There are several methods for rooting fig cuttings with an almost unlimited amount of variations practiced by each grower, the successful methods all have solutions for reducing or eliminating fungal, bacterial and insect infestation, creating a healthy ambient environment for root initialization / growth and providing fertilization, water and light for healthy vegetative growth.
The most used and recommended methods for Dormant fig cuttings are:
Pre-rooting in bag or container;
Baggie Method with paper towels or newspaper, (1)
Baggie method with Long Fibered Sphagnum Moss, (2)
Baggie method with Long Fibered Sphagnum Moss, (3)
Tupperware method with perlite, (4)
Tupperware method with Coco Coir, (5)
Pre-rooting in cup;
Cup Method with perlite or mix, (6)
Pre-rooting in water;
Standing water, (7)
Standing water, (21)
Hydroponic and Aeroponic rooting, (8)
Direct Plant in containers;
Direct plant Cup, (9)
Direct plant in pot, (10)
Direct plant in pot, (11)
Direct Plant in ground;
Planted in garden or orchard ().
The recommended methods for green or actively growing cuttings are the same as those used for Propagating Stem or Soft Wood Cuttings, (24), (26):
Green (Summer) fig cuttings;
Hydroponic or Aeroponic rooting, (8)
Standing water, (21)
Pot/Humidity dome, (25)
Pot/Humidity dome, (27)
Cup/Humidity dome, (28)
The listed propagation methods all have different procedures or techniques, but they have the same common goals. They are able to keep the rooting variables within the desired optimal ranges;
A. Warm temperature and high Humidity - Temp of 72*F - 78*F and RH of 85% - 90% at the cutting's surface
For faster Callusing and root growth. When the temperature is maintained and the medium is kept barely moist, the humidity in an enclosure (humidity chamber or dome) will usually remain in the optimal range. Temperatures below 78*F also decreases the growth of harmful microbes that cause mold, rot and attract Fungus Gnats.
B. Low pH - for decreased microbial activity, pH, 5.0 - 6.5, (22)
The pH can be easily adjusted, and it should be, at least for the initial pre-rooting and rooting stages. Moistened Sphagnum Moss and Coco Coir start out at a pH level at the low end of the optimal range which also decreases the growth of harmful microbes that cause mold, rot and attract Fungus Gnats.
C. High air/oxygen exchange - well aerated rooting medium or potting mix removes CO2 and gasses.
The medium should be well aerated with larger particles, (12) , (23) sifting will usually remove small particles and increase aeration. Bottom watering also helps to keep the medium from settling and helps maintain air spaces in the mix which also decreases the growth of harmful microbes that cause mold, rot and attract Fungus Gnats.
D. Early fertilization - decreases reliance on the cutting's stored reserves.
Fertilization is dependent on the media used to root and grow out the cuttings. If an inert medium (Perlite, Scoria, Sand, etc) is used, early addition of a dilute balanced fertilizer will ensure healthy continuous growth. When potting mix or soil is used the initial fertilizer charge will be able to provide initial fertilization, but early dilute fertilization is still required.
Creating separate stages, (13), (14) will help to organize and simplify the rooting procedures. In many of the Direct Plant rooting methods stages #2 and #3 are combined into one but separating out these two will result in earlier and faster root development since increased attention to the optimal growing conditions (temperature and Humidity) will result in fastest transition through stage #2. The stages for propagating dormant fig cutting should be as follows;
1. Initial preparation of the cuttings, cleaning, trimming and treating.
The cuttings can be cleaned with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), Physan20 (disinfectant) or similar product, trimmed to size, (19) top cut ends sealed with wax or pruning sealer and if desired treated with rooting hormone, (20). In addition I also pre-hydratethe cuttings in soggy Coco Coir for 1 - 3 days before applying rooting hormone or proceeding to the next stage.
2. Re-hydration of the dormant cuttings, callusing and rooting without light.
All dormant cuttings have to be re-hydrated to get the cambium layers growing for callus and root development or "cellular differentiation", (15). This process is sped up by maintaining the optimal temperature, humidity and air exchange. In Direct Plant methods this pre-rooting is combined with the early part of stage #3. I use a cutting mix of sifted and rinsed pine bark fines, Coco coir, Perlite and Calcined Clay (4-1-1-1 ratio) with a dilute dose of water soluble fertilizer (1/2 tsp per gallon of water) and maintain the optimal temperature range in a dark space to reduce chances of bud break.
3. Growing the rooted cutting in a cutting mix, providing fertilizer, water and light.
Pre-rooted cuttings are up potted to cups or container of well aerated fast draining cutting mix to achieve fast healthy growth, many growers use commercially available potting mixes sometimes with added sifted Perlite for aeration. At this stage the roots have developed and cooler temperatures are OK if unavoidable. Cuttings can be placed in direct sunlight or under artificial lighting, (30), (31), (32), (33), (34) . I use the custom cutting mix and fertigate (irrigate) (16) the containers with a predetermined amount of dilute fertilizer solution (@ 1 tsp per gallon of water). The actual amount of water is determined by watering a container full of dry cutting mix and noting the volume or water, (17). The containers are placed in front of south facing windows.
4. Transplanting to larger container and a growing potting mix.
Transplant the well rooted hardened cuttings to larger containers with a more water retentive potting mix. I up pot to 1 gallon containers when the smaller rooting containers are full of roots and almost root-bound, like a "plug", its planted in the 1 gallon or larger containers without disturbing the roots or cutting mix. They are then up potted as 1 gallon plugs to 5 gallon SIPs (Sub Irrigated Planters) , (18) when they are almost root bound. The 5 gallon mix is made with Pine Bark fines, Peat and Calcined Clay (2-4-1 ratio).
Propagating fig cuttings, producing root initials and early root development is relatively easy. It can be as simple as placing the cutting inside a closed black plastic bag with an outside ambient temperature of 75deg F and lightly misting every 2 days with water, but growing out the cuttings into healthy trees requires a little more work following one of the proven procedures that provides for the requirements of the growing cuttings.
References:
1. http://figs4fun.com/basics_Rooting.html
2. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4617366
3. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4108979
4. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...mmies-from-pen
5. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=7145086
6. http://figs4fun.com/Rooting_Bag_New_Style.html
7. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5089855
8. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=7023364
9. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...rooting-method
10. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6692131
11. http://www.threefoldfarm.org/blog/si...ig-propagation
12. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1251.html
13. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox....growth-6765676
14. http://www.flor.hrt.msu.edu/assets/U...esplanning.pdf
15. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/s...agation-02.pdf
16. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6837609
17. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6719728
18. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...or-fig-culture
19. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...ng-and-storing
20. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...-are-you-using
21. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6861031
22. http://tomclothier.hort.net/page13.html
23. http://tomclothier.hort.net/page12.html
24. http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-pr...-home-gardener
25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z28Gsa5oHMw
26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFL-jEkWSV8
27. http://www.treesofjoy.com/content/ro...d-fig-cuttings
28. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6868363
Artificial Lighting for Fig Cuttings...
30. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox....84&postcount=4
31. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6532491
32. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6724415
33. http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/fac...ite/index.html
34. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox....6&postcount=20
The most used and recommended methods for Dormant fig cuttings are:
Pre-rooting in bag or container;
Baggie Method with paper towels or newspaper, (1)
Baggie method with Long Fibered Sphagnum Moss, (2)
Baggie method with Long Fibered Sphagnum Moss, (3)
Tupperware method with perlite, (4)
Tupperware method with Coco Coir, (5)
Pre-rooting in cup;
Cup Method with perlite or mix, (6)
Pre-rooting in water;
Standing water, (7)
Standing water, (21)
Hydroponic and Aeroponic rooting, (8)
Direct Plant in containers;
Direct plant Cup, (9)
Direct plant in pot, (10)
Direct plant in pot, (11)
Direct Plant in ground;
Planted in garden or orchard ().
The recommended methods for green or actively growing cuttings are the same as those used for Propagating Stem or Soft Wood Cuttings, (24), (26):
Green (Summer) fig cuttings;
Hydroponic or Aeroponic rooting, (8)
Standing water, (21)
Pot/Humidity dome, (25)
Pot/Humidity dome, (27)
Cup/Humidity dome, (28)
The listed propagation methods all have different procedures or techniques, but they have the same common goals. They are able to keep the rooting variables within the desired optimal ranges;
A. Warm temperature and high Humidity - Temp of 72*F - 78*F and RH of 85% - 90% at the cutting's surface
For faster Callusing and root growth. When the temperature is maintained and the medium is kept barely moist, the humidity in an enclosure (humidity chamber or dome) will usually remain in the optimal range. Temperatures below 78*F also decreases the growth of harmful microbes that cause mold, rot and attract Fungus Gnats.
B. Low pH - for decreased microbial activity, pH, 5.0 - 6.5, (22)
The pH can be easily adjusted, and it should be, at least for the initial pre-rooting and rooting stages. Moistened Sphagnum Moss and Coco Coir start out at a pH level at the low end of the optimal range which also decreases the growth of harmful microbes that cause mold, rot and attract Fungus Gnats.
C. High air/oxygen exchange - well aerated rooting medium or potting mix removes CO2 and gasses.
The medium should be well aerated with larger particles, (12) , (23) sifting will usually remove small particles and increase aeration. Bottom watering also helps to keep the medium from settling and helps maintain air spaces in the mix which also decreases the growth of harmful microbes that cause mold, rot and attract Fungus Gnats.
D. Early fertilization - decreases reliance on the cutting's stored reserves.
Fertilization is dependent on the media used to root and grow out the cuttings. If an inert medium (Perlite, Scoria, Sand, etc) is used, early addition of a dilute balanced fertilizer will ensure healthy continuous growth. When potting mix or soil is used the initial fertilizer charge will be able to provide initial fertilization, but early dilute fertilization is still required.
Creating separate stages, (13), (14) will help to organize and simplify the rooting procedures. In many of the Direct Plant rooting methods stages #2 and #3 are combined into one but separating out these two will result in earlier and faster root development since increased attention to the optimal growing conditions (temperature and Humidity) will result in fastest transition through stage #2. The stages for propagating dormant fig cutting should be as follows;
1. Initial preparation of the cuttings, cleaning, trimming and treating.
The cuttings can be cleaned with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), Physan20 (disinfectant) or similar product, trimmed to size, (19) top cut ends sealed with wax or pruning sealer and if desired treated with rooting hormone, (20). In addition I also pre-hydratethe cuttings in soggy Coco Coir for 1 - 3 days before applying rooting hormone or proceeding to the next stage.
2. Re-hydration of the dormant cuttings, callusing and rooting without light.
All dormant cuttings have to be re-hydrated to get the cambium layers growing for callus and root development or "cellular differentiation", (15). This process is sped up by maintaining the optimal temperature, humidity and air exchange. In Direct Plant methods this pre-rooting is combined with the early part of stage #3. I use a cutting mix of sifted and rinsed pine bark fines, Coco coir, Perlite and Calcined Clay (4-1-1-1 ratio) with a dilute dose of water soluble fertilizer (1/2 tsp per gallon of water) and maintain the optimal temperature range in a dark space to reduce chances of bud break.
3. Growing the rooted cutting in a cutting mix, providing fertilizer, water and light.
Pre-rooted cuttings are up potted to cups or container of well aerated fast draining cutting mix to achieve fast healthy growth, many growers use commercially available potting mixes sometimes with added sifted Perlite for aeration. At this stage the roots have developed and cooler temperatures are OK if unavoidable. Cuttings can be placed in direct sunlight or under artificial lighting, (30), (31), (32), (33), (34) . I use the custom cutting mix and fertigate (irrigate) (16) the containers with a predetermined amount of dilute fertilizer solution (@ 1 tsp per gallon of water). The actual amount of water is determined by watering a container full of dry cutting mix and noting the volume or water, (17). The containers are placed in front of south facing windows.
4. Transplanting to larger container and a growing potting mix.
Transplant the well rooted hardened cuttings to larger containers with a more water retentive potting mix. I up pot to 1 gallon containers when the smaller rooting containers are full of roots and almost root-bound, like a "plug", its planted in the 1 gallon or larger containers without disturbing the roots or cutting mix. They are then up potted as 1 gallon plugs to 5 gallon SIPs (Sub Irrigated Planters) , (18) when they are almost root bound. The 5 gallon mix is made with Pine Bark fines, Peat and Calcined Clay (2-4-1 ratio).
Propagating fig cuttings, producing root initials and early root development is relatively easy. It can be as simple as placing the cutting inside a closed black plastic bag with an outside ambient temperature of 75deg F and lightly misting every 2 days with water, but growing out the cuttings into healthy trees requires a little more work following one of the proven procedures that provides for the requirements of the growing cuttings.
References:
1. http://figs4fun.com/basics_Rooting.html
2. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4617366
3. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4108979
4. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...mmies-from-pen
5. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=7145086
6. http://figs4fun.com/Rooting_Bag_New_Style.html
7. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=5089855
8. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=7023364
9. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...rooting-method
10. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6692131
11. http://www.threefoldfarm.org/blog/si...ig-propagation
12. http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1251.html
13. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox....growth-6765676
14. http://www.flor.hrt.msu.edu/assets/U...esplanning.pdf
15. http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/s...agation-02.pdf
16. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6837609
17. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6719728
18. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...or-fig-culture
19. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...ng-and-storing
20. http://www.ourfigs.com/forum/figs-ho...-are-you-using
21. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6861031
22. http://tomclothier.hort.net/page13.html
23. http://tomclothier.hort.net/page12.html
24. http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/plant-pr...-home-gardener
25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z28Gsa5oHMw
26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFL-jEkWSV8
27. http://www.treesofjoy.com/content/ro...d-fig-cuttings
28. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6868363
Artificial Lighting for Fig Cuttings...
30. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox....84&postcount=4
31. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6532491
32. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6724415
33. http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/fac...ite/index.html
34. http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox....6&postcount=20
Comment