OK we just had 2 weeks of cold weather down to low 30's. We have recently warmed to mid 70's day highs. My VDB which was dropping figs in Nov. Dec. and I pulled a few off also thinking it would help has decided to swell the few I left on and are showing color today. I'm excited as I have never tasted a VDB, not expecting much flavor this time of year but very curious as to what it will do. Here are some Pics  
1) VDB  2) Conadria Swelling 3) Black Unknown with about 30 figs between 3 trees with color
Go Fig ure
Sal
 [IMG]http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/sgior/figs/100_2966.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/sgior/figs/100_2967.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/sgior/figs/100_2968.jpg[/IMG]

Hi SDal,
where did you get your VdB?
Also please let us know how thing turn out.
Thanks as always.

Martin I won a bid on Ebay came from( Italy Italy Thanks Antonio )forum member and mother plant came from EL. I  received this in Aug a 10 inch stick  had FMV and I fertilized during first months it finally took off and is about 4 ft tall. Not many leaves left so don't know how it will ripen. It just swelled and started showing color the past 2 days. I will post a pic if the fruit ripens.The black figs haven't been any good but might get better with warmer weather again. It is interesting that young trees have so much energy just like us when we were young and could go all day long I guess

Sal,we have same VdB plant.
Mine also exhibited fmv and i did the same fertilized a lot and it grew very well. In its 3rd season it gave nice tasting figs in my climate with great color as well.
I strongly suspect it will do even better for you in such a beautiful climate as yours during the season when they ripen normally.
Oh also it did taste good when my season came near a close , for me its running neck and neck with my more mature Hardy Chicago for taste even late in season and i kinda know next season being its 4th and more mature then it has a good chance to surpass Hc in taste department time will tell though.
If you never tasted VdB im thinking you will like it !

Well 2 of the 4 VDB's showing color fell to the ground when opened they were inedible I picked all green figs off that were left except 2 with color I left on. Not much expectation but we will see. Like they say in sports "Wait Till Next Season" Here is a pic of one it looks like it was trying to ripen but I think the cold and immaturity of the tree is to much to over come
Sal
[IMG]http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/sgior/figs/100_2969.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo53/sgior/figs/100_2970.jpg[/IMG]

Sal
I may be wrong but the trees in the pictures seem to be in the first summer of their lives. They don't seem to be older than one year. If that is the case, it is surprising that they are keeping and ripening that many fruit each!

Yes the cold temps did them in for sure it looks like.
I have several first season plants and they tried very hard i give em credit as this season they did grow figs but as a young tree my thinking is its to immature and is in its own way adjusting as when the figs first apeared they were later than my other plants coming out which are more seasons old.

 By the time the cold sets in it was too late for mine as they try to ripen at least in my climate.
They are fast alseep in garage of course with several of those plants with there shriveled up figs still attached along with dried curled up leaves which i will clean up in the spring.
Thanks for giving us the update Sal and i as always look forward to see your pictures next season of your plants.
Best Health

Ottawan You are absolutely correct the VDB, Conadria, LSU Gold, and Improved Celeste are all from July and August of 2009 My Black Unknown is from July of 2008 but that one had figs in Jan 2009 and has given fruit up present with short breaks in between not a tremendous amount at any one time but a steady flow. I can,t wait till those get more mature so I can share cuttings and possibly get some ID. It comes from Sicily MT Etna area.