What happens when you're out of nodes?

[brettjm]

I have a peter's honey that just...never leafed out. It's in a 32 oz deli cup with a fantastic root system that is still growing. It had 3 nodes, originally, but the top 2 have dried up, with all the roots coming from the 4" segment below the soil line in between nodes 2 and 3. Maybe node 2 is still viable, but it has dried out and shriveled to about 1/2" above that node. Node 1 is all shriveled up....I actually cut it off this morning because it was beginning to rot a little in the humidity chamber.

So now what? Node 2 is showing no sign of life, and is dried out to right above it, and node 3 is buried under 4-5" of media. Chances of survival? PH hates me, I've decided...

[F. Bennett]

It should sprout from under the soil eventually. I had a cutting appear to dry out, but mid-summer last year, a couple of new sprouts came up. It was in a pot, so I couldn't monitor the roots.

[ako1974]

I would wait it out. I have a couple no-leafs (some nodes that just haven't woken up yet, and a few that were fried) with strong roots. I assume (as Frank said) new growth will appear from below the soil.

[brettjm]

The supposed upside? Maybe the new shoot will eventually be another place to grow roots from...maybe. Anyways, thanks for the input. I'll just keep it in the humidity chamber to avoid having to play the "overwater/underwater" game.

[Rafaelissimmo]

Great question. I have this with a rooted, transitioned cutting. No idea if its alive or dead. I just keep watering it. People keep telling me a node will pop from the soil. Tick tock tick tock.

[Harborseal]

Fertilize it with weak fertilizer (maybe half houseplant strength) so it has the energy to grow a node out. That means it has to be in media with excellent drainage.

[AscPete]

What Bob C, said, but be careful to not "over water" since there are no leaves .

[COGardener]

And if there are no nodes? Just a partially dead stick with great roots.

[Rewton]

It sounds like there is little or no viable above-ground wood. I'm thinking the humidity dome isn't necessary at this point. Good luck. Fortunately, Peter's Honey is a fairly easy to find fig in case your cutting doesn't make it.

[drphil69]

I agree, with no leaves why keep in humidity dome? Good luck, I hope a shoot sprouts for you.