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Most unique fig you own

Looks great, Nelson!

Ed, my branch with the variegated leaves is less vigorous than others on the same tree, but that is partly because it is surrounded by the other branches and getting less sunlight as well.  Since my original photo, the surrounded branches have grown about 3-4' or so in height while that branch has grown about 2'.  I expect when grown as a tree entirely with this condition it would be a bit less vigorous than a typical Panache and, perhaps, ripen fruit even later.  I typically begin picking Panache around July 23rd so that's not a big issue for me.

I don't understand the cause, but only leaves that emerge from one wide light-colored stripe on that branch are variegated, about a third of the leaves.  That seems to be similar to what is happening on Nelson's Panache.  I used an acrylic paint pen to make a small mark next to each bud that has a variegated leaf.  Next month after the tree has gone dormant I will prune that branch, cutting off slightly above the lowest bud that had a variegated leaf.  I will then prepare cuttings from the remainder, focusing cuts carefully to leave the buds corresponding to the variegated leaves so that they are at the top of each cutting, if possible.  In some cases, because of bud location, I might cut off a one-bud section and graft it instead of "wasting" it and burying it below soil.

I'm expecting that the offspring will need to be grown under part-sun conditions for optimum appearance to minimize sunburn.  That is why I left the surrounding branches on my existing tree.  I had considered building a shade structure over the tree and cutting back the surrounding branches so that this branch could grow a little more but just didn't have the time or dedication to carry that idea out.

No fruits formed on this or the neighboring branches yet but I'm hoping for fruit next year. I don't really know whether to expect the fruit to appear like a typical Panache or not.

Very interesting story! I got a couple of similar looking leaves on one of my inground Celeste on a branch that was winter burned but I guess it was just a coincidence ! Only a couple of the very early leaves. The rest looked normal! Also I was looking to by a Panache by bay flora since I bought a couple of other varieties and am very pleased with them but was also looking at groworganic and encanto farms and they both are cheaper. Any advice appreciated !

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