Congratulation Mike! to show no hard feelings i will make  a $100 donation anyway
Should do it again sometime 
 Mario

No hard feeling $ 100 donation sent
Congratulation to you too RAFED
Good job Brent

Mario

Very nice Mike:)

Everyone was a winner on this one.... Brent, Rafed, Jon and Mike of course.

Kudos to new member Mario who came out of the gate in a blaze. Welcome to the forum. Tell us a little about yourself.

I agree with you 100% about Mario. Frank.

But we can't leave off Hershell. He's a newb too and he came out blazing.
For their efforts, I have a little something for them. Details when I go home in a couple days.

Congrats to all that bid!

Congrats Mike.

Struteldog, maybe that rooster can be the next up for bid...

This was a very positive thing all around. Everyone is a winner when the forum shows its goodness.

And that rooster is exactly what my wife has been wanting to add to our flock. Giant Cochin, right? That thing reminds me of the Banthas that the Tusken Raiders ride in "Star Wars." Just a couple of spiraled horns.

I actually miss having chickens. That rooster is a beauty.

As promised,

I am offering Hershell and Mario an air layered Ischia Black each.
These were just cut and potted. Have good roots but I will ship them in a couple weeks. I need the roots to get a grip on the new soil so they can travel better.

I have offered these plants to these two gentlemen for the fact they are newbies but came out swinging to help the foundation. That's awesome in my book.

To make it fair between the two, they are first come first serve.
You can choose here or send me a PM.

Good luck and thanks for the effort.

BTW, these were side branches so that's why they look this way. They are not wilted.

Rafed, this is another great example of your generosity just like you have already shown me.

Great forum member.

thank you rafed
very Happy to be part of this group, i've been following the site for wile enjoyed it very much and learned a lot. 
just a little introduction;
Born in Italy 1944 in the mountains of Abbruzzi,Emigrated to Wallingford, CT 1958.
Retired contractor , started as bricklayer, built many homes, roads and shopping centers.
Had a fig tree all my life, use to bury it when i was younger. i got the Fig Fever about one year ago. Visited many local old timer and managed to get cuttings from any tree that had a good story attached to it. I have figs from many different places in Italy unfortunately no Names, so i gave them all Numbers with their story. I bought 2 small plants in Oregon from a nursery 2 years ago din't bother with names. This spring bought  some from Canada and Florida (this time saved names).But my favorites are 3  that Grasa was generous enough to sent me FREE. Tanks Grasa they are doing beautiful and my  grandson beans are 17 feet tall at this time. I will post pictures when i learn how to do it .
Rafed I will be going to Italy August 1st to the 15th my son and daughter will be around but they may not Know what to do , if you can plan your shipping around those dates i would appreciate. 
Tanks again
Mario Di Natale
tanks rafed, just leaned something new

Great story Mario,

Love to hear or in your case read stories likes yours. I think one of our senior members is from your region. Her name is Maggie.

I would advice you to delete your address from this post. I would reserve this information in private.

I would be happy to hold your plant for you till you return from back home.
Rest assured it will be in good hands and once you return just send me a note.

The Black Ischia is one of my favorites in my collection and it is not the UCD strain.
I have the much healthier strain. Vigorous grower and produces great amount of figs.

I have two more still attached to the tree. One is for another friend and have not decided what I will do with the forth one. Maybe hold on to it as back up?

Rafed, any fig from you would be an honor to receive. Thank you! I shall make a donation as soon as I figure out how.

No problem,
They are both sitting in 1gl pots and placed under partial sun.
In about two weeks they should be ready and able to travel. I will send them then. I want the roots to grow into the new soil first.

Both have fruit on them.

Done. Thanks to everyone for participating.