Some kind member of the forum game me a battaglia a couple years ago. It has FMV, therefore it has become a sickly, slow growing tree that is maybe 24 in tall now. I had ever intention of ditching it at the end of this season, not worth the trouble. Then...

Yesterday I saw it had its first ripe fig. I tore it open, the green and red were a striking contrast. I gave half to my wife. We both tried it and went "oh my, this is a wonderful fig!"

So now I've got to decide what to do. To I keep trying to nurse this one along or find another tree?

Past consensus here seems to be to toss it and get a healthy one.

However, if you can't get a replacement or if the replacement will likely be as full of FMD symptoms and you want this fig then I would try some or all;

- when dormant cut out the parts showing the symptoms the new growth will likely be healthier
- if you are an expert container grower then give it all the nutritional boosts in your arsenal it will probably improve it a lot
- Plant in ground in a preferred location with the soil conditioned for figs including lots of organic matter and good drainage.

good luck!

Its in a pot now. I was thinking about cutting it to the ground over the winter, then planting it in the spring. Fertilize the heck out of it next year and see what happens. I have a place that is away from my other trees so I don't have to worry about spread via the roots.

Gene, Battaglia Green is a very robust grower so yours must have some significant fmv.  I would start over with a cleaner plant.  I can send you cuttings in November for postage if you like.  Mine is pretty healthy.  I got from a guy in Baltimore who purchased it years ago from Paradise Nursery in Virginia who introduced this variety.  One thing about this variety is that it is a late fig.  In my zone it seems like I will only sporadically get fruit from it depending on a number of factors including the extent of cold damage during the previous winter and how long, warm and sunny the season is.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the offer of cuttings, I will contact you in the fall. Thanks!

I am in zone 7b, central Arkansas. Our summers should be long enough for it to ripen.

One clarification to what I wrote in post #4: I was referring to BG when grown in-ground.  I'm sure it would reliably produce here when grown in a container.

Hey Gene, that's good news about your Battaglia Fig (taste wise)! I got some cuttings last fall and they are growing fast and strong, (they are in Pots)... Mine does not seem to have FMV? I might get to try some  this year. Good Luck!

I have a one year old BG in a container that has produced about 10 figs this year that
have tasted great. BG is a winner, and I plan on planting mine this winter. I hope to air layer
mine next year, so I'll have two of them. It's that good.