A new rooting technique to try...

[crademan]

hstark, at the turn of the 19th century, David Fairchild used the potato method to keep scions alive when he shipped them by steamship to the United States. The potatoes kept scions from drying out during the many weeks it took a ship to cross the oceans. The method wasn't at all fool proof; lots of Fairchild's shipments of plant material arrived in bad condition. The Food Explorer explains many of Fairchild's adventures and new food crops that he introduced to American farmers. ahttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35342935-the-food-explorer

[Fig-Doctor]

Wow, you actually tried? How did they do now?

[FigsNorth]

cjmach1973

I know this was a long time ago... but...did your potato fig rooting experiment ever pan out?

[cjmach1973]

that's a lot of stem left on those figs

[Bluemalibu]

This upcoming week they have forecast another run of 102*-105* temps here... I can envision this new rooting technique ending up looking like your dish, all on its own.

[COGardener]

Looks amazing Dave!!

[Dave]

Roasted Potatoes With Figs and Thyme

[lilfiggy]

don absolutely nothing they sprout in my vegetable bin two tier bin onions in top and potatoes in the bottom vented all over

[COGardener]

I say go for it, nothing ventured nothing gained.... Again, I hope for the best for you. I can't wait to see the results.

[don_sanders]

What's to stop the potatoes from sprouting?

[lilfiggy]

hmmm It is hard enough for me to root cuttings in the normal ways. My husband and one of our neighbors had a "potatoe gun" when we were bored we would shoot potatoes at targets.

[cjmach1973]

Plus I had extra cuttings.

[cjmach1973]

I figured I would give it a try. I am using a soil and sand mixture(3 to 1), and am not going to water much at all in the beginning.

[AscPete]

The method is intended for green or actively growing cuttings with an active vascular system. Dormant cuttings rot from the excess moisture in the potato.

[AscPete]

Yes,
It was an epic fail when used for rooting dormant cuttings.

[COGardener]

I remember seeing a thread on F4F quite a while back that someone tried this, it ended with an epic fail if I recall. I certainly hope yours are a success Art.

[cjmach1973]

The end of two perfectly good potatos

[cjmach1973]

He task's me...so onward I go

[AscPete]

Jerry,
Thanks for sharing...

Note that its a green (actively growing) Rose cutting, not dormant.

[hstark]

what an interesting idea!! I wonder why that works??

[Figfanatic57]

Jmaler-Looks like a great idea that I will try. Don't want to tell you how many cuttings I've killed , plus I can't count that high. Great info Blue about using organic potatoes. My luck, I'll grow potatoes and no figs.

[Bluemalibu]

Wow... too cool, Jerry. I would think that certified organic tubers should be used, as commercial varieties are treated with the anti-sprouting agent Clorpropham. Even washing them well only removes 1/3 of the chemical.

[jmaler]

http://www.hefty.co/potato-rose-trick/