Recieved My Col De Dame Noir Cuttings...is this normal???

[Claymango]

Hey guys, recieved some outstanding cuttings from Harvey C... One was extremely thick, thicker than the 3 gallon Trees found at my Local Nursery or HD/Lowes... One issue, well probably not an issue, is that both cuttings had several nodes/buds on them. I'm not sure if this is just a normal bud developed towards the end of Winter, or is are these nodes/buds getting ready to break dormancy? I thought about removing them, but wanted to get feedback and instruction from the Pros first... There is also a node/bud located near the bottom ofthe cuttings, I'm assuming I wouldnt want this bud to leaf out where the rooting should take place?

[brettjm]

Oye. Do not break them! Each node can only bud once (occasionally twice), and if you break them off, it will really struggle to grow. I mean, eventually it would probably form a new place to send out a shoot, but I really wouldn't risk it. Buds/leaves before roots is just something we have to deal with, unfortunately. Others can probably chime in here, but you have a couple options. One: leave them in rooting media. Even if they form shoots and those leaves drop off, its not the end of the world as long as the shoot survives. Two: After that bud breaks and leaves come out, you can pot it up and give it a humidity dome and hope it roots. The dome will keep the humidity up, which should prevent leaf drop. I have not had great luck with this, but it does work sometimes (I'm like..1/5). Others will have more experience than me, as I am a first year grower like yourself.

[AscPete]

Nodes can produce several buds that can grow into shoots and limbs. There are a "large" # of latent buds at every node, they are kept latent by the auxins (hormones) produced by the plant.

[brettjm]

Pete. that's actually great to know. Explains why a few of my cuttings put out 2 (heck, one even put out 3 at one node). I figured that cuttings would eventually figure out how to make another bud at a node if they had to, but it might take a really long time for it to happen.

Auxins....that rings a bell from college biology. Are auxins the proteins that help tender plant shoots "move" towards light?

[Claymango]

Ty so much Brett....I was so close to removing them! With some luck a great forum feedback from all you guys, i might just havev a CDDN tree with Figs next year

[Altadena Mara]

Ty so much Brett....I was so close to removing them! With some luck a great forum feedback from all you guys, i might just havev a CDDN tree with Figs next year

I started two cuttings of Harvey’s CdDN cuttings the first week of March. Now one has a two inch sprout and two large leaves on it already with a healthy system of roots. Another CdDN cutting from a different person has been sitting in its damp paper towel doing nothing since the first part of February. I thought it was dead for sure. Wednesday I noticed two green buds on it, the first signs of life. With any luck we’ll both be tasting CdDN figs in a year or two.

[Darkman]

Nodes can produce several buds that can grow into shoots and limbs. There are a "large" # of latent buds at every node, they are kept latent by the auxins (hormones) produced by the plant.

Thanks Pete,

It is amazing how much we forget from science/biology classes. I know that I too have heard this before. Now I'm glad I have had my memory cells reactivated. NOW if this old guy can just remember it!

[HarveyC]

LOL, just saw this. I specifically try to make sure to pick cuttings with lots of good buds, if possible. Never thought that anyone might have some concern over them. Sometimes a bud might not grow for some reason so it's good to have more for backups. I try to make sure that the top node has a good-looking bud on it, though that isn't always possible. CdDN grow well for me and is a strong grower. Hope it grows well for you.

[Darkman]

...CdDN grow well for me and is a strong grower. Hope it grows well for you.

I wish I could say that. It is my slowest grower. This is its third year and it is about eighteen inches tall.

[HarveyC]

Sorry to hear that, Charles. Hard to imagine why that would be the case.

[Darkman]

It was in the Flood and the two horrendous Winters so maybe this is its year to shine! I hope so cause Gene's Cajun Gold is daring me to snatch it up and plant it there instead.

[Claymango]

I have the the little white spots already forming guys...my biggest cutting has 1 little root poking out....looks good so far... i just need to restrain myself from checking on it twice a day lol and just forget about for a week.