Hello everyone,
 Recently bitten by the "Fig Bug".
I have always gardened but never gave any thought to figs then about 3 months ago I met my father.
I went to his house to meet him and found him to be a wonderful person and an avid gardener, Like me.
Peaches, Pears, cherries, herbs, Tomato's, Cukes, you name it, he grows it.
But, his prized possessions are his figs, over 50 years of collecting and by his account over 50 varieties, most are grown in containers and most have no name. 
He spent hours telling me about how he acquired some of them, most were cuttings of a type he didn't have that he found during his travels. 
I bought a Petite Negro, when he found out that I paid for a potted plant he told me that I can have cuttings of anything he has (if I'll take care of it).
I may look for someone to maybe help identify some of his varieties, for now, I think I'm just going to learn as much as I can from him.

Please try to document the stories behind each one. Talk to him about them. We love the background information whether it be romance, war, found seedling, elderly neighbor from another country who loved a fig so much it couldn't be left behind.... Search stories like the Godfather Fig and Sweet Heart and you will see how it deepens the experience beyone simply having this or that type of fig.

I already plan on documenting as best I can. He travelled regularly to Portugal and Spain in the 1960's and brought back seeds/cuttings in his suitcase. He's in Connecticut and has one tree in ground for 25+ years  that has never been covered, mulched or buried. Last week it had lots of ripening figs on it and the ones I tried were excellent, handball sized with almost black skin & dark red inside, its the 1st one I'm getting a cutting from.

Welcome to the Forum Brudd.   Can't wait to see stories and pictures.

Welcome Ed,

You are in for a real adventure. :-)

Looking forward to the stories as well.

Brudd,

Welcome to the forum. Your fathers inground tree sound like a real winner.

What a moving story, i'm glad you met your father and you've discovered his passion for gardening.
I wish you a good relationship with your father, as well as a happy gardening with figs and other plants.

Welcome Ed, any questions? We have some of the best members here that really know their Figs!

You're both gardeners.  Another one for nature versus nurture.
I'm sure you'll enjoy this area of gardening. 
Welcome!

Thanks for the well wishes everyone, I look forward to participating here to learn as much as possible.

You're very lucky, my first and only fig came from my uncle and his advice was "good luck".

Now I have a 25% cutting rate and this forum taught me I know nothing!