Rooting Method

14 years ago

Just got some cuttings in the mail yesterday and am trying the plastic bag/paper towel method described on the figs4fun website. Has anyone tried rooting this way before?

I'm game, but would like to hear from others whether it works well for them.

Thanks for your comments in advance.

-Ann

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Comments (12)

abunari
14 years ago
I am also looking at trying this method also. Some people say they will tend to get mold easier than other methods though so i'm a bit hesitant. Although everyone seems to say this is the best technique to go with. I wonder if there is a way to help decrease the mold issue with this way? Do you periodically open the bag? I think the site metioned blowing air into the bag but im not sure how that will help.
Sounds like a great method i would just worry about molding.
dieseler
14 years ago
Go to this forum, you can sign up for free to become a member or do a search on fig rooting within that forum, there are many great posts on how to propagate ficus carica (fig) in detail some with very nice pictures, and even experiments done in detail.
Its another great fig forum.
Martin

Here is a link that might be useful: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/
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organic_mescalito
14 years ago
It's an excellent method of rooting. The key is well sqeezed out paper towel, too moist and you will get mold or rot. I keep my cuttings in a plastic
garbage bag with air trapped inside when I tie it closed. I do check them regularly for root formation and to air them out. I've replaced paper towels when they became stained from latex or look not so fresh. Leave the bottom end uncovered a little. This method combines proper humidity and oxygen needed for rooting with easy veiwing to know when they are ready to move to pots.
Nelson E.
14 years ago
I have rooted in the past with just potting mix and perlite about 50/50 and basically put a cup on top of the other to keep it moisture in the cup high. I had 8 out of 12 Cuttings root fairly quick. Will be trying the baggie method soon when my new cuttings arrive just to see how that works out.
anniebomm
Original Author
14 years ago
Key words here are humidity and oxygen. Achieving that balance is key, I'd say. Thanks for the advice.

-Ann
abunari
14 years ago
How often do you check the bag and open it for some fresh air? Is it daily? I am going to try a large ziplock bag and place it in my window seal. I have an electric thermometer there that says it is 79-80F average. I have an outdoor area but it is in the high 80's to 90's. what is a good temperature range and what is to high?
anniebomm
Original Author
14 years ago
Hey, folks! Something is happening to my fig cuttings in the bag--in a good way, so far! Some kind of white bulgy stuff erupting from the bark. Not roots yet, but whatever comes before that!
Abunari, I am not an expert by any means, but I am checking my fig cuttings daily to make sure they are neither sopping wet or drying out.
I cannot answer your question about temperature, but hopefully someone else will answer for both of us. (My temps are in the 70's in my house.)

-Ann
dieseler
14 years ago
Good temps are in the 70s, bumps do appear before the roots they are called initials not sure if i spelled that right.
Thats a good sign for soon roots will appear.
The baggie method is my favorite for scion otherwise i airlayer on plant.
Good to get paper towel or newspaper just damp and not real wet at this stage.
Martin
abunari
14 years ago
Will non-dormant cuttings root just as well as dormant cuttings?
danab_z9_la
14 years ago
You will get much better results when rooting in a bag if you keep your baggies away from any heating source (heating mat, furnace, hot water heater, window sill, etc.) Also, you will have less problems with humidity and moisture control if you keep your baggies in a CLOSED plastic container. Putting your baggies in a closed box helps stabilize the temperature inside of the baggies which greatly improves moisture control. A nice steady even room temperature works well.

Before you try to root your cuttings be sure to clean them properly. Clean your cuttings with a toothbrush using a solution of warm water and Dawn Anti-Bacterial dish-washing liquid. Rinse your cuttings with water to remove the soap. Now clean them again with a toothbrush using a solution of 1 part Clorox and 9 parts water.....be sure to wear gloves. After cleaning your cuttings with this dilute Clorox solution....allow your cuttings to air dry. Be sure to clean them with soap FIRST then dilute Clorox SECOND.....it is important that you clean them in that order. You should not have any problems with mold as you root them.

Dan
leon_edmond
14 years ago
Good instructions Dan. I might add that some folks use paper towel while others use several layers of newspaper to wrap their cuttings. Somehow the ink in the newspaper seems to retard fungal and bacterial growth. I try to open the bags everyday if not every 2 days to allow fresh oxygen in the bag. I unwrap the cuttings and rewrap them in the same paper. If I see any signs of fungal growth, I clean and sterilize the cutting per your instructions, then rewrap the cutting in fresh newspaper.
danab_z9_la
14 years ago
Hello Leon,

Those supposedly black Italian cultivars that I saved from the bulldozer some time back did not fruit for me this year. Since they came from an old collection, who knows what they will be. If they turn out to be good figs, I will let you know.

Dan