Here's my first ripe fig off my Willis Vdb. Figs are bigger than I expected(maybe because of rain), but the taste was wonderful, although, a little diluted, I imagine. The next ones I'll get dead ripe and see, if the rains cooperate. I don't want them to sour  or split--I'd rather get some kind of taste. Tree is loaded and is growing nicely despite a severe case of  FMV. I had it in a pot for one season and it looked pitiful. After I planted it in the ground Fall 2008 it seems to have overcome it's FMV and starting to perform now.Still shows some symptoms. Ignore the second picture it is one of my Celestes and ignore the repeats. I can't figure out how to delete them once they are inserted into Manage Attachments without completely starting over.

Looks a true VdB. Not sure about the FMV.

That's a nice looking bush Tim, and the figs look beautiful. You'd better pick some in the next day or so, tropical weather heading right for you. It gonna flood us with high tides if it goes according to forecast.
"gene"

Tim those look better than good. Sorry Gene, but let at least one or two sit on tree till they look disgustingly ripe or fall off and compare. Tim plenty more to come my friend ; )

Thanks, George for the confirmation. I can't wait to get a better taste(just one didn't give me a good idea!)

Thanks Gene, looks like we can't win for losing this season. It is what it is!;o((( (still don't want to live anywhere else).

Thanks Sal, that's exactly what I'm gonna do. Hopefully we'll get lucky with this forecast.

Tim, it looks like I spoke too fast, now they're looking at Morgan City which is 40 miles from me. That puts me in the forward right quadant, the area of highest winds and tides. So there is the possibility that we will feel 50 to 75 MPH winds "IF" it doesn't develope into a full fledged hurricane. Wish us luck.
"gene"

nice looking bush tim :).  score one for willis.

my vdb is fmvish.  i'm hoping it finds it's wings this fall.

Tim,

You're sitting on top of the Fig World! Keep'em coming!
Great looking and very healthy fig tree.

Glad you and I reserved our comments about Willis.
They have a "Pass" grade so far.

I just checked their website, and the VdB is not offered.  Have they discontinued it?

Willis Figs.

They do look like nice trees.

Udaman,

You can find the VBD just about anywhere.
AKA; Negronne

Yes, I contacted Bass about VdB and he'll have some ready next month.  I'm also requesting cuttings from UC Davis, this fall.

Mike, thanks. It took mine two seasons in the ground to get to this point. Hopefully yours will "find it's wings."

Rafed, I don't know about "on top of the fig world", but I'm finally seeing some progress. I have a lot of mistakes to overcome, still! I give Willis a 2 out of 4. The VDB and Panache were correct but, not so fortunate with the Black Jack and the Italian Everbearing(pretty sure they are both a Celeste).

Udaman, you will enjoy this cultivar. I ate a couple more yesterday that were dead ripe, and the flavor was unbelieveable. Has a more complex flavor than other figs I have eaten. Definitely a keeper.

my willis desert king is putting on some figs, and all the wood is new so i know they can't be brebas.  if they ripen, then i'll conclude it's not a desert king :).

most of my willis plants are finally starting to grow, but i have to say hands down the plants i got from figsnstuff on ebay and james robin have performed much, much better.

Same here Tim, I have a Black Jack and Italian Everbearing from Willis.  Both are are about 4 years old now, they are just Celeste.  Mine are in the ground and the tree is very pretty but both does the exact same thing as my other 2 Celeste in pots.  THose are the only trees I have from Willis but I am glad to see the results of your VdB.  I have several that came from Burnt Ridge a few months ago.  They cam healthy and strong.  cheers, Dennis

Tim, of all my UCD cuttings, the one VdB I got has more and bigger leaves than all the rest (although a few of the other varieties have longer stem growth). It looks like the Tucson heat agrees with it, so I'm really glad to hear the taste is so good! 

Gene, I do wish you luck with the storm. Put all your containers where they won't blow away(like you're not, duhhhhh!) Hope you don't get flooded again down on the bayou after all the work you have put in. Surely it won't be that strong.

Mike, I'm glad the Willis' are starting to grow for you. You are right about JR's plants and I'm glad to know about Georges'. I have Norman's Yellow(similar to DK) which did have a few brebas ripen in June, but only got to taste parts that the birds left. It is still putting on main crop figs, but they don't stay on very long before they drop, pretty sure your DK will do the same.

Dennis, yes, the Willis Black Jack Not and the IE Not have grown like mad. They had no signs of FMV, like the other two did. I just hate that I got two more Celestes(that makes 7 now) and probably more(long story). If I could get my truck around back, I'd pull some of them out along with the Brown Turkey to make more room. I got great plants from both Burnt Ridge and Rolling River(best).

Ken, it ought to taste great in your dry climate. Glad it's doing well for you. 

i got great plants from rolling river.

If it is true Desert King, it needs pollination to keep main crop because it is a San Pedro type.