I am brand new to figs and want to order some cuttings from Pitangadiego, but I'm having trouble deciphering the availability list. 

For example, I might want a Brown Turkey and a Black Mission fig...but there are many choices:

Welcome to the forum, and the confusion! I think HD=Home Depot and (2) just means there are two of the same trees and it is for Jon to keep all the cuttings orderly. Your best bet in deciding what to get is to look at the variety information here and search the forum and Google for more information using the variety name. Good luck.

I would add this: there is no decoder for the tags people use. Abbreviations are used for a number of reasons, which include providing anonymity to the owner of the original plant (this way the original owner doesn't get bombarded with requests).

If you stick around long enough, you'll be able to decipher a few of the ones people use. If you collaborate, befriend and trade with folks, you'll be able to decipher a few more. As you read historic posts, you will learn even more. The more involved you get, the more things unravel and make sense ;)

If you are going to order from Jon, get something more interesting than a Brown Turkey fig. You might want to check the wish list postings to see what other people in your area are looking for. Welcome to the forum.

Black Mission is arguably not that great, either, especially if you live in a rainy climate, like on the east coast.  I've got two different varieties near my house, and both swell/explode and spoil if it rains at all in the week or two before they're ripe.

The letters indicate origin and serve to distinguish plants that are supposedly the same (they have the same name), but may, in fact, perform better or worse than others of the same name, and may, in fact, not have been correctly labeled. The (2) indicates that it is a send tree in the Figs for Fun Collection that is identical to another tree. If the name is identical, spelled exactly the same, and has the same letter designation and the (2), then they are one and the same. Yes, some sources prefer anonymity. It is no so much about origin. Rather, the main reason for the letter designations is to distinguish the different variants. For example, I have 2 dozen Celeste variants. Only 3-4 are stand out performers. They have the same DNA (they were tested), but the4y do not have the same performance.

Then you can look at the pix at Figs 4 Fun and see that they are all sorted but name, by year pix was taken, and by the letter designation so that you know which variant is which.

You will discover that Brown Turkey HD is probably not a Brown Turkey by looking at the pix. But that was how is was labeled when acquired. Brown Turkey PM is also not a Brown Turkey, but give every evidence of being a Celeste. So it was mis-labeled. Mis-named and mis-labeled figs are very common.

Thanks for the replies everyone :)

I have limited space (I'll be growing them in a greenhouse) and my main concern was that some of the abbreviations might designate sport sizes, like this:

SD = Super Dwarf
HD = Half Dwarf
etc
[like how a Cavendish banana can be abbreviated DC, SDC, EDC, ESDC, GC, etc. for Dwarf Cavendish, Super Dwarf Cavendish, Extra Dwarf Cavendish (i.e. Zan Moreno), Extra Super Dwarf Cavendish (i.e. Little Prince), Giant Cavendish, etc.]

I was paralyzed in the ordering process because I'm looking for trees that can respond well to being kept pruned to 6-8' tall, and since it seemed plausible that the abbreviations had something to do with sizing.  But Hoosierbanana gives me the impression that Jon's abbreviations generally relate to tree source rather than adult tree characteristics like size.  That means if I want to order a Brown Turkey fig, it's OK to just randomly choose one of the 5 Brown Turkey figs listed since they're all the same, right? 

Thanks again for the welcome.  I'm such a noob that not only have I never grown a fig, I've never even seen or tasted one.  I was thinking I'd start with VDB, Black Jack, Brown Turkey, and Black Mission, just based on some cursory reading.

Also, Jon may not have any more cuttings, although he probably has lots of plants.

Flash!  He has JH Adriatic - get those from him!  Email him with JH adriatic in the title. 

I wonder if it would be a good idea to, at some point, make a list or thread of sources and they initials used for them?

I think a Source Thread would be a great help to reference, or at least for me it would be.

Such a list has been discussed in the past, and it didnt happen for a good reason. Sources don't want to be exposed. I've personally gotten yelled at a couple of times for exposing a source. Some sources really don't want others to know who they are, because there's always someone that will harass them to no end when they figure out you're the person behind the initials, or if it is a geographic location, it may get raided or pilfered by people.

Maybe a vendor abbreviation list would be appropriate, since that might be good for their businesses. I know most of the ones that get used around here but not all I suspect.

Ah Ha, I get it now! Thanks Jason! I figured I was not the first person to think this, and that there must of been a reason for a list not being created.

I know what you mean about the requests. To be honest, I hesitate about asking variety info let alone for actual cuttings themselves. I never want to be "that forum member" who is looked at funny! LOL!

I have a good list to trade now, but still have never posted a request and hesistate to do a trade request yet still just because I feel like I am still a newer member and do not want to come across as someone just looking for my own interests.

Maybe a list of just commercial or formal commercial sources could work and not actual members or private traders.

Please read this carefully. This is NOT about me. It is about serving the fig community. I have been blessed with being a part of that community, enjoying the fruits of other people's labors and contributions, and having opportunities to give back.

There is NOT going to be a list. If there were a list, most of the sources on it would simply say anonymous.

Many of the sources do not wish to deal with requests for cuttings. I pruned trees at 6 locations this season. Few, if any people know of their existence. No one else has cuttings from these sources. These cuttings have been shared through Encanto Farms and a couple other venues. Sometimes I receive the cuttings in exchange for the pruning, sometimes in trade for other plants.  Sometimes people send me cuttings or plants because they know they will be propagated, documented, and when available, distributed as cuttings to others. That is their goal and desire, and I have been entrusted to implement those goals. Sometimes, the original sources lose trees, and I am privileged to to return materials to them, to re-establish trees in their collections.

Almost 3 dozen people obtained cuttings of Adriatic JH this season because I asked for them. I haven't asked in a long time, and he/she was happy t do it because he/she didn't have to deal with all of the "stuff" that goes with taking requests, distributing cuttings, etc.

Many, many of you have trees that would NOT have been possible without the cooperaton of these pedople. Rather than trying to out these sources, consider, first, being thankful that they have been willing to share their collections for your benefit, even if it is not on your own terms. Consider respecting their privacy.

Finally, I am getting more serious about trying to establish a permanent collection and a mechanism or foundation, or whatever, to ensure their survival and continued availability. The season we distributed cuttings of maybe 400 varieties. That is 2-3 times as many as are on offer from UC Davis. This coming year we hope to push that to 600-700. if you have ideas on how to accomplish this, I am listening. At some point in time, you are going to be asked to invest in making this possible. This might come in form of money, or maybe helping locate grants, donors and sponsors.

Please thank them for us.  I was very happy to get the JH Adriatic and the other cuttings you provided.  This is the first year I've been able to participate although I've known of your generosity for years.  And now look:

Well I am blessed to be a part of this forum and your generosity Jon. I agree....one person can not accomplish this alone. It's going to take time, money and whatever possible. I volunteer my services and dollars. There is a lot of education to gain by all that we do. I love it. When I see you this summer, I will share with you my notes on what I am gathering. I will be posting a web site soon with some of this data. thanks,