tend to be very productive... A little back story below:
Dad moved to this country from Italy in 1954. He is from a small town called Mola di Bari, in the Puglia Region of Italy, and raised fig trees, among other fruits and vegetables in Italy. He settled in Chicago, and like a lot of Italian immigrants, as soon he bought a home, he planted a fig tree. For, we Northerners, it is a labor of love, but each year, trees that are planted out doors must be buried, to ensure their survival next year. This particular tree cutting that I sent you, is from a tree that he has grown for at least the past 20 years. My mother claims that it is the sweetest of all the figs she has had in this country. It is a good thing that I took several cuttings last year, as this past winter was more severe temperature wise and Dad's tree top growth from the previous year, unfortunately did not survive. Since it has a strong root system, it has since sprouted a number of branches from the stump...so that we can enjoy its bounty for years to come. My father is now 81 years old, and will be thrilled that his fig tree is now thriving down in Florida. I will show him the photos JD. He does not recall how he came upon this tree, what we know is that it is from an another Italian relative in origin. I am happy that I also rooted two trees last year, from his tree, so that the legacy can continue... I am going to be visiting with him soon, and will again try to see if we can determine exactly where and how we came upon this tree.
Thanks JD!!! I am so happy that you were able to get it to fruit, and so quickly!!!!