Are there different strains or better sources (better tasting, more priductive or hardy) of VDB or are the all pretty much the same if healthy. I'm asking because I ended up with two VDB plants from two sources. I'm debating if it's worth keeping both.

Are you saying yours don't taste good or don't have much taste? Those were recommended to me  for my area and I just placed an order for two last night.

I got a few figs from one and they were great. The other tree didn't fruit. The one that fruit also grew a lot.... I'm just debating if let's say my vdb from east coast figs would be better then say a vdb from edible landscaping or any other source so that I can pick the best one and keep it or if they are both the same I'll keep the bigger one.

Keep them both until you see how the second one tastes Jason.

not really sure, but i know few who were looking for ones from paradise nursery. 

Keeping them both would be ideal, but I need to make room. I haven't seen many people mention differences in VDB. Pete, I think maybe that's what sparked my thinking to see if there was a difference. I don't have one from paradise though, lol. I'm thinking I'm keeping the one that grew like a champ, but it can't hurt to get some opinions.

Vista from Encanto is supposed to be genetically VdB. It grows better/healthier than my VdB which came from Dave Wilson nursery.
My Vista and VdB are definitely very similar plants with the Vist just being healthier and more robust.

Another interesting option is one of the little tissue culture plants from Wellspring gardens. I don't have a VdB from them but I have
other varieties from them. Tissues culture plants start out more like seedlings than cuttings, being more "juvenile". The claim has been
made that they may have reduced or eliminated FMV, which is possible from my readings but isn't certain in the indivdual nurseries case.

VdB from east coast figs is one from paradise nursery. gene h. got it from there. it has been confirmed.

Is there anything special about paradise nursery trees? 

i wouldn't know. only VdB i have. it's a great fig if the weather cooperates. but if it rains, it bleeds flavor.

I can add the following anecdotage and I will watch more closely this growing season: I have VdB EL (from Martin) and VdB (from UCD). Both are clearly VdBs in terms of leaf shape, fruit shape, fruit color etc. Both are potted but different in growth and fruiting habit. UCD is older, grows more vigorously, produces breba that it will hold, ripen, and taste good with cooperative weather. EL produces smaller fruit with a more compact, bursty type of sweetness - solo trumpet like whereas the UCD fruit are larger with a lingering look type of smooth sweetness - Sunday brunch jazz ensemble like. The EL produced more fruit earlier than the UCD. If I had to pick one, I choose VdB UCD Sunday Brunch style.

Nice take JD.

Thanks guys!

jd, 

that's what i was looking for... eating Paradiso Gene is like listening to louis armstrong singing "what a wonderful world", or "a kiss to build a dream on"... that describe the warm feeling when i eat Paradiso.

Yes, there are different variants. My Vista has outperformed all my other VdBs, to date. Celeste variants have shown a range of performance as well, even though all were identical acc. to the testing done at USDA.

I have several Vistas and 4 large VdB's from various sources including Gene Hosey.
I will sell 3 of my VdB's this year and replace them with more Vistas as the Vista is just drop to your knees wonderful.
Last year with all the rain the VdB were pretty bland yet the Vistas were excellent. 
As a matter of fact last year most of my dark figs weren't very impressive. There were a few exceptions (RdB, CdD N, Black Greek, Vicenzo).
The Vistas also ripened early enough (August 26th) that there wasn't an issue with the weather turning and figs not ripening.
If anyone is looking for a great dark fig I highly recommend the Vista.

hi mgginva
any chance of some pics. of your vista leaves and young fruit?

I'll have to try a vista at some point. Thanks for all the input guys.

Any one in Canada have a spare Vista that I can trial in my Pacific Northwest zone. I can reciprocrate either as a trade
or sale.