These are some of my recent(2010/11) friendship/experiences in sharing cuttings. I will not mention names and these friends know who they are.

*  a friend recently bought himself some rare variant cuttings & thought a fignut like me would want them & he mailed  a couple to me.
*  a friend went to a CRFG meeting and obtained CDDN & others for me, 3 years in a roll.
*  Needed help in getting my much desired LSU Scott Yellow and I was granted my wish with warm friendship. Looking forward to this new warm friendship. Another friend bought a plant and offered cuttings.
*  Another friend gave me an O'Rourke cutting he got from LSU and knew I had some issues in rooting it. Followed up with offer of more cuttings as his plant have done well.
* From CA, a fig friend found a new variant that has early brebas and thought it would be good for me. Cuttings still in the mail. Thanks.
* In Canada, many regular fig friends gives me their best variants to try & great advise.
* From Europe, a fig friend asked at least 3 times whether I want extras before he send me cuttings. He thought I was asking too little from him. What a buddy.
* From NJ, I was given the option to ask whatever I wanted to try from his collection.
* Even had one offer to send me pruning scissors if I could use them as well as cuttings from her collection.
* From NY/RI, offers to help on a request for a 3rd party was flowing with generosities.
* Many others I know/have traded offered their best varieties even to the point of sacrificing the opportunity to sample some figs for the 1st time to give me a cuttiing inspite of me saying NO.
* Many tried their BEST and I appreciate their efforts.

I tried replying to many mails and may have missed or forget some mails -- my apologies. Hope others can share their recent experiences.

Hi Paul,

I too have been the recipient of the generosity of the members of the forums (including  your offer for Melanzana which I forgot to take you up on).  It has inspired me to give out as much as I can when I have extras. 

I've also had the pleasure of meeting several members of the forums, both in the NE and here in Texas.  It is very interesting to meet the personalities of those who have shared so much in the way of plant material and information.

~james

Anyone driving on I-75 near Athens, TN in the next week to 10 days, send me a private message.  I can share free cuttings (yet to be taken) of Patricks Super Giant, a dark great fig probably Hardy Chicago and a small fig probably Celeste. Buds are beginning to swell so time is limited.  I need about 45 min prior notice.  C.H.

James, offer for Melanzana still stand. Write me private mail if you need to try this. Few cuttings left. Did not drop any figs last year. Came from Adriano.

Paul,

I remember the day I visited you. You and your wife took me out to dinner and then invited me to your home where I met your son and your dog. Your dog didn't like me.

You showed me your fig collection and if I didn't stop you, you would have given me your entire collection ( so to speak ).

So, Likewise my friend. You are just as generous as the ones you are praising.

Say hello to the family and give the dog my regards.

I too have been fortunate to meet some really great people all across the U.S. and Canada.
Every figster and figsteress have been great. I too thank everyone that has shared with me.

A couple of forum members have been kind enough to share with me as well--undoubtedly some of the same generous people referred to above! Thanks very much!

I managed to get a few cuttings this year from totally unexpected places, and reconnected with some folks I haven't talked to in a good year or more.  I didn't just get figs this year, I managed to get peaches, ground cherries and plums as well.   I won't share names or varieties to protect the innocent ;) but you know who you are.

If I look at things from a quality vs. quantity perspective, I feel like I got the better end of the stick this year by a long shot.  I shipped out three times as much as I received, but the variety and quality of what arrived from others was easily 4x better than what I feel I sent out.  I could never complain.

Half of what I received this year and a lot of what I sent out this year and last were promising unknowns.  I really look forward to this year in the hopes that we get to see some of these trees come to fruition, with the hope something magical pops up.

Thanks to everyone that's shared, and thanks to everyone interested in helping to document some of the unknowns.

Jason,

I echo your comments and sentiments. I received some high quality plant material and met quite a few GOOD people on this forum. I am very thankful to have met a few folks in person like Jon, Sue V (svanessa), and Jim (daygrower) who also happen to be nice people with serious 'addictions' (figs are just the #1 one).

JD

PS: My family LOVES ground cherries. If you like them, let me know. I have found that they grow better for me in a self-watering container/SIP, i.e., "global bucket" style compared to in ground.

So many of you on this forum have been generous to me in sharing your cuttings with me and I will always be thankful and will try to emulate in sharing with other whenever I can. I am afraid to mention names for fear of missing some because there are so many who shared their cuttings with me. However, there are some with notable timings of sharing such as Herman and Gorgi giving me a good start with sharing cuttings with me when I had only two plants then.

Then there is this guy, Paully, who without myself asking him offers to share whatever he has (if I don't have it) and not only that but he asks his friends to help me too and they have been generous too. Now this part is hard for me to emulate.

Nelson and Michal have also been generous many times and now I am afraid to mention to Nelson what is next on my wishlist because a few times he gave me his only plant, after writing back and forth that he should keep it, but he insisted on sending it to me.
I can go on because there are so many other generous friends who shared and are willing to share and trade. I hope I will be able to keep their tradition alive as best as I can within my means.

With best wishes to all who shared their cuttings or know-how with me and with others on this forum. Receiving cuttings and seeing those roots put smile on ones face  and I hope this tradition of sharing and caring continues without interruption. 

 

In one short year, I have been blessed to make friends with several people on both forums and even more blessed to have been able to meet some of you.  You have been so kind and welcoming to me and generous with your time and friendliness.  I think you are some of the very best people I've ever met and hold you in my heart at all times.  You have taught me so much and the fig varieties you have recommended to me have done well, which is another blessing.

One of the high points of my life has been to have been able to meet Gene, Dan, Rafed, Herman and James Robin in person.  My heart is so full I don't even have the words to tell you.

Thank you all for your generous hearts and love of figs.

I recently had the promise of an air layer of a tree I will treasure always.  How generous of you--You know who you are.

I thank those of you who have made it possible for me to have a few of the varieties I have really wanted.  So far, so good with them all.

I can't believe how my life has been enriched in the past year.

It may sound laughable because I'm so new to all the varieties of figs, but I hope I can be able to provide people with air layers and cuttings of varieties they may not have and share the goodness that has been shared with me.

May all of you be richly blessed always,

noss

I have not been on a month yet but have enjoyed reading and learning about growing figs. I believe it is going to be a challenge growing in Zone 5 here in Illinois, 50 miles south of Chicago in Manteno, IL. If you are ever traveling up I-57 stop at the Manteno exit I am only 4 miles away. Can call would love to meet any of you. Hope I can get some cuttings to try this year myself especially those that will be hardy to this area. I bought a Chicago Hardy, hope that is what it is, from the local Lowes for $2.00. So far it is doing fair.

this forum must be one of the forum that has most generous members. i have been on the net since early 90's and belonged to number of forum/bb and never seen anywhere the members are so willing to give.

i have tried to do my best, but my quantity does not match the quality of help and items that i'm recieving.

it's middle of summer and i'm already waiting for very rare cuttings and much talked about plant from one of the most generous forum member that will arrive here any day. i'll be posting picture and the cuttings once it comes in.

pete

I have been on this forum for about 2 years I have traded with several people and not had anything but wonderfull experiences this is the most generous bunch of people there are.
I have met JD and am looking forward to meeting more forum members in a couple of weeks.
One thing I want to say to new forum members reading these posts don't take advantage of these nice folks I think Jason said recently to a new member stay around a year or two contribute to the forum and the figs will come.
And I think you will learn that its not just about the figs but its about a community of great people.

I've been a member for a while now ,but only recently became more active, previously spending most of my plant energy on the local C&S club while slowly building a fig collection. It seems that in recent weeks I must have arranged for a half dozen trades or more and along with that are plenty of unsolicited offers for yet more varieties of figs. A great bunch of people on this forum for sure. I am happy to be able to reciprocate whenever possible and look forward to sending out figs as much as receiving them.   

BLB, you've contributed more than the vast majority of others I've seen join and didn't come right out of the gate asking for stuff.  It's refreshing to see, and I'm glad to have you on board!.

Jason can I have stuff?

Celt,

Jason can I have stuff?

well since the price of gold is 1600 an ounce

click to enlarge.

Lol gold is up. I should have a we buy gold but I don't. That little guy looks very tasty what is it?

Could it be LSU Gold??? LOL

Thanks Jason, I am happy to contribute and be on board

Not everybody that contributes wants in the spotlight (gorgi's words some years back)

As a new member, at the invitation of JD, I must say that I am highly impressed with the community.

When I first started lurking though, to be brutally honest, I thought you were all a bunch of nuts who took figs way too seriously. This is from someone who was born and bred on figs. 

After reading some more and posting a few times and getting very friendly and helpful responses, I am glad to say that I have been indoctrinated and am now officially also a nut who takes figs way too seriously. With the help of JD, daygrower and hex1848, we are about to embark on the creation of a North Florida orchard of fine and rare figs. It will be a future repository and resource for all community members.

One more comment. I haven't met Jon yet but from what I hear from those who have and judging from  his posts and responses, he is one helluva gentleman. So, thanks Jon and thanks to all you fignuts.

Frank

@Cecil, No spotlight is required to introduce yourself, tell your story and share your experiences for a little bit.

@Dan, of course you can. Any friend of Rafed's is a friend of mine.... Whether they like it or not.

Frank,

At first take, it was clear to me that you "might be a fignut". Glad to help you find your inner fig fiend. Thanks for sharing your figs (and other fruits) and joining this community.

All,

I appreciate the intelligence, passion, sincerity, wit, and generosity of the forum members.