I potted most of my figs now in a coco coir/sheep manure mix, I seem to get a huge ammount of root growth on everything, they drain very quickly (I have huge chunks of coir) and seem to be growing well.  I am using Fish Fertilizer and the sun and heat seem to really be helping him along, but there are 5-6 buds ready to break for the last three weeks below the terminal.  Has anyone else used fish fertilizer if so do you think I could really push them by giving feedings for the next three weeks in a row?

Now this is the part I like about the forum and the figs. Martin thank you for that bit of information. I can now add it to my records. Now my question is who is or was Richard Starnes, or should I go to RW for that information?
Thanks,
"gene"

Gene i have heard that name several times in past , i did not know him.
He resided in Newnan Georgia when alive and RW received plant from him as Black Provence is alll the info he relayed to me.

Jon thanks for reply, im now more curious if they are one and the same or different, from your pictures the fruit looks different but climatic conditions as some know can do this.
Growing them and UcDavis one in my yard under same climatic conditions should reveal whats what eventually.

Hi Olga,
i notice you mention Blue Ischia i have heard the name but never seen one available from anyone not to say there isn't one out there.
Except from Hirts Garden which has website and also sells on Ebay
there is chance its not what is as advertised im sorry to say.

For the picture they used off ebay listing at the time and also on Hirts site was off Edible Lanscaping site here you can see as Violet de Bordeaux
Exact Picture.
http://www.ediblelandscaping.com/plants.php

Hopefully that was not your source - HirtsGardens

JD,
sorry to get off subject of Madeira .
Here is mine that came from a member when he propagated it from UcDavis.
It lost near 30inches a full seasons growth last spring when it died to soil level doing the fig shuffle with my other plants.
This season i held it back and the lost season of growth is nearly back.
I never have tried to propagte this type from scion but will airlayer one spare for myself and let rest of plant grow this season.

Click to enlarge Thumbnail

Hi, Martin!
Thank you!
Yes, I got this one from Ebay..
You know how much I love Ebay:-)
O, well..I got it, this was cheap..
But if this will produce good tasting figs..I will eat them:-)
If not..Hm..Birds don't eat my figs..Squirrels also don't eat my figs...
I think I can't get rid off a fig tree.. So, this one will be just here...
Good I do have other figs here :-)
I will try to get cuttings this year Ichia Black..
I may be even already order from UCDA..I need check it out...
For now.. I try to buy only dark figs:-)
At list I hope this will keep me from buying too many..
And may be will give me some break try don't work too much..
But, I do have too many hobby.. And they all need money all the time...
This could be so nice to win a Power Ball..

Upon closer inspection and reading fundamentally, I now know that I have two different strains of Black Madeira. Of the potted two, one is from Jon and the other from UCDavis. According to the photos, both put out growth in March but have since stalled. I moved both potted Black Madeiras to tree covered shade with direct morning sun only and the in-ground (from UCDavis) will get some shade protection as well.

JD,

I have put mine in the full direct sun which it receives the sun from 6 am to 930 pm  and it seems to be really loving it, this is a cutting from just this year but seems to be growing fairly well.

As for the rooting hormone, I used it on all my cuttings and only 4 out of 18 rotted or wouldn't root so I think that it worked fairly well for me, although it is only 18 cuttings.

UPDATE: Unlike its potted brother and sister, this in ground Black Madeira has grown ten inches and out of its direct sun protection. Since posting about its lack of growth, I fertilized and water daily. So I am no longer...mad at this Madeira.

Way to go JD . No going back now for that plant it looks nice.

JD, job well done. Maybe, just a little Superthrive given weekly would wake up its brother and sister too.

Thanks for the update.

Very nice. Mine has started growing since I began giving it deep watering and some fertilizer, but it's still way behind the others, and the leaves are all severely contorted by what I assume is FMV.

It would seem that what Pinot Noir is to wine grapes, Black Madeira is to figs. Difficult and frustrating to grow, but when it succeeds, the results are sublime, change a few words in the following, and it could apply to BM:


"You're beautiful...a goddess...but so exasperating! Loving you is like
worshiping an unfaithful temptress! As often as you've disappointed us with
your undependable ways, you always seem to draw us back. Your alluring
beauty and elegance leave us helpless and forgiving of all your moodiness.
So long disdainful of any place outside of your home on the golden slopes of
Burgundy, we've learned to pacify your temperamental nature with brisk
coastal breezes and hillside vistas of the New World. Perhaps now you will
grace us with all the charm and beauty that has kept the Burgundians devoted
to you for centuries."