I've got an unknown from Barry that I'm thinking of taking some cuttings and trying to propagate them.  But it's got FMV. Worth it? Does anyone propagate cuttings with known FMV?  It's more of an experiment than anything else, but would anybody want them?

Most if not all have it including the best of the best tasting ones.
Course taste is subjective from one to another.

FMV seems to be ubiquitous and I would venture to say that as many cuttings have been propagated from fig trees with FMV than ones that do not have it.  Some trees show more symptoms with sometimes smaller, mishapen and discolored leaves and less fruit and others may have healty leaves and misfit leaves at the same times.  I have trees with and without FMV here in Tennessee.  If it were mine and the tree had good fruit, I say go for it; if the recepiant is aware of the situation, let them make the decision.  That my 2 cents.

I am fairly new to growing figs and learning about this stuff myself.  Everyone here agrees about FMV -  ALL trees have it from what I understand. 

The way I look at it is just like people have all kinds of germs at all times, most of us are not sick all of the time nor do we have obvious symptoms.  Some people have a weaker immune system so they get sick more often and show signs of it, coughing, sneezing, etc.  They are not dying and we would not kill them to prevent their germs from spreading.  Maybe with better nutrition or extra supplements they would not have symptoms show as much and they would appear to be germ free, but of course they and we are not germ free. Our immune system is strong enough to keep the germs in check and suppressed.

So I would say YES, it is worth propagating and if it is a good fig people will want it.

Tim,

If you do propagate, try to use a branch with healthy leaves, some feel the virus is not evenly spread in the tree. Using a branch with healthy leaves may give you a better start.

Barry- its the one you gave me that was branchy. Took the 4 branches around the base and direct sowed them in miracle grow Potting soil after pinching the branches

If the figs taste good, then yes. If the figs taste like crap, then NO.  I can see by all of your posts the fear of FMV. In the beginning for all of us it is a major concern and a worry. If you plan on growing fig trees it will be something you'll have to get past. Does this tree always show sign's of fmv? Does it always look like it's stressed, struggling to survive even if well tended?


luke

I'm really new to figs so when I hear of an ailment like FMV I get nervous. Although definitely feeling better from the responses I've received. 

Slingha,

Yes, when we hear the word "virus" red flags go up. The bottom line is, as was stated, it is ubiquitous, and part of life. It does seem to affect some varieties more than others, and cooler, damper weather seems to exacerbate the symptoms. Those varieties tat are m ore affected are probably weaker to begin with (as illustrated above with the weaker immune system in some people).. And, yes, sometimes one branch seems more affected tan others.

But there are 30-40' tress making hundreds of pounds of fruit a year that are clearly affected.

It exists, seems to have uneven affects, and won't be cured in your or my lifetime.

Sounds scary, but in reality is most of the time a minor irritation. Influenza is an irritation for most people, but it is possible, usually quite infrequently, to die from it.

I know the tree, yes it likes to branch at the base. As I recall it is moderately affected by fmv. Yeah you might as well try to propagate, good practice if nothing more. If you get them to root, you will have something to plant elsewhere or trade. The figs are actually pretty good but it wasn't very productive for me in the pot.  Each and every time I observe that and then the tree goes in ground it does very well. Could be I am not root pruning enough

Barry,

Either way, inground or pot. It did need more room to grow.