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fig cuttings showing roots, now what?

9 years ago

So like the subject says, my Sicilian Red fig cuttings are finally starting to show roots. Multiple roots on 3 or 4 cuttings, anywhere from 1/2 inch to inch long. I have read that a clear cup filled with coarse vermiculite should be the next step. My question is this: Since I have roots, could I just go into soil and skip the vermiculite/humidor stage?

I see where some have had luck putting cuttings into soil, so I should be a little better off by planting cuttings that have roots already started. Any thoughts on this. If yes, any thoughts to the type of soil mixture that might help the cuttings? I currently up-potted my 3 purchased trees into 1 gallon pots with a 60/40 mix of hummus and perlite. They seem to be doing OK after several weeks. Would that be a candidate for soil mixture for these cuttings?

Thanks in advance...
Rich

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Comments (3)

tmc2009
9 years ago
Hi, I place my cuttings directly in a course well draining mix of bark, perlite and soil. I use to go into vermiculite and perlite and if you water to much they rot. With a loose mix with lots of air pockets they seldom rot. As long as you keep them in a bin to keep up the humidity the roots love the large air pockets with high humidity. Here is a link to a video showing how I do it. Make sure to have a number of holes on the bottom and sides of the cups.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating fig tree cuttings
richdel
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks a bunch for your reply. I have gone through several of your Youtube video's,and they are very informative. So even though my scions have multiple half-inch or longer roots, you still recommend putting them into a humidity-controlled space rather then going straight to pots with a light soil/soiless mix?

How often do you check on moisture while they are in this controlled environment? Reason I ask, I will be vacationing during this time and 1 week may be too long to go without checking on moisture conditions. Maybe I need to wait until I get home to do this...?

Thanks again.
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I'm in the valley (E.TN) 6b,7a. I don't even plant in the ground. They do fine in pots for me. I've only lost two roses to the cold so far (out of about a hundred- Mirandy, Hot Cocoa), and never any new cuttings (KNOCK ON WOOD). I DID lose a few one year old cuttings due to the drought we had this summer- I should have watched and watered them better. I would actually view a zone colder more advantageous as we don't have snow fall to insulate and have wild temperature swings. If they are not finished rooting they won't continue unless you provide bottom heat or until it warms up in spring. "be prepared to fight off spider mites until spring." I'm with michael on this- they'll live but will be stunted for awhile because of it.
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richdel
Original Author
9 years ago
Just found out that all three cuttings I purchased have light brown scale on them. Couldn't tell from just looking at it with the eye, had to get a jewelers loupe (x60) and it became really evident that it was scale. Called the nursery PRIOR to diagnosing on my own, but they didn't call back. Now I know why.

I used my fingernal to remove about 30 pieces of scale combined from the 3 plants. Going to wait and see how fast it returns before trying to eradicate using 70% alcohol on a q-tip on the scale that comes back. Read where any type of insecticide shouldn't be used in temps over 85*, hard to find the time to do this during the summer. Will have to do it in the basement I guess.

Any other suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks!

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