Cuttings

[Billboard]

When you are making cuttings or getting cuttings from a fig, is it necessary to make sure there are buds on the end of each cutting? Will a piece with 2 cut ends work just fine?

[Taverna78]

Yes will do just fine. Just remember what part is top and bottom. Rule of thumb. Cut the top on angle like this /

cut the bottom flat horizontal

[jrdewhirst]

There's no need for a terminal bud. A typical cutting has at least a few leaf nodes. The bottom cut is straight across the cutting, just below a node. The top cut is diagonal, an inch or so above a node, giving a tiny hand-hold. The different cuts also help you distinguish up and down. When planted, usually 2-4 nodes are underneath the soil line, 1 or more nodes above it.

So you could turn a 2' piece of wood into 3-4 cuttings 6-8" each; only one would have a terminal bud.

This is just the typical method. As you'll see elsewhere, some people are experimenting with single node cuttings.

[Billboard]

Thanks for the info.

[AscPete]

As mentioned you want to get a cutting with 3 or more intact nodes, the tip is not essential. The bottom of the cutting (Basal end) should be cut just below an intact node.

https://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-home/9408-1-0-cuttings-collecting-preparing-and-storing

Although the recommendation is usually 3 or more nodes, with care fig trees can be started with just a single node cutting. Larger caliper cuttings can also be used to start fig trees but there is usually a slower rooting process unless rooting hormone is used. Good Luck.

[ross]

Why just below a node, Pete?

[AscPete]

ross ,
Directly below a node because it reduces the exposure of inter-node pith, the intact node section decreases the incidents of rot and desiccation as noted in the attached linked document.