Here are some photos of the seedlings I started from the seeds that I got at the Jon's fig fiesta + some of mine + some nice locals. I labeled all of them, you can see which is which there. The date refers to the uppotting day.  I had many more but used only the healthiest seedling for uppotting.
They have been outside since day 1, please see the first photo with the first sprouts.
The coin is a quarter.

Curiously enough, they do not care about the gnats, and there a lot of them. They use them as a fertilizier! The more the merrier :) Forget about watering from the bottom, Gnatrol, yellow sticky paper, etc.. this does not apply here.

The varieties I have germinated: VdB, Unk. Pastiliere, Lebanese Black, Panachee, Black Mission, Union Berry Unk., Green Unk, 184-15.

I started a few Black Mission seeds last Feb., I am sure these will grow just as well!
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/black-mission-tj-6365753

Enjoy!

your experimenting is beautiful.. Now, what are you going to do with so many figlets? 

Looks Good...... 

I just received some seeds which I am going to plant as an experiment &I am aware of the slim chances. Any advice re germination greenfig?

BexleyRabbit, what I did was the following:

From a fig with viable seeds:
1) soak the flash overnight in a glass, rinse the next day, soak again, rinse again... until you have the clean seeds that sank to the bottom. After that you can do it two ways (or both):
2) put the seeds on top of a small pot with good drainage filled with some seedling mix and cover with the saran wrap or a lid until they germinate (~2 weeks) keeping the pot in a warm place. The seedling mix should be moist but not too wet. A seedling tray works very well for this, like in my photo #1.
3) take a dish, put the clean seeds on top of the moist paper towel, cover with saran wrap, keep in a warm place. Wait for about 2 weeks checking for the progress. 
When the sprouts are about 3-4mm, move the strongest ones into a pot helping yourself with a toothpick. This step is a bit tricky. If you wait for too long, the roots would start growing through the paper towel and you will brake some of them while potting. I cut some tiny pieces of paper and placed into the soil with it preserving the roots.

I think the diversity of methods is important. If one way doesn't work, the other one will make you happy.

That's all! Good luck!

Thanks mate! Will try both methods and have just put the seeds in water to soak overnight.

Sure! I did experiment with a vinegar solution too but found it was not very effective, the heat makes much more difference. It should be about 70-80F (or 21-26C). If you are getting the dry seeds only, make sure you soak them for several days changing the water every day. They will start sprouting much sooner.

Should the seeds be covered with the soil or just sit on the surface?

Covered very little with the soil or with some thin sand. 2mm is ok. Make sure they do not dry up, cover until you see 2 leaves and than open slowly.

Here is my seedling update. I think I lost none and now have to deal with that many!
Some, like the VdB ones, have defined the leaves already, and have the beautiful red stems.
Unfortunately, most of them will have to go. I will leave maybe 10 or so to see what grows out of them.

Hi Greenfig,
It is a real green thumb that you have ! Your seedlings look really nice and thick.
From my 20 , I still 14 or something like that - but they are still small, and hard to keep alive .
Fortunately, Spring is coming, and that will ease the task .
I'm planning to keep them until fruiting to see what comes out - see if they are true to type, better or worst !
The experience with the panache is interesting especially to see how many will be stripped or not . But of course, space/place is the main problem !

Igor, I am truly awestruck! You have done a beautiful job. Did you tell me that 25% should be caprifigs? I can't remember the percentages, would you mind telling me one more time please?

Nice job!

Re post #6:
Before sowing, I would also first air-dry the seeds on a paper towel
(or equivalent; wet seeds still stick together).

Adding some initial beer or yeast may help speeding up
the dissolving/fermenting of all that sticky sugars/pulp.

Do not worry if some seeds float to the surface;
disregard as they are hallow and not viable.


Also that same method is very good to clean a more common seed - the tomato!
Everyone must have experienced of how hard it is to get off that jelly-like stuff
that surrounds tomato seeds when first removed from the fruit.
If that jelly is not removed, the seeds will stick together while drying...

Tami,
Here is what I have in my notes (was mentioned in one of the posts on the forum):

Seedlings produced from a persistent caprifig and either (any) type (common or San Pedro or Smyrna) fig result in 25% common, 25% Smyrna, 25% non-persistent caprifig, and 25% persistent caprifig. If a non-persistent caprifig is the male parent, they are 50% Smyrna and 50% non-persistent caprifig.

igor, they look very nice :)

Alan,
I actually offered them but nobody wanted (without seeing the photos ).

Jdsfrance,
The trick is to start them outside. The figs are not the house pets, they are some wildest animals!

not that i don't want any... just too many cuttings to juggle all at once :) 

-Igor, do seedlings fruit?

-Does anybody have a fruiting tree from a seedling?

We all know that fig seedlings are quite unique and that the chances of getting a good one are rather small.
For those that do have both the space and patience to experiment, then comes the next question - how to name them...

Any seedling from (for example) a VdB mother fig tree is not a true VdB - it is different.
Followings Jons' example 'B Mad 00n', in his promising Black Madeira seedlings, one may first think as VdB_00(1-n).
After some further analysis, true fig winners can then be named as anyone may wish to his/her dreams...
(and pl. do keep note of the heritage).

Some of the unknowns we encounter here found in wild places are seedlings who get dropped by birds or other critters, and they grow.  Some bear fruit.  Some are caprifigs.  Takes time to know.  I have one seedling in a 3 gallon pot.  It has 3 leaves and is about 5" tall.  If it bears fruit (and I hope it does), I'll post it here for ID.  I kicked what was left of a kadota fig attacked by birds to the curb.  It might just grow in the crack of a rock.  Time will tell.

Suzi

Here are some photos of a seedling that fruited for the first time last summer. I didn't plant it, it just grew in a pot, probably thanks to a generous bird :)
The figs are round and small, and taste really good in my opinion. I really haven't tasted many kinds of figs so I can't say how they compare to proven, named varieties. But I like them, and that's all that matters. plus, it has seven-lobed serrated that are just beautiful :) 
I hope to taste much more of it this summer. I also think that the ones I had could enjoy some more ripening time but I was afraid the birds would beat me to them.

Shur you found a winner!  I have never seen that leaf shape.  Could I be first to get a cutting?

Suzi

Suzi,

thank you!

I live in Israel so shipping is a problem.