This auction is for a nice actively growing fig tree of the variety 'Black Madeira'.  The potted tree in the photographs included is the actual tree being sold.  I am also showing a photo of a fruit from the the Black Madeira tree in my orchard.  A cutting from my tree of Black Madeira was grafted onto an actively growing tree of Brown Turkey on March 31, 2015.  To the best of my knowledge, I am the first to offer grafted Black Madeira trees.  In January 2013 I made a similar graft and trialed it in my orchard, planting it in the ground in August 2013 at the same time I planted another Black Madeira tree of approximately the same age growing on its own roots.  I am including a photo of these two trees in my orchard taken in late April 2015 to show that the grafted tree is about 10 times the size of the tree growing on its own roots.  In my experience, most Black Madeira cuttings are somewhat slow to root and root growth is slow, though a few people have had some experience with faster growing trees.  It is because of this lack of vigor that Black Madeira has remained a relatively rare variety despite it having great popularity for at least 10 years.  This vigor is already shown in the good growth of this tree.  Black Madeira trees are usually considered to be smaller trees but I believe this tree will probably be larger than most since it is grafted onto a vigorous rootstock.  I have applied a grafting sealer over the graft union to seal it more completely and to provided added strength to help ensure safe shipment to the winning buyer.  There is nothing needed to be done with this as it will expand slightly as the tree grows and eventually break off and peal away.  I suggest that this tree be moved into a 5 gallon pot and grown in an area where it is shelter from winds and intense sunlight for at least another month or two.  The tree should also be fastened to a talk stake as it grows beyond the one that will be sent with this plant.

Black Madeira has been growing in California for many decades, having been brought here by a Portuguese immigrant many years ago.  It generally is thought to require a long growing season to fully ripen so growers in cooler regions should consider this carefully before bidding on this tree.

I see some evidence of Fig Mosaic Virus in this tree and all specimens should have some level of infection since the original mother tree is infected.  FMV is present in most fig trees and I and most growers don't really concern ourselves over this disease that causes some mottling of leaves in most cases.

 Please pay for your auction promptly and I will ship the tree via USPS Priority Mail by the following business day.  No international bidders, please.  Plant will be shipped only within the USA.  I pack trees with great care and prior customers have given me compliments either through eBay feedback or direct messages.

I am a farmer by trade, although figs are just a small part of my operation (but expanding).  As part of my farm I have a small licensed nursery operation and my farm is inspected annually.

Thanks for looking!