Fig trees including VdB for $5.99 and up to 3 items for $7.99 combined shipping.
It seems a good deal.
Does anyone know this seller?
http://www.ebay.com/sch/wellspring100/m.html?item=121163184669&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

I got 2 trees from Well Springs and just ordered 3 more.   The two  I got are very small but they are healthy.  That's all I know about the seller

They only charged me 50c shiupping for each additional plant

They are very small tissue culture plants.  It will take years to see fruit but if you are patient you usually get what you order.

The question I have is who is their supplier? That Black Italian is tempting but who propagated it?

Bob I edited your comment for logic. 
 
They are very small tissue culture plants.  It will take years to see fruit but if you are patient you usually get what you pay for. ; )

I've purchase small tissue cultured fig starts from them in the past (last year) and it will take at least 2 growing seasons to get figs (at least in my zone). From earlier topics and discussions, their supplier may be Agristarts. Their availability listing shows Petite Nigra, Violet de Bordeaux, Black Mission but not "Black Italian".

What is "Black Italian"?

When you figure they are paying 30 cents a plant and selling for $5.99 it is a good deal, for them:)   I guess my question is why would a person go the tissue culture route when you can get a cutting for say $2 each and have it fruit in the same year instead of waiting 2+ years for the TC to fruit?  I guess if the person has problems rooting it might be a viable alternative.

Soni,
IMO, there are several factors that influence the "diverse strains" of figs. Simple sexual reproduction is a factor (through seedlings). The health of the scion tree that is used for propagation is a large factor (degree of Virus infection). Cultural practices and plant mutations are other factors. One factor that has nothing to do with nature is the re-naming of already established cultivars which then creates several "different strains" of the same variety (cultivar).


WillsC,
I purchased the tissue cultured starts out of curiosity, and because it was within my budget for individual cultivars. I have them growing beside the same named cultivars for comparison. None of the tissue cultured plants have produced edible fig at this time, but all the comparison plants' figs have already been sampled last year. The average difference in price between the Tissue Cultured and Nursery grown plants was only $4.00, not including shipping.

If rooting cuttings are a problem, with a minimal amount of research you will find that there are several reputable nurseries on the east coast that have well rooted cuttings in 4 inch pots or 1 gallon plants of these same cultivars available for less than $10.00, and many will produce figs the same season. I am always reminded of a New York Company's Slogan "An educated consumer is our best customer"

Pete,

I guess so.....and you are right that it is a good comparison.  Just not a fan of TC plants and I guess my bias shows.  

WillsC,
To tell the truth, I'm not a fan either!
There are claims made by these retailers that have not been proven (Disease free)...
Their slogan seems to be "An uneducated consumer is our best customer", but IMO this applies generally.

I have to agree that a cutting from a reputable source is a better alternative but when someone does not have the budget for a VdB plant (on eBay at many $$$) and cannot find a cutting could this tissue culture plant be an alternative?
Also, doesn't UC Davis use tissue culture?

Sal,
The tissue cultured plants are all common varieties, not the rare cultivars available from UC Davis or Collectors. Here is an established nursery that has a good reputation regarding figs, and has sales several times a year, and no bidding or "wining" is involved.

Thanks Pete
I have used EL several times and I was happy with their service and their product.
I also have to admit that if I could not afford a bigger tree, I would prefer buying the 2" pot from EL at $5 than the tissue culture at $5.99

The tissue ones would only be the last choice for a variety I could not have by any other means

I would not recommend Edible Landscaping, sorry. I just got screwed by them about 2 weeks ago. The 2 figs and 1 banana that I received were diseased. The figs were covered in Rust. I contacted them the day I got the plants and tried to return them. I was belittled and badgered by them to keep those plants. The only way I got them to take the plants back was to threaten a Charge back to my credit card!

I was going to post in the forum about my experiences with this company but just haven't gotten around to it yet and I wanted to make sure my refund was completed. They also do not have a great reputation either I have since come to find out. http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/125/

On a side note, I just received a banana and 2 figs from Wellspring less than 2 days ago. Yes, these plants are small but they appear to be  healthy. I also intend to keep them indoors during this winter. The banana will be a houseplant anyway. I got the petite negra and LSU purple figs. My cost was less than 1/2 what I paid to E.L. and I'm happy with my purchase.

WillsC, please tell me where to get cuttings for $2 each, 'cause I sure can't find them!

Sophie,

Richard watts.  If you want his price list drop me an email and I will attach it for you.  

WillsC  me too! please. !!!   I'm sure I'll never have a $200-$300 fig but that doesnt diminish my enjoyment of this wonderful hobby.  Bass hasntr replied since I tried to place an order.   

My LSU Purple was purchased from Well spring in April or May.  It was small but healthy. It is now in 3 gal. pot, is a bit over 2.5' tall and just as wide...As for producing, that is yet to be seen.  

Did purchase 3 rooted cuttings of an unknown purple variety from a vendor in TN (who currently has no listings on E-bay) in early July which were never shipped to me nor have they responded to my inquiries, so you do have to be careful.

Hi Sophie, I too had a bad experience with Edible Landscaping Nursery. I went there in person, since the place is about 1.5 hour from my house. I met the lady who co-owns the nursery. She was very unpleasant and grumpy. Her figs have mites, rusts, and noticeable FMV. I will not patronize them again.

Can say they were excellent back in 2003 also another plant purchase around 2007 but have not bought anything from them since.

Hi Martin, I went there eight years ago to buy My VDB. I remembered the nursery to be friendlier and nicer place. They took pride in their plants. I don't know what happened since.