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Hi, all! I first wanted to give huge thank yous to everyone that contributed their knowledge and experience with figs. It has been a tremendous help that has, I think, allowed me to be successful thus far.
As of now, I have 24 fig cuttings in my tortoise enclosure (Hardy Chicago, RdB, Hunt, Strawberry Verte, Negronne, El Molino, and Saratoga/Chico Strawberry). Temps and humidity have been holding steady at 78-81F and over 80%.
These cuttings were received, cleaned with soap and dunked in a bleach solution, placed in a bag with long-fiber sphagnum moss (well wrung out) until I saw the hint of initials, then were placed in one gallon containers or 2L SIPs. The medium was approximately 50% perlite and 50% Nature's Care potting mix for the one gallons and approximately 60% coco coir and 40% perlite for the 2L SIPs. No water was added; whatever moisture was in the potting mix and perlite was all that was needed and the coco coir was re-hydrated, thoroughly washed out in case of excess salts, and water was squeezed out as much as possible. It took about 2 months before I decided to water the one gallons.
After the advice of AscPete, I decided to go ahead and start cutting/rubbing the cuttings for 1 growing tip today.
Hunt:
RdB (Before):
RdB (After):
I'm also using Low Stress Training to get them sticking straight up. The tape is temporary until I can drill some small holes at the top of each pot. And sorry about the gross sticky pads. I always get periodic gnat blooms in the tortoise enclosure, but they don't seem to pose a problem with the figs.
Once I saw a few leaves stick around, I fertilized 1-T of Plant-Tone mixed into the top layer of each container. And I'll probably water with a weak solution of Miracle Grow general next time they need it.
I hope I'm doing things somewhat correctly. The whole process has been pretty fun and I've met some great people along the way. Advice and more friends are always welcome!
As of now, I have 24 fig cuttings in my tortoise enclosure (Hardy Chicago, RdB, Hunt, Strawberry Verte, Negronne, El Molino, and Saratoga/Chico Strawberry). Temps and humidity have been holding steady at 78-81F and over 80%.
These cuttings were received, cleaned with soap and dunked in a bleach solution, placed in a bag with long-fiber sphagnum moss (well wrung out) until I saw the hint of initials, then were placed in one gallon containers or 2L SIPs. The medium was approximately 50% perlite and 50% Nature's Care potting mix for the one gallons and approximately 60% coco coir and 40% perlite for the 2L SIPs. No water was added; whatever moisture was in the potting mix and perlite was all that was needed and the coco coir was re-hydrated, thoroughly washed out in case of excess salts, and water was squeezed out as much as possible. It took about 2 months before I decided to water the one gallons.
After the advice of AscPete, I decided to go ahead and start cutting/rubbing the cuttings for 1 growing tip today.
Hunt:
RdB (Before):
RdB (After):
I'm also using Low Stress Training to get them sticking straight up. The tape is temporary until I can drill some small holes at the top of each pot. And sorry about the gross sticky pads. I always get periodic gnat blooms in the tortoise enclosure, but they don't seem to pose a problem with the figs.
Once I saw a few leaves stick around, I fertilized 1-T of Plant-Tone mixed into the top layer of each container. And I'll probably water with a weak solution of Miracle Grow general next time they need it.
I hope I'm doing things somewhat correctly. The whole process has been pretty fun and I've met some great people along the way. Advice and more friends are always welcome!
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