Fig cuttings in glass jars

[The Figster]

I started a series of different fig cuttings in mid January and not much happened. I think fig cutting failure is a rite of passage. These cuttings did not die or rot, they just sat there. I changed my mix to coir and perlite and am having much better success.

10 days ago I drilled a hole in the base of a glass jar and stuck in the motley 5 cuttings you see on the right of the picture under the bag. They have all jumped into fat swelling buds. The middle pot has 4 Maltese Falcon, again with swelling buds and the far left jar has RdB cuttings stuck just 3 days ago, again swelling buds are apparent. It may be too early to declare success, but the glass jars are having an impact.

I chose the jars for their increase in thermal conductivity - about 4 x that of plastic pots - this means more of the heat from the heat mat is made available to more of the medium. Now its not 4 x hotter is just a more even distribution of the heat throughout the medium. The jar takes a bag and band very well also. Drilling the hole took about 2 minutes with a $4.00 glass drilling bit

Anyone else tried this

Ian

[Clyde]

I think you should try freezer jars. The straight neck would make it easier to remove any successfully rooted cuttings.

[cis4elk]

Yep, like Clyde said, you need wide mouth jars. It will be interesting to see if roots will stick to the glass like they can in plastic cups, of course with the standard canning jars it doesn't matter because you're not getting them out without damage anyhow; but hypothetically if were in wide mouth jars..would the roots stick?

[The Figster]

I used what I could find to see if my idea worked, I even did a test of filling a jar with mix, firming it and then submerging it in water. The coir and perlite gently rose to the surface. This is how I plan to remove the cuttings. So far so good.

Ian

[Harborseal]

Glass shatters every time I use it. Best of luck to you. I won't touch it.

[The Figster]

Here is an update on my fig cuttings in jars.
To recap I had no growth using the bag method. This method uses a heat mat in a humidity dome and I feel the increased ability for glass to conduct heat is a key reason these Maltese Falcon cuttings are looking 'perky'

I am very happy with the developing shoots and roots at the same time. The jar had a cup or bag on top. Occasional spraying and all have viable roots!


Ian

[AscPete]

Ian,

Thanks for sharing your technique.

My first thought would be that there may be a lack of air exchange (oxygen) for the roots, once they start growing because there are no aeration holes. Good Luck
Please keep us updated on your progress.

BTW, I don't use seedling heat mats but instead keep the ambient temperatures in the optimal range with a small space heater.

[The Figster]

I used a glass cutting drill bit and drilled a hole into the bottom of the jar. I removed some of the media immediately around the hole and it is unblocked and functioning.

[AscPete]

Ian,
For containers that size I usually have 5 drainage holes in the bottom and at least another 5 aeration holes on the sides of the containers all usually 1/4" to 3/8" diameter.

[The Figster]

Pete, If these glass jars work like I hope they will, my cuttings will be in them 3 - 4 weeks. I have been very frugal with the water so far and have not needed to rely on a high degree of drainage. I anticipate moving them up to pots next week.
Thanks for your insight, more soon.

[cjmach1973]

Due to my family eating a lot of pickles that come in deli containers, I decided to try using them for rooting cuttings. The first ones I drilled 4 holes in the bottom, filled them with moss, and then drilled a hole in the cover for the cutting. This seemed to work, but it was a pain when I had to cut the covers off when they were ready for transplant. Now I take a second cover, drill 4 holes in it, and trim it to fit in the base cup. It seems to work well, and now all the parts are re-usable.

[The Figster]

Nice growth and roots! How long will you keep them in these pots?

[cjmach1973]

Right now I am letting them stay put. They are under artificial lighting, and they haven't gotten too tall for the shelf yet. I have been adding a little potting soil to the top of the moss each time I water. I will see if I can wait another month to transplant them, but I will keep a close eye on their growth, both roots and leaves , to make that decision.