LOL I can't really take credit... but it does seem to work well and no fungus gnats..

i dumped my upside down Kathleen's Black. it was having such hard time for whatever reason. it put on the branch, but started to twist to get the right orientation, then the leaves were keep rotting. didn't feel like babying it. 

Orientation really seems to make a difference, when I turned the ones at school they thrived.

This is a great thread!  I'm from California, and the only fig I ever tasted was from my grandma's tree (next door).  I HATED that fig!  It was probably a brown turkey.  Who knows?  But I hated a lot of food back then.... Wouldn't think of tasting some things I now love! 

Your project and pictures are amazing, as is the enthusiasm of kids!!

Congratulations on your success and sharing your project with us!

Editing this to say there is a bigger than life lesson here.  Roots are as important to a tree as they are to humans.  We need to get good values and strong minds when we are young to withstand the storms that will come!

Suzi