Fig leaves contain compounds like flavonoids and alkaloids that may help regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. They are also used in herbal teas and traditional medicine.

Fig mosaic virus (FMV) is a plant virus that causes mottled or mosaic patterns on fig leaves, leaf deformation, stunted shoots, and premature fruit drop. It's transmitted primarily through eriophyid mites (Aceria ficus) or via infected propagation cuttings. While it rarely kills mature fig trees, it weakens trees and reduces fruit quality. Management strategies include strict sanitation, sourcing certified virus-free cuttings, and controlling mite populations.

FMV is a notable threat to fig enthusiasts focused on maintaining clean, productive collections. Especially when trading or sharing rare cuttings, verifying virus-free stock is essential for preserving cultivar integrity.

Is a rooting method used by people that includes your favorite mix and a bag instead of a cup per se. Here is a great article written by Ben B. You can also check his videos on how to:

• Video Method 1
• Video Method 2
• Video Method 3

Fig tree roots are known for their aggressive growth, which can disrupt sidewalks or foundations if planted too close to structures. Container planting or root barriers can help manage their spread.

The milky latex sap of fig trees contains proteolytic enzymes like ficin, which can cause skin irritation in some people. This sap is also used in traditional medicine for treating warts and other skin conditions, showcasing its diverse applications.

A pest problem caused by larvae boring into fig trunks and branches, leading to structural weakness and dieback. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term damage.

The title only a fig king can earn. He who is above it all. No self given title like (the fig boss) can match it's TRUE power of fig collection and wisdom. A title only Eric holds.

Fig-wasp mutualism is a UNESCO-recognized example of obligate symbiosis: tiny female fig wasps (Blastophaga psenes in edible figs) enter the ostiole to pollinate internal flowers in exchange for reproductive space. Males, wingless and short-lived, mate with females inside, then female wasps exit carrying pollen. In Smyrna and caprifig types, this process is essential for fruit ripening. In common figs, parthenocarpy allows fruit without wasps, but the intricate biology remains foundational in fig evolution.

Understanding this mutualism is crucial for collectors of traditional caprificated figs. It enriches the narrative around cultivar variation and underscores the biological depth behind fruit sets in rare fig lines.

FigBid.com, often referred to simply as Fig Bid, is a fig-focused auction and sales platform that emerged to give fig enthusiasts a centralized place to buy and sell cuttings, plants, and trees. However, what began as a niche marketplace has steadily grown into a high-stakes arena where prices often skyrocket beyond reason, raising questions about accessibility, ethics, and the platform’s role in shaping the fig collecting economy.

One of the most common criticisms levied at FigBid is that it has turned the act of collecting and growing figs into a financial game. Prices for fig cuttings—sometimes no more than six-inch sticks—can soar into the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars depending on the popularity or hype surrounding a variety. These inflated prices often reflect more about rarity narratives and bidding wars than the actual horticultural value of the plant.

While the platform does offer a way for sellers to reach a wide audience, it’s clear that the site owners benefit heavily from transaction fees and listing volume. The more sales and bidding activity occur, the more revenue is generated through the system’s fee structure. This has led some to argue that FigBid’s primary motivation is no longer community service but monetization. Unlike traditional forums or fig-growing clubs, where knowledge-sharing is the currency, FigBid tends to emphasize commercial success and “top-dollar” wins.

Even sellers who start out with good intentions sometimes find themselves swept into the profit-driven culture, encouraged to chase trends or rename seedlings in hopes of tapping into the next viral variety. It's a marketplace that rewards hype, not necessarily horticultural integrity. New collectors—especially those unfamiliar with propagation or market values—are often priced out or lured into overpaying, fueling an unsustainable collecting culture.

There’s also the perception that the same handful of sellers dominate the platform, creating an environment that can feel less like a grassroots fig exchange and more like a curated auction house with insider benefits. The emphasis on flashy photos, limited quantities, and countdown timers contributes to a sense of urgency that plays directly into FOMO (fear of missing out)—a classic marketing tactic more commonly associated with online retail than plant collecting.

In the end, FigBid reflects a broader trend in the plant world: as interest in rare and exotic varieties rises, so too does the drive to capitalize on that demand. But in doing so, it risks alienating the very community it was built to serve—those who grow figs not for profit, but for passion.

Figlet is a term used to describe a small, immature fig fruit that begins to form on a fig tree. These figlets are the early stages of fruit development and can be found either at the start of the growing season for the breba crop or later for the main crop.

Figlets grow from the tree's leaf nodes and gradually mature into full-sized figs, provided the tree receives proper care and conditions. Their appearance often signals a healthy and productive tree, exciting growers and fig enthusiasts for the harvest ahead.

Fig Mosaic Disease (FMD) is a viral complex that affects fig trees (Ficus carica) and is commonly associated with Fig Mosaic Virus (FMV)—though multiple viruses are often involved. It causes a range of symptoms including yellow or light green mosaic-like blotches, ring spots, leaf deformation, and stunted shoot growth. Infected trees may also produce small or misshapen fruit. The primary vector is the eriophyid mite (Aceria ficus), which spreads the virus as it feeds. The disease can also be transmitted through cuttings from infected trees, making it a major concern for propagation. Though rarely fatal, the virus can significantly reduce yield and overall plant vigor.

Fig collectors and hobbyists must remain vigilant with FMD, as it can quietly undermine a collection’s health and performance. Many prized cultivars carry the virus asymptomatically, so visual signs alone aren't reliable. Collectors often source cuttings from trusted growers who practice clean propagation and mite control. While there's no cure, good cultural practices—such as mite prevention, sanitation, and growing in optimal conditions—can minimize impact and help trees thrive despite infection.

Fig mosaic virus (FMV) is a plant virus that causes mottled or mosaic patterns on fig leaves, leaf deformation, stunted shoots, and premature fruit drop. It's transmitted primarily through eriophyid mites (Aceria ficus) or via infected propagation cuttings. While it rarely kills mature fig trees, it weakens trees and reduces fruit quality. Management strategies include strict sanitation, sourcing certified virus-free cuttings, and controlling mite populations.

FMV is a notable threat to fig enthusiasts focused on maintaining clean, productive collections. Especially when trading or sharing rare cuttings, verifying virus-free stock is essential for preserving cultivar integrity.

Francesco Lorusso is a passionate fig breeder and collector from Italy whose work has garnered admiration in niche fig-growing circles around the world. Though he is not widely known outside the community of serious fig enthusiasts, his cultivars have made a lasting impression for their beauty, flavor, and rarity. Among his introductions are varieties such as Oro Bianco, Amore, Florinda #2, Fico Prete, and Drago 2 (Sangue di Drago)—figs often praised for their unusual skin striping, vivid pulp colors, and complex sweetness. These varieties are frequently sought after by collectors looking to add distinctiveness and aesthetic appeal to their collections.

Lorusso's selections are most often shared through small fig nurseries and private exchanges, with a few vendors in North America offering cuttings and trees. Despite being marketed as parthenocarpic, meaning they don’t require pollination, some growers in non-wasp regions have reported mixed results, suggesting that their full behavior is still being understood. Nevertheless, these cultivars remain highly desirable and are often the centerpiece of fig hobbyist discussions.

What adds complexity to Lorusso’s legacy is his stance on commercialization. Although he has released and shared many of these varieties without formal patents, he has expressed strong displeasure when others sell the cultivars he named. This has caused tension in the collector community, particularly since the varieties are not legally protected, and fig sharing is such a foundational part of the culture. Still, his creative influence is widely acknowledged, and there is a strong respect for the originality and distinctiveness of his work.

Francesco Lorusso remains a respected and sometimes polarizing figure in the world of fig collecting—celebrated for his unique contributions, even as questions of naming rights and propagation ethics continue to spark debate. His cultivars remain part of a living legacy that fig collectors appreciate, grow, and discuss across continents.

Occurs when fig trees are exposed to freezing temperatures, which can kill young shoots or damage fruit. Protecting trees with frost cloth or mulch helps mitigate risks.

A phenomenon where figs fall prematurely from the tree, often due to stress, insufficient pollination, or improper watering.

The use of synthetic hormones like gibberellic acid to encourage fruit set in certain fig varieties. This practice is particularly useful in commercial orchards to improve yield consistency.

A short branch on a fig tree that produces fruit. Proper pruning encourages spur development, maximizing fruit production.

For sale...

For trade...

Abnormal plant tissue growths often caused by fig wasps or other pests. While some galls are harmless, large infestations can weaken the tree.

Abnormal plant tissue growths often caused by fig wasps or other pests. While some galls are harmless, large infestations can weaken the tree.

Refers to Gene Hosey. One variety tied to him is Sal's (Gene).

Fig trees have been cultivated for thousands of years, resulting in a vast array of cultivars with unique traits. This genetic diversity allows for adaptation to various climates and growing conditions, as well as a wide range of flavors, colors, and sizes.

Gene Hosey...

Gorgi M: Gorgi had a very large collection of figs from Malta as well as other varieties. His trees were initially identified with GM and a numbered suffix (e.g., GM-125). Later, some of his varieties were given more common names. For example, GM-172 was given the name Gozo Girl.

Gorgi M: Gorgi had a very large collection of figs from Malta as well as other varieties. His trees were initially identified with GM and a numbered suffix (e.g., GM-125). Later, some of his varieties were given more common names. For example, GM-172 was given the name Gozo Girl.

Joining tissue from one plant onto another so that the two sets of vascular systems grow together. Commonly used to propogate plants or to grow multiple varieties on one root system. You can find many grafting items here.

Joining tissue from one plant onto another so that the two sets of vascular systems grow together. Commonly used to propogate plants or to grow multiple varieties on one root system. You can find many grafting items here.

Grafting is a propagation method where a scion (a cutting from a desired variety) is joined to the rootstock of another tree. This technique is used to combine the hardiness of one variety with the fruiting qualities of another, enhancing productivity and adaptability.

Cuttings taken from soft, young growth during the active growing season. These cuttings root faster than hardwood cuttings but require high humidity and careful attention.

Germplasm Resources Information Network

Artificial supplemental lighting for indoor growing.

Gene [Hosey] Strain: See GH.

The exudation of a gummy substance from the bark of fig trees, often indicative of stress, injury, or disease. This condition can be a response to infections, mechanical damage, or environmental factors, and monitoring for gummosis can help in early disease detection.

The process of gradually acclimating indoor or greenhouse-grown fig plants to outdoor conditions. This involves exposing the plants to external environments incrementally to reduce transplant shock and improve survival rates when permanently moved outdoors.

Fig cultivars bred to withstand colder climates. Hardy figs like ‘Chicago Hardy’ are popular among growers in regions with harsh winters.

The total amount of heat a fig tree absorbs during the growing season, influencing ripening and flavor development.

The ability of fig trees to withstand high temperatures without dropping fruit or wilting. Many Mediterranean varieties excel in hot climates.

Young, softwood cuttings taken during the growing season for propagation. These cuttings root more quickly than hardwood ones but require careful handling.

Fig varieties selected for their ability to produce large quantities of fruit per season. Examples include ‘Mission’ and ‘Kadota,’ which are widely grown for commercial purposes.