i've read that some san pedros will set a 2nd crop without caprification - sometimes.  can anyone expound on this?  what varieties will do this?  is there a subtype of dessert king that will do this? 

The only thing I've read in this regard is that in certain climates this will happen, such as England or PNW.  Not sure why it happens, or if it always works this way.

Chris DiPaola of (former) BelleClare Nursery, did mention this
about one on his fig list. I think that the spray was some kind
of gibberellic acid:

[ I have never tried it] 

*******
#100 Perkounis-Large purple/black, red center from island of Mykonos. Grows well in hot climates.
Originally a Class II San Pedro Type, producing large brebas only. Main crop was only
females so none of the figs would develop. After experimenting with growth stimulant
sprays containing a hormone to inducing specialty flower to become large for exhibition,
Belleclare sprayed this into the eye of the female fig at halfway point of 28 day cycle and
seven days later. As a result, a main crop was produced because the spray mimicked the
male hormones. This occurred several years in a row and then Bellclare stopped for three
years in a row and during that time, the tree adapted and produces self-fertile main crops.
The hormone spray came from edible Landscaping, Afton, Virginia.
*******

Yes Desert King Keeps part of main crop,but is very inferior tasting,like cardboard!!!!!.
Mine does.
H2

it would be interesting to experiment with the hormone george mentioned. i think i'll try it, what the heck :).

Mike ,
if you venture into this area try this site and look around for idea's, etc.

Super-Grow Gibberellic Acid For Better Plant Growth

martin, thanks for the reference. will look into this for sure. i like miracle chemicals. when i start tissue culture, there are about a zillion chemicals for that :). however, i'm not going to mess with tissue culturing figs.

Aw Mike,
not going to tissue culture figs?
I was gonna say im having a ischia black looked at by a lab long story, but tissue culture may or may not help some stubborn fmv infected fig plants grow past the stage of being stunted.
Actually i dont blame you as you can reproduce more profitable plants at a high rate.

no martin, it's going to cost me up to 10k to set up a nice lab, and figs are out of the question for tissue culture. there's just not enough demand unless you're a very big wholesale nursery, which i am not and never will be.