Cutting with roots above dirts

[pacifica]

I bought some cuttings and put them in dirt using 16 oz transparent cup abt two weeks ago, then I just found two cuttings with some roots but above the dirts instead of root underneath the dirt supposed to be. Did I plant the cuttings upside down by mistake ?

[F. Bennett]

Do you have a picture you can show us? If the entire cup is in a humidity chamber, it is not uncommon for roots to grow in the air. They'll dry up and fall off. No harm as long as there are roots in the dirt too. A pic of the cutting should help us determine if it's right side up.

[Tonycm]

If there is enough room in the cup you could add more soil to cover the roots. This would ensure that the cutting has a better chance to grow.

[COGardener]

If there is roots above the soil, they are most likely below as well. Let them be and be patient.

[pacifica]

Hi Frank : Attached are the images for your reference.
Hi Tonycm : I did put more perlite to cover some roots as suggested
Hi Scott : I really hope there will be some roots in the dirts later on as so far I did not see any from yesterday.

[COGardener]

It will take a bit for them to make it to the edge of the cup.

[pppldj]

Those pics are dark and somewhat hard to see the detail, but they look like they are planted upside down. The stem scar on your appear to be below the joint.

[F. Bennett]

I lightened up the pic a bit. It looks like it was set correctly. Just a vigorous cutting!

[pppldj]

Good job! I have to agree.

[pacifica]

Thanks to all : Good to know that I planted the cutting correctly and not upside down

[WillsC]

The figs can root anywhere along the stem and if they are in a very humidity rich environment very often you will get those roots above the soil line. Just ignore them. When you reduce the humidity as the cutting grows the roots will shrivel up.

[pacifica]

WillsC : Noted with thanks.
Bay the way, is it a good time to proceed air layer now in Nov ? (I am in zone 8b) I have a Desert King planted in large container for 2 years and is about 10 ft tall. I am thinking to reduce the height by doing air layer now making the height up to 6 ft and the remaining 4 ft with new roots to be placed in other container in Spring. Any suggestion will be much appreciated.

[WillsC]

Pacifica,

I know I read where somebody said they leave airlayers on in the winter while the figs are garaged.....so......I suppose you could do it now even on a in ground plant but my experience has been if the top is not actively growing the airlayer does not root well at all. If it was me I would wait till spring.

[pacifica]

Hi WillsC
I believe you got the point. I will wait till Spring as suggested.