If you're new to the forums, like me, it can be difficult to figure out where to go for good stuff. Gardening is expensive and takes so much time that the investments you make should be worth your while. Here are three recommendations from this year so far. 

Herman - Col de Dame Grise

Herman's CdDG cuttings have been the single most productive variety I've grown from cuttings so far. Last year, drivewayfarmer's Adriatic JH and RdB grew magnificently well and shot up 4-5 feet in their first season, but these CdDG might beat them. These CdDG arrived on January 10th as brown sticks and look at this:

4/5 of the CdDG not only rooted quickly, but outgrew their rooting cups and now are living happily in those pots. The foremost one in the photo was just up-potted a week or so ago, yet it's the fastest grower. The last one, which is not pictured, is still alive but hasn't put out any visible roots just yet.

Figaro - LSU Purple and Strawberry Verte

I received many healthy cuttings from Figaro early last month and most of them have rooted already. These three were the most determined of the bunch and got up-potted maybe three days ago. I got these much later than Herman's cuttings so while they didn't have as much time to produce large foliage, please trust that they are all incredibly healthy nonetheless.

Just Fruits & Exotics - Smith

A bunch of witches. Look at this gorgeous thing:

That tree came to me in February. It was labeled with the date April 2014, so I assume that's when it was made ready for sale or when it was propagated. Either way, it is beautiful. It came with zero leaves and in less than a month, has turned into just this stunning, thriving plant. 

(I should mention that drivewayfarmer's cuttings did just as well last year and are of the same height. While I rooted and took care of those myself, my point of this digression is that the overall health of the plant material for both sources is apparent.)

I've purchased three trees from JF&E: a Hollier, a LSU Scott's Black, and a Smith. All of the trees were at approximately 4 feet in height and had a hefty rootball with healthy roots. The trees were packaged expertly and sustained no damage - not that damage is really up to them as soon as it goes into transport. Still, I confidently recommend them.

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I don't know any of these people; I don't get a kickback from them - I'm not in cahoots with them. I've met Figaro and while he's cool (and has a healthy garden), we're not in on anything together. I want to make it clear that these have just been a few sources who have made the search for good quality plants that much easier.

I love figs; they're a part of my heritage and I think they're my favorite food of all foods, so it's important to me that I know what I'm growing. I'd also like to thank the contributors on these forums who have made it possible for people to learn good gardening habits. I could not have produced this without you all.

Thank you and I look forward to keeping the forum updated with information regarding the harvest, fruit quality, and overall performance for my zone and climate.

Looks like you are off and running. Nice photos.

I agree 100 per cent levar. Always better to buy from reputable sources from our forum than unknown sources from EBay

You can't go wrong with Kerry ( driveway farmer). He is extremely generous with his cuttings and all of the cuttings root extremely well due to the quality of his original trees. Same with Vasile, aka Herman 2. You are 100 percent right-going with reputable sources yields great success rooting. I also agree with Just fruits and exotics. I have nothing but positive things to say about anything I order from them. You really found some of the best sources out there, congratulations.

I agree with everyone else.  You picked great people to start with.  Kerry threw in a couple of small Maltese Falcons because he saw it was on my wish list and I had won his auction for Scot's Black.  The first of those small cuttings now has roots!  Best of luck.  Your figs look really good. 

Very nice photos!  Take good care of those plants!  You have some good ones!

JF&E and Rolling River are top notch nurseries!  I have a lot of there figs along with other plants.  JF&E shipping is expensive but I'd rather pay them their price versus drive there and drive back so I never complain about shipping.  I also got the last 3 Black Madeira offered by JF&E.  I have an excellent rapport with them.  They called me and talked to me about the Black Maderias.  They said many have called asking if it was the real deal but were afraid it was a fake and did not buy.  I currently have 3 Black Maderia which are true BMs.  The 3 I got from JF&E are now about to leaf out inside my garage.  And so are my current 3.

Rolling River is another one of my favorite nurseries.  I placed an other with them 2 weeks ago and over the past 10 days, they watched the weather in Charlotte and consisitly emailed and called me informing me that they don't want to ship the trees until the ice and snow is over.  Then they called me again and asked if it was safe to ship.  So, you can't go wrong with nurseries like these 2.

I don't know Dennis.  Once the greenhouse is up and running a drive to Florida sounds pretty nice.  I'm think start in the Key's and work my way up.  I wonder how packed the mini van would be by the time I left the state.

Thanks, everyone. 

Yeah, Kerry was really helpful when I bought from him last year. He was really comprehensive when answering all my questions and it was just all around a great transaction.

And JF&E has great customer service. I've called them before and they were also generous with their time and knowledge. I have nothing but nice things to say about them.

Dennis, please keep us updated on the Black Madeira. And you're right, their shipping can be a bit expensive but at least you know you're going to get a real, healthy tree. Good to know about Rolling River. I'll check them out.

I second bidbadbill' s assement of Kerry. Top shelf.

You could never go wrong getting cuttings from Herman always top quality