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growing fig tree cuttings

19 years ago

I live in Alora, Andalucia, 30 miles inland from Malaga. My partner and I bought a ruined finca with lemon orchard 3 years ago and I am just beginning the task of re-creating the garden. I have a wonderful Spainish neighbour/garden helper 'Pepe' and we are in the process of planting fig branches to produce new trees.

I have been told to bury a Y shaped twig up to the the joint, while Pepe's way is to bury one straight stick deep, his friend Mateo however insists 2 twigs must be broken off by hand, not cut, and buried so that they cross over in a U shape with just the tips showing. Anybody got any other ideas?

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Comments (5)

cincinnata
19 years ago
Hello Sherill, I live just outside Malaga in Rincon de la Victoria. Sorry no help with the figs - mine were mature when I bought the house. Are you really sure you want them? They give me a bad time with rats coming for the fruit and I'm seriously considering cutting them down. Apart from that, may I suggest you plant using all the systems - then nobody's feeling will be hurt! You can also take note and inform future novices with your scientific results! Equally tell Pepe and Mateo you can't wait long to get the fruit and buy named varieties from a nursery. I do recommend different varieties as you get a longer fruiting period. Best of luck.
Sherill
Original Author
19 years ago
Hi Cincinnata, and thank you for your reply. Funnily enough we watched a rat make its way right to the top of a fig tree whilst out walking just the other day but I didn't realise it was such a common occurance.

While spanish rats seem to be smaller and prettier than their english counterparts they are still my least favorite vermin and I certainly don't want to encourage them into my garden. Luckily the figs already planted are in the far corner of the garden well away from the house.

You seem to have sized my friends Pepe and Mateo up perfectly and I am guessing you may have a few similar type neighbours!

So I will try to keep everybody happy and do no more on the fig planting front.
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Terry, Root Riot is a small, sponge-like 'plug' into which the cutting is inserted. This gets dropped into a tray filled with (for example) a bunch of empty 6 packs. A tray with 12 empty 6 packs would hold 1 'plug' per cell for 72 cuttings. The cuttings don't need light initially - they need a humid environment in order to put out roots. That's what the plastic dome over the tray does - it keeps the moisture in. If you have the cuttings in some kind of mix, that will work also - just maybe not as high a success rate in rooting. Once the cuttings are putting out roots, you can put them into a larger container if you are using Root Riot or leave them in the container you are using if it is large enough. Now, you want the 'tree' to put out leaves. It may already have leaves (but we are hoping for roots first in order to feed the tree). Even now, I keep the plants away from direct sunlight. Cut the bottom off a liter or larger plastic soda bottle or the bottom off a gallon milk jug. Place it over the plant to keep the humidity high. Keep the young plant out of direct sunlight - it can overheat. Gently acclimate (harden off) the tree to outdoors and remove the cover over time. I put them under a very shady part of the deck for a few weeks and remove the cover for a few hours and slowly move them out into the sun. Go slowly here - better to get less than optimal results than to kill the plant. Eventually you should have a healthy baby tree throwing off roots and branches. By the 2nd summer you should be picking a fig or two (after over wintering - a whole different pain in the bottom - and transplanting into a larger container or two). My favorite resource for figs is the figs4fun.com forum/community. Very active and very knowledgeable. Hope this helps. Andrew Here is a link that might be useful: Figs 4 Fun forum
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Sherill
Original Author
19 years ago
Fig tree update for anybody interested.

I decided to use Pepe's method and planted 2 sticks forming a U shape with just the tips sticking out of the ground, and I'm pleased to say they are now sprouting buds and leaves. So this method definately works with very little effort on my part, just a bit of water once a week.

Since then we have planted almonds, again using a tried and tested method of Pepe's. I have no doubt we shall be sucessful. If anybody would like instructions please let me know.

Here is a link that might be useful: Growing fig tree cuttings
Mikey
19 years ago
I have found the Fruit & Orchards Forum to be very helpful with questions relative to any type of fruit. I'm glad your cuttings have taken root. We have three different figs, two in pots and one in the ground. Nothing quite like stepping outside and eating freshly picked fruit. My competitors are the birds, not rats, so I may use netting to discourage them. - Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Fruit & Orchards Forum
Sherill
Original Author
18 years ago
7 July 2005. I can happily report that all methods were used in planting, and each one has worked. I now have a nice row of little fig trees. Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Mediterranean garden diary

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