Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > You can stop people from offering cuttings here or you can encourage them to continue offering cuttings here. Here's how.
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
rcantor

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 5,724
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I'm not in any position of authority but I have been around the block a few times and have done mass distributions of cuttings in the past.  People who want cuttings can make it easy or hard on on those who give out cuttings.  If you make life miserable for your benefactors you won't have any more benefactors.

Here's how to make life easy on people who give out cuttings.  If they have a good experience they'll want to give out cuttings more often.  If they have a bad experience they may never give out cuttings again.  Your choice.  :)

1. Read the descriptions carefully and don't file complaints against people who are giving you cuttings for very little money (or anyone else, for that matter) until you're absolutely sure the date you were supposed to get them by has passed *and* the sender won't work with you.

2. Don't badger the sender if you haven't sent money.  If cuttings were supposed to be available Dec 1 and it's now Dec 25 and there's been no word, be patient.  My figs are still bleeding white latex.  Usually at this time of year all the figs are dormant but take a look at the weather.  Cuttings wait for dormancy.  Even if it's been cold and plants are likely to be dormant all kinds of things can happen - family or personal emergencies or what have you.  If you're contacting the sender so are 300 other people.  No one has time to answer all of those PMs.  Be patient.  I know several people who can't post any more because they get too many emails/PMs every time they do.  Others have disabled their PMs for that reason. 

3. Be patient.  Once the plants are dormant it takes hundreds of person-hours to cut and label branches, then cut and label cuttings.  If it took less they wouldn't be offering them on a large scale (publicly on forums).

4 YOU pay the fees on PP.  I usually send a few extra $$ as a way of saying 'thank you'.  That encourages people to send cuttings more often.

Many people want to give away cuttings for low or no cost other than postage.  Be grateful, patient and generous in return.  Tread softly on their time and energy.  In the long run you'll reap a lot more cuttings that way  :)
__________________
Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
sdpmd

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 17
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Great suggestions- thank you.
__________________
Steve Penner
Eastborough, Kansas
Zone 6a/b

And the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and reign over us.'  But the fig tree said to them, 'Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?'  Judges 9:10,11 ESV
Jodi

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 343
Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Yes thank you wise words. I have been overjoyed at the generosity of the members and hope to continue to share the joy of the varieties. I still have an abundance of cuttings to trade of Daisy's BT from AZ for anyone else interested.
;-)
__________________
In the book the "The Meaning of Trees" it is said the fig regulates the heart and that the true essence of Figs is...food for the soul.
Daisy's IBT cuttings will be available in January/February along with a few Lampeira Parda.  
Wishes for Martinenca Rimada, Black Ischia, I258, CddRoja, Jolly Tiger, Your favorite Figgy!
Zone 8a Camp Verde AZ 
Brooklynmatty

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 279
Posted Reply with quote  #4 
This should be pinned up top, i couldn't agree more with all your suggestions. This is my first time offering up cuttings and boy i didn't expect the tidal wave and i think #2/#3 is a big thing more than anything. Just be patient and respectful as you would with friends and family and this community will be great to you. I didn't have any bad experiences with anyone on this board (or any web-forum), which i'm very thankful for...facebook is another story in itself ;)
__________________
Matt - Long Island - Zone 7B
Wishlist: CDD Roja, Planera, CDD Rimada

Please use the following thread if your growing my "unknown Sheepshead" to track your progress.
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/saved-brooklyn-tree-unknown-sheepshead-community-growlog-7808733?pid=1290171384
ChrisK

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 937
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
That's why you're my Idol Bob!!!! Awesome posting once again my friend.
__________________
ChrisK
Atl GA
Zone 7b-8a
Louneo

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 95
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
So are you saying you have cuttings available? ;)  jk  Great points and great advice, I am new but have been making sure to include 3-4% additional (if the paypal wasnt sent as a "gift") to cover paypal fees on anything offered inexpensive or for shipping cost.  I appreciate everyone thats offered cuttings.  
__________________

2017 Wishlist: CDDG, CDDN, CDDB, CDDR, Preto, i-258, Pastilliere Dauphine, Figoin, Cavaliere, Bordissot's Thank you!
SCfigFanatic

Registered:
Posts: 471
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
It does take great effort to share/give away cuttings for postage.
But sharing can be the most fun experience with figs as I have ever had.

Doug
__________________
South Carolina zone 7b-8
Off and on member since 10/1/2012

 
Esteban_McFig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 70
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
I instinctively looked for the "Like" (thumb's up) symbol for this posting. I am a complete noob to figs as of mid-THIS year, and am off and running with at last count cuttings of 18 different varieties, only four of which I bid "extra" for on ebay. The others were in essence at-cost gifts from the folks on this and the ourfigs.com forum. I hope mentioning the "other" forum is not a faux pas. In any case, getting into this addiction has been fairly low budget, and the graciousness of the members has been really noteworthy. Nice community you all have going here, very glad to be part of it

And I hope I did a decent job of thanking those that helped me. I'm talking about YOU GreenFin, ADelmanto and DesMoinesWAfig. Thank you again, and publicly
__________________
Stephen A.
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Wish list: Syrian varieties, esp. Abyad, Barada, Hmari, Sefrawi, Sumaki. Ok, well also Moroccan varieties, whichever are best
71GTO

Registered:
Posts: 1,002
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Right on!
__________________
NJ z7a

Wish list :
Smyfigs

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,658
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
G R E A T post, Rcantor! Thank you! Many people dont appreciate what others do here or otherwise. And, especially with cuttings...it is a labor of love! Personally, I feel so grateful for what I have received.

Esteban...i too look for the "thumbs up" function!!
__________________

Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a

Looking for...

Socorro Blk
Wuhan 
Jolly Tiger
Lamperia Preta
Herschtetten
St. Jean
Black Ischia

"The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa  
"Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~  
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

 
Exoticplants1

Registered:
Posts: 146
Posted Reply with quote  #11 
two green thumbs up Rcantor
__________________
Growing- Galicia negra,  I-258, De la reina,; Montenegro,Raspberry latte, Panachee, Col de dame grise (belleclare), Sweet joy ,Coll de dama blanca-negra, Bordissot negra, Parajal rimada , Calderona .Bordissot negra rimada, Albacor de Molla de Melo,White persian. Zone 7a, Philly.
musillid

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,507
Posted Reply with quote  #12 
My wife had a friend whose grandmother was over 100. When asked by child how to live that long, she responded, "Be nice!"

I hope everyone here lives as long as Bob is going to.
__________________
Dale
non compost mentis in Zone 6a
OttawanZ5

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,551
Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Thanks bob for the post that can help both the cuttings donors and the recipients. 

The point is to avoid actions/situations that can cause donor fatigue so the donor can happily continue providing cuttings in exchange or under whatever other terms that were agreed upon but remembering that all here are hobbyists and there could be delays for good personal reasons or the weather conditions can cause delay and/or affect cuttings quality.

It is not too difficult to imagine what can cause donor fatigue. 
__________________
Ottawan-Z5a, Canada
DesMoinesWAfig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 92
Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Well said!!!  Thanks for posting, Bob.
__________________
Shirley - Zone 8b - Des Moines, WA

60 year old Desert King - (started the fig addiction)  
Wish List:  Maltese Beauty, Saint Rita, Emalyn's Purple

I am  shikei53  on eBay

 
greenfig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 3,182
Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Wise man! This should be pinned at the top!
__________________
wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal
larryl

Registered:
Posts: 84
Posted Reply with quote  #16 
A wise man started this post,I agree we need to encourage donors. I really love getting figs.Larry
__________________
Larry
Sierra Vista,Az
Zone 8b____________
wish list: Black Madeira, Black
Ishia,Italian258,Maltese Falcon,Maltese Beauty,Fico Preto,Galicia Negri,Black mission,dwarf peach tree.
rmulhero

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 263
Posted Reply with quote  #17 
I second pinning this topic. The F4F code! Can't wait till my figs get larger so I can trade and give back to the others that helped me out this year!
__________________
Becky, zone 5
Growing: Hardy Chicago, VdB, Dessert King, Celeste, Green Ischia, Marseilles VS, Kathleen's Black, Red Sicilian, Adriatic JH, Violetta bayerfeinge, New Brunswick, Magnolia and Italian Honey.

Wishlist: Sicilian Black JR, Petite Negra, Sweet George, Lattarula, Sals Corleone (Gene),  Vasilika sika, Galicia negra, Dalmatie and any cold hardy fig.
Melissa

Registered:
Posts: 23
Posted Reply with quote  #18 
I am new here and I love that people offer cuttings.  I am very appreciative.  Thank you for the reminder to be grateful, patient, and everything else.  Someday, I hope to be on the giving end.
__________________
Wish list
Red Israel
rcantor

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 5,724
Posted Reply with quote  #19 
And we all screw up.  I promised 3 airlayers 2 years ago and couldn't get a single one to survive.  People were patient with me and now everyone's happy.  I wasn't able to provide what I promised but we worked out something that I could provide and that they were happy with.  As Dale said, we all have to be nice to each other and easily forgiving each other.
__________________
Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
starch

Registered:
Posts: 123
Posted Reply with quote  #20 
right on, great post.
__________________
Location: USDA Zone 9b / Sunset 13. Chandler, AZ
Currently producing fruit and scions: Violette de Bordeaux, Panache, Black Mission, Black Jack, Smith, Col de Dame Gris, Marseilles Black VS, Red Lebanese (Bekaa)
Small Trees / Currently rooting: lots
Wish List: Ponte Tresa, Italian 258, Genovese Nero (not Rob's)
MariannaMiller

Registered:
Posts: 261
Posted Reply with quote  #21 
Rcantor, great points made.

Although I do not do mass distributions preparing even small quantities of cuttings does take time and effort. Courtesy is important because life does happen. If you are worried about whether your communication was received, its ok to check up on it but there are nice ways of doing it that do not put the person offering you the cuttings on the spot.

Much of what I am growing now is due to the generosity of members.  I take pleasure now in finally being able to do the same. Part of the pleasure I have felt is that sharing cuttings has resulted in my meeting several people which over time have become friends. Had my first experiences been poor, I would not have bothered and missed out on meeting some nice people.
__________________
Wish list: Patlicans, Adriatic, Salem Dark, Lebanese Red, Conadria
In Ground: Alma, Brunswick,Bryant Dark, BT, Celeste, Dominic, HC, It. Honey,LSU Purple, Mission Black, Sarizeybek;  
In pots: Ashlan, Atreano, Blk Bethlehem, El Molino Unk.,Excel, DK, Gr. Ischia, Kadota, Lattarula, Nero 600, VDB, Olympian, Petit Negri, Unk. Plainfield, Unk. Slidell Blk, Sweet George, Unk Portuguese Purple, Unk. It. Yellow, White Genoa, White Tx Everbearing; Madison SC 29693 (7a/7b)
ohjustaguy

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 324
Posted Reply with quote  #22 
Why can't you select the "gift" setting and avoid the fees? If the person only wants postage/handling covered that seems appropriate, they are gifting you the cuttings and you are reimbursing for shipping. If someone is charging money for it and it's income for them, the fees are on them not sure why someone should reimburse. This goes for any business transaction.
__________________
San Jose 9b
http://www.kevinsedibleyard.com/
Hershell

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 650
Posted Reply with quote  #23 
Great advice!
__________________
Hershell Zone 8. Ray City, Ga.
NoelG_123

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 178
Posted Reply with quote  #24 
Great advice. Offering cuttings to others is a labor of love especially considering the time, effort, years of expertise (failures and successes) and down-right love of the hobby and desire to share unselfishly with others. I am a grateful recipient of the grace and gifts shown me, and those of you who do this for others make figging a wonderful life experience. Thanks to all.
 
__________________
"A fig by any other name, is a Newton."
nycfig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 886
Posted Reply with quote  #25 
Well said, Bob.
__________________
Danny NYC Z7a

It's all about the figs!

Facebook: NYCfigs

Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet
GreenFin

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 684
Posted Reply with quote  #26 
Agree 100% with Bob.

It's hard to be patient, though.  We're all like this dog, but with figs instead of cupcakes (well, some of us are like this with cupcakes, too):
__________________
James, zone 6a Kansas (zone 10 greenhouses); wish list is in my profile
http://www.FigCuttings.com
luteo

Registered:
Posts: 26
Posted Reply with quote  #27 
So much wisdom and experience around here! Keeping this all in mind when I have some fig gems to offer!! Also grateful for what I have received from members here! 
__________________
Seghen Ohio Zone 6a

Loading Doc: Panache, Vista, Aubique Petite, CDG, Takoma Violet
Growing: Texas Everbearing, VDB, Desert King, Fico Pesco d'Oro, Unk. Calderwood/LSU Tiger

Wish List: Red Israel, Italian 258, LSU Purple, Vasilika Sika, Valle Negra, Vesuviana Bianca, O'Rourke, Galicia Negra, Syrian Honey, Nero 600M, Souadi, Panevino Dark, Black Weeping, Sweet Joy, Red Lebanese Bekaa, LSU Gold, Panache, Bourjassot Rosa de la Senia, Genovese Nero
rcantor

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 5,724
Posted Reply with quote  #28 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohjustaguy
Why can't you select the "gift" setting and avoid the fees? If the person only wants postage/handling covered that seems appropriate, they are gifting you the cuttings and you are reimbursing for shipping. If someone is charging money for it and it's income for them, the fees are on them not sure why someone should reimburse. This goes for any business transaction.


This is not about what you buy on ebay but about those times when someone offers you cuttings for very little cost.  If you chose the gift option then you are paying the fees and that's fine.  Some people are selecting the purchase option and saddling their benefactor with the fees.  That's not fair unless you're including enough extra to cover the fees.  You can find out the fees by first selecting the gift option.  Either way I often include a few extra dollars.  That way if many of us do it it's like the forum is treating that person to a desert or something.

And I'm hearing this sort of thing from more than 1 person who is offering cuttings.
__________________
Zone 6, MO

Wish list:
Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
joann1536

Registered:
Posts: 274
Posted Reply with quote  #29 
I couldn't agree more.  Thanks for that gentle reminder.  
__________________
USDA Zone 9b
Wish list:  Abruzzi, Pasquale, Tagliacozzo, Zingarella, Godfather. Any unk Italian, especially from Abruzzo.
Todd

Registered:
Posts: 9
Posted Reply with quote  #30 
That's a great post and all of the praise is a great example of this community.
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply