How to propagate trees from cuttings
poultryduk
16 years ago
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poultryduk
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Propagating a fig tree cutting
Comments (13)We just discovered that the beautiful Ficus carica 'Corky's Honey Delight' green fig tree we bought at abut 3' high several months ago has had most of its root gnawed off by a gopher. We can see the teeth marks. It had already begun to lose its leaves, and as this is the season when our big old fig always does so, for a while we thought nothing was wrong. Trying to rescue it, we took one 1' long branch that had a few roots left on it (the only branch that did), and replanted it in the garden, surrounded by gopher spurge. Another fig we bought at the same time, which has striped green figs, is nearby and may have been protected by the gopher spurge plants that had sprung up here and there from last year. (1) Did we do wrong to replant this branch outside? Our garden is in So. Cal; the night temps, when cold, at present reach the upper 50s. The garden is protected to the north and has our house and the neighbor's giving it some shelter as well. The old fig tree has been very happy there, which is why we figured it would be good to try other varieties of figs, as we have not had success with peaches and plums. (2) We took several other cuttings, some around 6~8" long branches, as well as the main stem/trunk, which had no roots left at all, so we cut it off, salvaging the 22" long main stem with a few twigs growing out of it. Are we unwise to try to salvage such a big portion of the main stem? If it is feasible, what method should we use? It is about 3/4" wide where we cut it off. (3) There is also an 8" twig we took by cutting the main stem (about 3/4" in diameter at that point) about 3/4" above and 3/4" below where the twig was growing out, thinking maybe more surface for roots to form on is better. But would this twig be better off being cut by itself, where it is only about 1/3" across? All of the cuttings we took have tiny buds at their tips. It hasn't gotten cold enough yet for the trees to go dormant, so I'm afraid this is not a good time to try to root cutting from a damaged tree, but we have no choice. As you can see, I know nothing about propagating fig trees, so any comments will be welcome. Having read some of the comments here, I know I can stick the thin cuttings into baggies, and will put them on top of the fridge until I know better what to do. Thanks....See MoreDiamond Frost Euphoria how to propagate or root from cuttings?
Comments (2)Quite honestly once you have bough a plant it's your's to do what ever you want with it except sell it in the case of patented plants. Controlling personal propagation of a patented plant is completely and utterly impossible and impracticle, so go ahead. There hasn't been a single precedent set arresting anyone who has. Openly propagating for commercial resale opens you up to possible trouble but they would need to do a DNA test to ascertain it's the patented cultivar. As there are at least six or seven cultivars now that's also quite difficult as they have all got the same genes just different growth characteristics. Technically you could simply say you took cuttings from wild plants. As they are not a hybrid but a species with various growth forms. They are very easily propagated. Wait for a new flush of growth when it warms up in Spring or whenever in your climate then take cuttings. They are very skinny so take a load of them cutting half an inch bellow a node. As they produce milky latex sap you need to stop them "bleeding" as quickly as possible. Either dip them in ash or burn the cut end (not the node) for ten seconds or so with a lighter. Let the ends dry if dipped by leaving the cuttings in a safe place out of the sun for half an hour or so, wont take long. Then plant. As they are so skinny they tend to break if you try and push them into the ground so make holes with a dibbler in the seedling compost first. I find the sharp end of a chopstick very useful for this. Then gently push them in and water once and leave. Kept warm and just moist they form roots very quickly. There might be some leaf drop initially but dont worry about that, they soon recover. I put about five in a pot to get a nice bushy plant. That's it very easy. You can also simply root them in a glass of water in bright but not direct sunlight light in a window sill. Once rooted and growing it pays to shear very lightly occasionally to get a bushier plant. Good luck....See MoreHow I propagate my fig tree cuttings
Comments (2)Thanks Tom for posting your video. Martin...See MoreCan trees be propagated from leaf cuttings?
Comments (6)Trees seem pretty individualistic in this respect. Many you can take a twig and given a wet week, hormones, misting, or some degree of care, get a new tree. Weeping willows are EASY, I find it possible with Metasequoia, the pros on here do it with lots of othwr trees also. Any particular species on your mind?...See Morekittyl
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