We were forced to hard prune our VDB that was at our other house.  It was too big with it's canopy and roots to fit in the car, so we had to prune it hard!  I worried it wouldn't make it.

It was planted on top of a huge boulder here we have dubbed "Rocky Top."  It's the highest natural ground on this property.  Happily a couple weeks ago it started showing some green:

 

Today, it's showing it's growth and actually has three breba! 

 

We did prune both top and roots when it was completely dormant, and it was planted in a dormant state.  The bird population around here will probably beat me to the breba, but I'm on alert for sure!

Suzi

Suzi, glad to know that it survived and is thriving for you! 

Amazing! How lucky you've been, Suzi!
Congratulations!
Lilli

Looks like you got one tough fig tree there.  Glad to hear it survived.  Was that the donor tree of the VdB cuttings you sent me back in January?

Bill, yes.  This is the donor tree.  If your cuttings don't root, there will be many more next year.  We have two VDB's in ground.  The one here is about 5 years old, and the other is 4 years.  I got that one airlayering the mom.

The tree is on a drip system and the ground is well drained. 

Suzi

Suzi,
At the end of January I tried to root 2 of the Vdb cuttings.  One didn't make it and one is doing well.  I still have one cutting left in the fridge that I am going to try and root it soon now that it is finally warming up.

It looks great.  Try covering the fig with an organza bag before it starts to turn color.  My birds didn't touch a single fig last year.

Wow!  The big one is already turning color!  I'll try to pick up some of those bags at the dollar tree tomorrow.  YIKES!  A bird already got my beautiful Kadota fig.

Thanks Bob!  Good suggestion!

Suzi

Good for you and perhaps you will enjoy them before any birds do.

Martin, you only chimed in because VDB is on the dark side!  I know you well!  We all do!  I just want newbies here to understand you can root prune, top prune and move a mature fig when dormant, and it will survive!

Martin, I'm striving for balance with my collection.  Some gold, some dark, some green.  Balance!

Suzi

Suzi, good job moving the  big momma!

Mike, it was really a nightmare!  That tree had grown out of it's 10 gallon pot into the ground.  The pot served no purpose.  It's roots went far.  We had to cut them, prune the top, and wiggle that tree out of it's pot.  Once we got it out, we had to prune more just to get the thing into the car.  Toyota Corolla.  Get it?

There was no way I was leaving my original VDB on that property. 

I go up to Rocky Top daily to check on the progress of VDB.  Another tree is up there too.  Bourjosotte Gris.  I spelled it wrong... But you get it.

Suzi

OK!  YOU started it.  Do your dark figs ever bring the taste of rich honey?  Nutty glory?  I doubt it.  The dark ones are berry tasting.  Jammy.  Got no problem with that, but I like to balance my orchard with rich, nutty, honey.  JMHO

Suzi

I'm surprised that the darks are more favored here, in all over Mediterranean, it's very common in people like the lighter ones, due to the fact that they seem to be sweeter and thinner skinned. To me I love any type , as long as they are well ripe. 
Suzi, Negrone, when ripe to perfection, is to die for... you'd bite your fingers eating it, LOL

Hi Dieseler,

Which cultivar is that ?

For light figs, I should be up and tasting this year ! I'll tell you which IMO is better ...

there are dark honey type figs.. few.. but they are out there. there was one that was discussed not too long ago. i forgot. now i have to search for it.. geez... 

Vlassoff. that's the dark honey fig i was looking for. originated from NZ or so i heard. 

Suzi...congratulations...I'm glad your VDB made it...as time goes by, I'm more and more convinced that it really takes a lot of effort to kill a fig tree...have a good growing season, and enjoy the new property.

I didn't take a new photo today, but there are many more little shoots popping out from those big old white trunks.  They don't seem to be coming from any nodes.  They are just popping out everywhere!  I will probably have lots of cuttings next year!

Suzi