I'll chime in about the most expensive plant I saw. It's a good story, well, for me it is. Anyways, I have been into plants now for about 14 years, and have always loved tree-like succulents, such as jades and portulacarias. I don't have a big collection at all, but I cherish the ones I have. Ever since seeing a picture of a variegated jade, I knew I HAD to have one. Problem is, I saw this picture in 1999, and have never seen one of these jades in person, let alone for sale. Well, last summer, while browsing around in a large greenhouse that I've been to dozens of times, I decided to go past the tropicals and succulents, and browse around in the annual flower section, which I have no interest in. Upon walking WAY to the back of this large annual section, there in the bowels of the greenhouse sits a variegated jade. I was super exited, however, this jade was 7 feet tall, with a 12" diameter trunk, and had a price tag of $799.99. Obviously, this is too expensive, and also too big for my tastes. But, I asked if I could take a leaf to root my own plant, and the guy said "sure, but you would be better off with a stem cutting", and broke a small chunk off for me. Well, I rooted the cutting successfully, not that jades are a challenge, and this spring repotted it now that it has a vigorous root system. So, after all that babbling, I can sum it up like this: Not only did I find the most expensive plant I've ever seen, I got my variegated jade, and it only took 12 years! Joe

I am sure Celeste was the first name Celeste had when it was imported here in the southern part pf Usa. The fig was imported from Europe,and is known there as Malta fig,or Malta Black fig.The fig is not completelly black ,but is Dark. Some varieties as Col de Dame have the whole specter of color in the variety,as White Gray and black,with the same taste and shape. So there can be Malta black ,and Gray.Celeste is rather gray. There is a blue Celeste that indeed is blue,with the same good taste,shape,behivor,etc. I believe Tennesse mountain fig is a local name to Celeste. I hope this will help

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I planted it in the ground right after I purchased it. Like most new fruit tree growers, I am learning from the school of hard knocks. It is probably 3 to 4 feet tall with 4 or 5 young figs on it and several nice leaves. Just worried as the yellow then brown effect has gone up the plant to effect about 3 large leaves and given the young nature of the tree, I am worried this trend will continue. I am growning an odd affinity for my fruit trees! We have a very good local nursery and I guess I had either gotten the advice or misunderstood the advice and I planted in direct sunlight (he did warn me to cover the roots with pine straw to help with heat on the roots). It has been very very hot up here in the panhandle of Florida(after we had record rainfall for June). I feel like I planted it towards the end of the rainfall, so I believe heat is the issue at hand. (my satsumas and meyer lemons are living it up, but the celeste fig does seem stressed.) Al, thanks for the great lesson on 5:1:1 soil. I have made some good batches of that for my container plants and it looks and feels fantastic, plants seem to really be taking to it and drainage is outstanding. Probably should have started the fig tree out in a pot until I learn something. Thanks for all the replies. Any advice on helping the plant out after I made the mistake of planting it in direct sunlight?

herman, no. palm fan, no dropping of fruit on this tree. I'm glad I bought this tree, it sounds like its a very good tree to have. very tasty and no fruit drop. I had no idea what I was buying when I bought it. My wife looked the way the tree looked!! When the tree goes dormant I will try to make some rooted cuttings. Hopefully it will work. I tried it once on my dads brown turkey but it didn't work. I cut it and placed some rooting hormone on it and put it in miracle grow soil and nothing happened. I might try another way. I have read about a few different ways on this forum. Joe