The price was right. But I'm not familiar with the variety. Is this typical of B.Bethlehem?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/322252378140?euid=eba84ee9a5754f22a3fe20617af91a63&bu=43961648871&cp=1&sojTags=bu=bu

Hi,
Ask the seller where she got her tree. How old ? Yield per year ?
Did she make the name (innocently creating a name to an unknown tree ) ? Did the tree come with that name ? Source ?
Her ad is weird. I don't see any reference to her experience with the tree... Just general texts copied from the internet . That does not bode well ... But who knows ... Well, just go and assume your buyer's risk ...

I bought the cuttings.  I figure worst case scenario I'll have a few new trees.  I can't remember right now what it was, but there was something about the research I did that made me believe it would work for me.  And, like you said, the price was right. 

I only started two of the cuttings.  I received them on the 12th (quick delivery) and put them in water (new process for me).  I saw roots and root initials on one and just initials on the other by the 19th and I bagged them on the 19th.  They're both pushing buds, and the roots that I saw are growing longer.  They're growing above the soil line, but they're growing.  I'll put a little more soil in the bag.  Hopefully they're what they're supposed to be.  I'll know in a couple years ;-)

Gardencrochet:  Would you mind posting or linking to pictures of the leaves?  If my fruit eventually looks as nice as yours I'll be very happy.

I ordered the Celeste from them a while back.........good cuttings and excellent price. I also recently ordered the "Bethlehem Black".  Looking at their history they probably found access to a Celeste tree or had one in their yard and found there are crazy people that actually buy chunks of trees!  They then added it to the used clothing they were selling. When the listing came up for the BB I ordered it to see what I would get. I don't think this is a scam place......the prices are too low and the scam Ebay places I have experienced have many types of rare and expensive cuttings. If this is a scam why would they pick an oddball like this? Looks like a person trying to pick up some extra money.....as to are they "real" BB's, what is a real one? Any dark fig someone found in Bethlehem, PA? You have to really search for info on this fig.......if this was a scam I think they would have used a more expensive type of fig and many of them. A jump from used kids clothes to fig scammer is a big jump. 

The only question is where did they get them from and how do they know what they are. At the price I gambled. To be sure there are fig cuttings and tree sellers that do not sell what they advertise, on learning more about figs and looking a my many cuttings it is obvious this is a problem all over. Yesterday I did an inventory and believe that a good 25% of my figs are not what they were sold as. So before buying I try to do some due diligence and check out a seller.  I have 3 LSU Purple fig trees all bought from nationally recognized nurseries.....with 2 different leaf types!Only one has produced figs and they were brown not purple. I have 2 VDB's with distinctly different leaf types. My Celeste in the ground is producing almost a light brown fruit and has different leaves from the Celestes I grew up with. So in a nutshell getting what you pay for is a gamble anywhere you buy figs. I have 3 from a big box store that are not what the tag says.

In this case I don't think this is a scam, and I doubt they even have the ability to know for sure these are BB cuttings but are relying on info from others or a plant tag. I will know if the are a black fig soon enough......and we all know it did not grow from some hybrid seed in Bethlehem, PA. Sooner or later someone will discover the other names this fig goes by.  Other than the nursery that claims to have discovered the BB I can't find another source other than Ebay sellers.  As I said, all fig purchases are a risk.......but 12 cuttings for $14 ($1.17 each) delivered does not sound like some person getting rich on $150 fake trees.

And having had an Ebay store for years I have seen that many people just do not have the ability to do their own photography so stock pics and cut and paste are common even in printed catalogs and online Nurseries. I still see photos I did 10 years ago Ebay stores. It is just easier for some. Photographs do not prove the origin of the cuttings nor do most Ebayers have the time and patience to take pic of trees bearing fruit just to make a few buck on Ebay. So these things do not automatically reject a seller from me, there are many,many honest sellers that know zip about the products they sell especially figs! Just my 2 cents...........It does at least give me a bunch of cutting to experiment with cheaply!

I received a message from the EBAY seller- here is the text:    All the trees was ID by LSU AgCenter they come over a few times a year and get cutting to rap splits they made.
I live next to the marsh in Moss Bluff Louisiana.

I hope the helps you

Alisa

*So there you have it... sort of LOL  :)   Again thanks for the comments- Noel*

 

Bass discovered Black Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. Be very cautious.

Thanks everyone. I'm sure that's what they were told. They seem like nice folks that I've invited to check us out and join. It'll be fun to grow one out none-the-less. I will let you all know how it does.

I think the included sample of "root boost" gives plausibility to their LSU AgCenter story. Where else do you get all of those samples?

Keep us posted as I may take the plunge next time around.

Yes Rusty you're right and LSU is literally right in their backyard. Just regular folks trying to keep food on the table like the rest of us. I was given a couple extra cuttings as well, though I'm staying away from the root boost for now. Where are you from Rusty or whats your Zone? I didn't see it in your profile? 

I hope so, mine should be here any day. I don't really care that much if they aren't (as long as they aren't brown turkey!), just wanted to get some more practice rooting before I get some more valuable cuttings. I will post updates when I know more

Looking at that ad I would be very highly suspicious...but that looks a lot like the leaves on my Black Bethlehem that I bought from Bass at his house. 
I would be very curious as to how they received it.
If it is, you are in for a treat. I love my Black Beth and it is hardy and delicious here in NJ 7a.
Good luck, if it is the real thing you got a great deal, but the jury is still out on that one

Here are the cuttings 9 days since receipt:  
I didn't get around to adding more soil, but the roots are growing down, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

And I do remember now that I saw that Bass had good things to say about this variety.

These went into pots on 9/9/19........sent six cuttings all doing well. 3 small ones went in one pot.  Don't know for sure if they are BB but I feel somewhat reassured with the LSU Ag folks around.

Found this from 2011 so I would say it has been long enough for cutting to start appearing.  

Black Bethlehem