http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=262176897676

Because they can.

Wow I guess somebody wanted those pretty much! 

If he gets paid, I think he should waive the shipping cost lol.

Vito

Time to plan a trip to Italy, eh Aaron?

Is there something special about the fig I'm missing? There is no info, that I've seen, about this variety. It's from a small town in northern Italy. That's about it.

For that price I thought it came with a personal tour of the small town in Italy! And to dream of a fig collecting trip to France, Spain, Portugal and Italy that's a beautiful vision. I hope this $$$$ fig grows well and soon some of you wise fig elders will be growing it and commenting on it here in the forum too. ;-)

I've been watching and commenting on the eBay cuttings market here for years. I've sold in the past, purchased in the past and written about hot figs in the past This one is a major surprise Congrats Frank

Ok its not the sellers fault. It was bidding.

[QUOTE=figpig_66]Ok its not the sellers fault. It was bidding. [/QUOTE]

Here here

If the buyers believes the cuttings are worth that and they are willing to pay it, then all the power to them.  Their reasons are theirs and theirs alone.

Congrats to Frank!!!

I thought paying$200 for sanguinato fig cuttings was high for me.wow.

I don't think Aaron is discrediting the variety or the transaction. I think he's simply asking why- what makes one variety so " valuable"? As a collector, I think a beautiful picture and a good story behind the fig do a lot. Additionally, if the fig looks different from the norm or comes from a remote or unique area that most collectors don't have, it goes a long way. That is of course just a guess.

We all have had moments of weakness, and maybe insanity.


PERSONAL OPINION

There is not a fig tree on the face of this earth worth that kind of money!

It is not the seller's state of mind.

The question on my mind is, "Where did someone find the information on this fig to justify such an expenditure"?

It is going to be interesting to see how many cuttings of this wonderful fig, that no one knows anything about, will magically appear on ebay.

Will the buyer identify him/her self if it is one of our members?

No one has to justify the purchase.

There has to be something about auctions that drives people out of control of and loose total control of their reasoning, there is no way those prices are warranted ,but if someone is willing to trow threir money away I don't blame those that take it. There are thousands or even millions of small towns in Italy and just as many in France, Spain,Portugal and every other country on the Mediterranean and they all have fig trees growing wild on roadsides, bridges and even on walls, the locals don't seem to be excited about them at all. What collectors there are excited about are plants from old convents, old farms or old mansions. We are very lucky here in America because all the immigrants from the past have done all that work for us ,they brought their choise plant with them. Having said all that I admit to having " The Fig Bug" so I too keep looking for that great one, I visit old immigrants, collectors, convents and yes I look at those growing on bridges and walls, but not on EBay, and hope never will.

In this day and age, who can totally believe what appears to be.

Aaron i have the answer but i am sure you will not like it...

i think its because i have it. lol

i was one of the lucky 3 people to get it last season :)
 

Congrats to Frank on the sale. The buyer got what was worth that money to him (or her) and will be making money selling cuttings or small PTs in a few months. It can be a business just like any other at the end of the day and if all is honest and true there's nothing to argue about. I,on the other hand ,would not pay that much for a fig but that's just me.
Trees growing on sidewalks and walls? I'd like to see that here in Loganville!!!! Lol
This is for my friend Mario.

Andrea that looks great! How does it compare to the Greek figs you show off ?

Frank is great person and I have purchased a lot from him directly. He is very generous. That being said, I am shocked at the price and so is Frank. Auctions are totally crazy and that is why I like the "buy it now". Are the cuttings worth the price, I don't know, the only thing that I know is that is the price that they sold for and I did not bid on them so I am not upset. I have purchased several things in my lifetime that I am sure I have received comments like "I can't believe that he paid that crazy price, it isn't worth it". Can you imagine someone paying $76,000 for a 57 chevy when the original price was around $2,000? I think that's a crazy price but apparently some people pay the price and more. Anyways, I agree I would not pay the price and if I want them then I will wait until I can afford them. The most I paid for a fig is a Galicia Negra tree of real good size, did I pay too much, probably in the eyes of some, including my own. I am sure there were some friends bidding against each other, some bidding for other reasons, but one thing for sure, I am happy for Frank, maybe he will go on another trip and get some more varieties. Here is a thread that tells how others feel about the auction, a lot of friends having fun with Frank. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home/53345-pt-on-ebay

Chris 
the cold got me before i had the chanse to get this ripe.
it would not be a fair comparison with my perfectly ripe figs from very old mother trees.
frank did get his ripe and said it was just as good as the one from the mother tree

I can't see the auction information from my phone.

What happened?

Very happy for the seller, hope there was no misanderstanding.
ChrisK nice picture, here are some figs pictures
On first picture the fig tree is under the number
On the second picture the fig is in back of rail ,this is the house a was born in 71 years ago,me and 2 of my grandsons in picture( great fig)
On 3rd picture the tree is next to me ( Google the town of Pietrapertosa , amazing town in southern Italy

You guys have short memories.  Remember when the Gallicia Negra went for over $400?  People were shocked but that buyer made back over 5x the initial investment in a little over a year.  There is no other investment giving you that kind of return.  And now that people are clued in the next one will go for even more.  Getting that fig cost well over $2000 and discovering it took time and energy and luck.  A reliable person not given to hype with a large collection and visits to Europe tasting their figs says it's the best fig he's ever had.

Not only that but there was at least 1 other person bidding over $500 or it couldn't have gotten that high.  You may be stunned at that figure but people who know how to invest know that it's a bargain.  If you grow this under the right conditions through the winter you could easily quadruple your money by the end of May.  I know from a reliable source that a fig like this can bring in over $50,000.

[QUOTE=rcantor]You guys have short memories.  Remember when the Gallicia Negra went for over $400?  People were shocked but that buyer made back over 5x the initial investment in a little over a year.  There is no other investment giving you that kind of return.  And now that people are clued in the next one will go for even more.  Getting that fig cost well over $2000 and discovering it took time and energy and luck.  A reliable person not given to hype with a large collection and visits to Europe tasting their figs says it's the best fig he's ever had.

Not only that but there was at least 1 other person bidding over $500 or it couldn't have gotten that high.  You may be stunned at that figure but people who know how to invest know that it's a bargain.  If you grow this under the right conditions through the winter you could easily quadruple your money by the end of May.  I know from a reliable source that a fig like this can bring in over $50,000.[/QUOTE]

RCantor. You are the only one who wrote about the fig. Every other opinion is valid, but I was looking for why this one was special. I'm in the landscaping industry. I know the value of a unique variety, especially one that can be cloned, divided, or grown so easily. That all means nothing to most fig collectors unless it tastes good. Apparently this one does. Crap. One more for the wish list.

Hi,
Why ? For a Christmas gift to ...the wife ... may be ... LOL .
Damned ... They don't even have roots already ... But ok, I mean, it was perhaps the only occasion to jump the gun ... So congrats to the buyer !
I have "healthy longue d'aout" ... I don't need another fig ... Except perhaps for the one of one of my neighbors ... It is a biggish green and red ...
But, I should get it in a swap ... I'll keep the big bucks for some other activities :) .

[QUOTE=ADelmanto]Crap. One more for the wish list. [/QUOTE]


YUP!!!!

Aaron, you are absolutely correct about answering one simple question...why? Most of us answered but went above and beyond what was asked and ended up answering one another. I absolutely agree that taste is the most important quality of a fig, although some buyers are interested in shape and variegation of the leaves. Also, an important concern is the growth habits of the plant and the fig under certain weather conditions. Before I consider an expensive fig for my list I consider the cost and will it taste better than the figs that I already have.....the yesterday fig that used to cost a lot, a must have, promoted as the best tasting fig ever when the price was out of reach....well I have them now since the price came down dramatically. So, my question for all new, fig of the month varieties....do they taste better than what I have. I am sure that some of your unknowns taste as good as some being sold at unbelievable prices. I hope.

I agre with you Wayna , Aaron is correct taste is what's important the little town doesn't matter, but it sure adds some romance. I will wait for mine when the price comes down or trade and it as proven itself in my zone. I did adjust my wish list to what I really want and it includes Ponte Stresa.

[QUOTE=dkirtexas]

Will the buyer identify him/her self if it is one of our members?

No one has to justify the purchase.[/QUOTE]

I was the winner of that Ponte Tresa .
There was a total of 3 people who bid from $500 to $541 




For whoever who missed that auction :

BidderBid AmountBid TimeActionxxxx)   US $541.00

Dec-12-15 07:49:33 PST

Leave feedback More actions

h***y( 975)   US $531.00

Dec-12-15 07:49:43 PST

--6***7( 40)   US $500.00

Dec-12-15 07:49:40 PST

--3***a( 116)   US $277.00

Dec-12-15 07:46:52 PST

---***a( 1367)   US $241.56

Dec-12-15 07:38:44 PST

---***a( 1367)   US $225.00

Dec-11-15 19:17:02 PST

--h***y( 975)   US $220.00

Dec-12-15 00:19:41 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $210.00

Dec-11-15 19:47:15 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $203.00

Dec-09-15 18:14:29 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $200.00

Dec-07-15 11:21:44 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $200.00

Dec-07-15 11:23:45 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $190.00

Dec-07-15 10:53:15 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $185.00

Dec-07-15 07:13:01 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $175.00

Dec-07-15 10:53:05 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $168.00

Dec-07-15 06:35:58 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $165.00

Dec-07-15 02:37:50 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $160.00

Dec-07-15 06:35:51 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $153.00

Dec-06-15 20:05:15 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $150.00

Dec-06-15 20:03:43 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $145.00

Dec-06-15 20:05:11 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $130.00

Dec-06-15 20:05:05 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $125.00

Dec-06-15 19:55:12 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $115.00

Dec-06-15 19:46:30 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $110.00

Dec-06-15 19:55:07 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $102.00

Dec-06-15 19:33:15 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $100.00

Dec-06-15 19:13:57 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $96.00

Dec-06-15 19:33:12 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $90.00

Dec-06-15 19:33:09 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $87.00

Dec-06-15 19:11:19 PST

--a***r( 284)   US $85.00

Dec-06-15 09:33:07 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $81.00

Dec-06-15 19:11:16 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $78.00

Dec-06-15 19:11:12 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $72.00

Dec-06-15 19:11:08 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $66.00

Dec-06-15 19:11:03 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $60.00

Dec-06-15 19:10:59 PST

--k***a( 1746)   US $57.00

Dec-06-15 19:10:55 PST

--e***a( 76)   US $55.00

Dec-06-15 08:07:08 PST

--e***a( 1373)   US $48.00

Dec-06-15 06:31:33 PST

--8***o( 102)   US $45.00

Dec-05-15 12:41:44 PST

--e***a( 1373)   US $42.00

Dec-06-15 06:31:28 PST

--8***o( 102)   US $40.00

Dec-05-15 12:37:24 PST

--e***a( 1373)   US $36.00

Dec-06-15 06:31:21 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $30.00

Dec-05-15 10:07:15 PST

--l***l( 347)   US $27.88

Dec-05-15 09:54:20 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $25.00

Dec-05-15 10:07:06 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $22.00

Dec-05-15 10:07:01 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $16.00

Dec-05-15 10:06:56 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $14.00

Dec-05-15 10:06:50 PST

--o***y( 138)   US $12.00

Dec-05-15 09:56:59 PST

--Starting Price   US $10.00  

Some of us choose to spend our money in different ways. I know I couldn't justify this risk but looks like the poster above can. Congratulations, I hope your rooting skills are in check lol.

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/hongkhackimmai/9049a665-b6c9-4ccb-a505-e3b5dcb9ff8c_zpszpfdxz7z.jpg[/IMG]

Good luck rooting them, hope you get 3/3.

Darn it Frank, you could have made another $362.50

[QUOTE=ChrisK]..... The buyer got what was worth that money to him (or her) and will be making money selling cuttings or small PTs in a few months. It can be a business just like any other at the end of the day and if all is honest and true there's nothing to argue about. .......[/QUOTE]

I am a frequent buyer of many of this forum members on Ebay and elsewhere, but up to date I did not sell anything related to figs anywhere in the world .

Maybe in the future I might sell like many other people ...........   

Lolita thanks for checking in, and congratulations. What makes this variety special to you?

When you fall madly in love with her/him, can you really know how to explain the beats of your heart ???

The green color of the skin matches with my CD cover (and painting) . The color of the Ponte Tresa flesh matches with my maiden Last name .


I am an artist . When I love/like something I will buy it at all cost .

Frank just happened to be a lucky seller . Maybe Santa Claus wanted to give him that money as a Christmas present and I was just the middle person . 



Translation of the cover of the CD :
The Brown Eyes 
Music, Poetry and Art Work
Author : Hong Khac Kim Mai 

That's pretty special.

[QUOTE=lolita1234]

When you fall madly in love with her/him, can you really know how to explain the beats of your heart ???

    [/QUOTE]

Well said!  Congratulations on your win and may the desire of your heart come to life with many green figs! :) 

Ok well that explains it. You liked how if looked. That's as good as any reason I guess. Happy Figging!!!

[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a133/hongkhackimmai/a6c7c5dc-a709-4943-9e96-f375dadb10d7_zpsxpson2mm.jpg[/IMG]

Congratulations Lolita. I bet your heart was beating during those last seconds. I think it is cool you went after what you wanted and won it. I do have one question, have you met this fig in person? I hope it is vigorous and a delight. In the book "The Meaning of Trees" it is said "that the fig regulates the heart and that the true essence of Figs is regarded as a soul food that combats feelings of emptiness". Enjoy! Jodi

[QUOTE=Jodi]..... In the book "The Meaning of Trees" it is said "that the fig regulates the heart and that the true essence of Figs is regarded as a soul food that combats feelings of emptiness"... [/QUOTE]

That is very true, Jody .

They speak to my soul for sure! They are after all a hidden jewel of a flower that delights, challenges and nourishes us. What a vivid orchid it is inside!

Congrats on your win Lolita, keep us posted on your success rooting and growing this special tree and also how it's taste and flavor stacks up against other figs. Best of luck!!!

[QUOTE=andreas]Chris 
the cold got me before i had the chanse to get this ripe.
it would not be a fair comparison with my perfectly ripe figs from very old mother trees.
frank did get his ripe and said it was just as good as the one from the mother tree[/QUOTE]

Thanks Andrea. I hope all is well with you my friend!

what great deep color that has inside. how could it not taste good. I hope one day I can see a picture of a fig and fall that head over heels in love. that's my logic on it. best wishes on rooting. looking forward to seeing more of that heart throbbing beauty. im almost inspired enough to write a poem about this one.

You all sound like a bunch of crack addicts enabling each other with silly reasons as to why a few twigs should be worth hundreds of dollars .
Just a few years ago members on this forum wouldn't have paid more than 10 to 15 dollars , and most likely would have just given or traded them so that others could spread the variety .
Now its all about the money . 
How sad.

John

[QUOTE=EB18702]..... im almost inspired enough to write a poem about this one.[/QUOTE]


That is nice to hear . 
Beauty touches the soul of the artist . Beauty inspires poetry . And Ponte Tresa fig picture made my heart beat . 
I will cherish it and will make it very special .

My deep thank-you to anyone who was wondering WHY did I dare pay 3 sticks of wood with an unbelievable price . 
just because it has a special power to lift up my soul .....
I mean Divinity   
Money is nothing

I looked up the album. And found this bio post.

www.thewriterspost.net/author_hongkhackimmai.htm

Very inspiring life story, I wish you all the best in life.

Thank you Figgysid1 for introducing author Hong Khac Kim Mai to this web page 

I would like to share an extract of one of HKKM short story Face To Face 


 

6.- 

It was still very early in the morning. Soft white fumes covered the ground of the enormous landfill site. From time to time, large trucks or pick-ups loaded with garbage came and parked at a designated place. The driver and his helpers jumped out, and hurried to shovel the unwanted items from their vehicle down to the disposal areas. Strong odors were exhumed, and the smokey clouds surfacing from the ground were the result of rotten materials being decomposed. 

I have been standing here since dusk last night. My son and his friend have loaded the extra large U-haul truck with all the books, papers and documents that I have gathered since my first days in exile. I have written a number of books on a variety of interests. They were in the form of Poetry, Prose, or Fiction. There were also more than a dozen unpublished manuscripts. 

My wife’s destiny was settled at the nursing home, and the process of discarding this truckload of books, considered no less than garbage, was inevitable. The bookshelf was the first thing to go. Large chunks of dark wood were thrown out one after another. The breaking of this shelf, once my treasure, cracked my heart. 

Next were thousands of loose papers. Every time the hands of the two young men lifted up and released their fingers, sheets of paper full of words fell like leaflets scattered from an airplane. Oh please look, words from those papers were flying out in the space like zillion tiny butterflies. Darling butterflies flopping their crippled wings... Amazing me! Amazing zest of divine separatio! Sure, romance was still in me in this time of pain. The image of thousands of uniform papers flying down the immense deserted field, dancing in the weak orange golden sunset light, was heavenly fantastic. All of a sudden I found myself so excited, so overwhelmed. I felt exhilarated. There was definitely life in death, however fragile. 

David stood on the floor of the truck, using his strength to kick out one box after another. Each time a cardboard container broke apart, dozens of hard copies flew like a current. Books poured down continuously and magically in strands of purple and pale orange light, while dusk went dimmer and dimmer. It was a stream of books! Stream of murmuring fantasies, stream of palpitating reveries. … My heart cried out to the very end of the horizon. I soared to the highness of the nowhere. I plunged deep into holy awesomeness. The miraculous-lonely-me melted splendidly in great mercy and with a zap, my soul merged into that extraordinary stream, staggering.... 

The dumping job was done in a short period of time. The engine of the truck came to life again. In a blast and without a backward glance, my son ran away as into hiding. 

I walked to where the U-Haul truck just left. On the ground still laid some copies of my writings. I bent down to pick one up. An unexpected freezing wind blew me backward. Scattered materials were swirling, swirling, swirling around me. The book was shaking fiercely within my grasp, but I managed to keep it tight. The spirit of my being was defensive at its best: I am poetry. I am passion. I am beauty. I am the nocturnal melancholy. The universe is in me. I am the universe. 
The wind yielded. Harmony resumed its toll. 

The soft breeze of midnight slowly turned one page after another for me. Under the mystic blue light of the crescent moon, I went over my poems. In the background, the silhouettes of the bulldozers were listening to me chant my verses. 



7.- 

During the daytime, it was really noisy at the landfill site. There were so many activities. A convoy of trucks, one after another, kept coming to dispose garbage. Disgusting odors were dominated the whole area. Dusty clouds floated high. Dozens of busy tractors and tanks, all painted solid yellow, and armed with huge spades, scrapers, buckets, and forks, moved slowly back and forth to work on the newly dumped waste. Iron, steel, wood, tree limbs, old furniture, sheet rock, clothing, kitchen trash, all were ground instantly. My eyes blurred to watch Destruction. Each day, along with waste, all the refuse or outdated items would rest here. In the same space, at the same time, I witnessed the presence of Past, Present and Future. I saw Life and Death. They went along with each other, mixed in with each other, twisted around each other, and disappeared into one another. 

Again, the sunset was back, shedding its strange pale orange light on Earth. Hundreds of birds with metallic-white flopping wings flew over the immense garbage field. I directed my gaze to the wild iron-made animal, which was crawling to the place where my books and materials were dumped last night. The bulldozer lifted its long arms. Its hands, armed with claws, violently grabbed a great number of books. The ferocious animal captured a big chunk, and threw it aside. Going down again, it threw another load aside. Again and again, until it reached the rotten layers underneath, it dug. Another tractor with a huge circular blade came to do the mixing. Once the task was done, it moved on. Immediately, flocks of birds headed down to pick worms creeping over my beautiful verses, on my splendid prose, through my flesh and heart, into my whole life that I had sweated over too hard to accomplish. 

Suddenly strong waves of energy were moving towards me and besieging me. They became more and more frightening. Flames of audacity, heat of merciless urgency, momentum of fiery crush?! A tremendous burning force was devouring me. The non-stop bizarre refrain: “Recycle. Recycle. Recycle.” was repeated over, over, and over. This refrain pressed me almost into a stage of insanity. 
I listened and tried not to collapse. I heard within me a yearning to amplify divinity. 
Someone patted my shoulder. A voice from nowhere whispered into my ear, “Your physical body has been decomposed for so long. It’s time to go on”. 
I said, “No, I do not want to go. I still feel a heart beating in me. All my accomplishments are still here. With all the dedicated work I have invested in this life, how can I go on?” 

A voice as soft as a breeze poured into me, “The ME that you talk about no longer exists. So many times you have gone back to that garage, trying to cling to things you thought were your fulfillments. The play is over, the curtain is already down and cleansing time is on its way… Old stuff needs to be recycled. New ones will take a turn to become old. That cycle will never end and there is no immortality. Whatever is left behind belongs to no one…" 


HKKM



----------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Hong Khac Kim Mai is a Vietnamese woman. She came to the United States as a boat person in December 1977. Her artwork includes poetry, fiction, oil paintings and lyrical music.


Full story here :

http://www.chotnho.us/showthread.php?t=30018  

[QUOTE=ADelmanto] Crap. One more for the wish list. [/QUOTE]

I hear ya, buddy.   :)

Lolita, if you are hapoy with it then that's all that matters, right? What you decide is worth it, is your perogative. We all have our own reasons for doing things. We all decide what is and isn't important to us. Congratulations on winning this auction. I'm sure you are very happy!

I'll confess.  I was in second place.

Some people seem to focus more on money than figs?

What's on my Christmas wish list?  Not one thing.  I was thinking about collections that some folks have such as paintings, sports memorabilia, fancy clothes, purses, etc.  I live well below my means because most "things" aren't that important to me.  I buy tools I need, some electronic gadgets, and figs.  I buy figs for personal enjoyment and as a business investment since, for the time being, I can usually sell enough in a year or two to recover my cost and still keep enjoying the figs for many years to come.  Even though I sell most of my things I've also given away lots and received lots as gifts from others.

I've been a member of this forum much longer than most and remember thinking at one time I'd never pay more than $25 or so for a fig cutting or tree but it's become a passion of mine and I know it is for many others also.  Even though my farm income was down significantly this year (mostly due to weather), I have set aside funds to make sure I can always buy what I really want.  I can't afford everything I'd like but can afford anything that's important to me.  I don't ever get too surprised at any prices anymore.  In the summer of 2014 somebody paid $1,500 for an Italian 258 tree on eBay.  A couple of months someone reportedly paid much more for another variety (will keep details of that private as I don't want to be accused of promoting something I may be selling).  Good for them, they can also buy what they want.

Congrats to Frank and Lolita, young at heart.

Congratulations to the winner. Interesting some other people trying to sell this variety.. Or is it just hyping the price 

Congratulation Lolita, keep on playing !!!

That was one of my main points Harvey, does a person have to have the I-258 now for $1500 or wait like I did and pay $14 for a super nice cutting. Some do but most hobbyists do not. Also, does any fig taste better than I-258, the Maltese varieties, all the CdD varieties, Black Madeira, Preto, and the list goes on and on of former expensive varieties at their prime promotion. Some of these varieties are not even getting bids on eBay because of the widespread availability. I am sure the next new find will be promoted as the best or better tasting fig than what is already available. Oh well, that's life, be patient my friends and you can eventually get any variety that you want for a price that you can afford.

The problem is that people are less likely to share a variety they think they can sell for big bucks . Supply and demand says choke off the supply and $$$$$$ . A few years ago good varieties were widely shared gauranteeing the proliferation of the variety, now things have become about not sharing but profiting and the survival of the variety is irrelevant .

Wayne, I think either paying the $1,500 for a nice tree or waiting until you can get a cutting for $14 is fine.  There is no reason for criticizing either buyer.  Different people have different priorities.

Ponte Tresa was not promoted or hyped.  Frank doesn't do that.  His first reports of the taste of this fig was based on travels and before he even owned the tree and he is a very credible witness.  It's worth buying to find out for oneself but at what price depends on the individual.

[QUOTE=Johnparav]The problem is that people are less likely to share a variety they think they can sell for big bucks . Supply and demand says choke off the supply and $$$$$$ . A few years ago good varieties were widely shared gauranteeing the proliferation of the variety, now things have become about not sharing but profiting and the survival of the variety is irrelevant .[/QUOTE]


Yes, there are those who are selling figs as a way to pay for their hobby, or for some, as a business. Harvey for instance, is a farmer. He also sells chestnuts and pomegranates. I don't think anyone thinks that he should give them away. It is his business.
Even the new, hot varieties will proliferate, if their quality justifies it. There are many members of this and other fig forums who still share, regardless of the big bucks that they might be passing up. I was given cuttings of Ponte Tresa from the mother tree by one of our members. Didn't even ask for shipping.
There are many more people here for the love of figs, than the love of money.

$1500 for a tree Jesus... I though gold was expensive....To be honest I wouldn't mind spending money on what I desperately want, that being said I will only from a well known seller and certainly not that much. I would rather take my son on a holiday. People say FMD is a good seller, I don't know this person, so if my previous comments offended you in any way I sincerely apologies. When I spoke to MP I was surprised to find out most of the most expensive varieties sold on eBay or wherever comes directly from him and funny because he sells his cuttings for less than 25 euros. For those who said supply and demand , common guys it's a plant not a Koala bear, it can always be mass produced. I wonder when Baud and MP being in the business and all for many years will start to sell their cuttings and trees for big dollars..

Kkk2210
Baud and others in Europe must be scratching their heads in disbelief and laughing at the rediculous prices Americans are paying for twigs

Johnparav,
So true, but what I read on fig groups is that most of the Asian buyers on eBay spend hundreds and it's sad that they can't get it cheaper. We should all be helping one another. It's a fruit for God sake. I understand people have financial issues everybody does.

What makes me interested in this variety is...
1. The photo and that dark red pulp which suggests robust flavor
2. Frank's description of the taste.  Of course his taste preferences are not identical to mine or yours but it still means something.
3. The fact that it is from a more northerly area.  The mother tree is actually in Switzerland, not northern Italy as I think I read upthread somewhere.  This suggests that it might fare better in shorter season areas and/or areas with cool winters.

All that said, there are no guarantees that this will turn out to be a fantastic fig variety.  It obviously needs further evaluation and even then it will do much better for some people than it will do for others.  

Harvey, you need to read my previous posts about Frank, or maybe read the entire thread, I even tagged the thread from Ourfigs, I have bought a lot from Frank, as in my previous post, he was as surprised as the rest of us. That is the problem with long threads, sometimes we neglect to read everything. And, sometimes we read more into what is being written.

[QUOTE=waynea]Harvey, you need to read my previous posts about Frank, or maybe read the entire thread, I even tagged the thread from Ourfigs, I have bought a lot from Frank, as in my previous post, he was as surprised as the rest of us. That is the problem with long threads, sometimes we neglect to read everything. And, sometimes we read more into what is being written.[/QUOTE]

Wayne, I'm not sure what part of my post you're concerned about.  I don't think I took issue with anything you said.

Like I said Harvey, the written word is sometimes misread or misinterpreted, I could be guilty of doing so.

I was looking through the sellers recently completed sales.They have sold live RdB trees for as little as $33 recently.I'd be happy to get a nice plant for a price like that.No worries about getting cuts to root,just feed and care for it.

Nice.

Whatt RDB for $33 , I think I'm in the wrong job .

Congrats, Lolita! I would be curious to see how a non-pollinated PT fig looks like. I guess next summer we will find out!

Hi, guys!
I actually was thinking this cuttings will go for more money..
Why? I think this is still cheaper then fly to Swiss, look for the mother tree, some how to bring cuttings here..
If I won money in power ball, I will bit much more money..
And question was why?
I think this one of the best tasting figs..
I'm hope to find this one.. one day..
Hopefully Lolita real good in rooting cuttings and this cuttings will became a beautiful plants and produce lots of figs..
If not.. This is will be real sad..
I understand art, color, wish..
But, still, this one for a real fignut..

Hope your doing well Olya

Greenfig, I think FMD posted a photo of the non-pollinated fruit around October of this year on the ourfigs forum.

"There are many more people here for the love of figs, than the love of money." This has been my experience here on the forum. It is a rare and wonderful thing to be amongst true lovers of this amazing and diverse tree. Looking forward to Ponte Tresa making her way into many gardens and hearts.

Y'all are crazy!  And that makes me smile :)  Keep it up!  Good luck with the cuttings Lolita1234!

Best of luck but isn't that going to be sad if they fail or if they are a fake variety...

Fake variety ???? How did you come up with that idea ? Oh please !

I don't think anyone thinks it's fake, maybe he means in a general way, not specifically this fig or seller.

Impressive list lolita.  I can't wait to hear how the Ponte Tresa does for you.  Happy figging.

Well said, Harvey. Personally, i have been blessed by the kindness of others for which I am very grateful. I am happy with what I have and I'm not wasteful. What I value most, however, are people. Kind people move me and fill my heart more than anything else.

I'm fairly new to figs, and I'm happy if I get a good cultivar cheap! My problem though is it's not just figs! To me nothing beats a good nectarine! I grow some really amazing nectarines. Also blueberries, and raspberries, not all the same many cultivars out there. I have about 25 different raspberries and blackberries. Of course tomatoes and peppers, same thing. I have hundreds of heirlooms there. Luckily one can store by seed, so it's a different game, seed saving. Did I mention currants and elderberries? I grow white strawberries called pineberries, they taste like a pineapple with a strawberry after taste, just amazing. So many of you are lucky, you have only a fig addiction!
So buying fruit trees becomes quite expensive. Some of my stone fruit friends have well over 30 trees. And these are a lot harder to care for than figs. The payoff though is well worth it. The expense starts to become fairly big, so i get it. I just choose to direct my moneys in other areas.
Arctic Glo nectarine (it tastes even better than it looks! One of the best fruits i ever tasted of any kind). You will never ever find anything like this in a store.
  White D pineberries and a few Musk strawberries being prepped for freezing. I made preserves with these, wow! Fantastic! (I had about 200 pineberries this year)



So yeah I'm going to die broke, no doubt. (sorry kids!) Although I will have a huge smile on my face.

That's looks like a delicious problem to have drew.

I want to chime in on the PT discussion. I was in Ponte Tresa 2 years in a row, october 2014 and late august 2015. In august i had the chance to eat some of the figs of the mother tree and they were out of this world good.
I'm growing 50+ cultivars my self so i had my fair share of figs to compare it with.

Rob

Nice one mate, at lest you have tasted it. looking forward to see some pictures. 

I still don't understand why fig cuttings are sold for this kind of price. As a new variety yes for $50-$60 fair decent price. But most of us know where the PT seller got his cuttings from anyway. But to those folks who don't know the ebay scamming, then you need to look carefully on the bidding. I just don't get it the greed for money based on pure hype. Some of the popular seller got airlayers of this variety already, so why are they still bidding? Oh!! so that they can sell for top dollars next season. I understand some of you do this for a living, then why don't you buy cuttings in bulk propagate them and sell it under fixed price like every other Nurseries in this planet. But no you hype it on ebay first with the help of your elite figgers or with your second ebay account and then offer a second chance price...lol. Some folks wake up and jump off their bed seeing the price and will sadly end up buying. Why?? why can't you lot understand this scam?? One auction 10-20 sales wow.....

I love my plants and take great care for them and of-course I love fig trees. Of-course I haven't been growing them for many years like some of you, but my family did lot of  farming and growing other fruit trees. There is no such thing as a well experienced growers and highly respected trusted people (everybody desrves respect). If you really want something you can get all proper information and learn it, but then you need to have interest in it .Trusted people and good sources work together . 
Here i've said it what some of you might be thinking. I really don't care if I pissed someone off as I believe this is the truth. Also being less favorable is never going to affect my plants. And this is not referring to any particular seller nor do I intend to cause any trouble for your business . 

Happy Growing 

Whats wrong with you Vinny ? 
Cuttings don't grow on trees you know .
Oh ha, right they do grow on trees don't they .
Finally a sane person on this site .

John

[QUOTE=Johnparav]Whats wrong with you Vinny ? 
Cuttings don't grow on trees you know .
Oh ha, right they do grow on trees don't they .
Finally a sane person on this site .

John[/QUOTE]

There is nothing wrong with me. People like you and me work hard. When i hear the truth i couldn't stop myself. Also as I said I'm not blaming any particular individual.
Thanks

So this was all a set up?

Someone said because it's from a more northern region it might do well in colder winters or shorter seasons, that's not the case. Ponte Tresa is on ground level and surrounded by hills and mountains so it has a nice micro climate going.
It's not an early fig, even in the  micro climate it's growing in i had a hard time to find some ripe fruit on the tree by august 29. There were some, but i would  say less than 10%.
The year before i was there on october 4 and by that time they were all gone besides a few that were drying on the tree. So it's safe to say it ripens through the month of september in favorable conditions like Ponte Tresa has.
Just because it is Switzerland doesnt mean it gets cold there. Ponte Tresa is part Swiss - part Italian. Winters there rarely get any colder than a few days of -3 celsius.

I think this is getting a little off topic. No one is reaching through the Internet and into someone's pocket. If you don't think the price is reasonable, don't bid. (Or buy). The question "why" was intentionally vague. I wanted to know if there was something unique or special about the fig itself. Yes, apparently there is. Is it worth $540? Not to me, but to someone else, I guess so.

Now if someone was trying to sell a fake, that's something completely different. I do not believe that is the case here.

Could somebody send me a node please? Pretty please? :)

I second that Charlie! I think you need one and Arizona needs one too! Super nice pretty please???? ;-)

Vinny, you say you're not accusing anyone in particular.  However, the only person I know of that has an airlayer already and bid, was me.  Controlling the market?  Hardly.  If I went to Switerland and cut down the entire tree, maybe.  I have one tiny airlayer but is there something wrong if I want several more in hopes that I can get some fruit to taste for myself?  Also, you think prices are unreasonable but you still can't be patient until these top varieties are more plentiful and prices drop?  Someone like myself growing a variety is going to help make prices come down faster because I have prime growing conditions.  It's quite possible that if I had 3 cuttings in a year from now another 100 would become available.  Is that a bad thing for the poor working "peasants"?  And do you think you work harder to make a living than me?

Take this as an example: I'm a long time member of the California Rare Fruit Growers ("CRFG").  Our northern California chapters have annual scion "exchanges" but at least 90% of the people that come to these exchanges bring nothing to exchange but grab bags of various scions of many species for free.  Yet we rarely hear of any grafting/growing successes.  People grab lots because it's free and, in most cases, most of it eventually is thrown away because they have next to nothing at stake other than a little gas and time.  I assure you, I pay much closer attention to a fig cutting when I'm rooting it if I've paid a high price for it (or traded something of high value for it).

Yes, I'm making some decent to good money selling fig cuttings and trees.  I have also significantly increased the amount of varieties and cuttings available to the fig growing community and I don't think that's a bad thing at all.

I've waited over 10 years to take my family on a nice decent winter vacation and haven't complained about others driving up prices to prime winter vacation spots but have been patient and saved.  If others can't do the same to get the "latest and greatest" figs, whose problem is that?

Wow Harvey, you chipped in. I wasn't talking about you by the way and you are not the only one who got an airlayer of this variety. Did I mention any of your products here !! infact I am still or was bidding on your items on eBay , also recently bought something. I don't understand why you have to attack someone if they have a different opinion. For your info I Already got what I need and I still bid yours because of the quality of your cuttings. It's not just about the money, I've already spoke to you about this "changing names " of already existing Varieties and increasing the price . No need to get annoyed, everybody is free to point out their opinion . If I had problem with you I would've started a new topic and why do you think I have problem with you selling and making profit?? Am I a seller ??( well I get rid of unwanted cuttings mostly look for trade like everybody else). You mention about your vacation , I can assure you that most of us don't get all comforts in life when we want it, I would like to do many things and waited many years for it .. Like buying a house ...but I wouldn't necessarily compare it to my need to buy a plant or my hobby for that matter.

[QUOTE= Someone like myself growing a variety is going to help make prices come down faster because I have prime growing conditions.  It's quite possible that if I had 3 cuttings in a year from now another 100 would become available.  Is that a bad thing for the poor working "peasants"?  And do you think you work harder to make a living than me?

sorry missed that bit, " Someone like you" ok waiting for the prices to come down then as you advise . I really don't know how hard you work, not my problem mate. I'm not interested to know either . As I said I wasn't talking about you or anyone. It's what some of us think. You are right about free scion exchange tho .

[QUOTE=kkk2210]Wow Harvey, you chipped in. I wasn't talking about you by the way and you are not the only one who got an airlayer of this variety. Did I mention any of your products here !! infact I am still or was bidding on your items on eBay , also recently bought something. I don't understand why you have to attack someone if they have a different opinion. For your info I Already got what I need and I still bid yours because of the quality of your cuttings. It's not just about the money, I've already spoke to you about this "changing names " of already existing Varieties and increasing the price . No need to get annoyed, everybody is free to point out their opinion . If I had problem with you I would've started a new topic and why do you think I have problem with you selling and making profit?? Am I a seller ??( well I get rid of unwanted cuttings mostly look for trade like everybody else). You mention about your vacation , I can assure you that most of us don't get all comforts in life when we want it, I would like to do many things and waited many years for it .. Like buying a house ...but I wouldn't necessarily compare it to my need to buy a plant or my hobby for that matter. [/QUOTE]

My apologies if I was mistaken, but this comment certainly seemed to be targeted towards me:

[QUOTE=kkk2210]
Some of the popular seller got airlayers of this variety already, so why are they still bidding? Oh!! so that they can sell for top dollars next season.[/QUOTE]

I don't know of anyone else bidding who already had an airlayer.

Even if there was someone else, you are specifically saying there is something wrong for a person such as me for doing what we did.  If you can disagree with my opinion that there is nothing wrong with this, than I can disagree with yours as well.

The high prices I've got for some cuttings is usually because of confidence folks have in getting the right variety and good quality cuttings and thanks for your endorsement.  I have not cornered the market on anything.  Fortunately, there are pretty good supplies of most varieties within a year to prevent that.

@ Harvey Again it wasn't your auction and I don't even know FMD. How do you know who was bidding and who else got airlayers? Did I say it's in USA ?? It's a small world but not that small you know. For god sake why would I have a problem with you??
Let me clarify , like most of us I'm obsessed with figs and for last few days I was really upset about people changing names of already existing varieties etc. I have driven miles and miles to different parts of Europe to collect cuttings ( not just figs) and then you see some people ripping other people off, just because they don't have access to fee stuff. About doing what you do... It's a business at the end of the day and like every other business you do what's in your best interest , also your products are top quality . But as with everything people will have different opinion and this is why we have a forum to express our thoughts, and not just to support friends.

Kkk I know someone who has this variety from several sources. I don't know if this person was bidding on this auction, but I would not have a problem with it if this person did. You apparently have a problem with a free market economy, free will, and personal responsibility.

How do you define "ripping people off?" We are not talking about bread and milk to feed my family, we are talking about a hobby. It is supply and demand. The seller can set whatever price they want. If no one buys the price will come down. In an auction setting it is the free market in action. It is out of the sellers hands. The market takes over and it goes to the highest bidder. It is the personal responsibility of the bidder to set a limit for himself. What is my limit of money, space, & time that I will spend on this hobby? The choice is yours. I am not going to Switzerland to collect a cutting. If I had the money I'd be rooting that cutting now. I have my limits, you have yours. We all know prices will fall eventually, be patient. Happy Figging!

Wow the hot pink lady sure has created a stir. I for one am working on my patience gene (very underdeveloped!) and I am so impressed by the time, care and generosity that has been shown by the members here. I just love thinking of all the great trees sending themselves out all over the world because they have captivated us, like Ponte Tresa because they are appreciated, nurtured and shared. For me it comes down to "absence and desire". Yes it will be a cool day when I have raised some of these gems to fruiting. A delight for sure. Yes happy figging all! And thank you Ficus carica!

My opinion only, and again we are getting off the main topic and responding to one another: the price that cuttings sell for is in the hands of the buyer, only the buyer, the seller has no responsibility for what the ending purchase price will be. The only responsibility that the seller has is  the cuttings are true to name, health of cuttings, and making sure it gets to the buyer. Just my opinion. Sorry Aaron for being off topic.

[QUOTE=ADelmanto]Kkk I know someone who has this variety from several sources. I don't know if this person was bidding on this auction, but I would not have a problem with it if this person did. You apparently have a problem with a free market economy, free will, and personal responsibility.

How do you define "ripping people off?" We are not talking about bread and milk to feed my family, we are talking about a hobby. It is supply and demand. The seller can set whatever price they want. If no one buys the price will come down. In an auction setting it is the free market in action. It is out of the sellers hands. The market takes over and it goes to the highest bidder. It is the personal responsibility of the bidder to set a limit for himself. What is my limit of money, space, & time that I will spend on this hobby? The choice is yours. I am not going to Switzerland to collect a cutting. If I had the money I'd be rooting that cutting now. I have my limits, you have yours. We all know prices will fall eventually, be patient. Happy Figging![/QUOTE]
Hi sorry I missed your comments , I know this is your tread but I was just taking in general not directing to you. And there is nothing wrong with selling for big prices , but as I said its about changing names and hyping . I am free to type my opinion aren't I? Free country and all that. What is this ...A Fig mob !!..
I wasn't talking about Harvey either, If he thinks that way then I really don't know why. And I am not going to arrgue about that , because clearly he thinks I was taking about him . I on the other side was hoping to buy more from him in January ..*** sake .
Question is what's the point in paying for something that you can get for cheaper or already have . If someone wants to pay its his or her problem , nobody is jealous here . I'm not talking anymore . If you want I can delete my comments .

This is precisely why I hardly ever post on this board anymore.