I know one poster/forum member who grows "ALMA" with great success in Tallahassee, FL. in-ground. If Root-Knot Nematodes are a problem, you may want to consider containerizing your fig tree(s). I use dollies under my 20 gallon containerized trees, and just roll them from place to place. If you do containerize, you will have to feed your trees often, root-prune every 3-4 years, and replant in new soil. You can do this for decades to come, and replant into the same, or slightly larger, container. A forum search for containerized fig trees will yield hundreds of postings on this subject. Also Durio Nursery, in LA. lists figs that do well in the FL./LA. areas. If you decide to grow in a large container, and you have access to a large garage, or sheltered area free from rain, you will increase your choices of fig varieties. If you expect downpours, just roll your trees where it ain't raining. Rain is ONLY a problem when the figs start to ripen. Some fig varieties will split, and sour, when waterlogged by heavy rains. Also check out "Dan's Cajun Fig Blog" for critiques on figs that will do well in the humid/rainy South-East, US. Good luck, and hope this helps. Frank

Sorry, I got long winded. One can buy bags of gravel at Wal-Mart, Lowe' etc. I think they call it decorative gravel. But don't you dare put any in a flower bed. You will regret it for ever. There is so much here that I suspect they parked a boat or RV in the back side yard. Until a couple days ago I thought it was just around the house and deck. I hired a young man to dig a hole to plant a mtn laurel and the gravel is 2 to 3 inches deep and 3 ft from the fence.

Aaah, I think that's it, jekeesl. The very toothy leaves resemble the plant pictured. (Wish I had the presence of mind to get a close-up of the leaves to help with ID, but I'm sure I was half heat-stroked already.) I'll pass this additional ID along to my neighbors. Thanks!

Oh! Yeah, I think so...fingers crossed. I haven't stared too closely at the leaves lately, but I don't see any glaring yellow splotches like I did with that first group -- it was on the P. incarnata. The plant(s) is/are thriving right now; and if I had to start plucking leaves off, it'd be an overwhelming task. I'm certain the Turk's Cap plant I received from my neighborhood friend's yard was affected by this same virus, as it had the telltale splotchiness AND horribly deformed, crinkled leaves -- and it just got worse and worse, so I yanked it.