Some may think that this subject is inappropriate at this time, but I hope that we can discuss it now and get it behind us. This topic in no way reflects anyone else's opinion other than my own, but I would appreciate everyone's comment, because it affects the community at large.
The naming of "found" or unknown figs and basic naming convention.
There's always heated discussions when someone names an unknown fig with an already known name. I agree with the people that believe that its a major problem. the result would be like a gardener buying and growing out seeds for Roma Tomato but winding up with Cherry tomatoes at harvest. There are usually several people that comment "it doesn't matter what the name is just as long as it tastes good", they are also the same ones that are looking to grow named cultivars due to the specific description and or pictures. IMO, As a Fig hobbyist and gardener it would be irresponsible to think that its OK.
As an example recently I saw an offer on *bay for cuttings of VDB, they had almost a dozen sharp clear photos of dark figs and Leaves, its looks nothing like VDB, it looked like many of the dark Italian cultivars in circulation as "Mount Etna" types and sometime in the future this cultivar may be placed into circulation as Violette de Bordeaux. There will be questions then as now, as to how and why my cultivar is so different from your similarly named cultivar.
Heated discussions have also been started when someone names an unknown without using "unknown" or some similar distinction in the name. I actually disagree with this as a necessary naming convention. If someone wishes to use unknown in the "new" name that's fine, but having a new name in and of itself already indicates that its different or "Unknown". Personally I have over 20 unknowns "found" in the Bronx and they are listed in my inventory with the prefix "Unk", but its not a convention that's necessary. Its only practical because it keeps them grouped together in my alphabetic listing. I don't think BryantDark, TimLight or any new name can be confused with anything else.
One simple naming convention that has been used for years and should be replicated is using the initials of the source of the cuttings or plants as a suffix. Adriatic JH, Sals EL, Sals GH (Gene), Marseilles Black VS, etc are now known cultivars that were previously found or unknown. I have same named cultivars from different sources and by simply using the sources initials I'm able to differentiate them. Violette de Bordeaux EL, Violet de Bordeaux WC, Violette de Bordeaux TC, Violette de Bordeaux BR, Conadria EL, Conadria AE, O'Rourke PP, O'Rourke EL, etc.
The naming of "found" or unknown figs and basic naming convention.
There's always heated discussions when someone names an unknown fig with an already known name. I agree with the people that believe that its a major problem. the result would be like a gardener buying and growing out seeds for Roma Tomato but winding up with Cherry tomatoes at harvest. There are usually several people that comment "it doesn't matter what the name is just as long as it tastes good", they are also the same ones that are looking to grow named cultivars due to the specific description and or pictures. IMO, As a Fig hobbyist and gardener it would be irresponsible to think that its OK.
As an example recently I saw an offer on *bay for cuttings of VDB, they had almost a dozen sharp clear photos of dark figs and Leaves, its looks nothing like VDB, it looked like many of the dark Italian cultivars in circulation as "Mount Etna" types and sometime in the future this cultivar may be placed into circulation as Violette de Bordeaux. There will be questions then as now, as to how and why my cultivar is so different from your similarly named cultivar.
Heated discussions have also been started when someone names an unknown without using "unknown" or some similar distinction in the name. I actually disagree with this as a necessary naming convention. If someone wishes to use unknown in the "new" name that's fine, but having a new name in and of itself already indicates that its different or "Unknown". Personally I have over 20 unknowns "found" in the Bronx and they are listed in my inventory with the prefix "Unk", but its not a convention that's necessary. Its only practical because it keeps them grouped together in my alphabetic listing. I don't think BryantDark, TimLight or any new name can be confused with anything else.
One simple naming convention that has been used for years and should be replicated is using the initials of the source of the cuttings or plants as a suffix. Adriatic JH, Sals EL, Sals GH (Gene), Marseilles Black VS, etc are now known cultivars that were previously found or unknown. I have same named cultivars from different sources and by simply using the sources initials I'm able to differentiate them. Violette de Bordeaux EL, Violet de Bordeaux WC, Violette de Bordeaux TC, Violette de Bordeaux BR, Conadria EL, Conadria AE, O'Rourke PP, O'Rourke EL, etc.
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