Violet de Bordeaux in a 15 gal container. $60 too much or worth it???
 

Someone else will chime in about worth I'm sure.  

But I see many airlayers there, so quick way to have many plants in a short time.

do you feel like it's worth it? if so then yeah it's a good price. VDB 1  gallon go for about $12-20 so I'd say for a 15 gallon it's a good deal. 

That's an excellent deal for a 15-gallon one. I would grab it for that price, Besides, the tree is large; therefore, you can propagate several other trees from it and also have some cuttings to spare and share. Go for it!

Nice size pot and most of all, the tree is really large, healthy and nice variety. I would not hesitate to pay $60.

I will grab it. No doubt. Excellent deal.

Many people say VdB is one of the top 5 best tasting figs.

I'd pay $60 for the cuttings. You can keep from the roots and soil.

[QUOTE=ADelmanto]I'd pay $60 for the cuttings. You can keep from the roots and soil. [/QUOTE]

LOL.  Can you imagine telling the nursery you will take the tree, just cut off the roots!  I'd love to see the look on their faces!

if it is indeed a VdB, you scored.  it takes several years to root and get a tree that size, with a proper pruning coming Feb or March, (check with your so. Cal fig people) so you do at the right time, you should have amazing fruits.

Remember, Brebas grow on last year's growth. So, if you ever prune a branch that is this year's growth, make sure you leave always a 2 or 3 node, so that next year a growth on this year stub will fruit for you.

 I have  3 VdB from various sources, and their fruit all appear to be a bit different. My first breba, almost black was super delicious.

I am willing to bet the roots are severely compressed in the container. You will want to bare root it before replanting it.

Great price. Great Fig.

When I  move pots to larger ones or to plant them in the ground, I soak them inside another container, bucket works if the pot fits, large turkey baking pot works also.  then, I don't disturbe the roots at all, no scratching no nothing.. just remove the 'heavy wet cake' and put it where it will be, least disturbance as possible.  It this was my plant, I would plant it deeper than the store ground line, maybe 3 to 4 inches of soil. that will encourage other branches to grow from the bottom also.    if one is willing to trim the roots, should do when they are dormant also.  I  planted a few more in the ground where I am making my hedge in front of my house. Yes, a deep enough hole to put the wet brick of root ball in. they don't  even feel it.

Well its sitting in my front yard now, it only took reading the first few replies for me to realize I shouldn't pass on it. I bought a small plum from them in early june and I noticed it then but the original price felt to much for me but I remember reading about VDB and knew it was rare to find it around here. Swung by today to pick up some seaweed mix for the wife and I saw it was still there. I talked the manager into giving me a discount since they've had it for so long. Will look it over closer tomorrow and see what I may be able to do with it. Bummer it's done fruiting though...

Thanks to all of you for the quick response, made my decision way easier...

Yes, $60 would be a fair price for a 7 gallon fig tree.  And if it turns out to actually be VdB, even better.

It was from Armstrong Gardens, not sure if they're nation wide but it's a pretty reputable nursery around here. Plus I had been eyeballing it for a couple months and picked from it once or twice, hahaha... It has three tags on it (all say VDB and dated) which I guess wouldn't mean anything if someone just put them on. And I also asked one of the clerks to look it up in their inventory. I didn't know what else to ask but I'm pretty confident it's the real deal...

For those who have a VDB, can you please tell me a little about the fruiting pattern, like when they start and end. Does it make a difference in location? Thanks again...

Simon,

Congrats, you scored big :)
The Armstrong is a very good nursery, the ones I go to are very careful with plants and care and labeling ( I am about 30 min North of you). I have never seen them selling sick trees or in a bad shape. I think the chance you got a VdB is about 99%
I would say it will be one of the first to ripen and the finest you eat. My VdB figs were all gone by the mid August. They are a big favorite of the birds and squirrels, it is good if you have a dog.
The figs are the sweetest when the tree gets full sun but the tree itself will look terrible, almost like dying. Do not worry about it, by the night the leaves rebound. The VdB sun allergy is quite known.  In the summer, water it often.

Hi Elfarach,
60$ that's a bit of bucks, but the tree is big so the tree was worth the money.
I prefer buying trees when they are smaller as IMO younger trees being smaller, the balance in between the canopy and the roots is better and thus allowing them to grow faster and stronger.
Younger trees often come in small bush style (3-6 stems), and you can make 4 or 5 trees out of one pot that you've bought.
If you're planning to plant that tree in ground do it asap before the sun cooks the roots in the pot . Open a bigger hole and put some compost in the plantation hole .
Good luck with your new acquisition !

HECK YEAH!  If you don't grab it someone else will!

Greenfig,

Thanks for the info, looking forward to working on my new baby. I know I'll have to deal with atleast one rogue squirrel that's always in my fruit trees, this guys a monster too. 

JdsFrance,

I do like the whole idea about starting from scratch, seeing it grow and pruning in your own style but just knowing it was a VDB and already grown a few years I was just imagining all the great figs I'd get, haha... Unless I come across another well known variety I must likely spend so much on a tree...