I searched the forum and could not find the original post where in 2009, myself and one other purchased what we thought was Italian Honey from Gurnsey's Nursery online.  Our figs arrived and thrived.  Eventually questions arose, and we didn't think our Italian Honey trees looked like others, so we posted pictures, and this forum determined that we both have VDB.

I have promised air layers to members here and feel responsible to send a "real" Violette Du Bordeaux.  After reading Herman's discussions of how wholesale nurseries propagate and sell to retailers, I am questioning if my fig is VdB or a seed that grew into an inferior relative.  I'm linking the original photo here.  I can't get the Manage Attachments link to light up, so linking.  Unfortunately, the figs aren't ripe yet, so it's mainly leaves, and I hope you can verify it's ID as it is 3 years later.

Is there a place you can send a leaf for analysis of genetics or something like that?
Thanks!

Suzi

Looks like VdB. Leaf is unmistakeble.

I concur, it looks like the real deal

Looks like Aubique Petite that was imported from Pierre Baud by Doctor Leon Deprest.
Violette de Bordeaux from Edible Landscaping has wider fuller leaves,as it is a healthier cultivar.
Both of them are very good,and they are 2 different strains of the same cultivar.
Aubique Petite shows a little stress,or lack of adaptation on leaves while Violette from EL does not.

Ha!  Now I need a new post!  "Herman has me Confused!" So now my Italian Honey could be either VdB or AP.   I am not sure which photo is which.  I guess the first is Aubique Petite?

 Interesting how leaves can vary on one tree.  I've looked at mine so many times, and they change as they get older.

Suzi

First Pix is Violette,second is Aubique Petite.
My guess:Aubique petite is your tree.
These are pixies taken today,the same light the same camera,both trees are 5 yrs old.
Of course they are slow growing figs that remain small trees naturally,and here in Nj ,they grow 10 inches an year and die down 5 inches over Winter,and so finally they will remain small.

So, I understand, and thank you Herman2.  Who is Herman1?

Only thing I learned from this is to purchase your trees or cuttings from a reliable source.  Wish I knew who my buddy in AZ was that bought the same "Italian Honey" that I did.  He is on this forum, but probably busy with life.  Life does happen!

Now, how do I know if I have Aubique Petite or Violette du Bordeaux?  Do I care?  Well only because I am trading cuttings of VdB, but maybe they would rather have Aubique Petite.

It's a sexy name.  Could be a wow factor on Ebay!

Suz AKA uzi

It was me, uzi

I bought three of them (from Gurnsey's I think it was) and planted them in the front yared at our house in Lake Havasu.  They were real hardy and fast growing little trees.  Their fruit was small the first and second year...and then we moved in June of the second year, so I didn't get to sample their second year main crop.  (I also had a VDB from another source and the trees appeared to be the same). The new owner let all of my fruit trees die, so there is no telling what might have been.

I now have a 3 or 4 year VDB given to me by thisisme and it is thriving.   It looks the same as my old "Italian Honey" VDB did, both the leaves and the fruit.   

I would have posted this sooner, but since we moved less than two years after I planted them, I don't have much to add.

Dave, you have given me peace.

I know now, beyond a doubt that I am the proud owner of Violette Du Bordeaux times 2. 

Life happens, people move, as we will, but thanks for making me credible!

Suzi