Why do some people get blasted for naming figs, without the UNK xxx, and some people don't?

When a fig gets a name... first of all it tracks it. Second it doesn't have the same name as another named fig. At least i haven't seen this happen. My nola pink has been said to be Chico strawberry but until it fruits to a ripend fruit ( mother tree) it will remain NOLA PINK EYE LADY. ... then we can determine what it is.

Some people really don't care, some people really don't know, neither is acceptable.  I don't read every post, got tired a long time ago after seeing some questions every time we have a newbie such as "If you could pick only one, which would it be"  "I have a fig that I need Id'd, I don't have a picture", "What is your favorite fig?"  "I don't have any roots on my cutting yet", etc, etc, ad nauseum.  Not many use the search function.

I am sure there are many that are just as tired of me saying "All unidentified figs that are named by you, or anyone else should have the word Unknown in the name"  I have certainly posted it enough.  For some reason there is a "Fig Expert Idolatry(sp?)" where people assume some people are above reproach, not true.

There are no unknowns, most figs have been named several times, every year, by several people.

This is probably harsh, so be it.

Not every fig needs a story, lol.

I think many name as an association, or use what they were told when it was found for reference not knowing. IMO

Richie, beautiful fig.

Mike

And as Danny implied, there are many synonyms in known types and can add to confusion.

Just go through the f4f variety lists and there a tons.

Mike

Their just seems to be a double standard. Some get away with it (creating a name) and some are chastised for it. Like some have suggested, a "fig elite" that are not to be questioned.

Not aimed at you figpig, you always seem to be a down to earth guy!

 every fig started off as an unknown. I guess we should have "unk" next to everything

Great post!

I've had my share of "I must have that fig" moments. Thing is, when I travel to my poor little area of southern Italy where my family came from, they have a special name for their variety.... "Fichi". That's right, "Figs". I can't speak for other regions or countries. .... for a while early on I tried hard to get the cultivar of the figs on our family property. I think they were a bit embarrassed... In the end, the reality is that they don't care... For them it's all a matter of practicality. What grows well and tastes great... I love them all.

Stupid me....I'm still trying to root an I-258...... They win! I can't help but believe that any grower of figs doesn't have a special unknown that for them is better than anything that would fetch $20 per cutting on eBay. I know I do. 

Did I say? Great post!

Joe. There is a fig in my field that i call scammer fig. It leaks honey from the eye and the cracks in the skin when ripe. Yes it was a ebay purchase that went sideways.not the variety i ask for but just maybe better. I was going to start a topic " your best scammer fig " so yes some unknowns can simply just be the the best. I wouldn't name it scammer fig dont worry. Many unknowns are taking over the highest priced true varieties. And i dont mind. Fun stuff. Craven's craving. The leader this year
;-)

   I guess sometimes you're damned if you do,  ...and damned if you don't.

  In my neck of the woods, wild figs outnumber domestically produced figs by 20:1 or more.  We are blessed with the fig wasp here, and they take their job seriously.  When I discovered a wonderfully unique fig last year within a stand of many wild caprifigs, (deep within the back-country) and introduced it to the forum with a descriptive title beginning with "Unk" (see: OurFigs Unk Meteorito) I was corrected for using the "Unk" designation, as the cultivar was not a domestic strain that simply lacked the proper identification, but was rather a truly new cultivar.  

   I hope to be able to develop another new fig or two in the future, although my efforts here will be limited due to current regulations...  I am restricted by state law to no more than 1.5% of my trees being caprifigs, and so I am currently limited to maintaining four persistent caprifig cultivars on my property, with which to hopefully produce these new varieties.

Others get away with it because they've been around a long time and many know them and they've established a bond.  When newbies come to the forum and try name a fig, some try to tell them how to name figs.  To me, it's ok to name a fig.  However, it does help to prefix a found fig with the word, "unknown" adjacent with the street name where you found it.  But it's perfectly alright to name unknown figs any thing you want.  No one here is judge or jury over naming figs.  

If you old guys remember, a bunch of folks left this forum because some were mad at others naming figs.  They wanted Jon (our administrator) to jump in and support their clique.  Well, those that know Jon, knows he's not cliquish at all.  When he didn't support the clique, they got mad at him, left the forum, deleted all their post, created their own fb page or forum.

To me, life's too short to let others try to be controlling.  So IMHO, name your unknowns if you want.

Hey Blue!

 My heart is warm that your 1.5% is still there.

Frightful lol, Mike.

I don't hide my naming convention. Mind you I've also never sold a fig. When i get a cuttitng of a known name, I tag it with that name and the name of the source. Where it's a gift of a "great fig" with no more info, it becomes (to me only) the name of the family who grew it... I feel it's a way of respecting the family who brought and/or cared for this tree for so long....legitimate name or not

Still, if trading I wouldn't claim it as a proper named cultivar.... Mostly because I don't know what that really is....

 Which is worse “A fig by many names”  or  “Many names for a fig”  Personally It annoys me more when I obtain a fig that that not true to name, than when I receive a fig someone named that turns out to be something else I already have. It’s only a slight annoyance anymore as it comes with the territory, with the exception of those that live in wasp territory or dabbling with hand caprification every fig  already has a name, and likely more than one name. I like others really like to see the Unk or Unknown retained in the name somewhere at least until that is grown around and a number of folks have had a chance to compare it to possible suspects, but I am not going to lose any sleep over it if someone doesn’t keep the Unk   somewhere attached in the name. I have seen in time many seem to lose the Unk tittle when grown about anyway which is probably just as well when there as been no definitive ID and the fig is in wider circulation.  Figs have been renamed as long as there have been figs, and unless you have to have it before anyone else you will likely see comments on what it resembles and something you want to pursue.  Anyone that expects the “NEXT”  fig to be light years above the many fine figs probably needs a reality check anyway, but I understand the desire and the quest to know, and sometimes try to check myself multiple times a day.

  I will state what bothers me much more than someone naming a fig they found, and it goes back to my initial statement.  I don’t care for getting cultivar not true to type. And I have commented a couple times when I see someone come on ask for identification of a fig, get a couple opinions and then immediately begin trading as that cultivar. I really don’t care who you are there are very few figs that unique that could not be mistaken for another fig just judged by a couple pictures. The commonality of which some cultivars such as Celeste have been grown really makes some IDs pretty reliable, but I don’t think many times when someone expresses a possible name they expect the person to label absolute based on that input.  But when it comes down to it I have discarded labels when I determined figs not true to name and accept it as part of this hobby,  and while unless I have noted a pattern of quick to label all I really do is give feedback to the source in a friendly manner, or just write it off and make a menatl note to self.  But I really had to retain myself when I saw someone ask for ID on forum get a opinion and within 24 hours list as that cultivar on EBAY without any mention of question on id.  It really comes down to you. If you are serious about figs to reading and asking for your sources back as far as you can find and dealing with those you believe care for correctness.   

I know I did not address the original question, but others have, and I just added input on things I would like folks to consider when they  have a fig they need to call something, as we all need a manner to reference a fig, even if we never have a desire to name one . 

Best figs to all     

That fig looks beautiful!!!

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet".....from Romeo and Juliet

"A fig by any other name MAY be as sweet"....from me, LOL

When I do not know the identity of a fig in my inventory I wait to see if it can be compared to my other figs, if not, I fall back to Lowe's methodolgy, "Fig assorted" label.
It is better than guessing.

I sell them as "fig, assorted, Unknown" for the same price as common figs.

As long as the name does not conflict with a trademarked name then I don't care what someone calls his fig, all figs are "Unknowns" as far as I'm concerned, but adding a description and a source is important to me, as it helps me decide whether I wish to grow it or not.