Rooting of Fig Cuttings

You can root cuttings pretty much any month of the year if your temperatures are suitable. If rooting indoors, this is much easier to control. If cuttings are dormant at time they are pruned or purchased, they can be stores in refrigeration for several months if you wish to root outdoors and need to wait for warmer temperatures. However, if the cuttings are fresh green cuttings from trees that were not dormant, they should be rooted within a week or two.

I usually root cuttings in a room in my shop that I keep heated to about 75F. If you root in a room cooler than that, you cuttings would probably benefit from the use of a heated propagation mat with temperature set somewhere between 75-85F to speed up root development. My growing room has some exposure to daylight and typically has some grow lights running on other cuttings started earlier. Once leaves start emerging from cuttings, I will run grow lights for 10-12 hours per day with an oscillating fan running in the room to disperse heat from the grow lights.

WATERING:
When I first started rooting fig cuttings I found that many times they rotted on me. Sometimes this was because I had to water quite a bit to get water to get to the bottom of the pot where most of the roots were and I saw a lot dead cuttings had rot on the upper portion of the cutting that had been in soil. So I started bottom watering young plants. Usually I use 4" x 9.5" pots and they set in trays that hold 12 pots so I will usually water the entire tray at the same time to save time, though it's best to water each plant based on its individual needs. The added benefit of watering a pot individually is that you become accustomed to what a pot weighs when the soil is moist (not saturated), a little dry, too dry, etc.) I will dunk these pots into a tub of water that is 3-4 inches deep for anywhere from 5-10 seconds for newer cuttings to 20-30 seconds for plants that are well on their way to being ready for being up-potted. I've had much better success with this.

[kevintodd]

Thanks Sir, not many people will dig out a cutting and show the results that's awesome, plus I'm a root addict, got to have strong roots.

[carriejo]

Just wanted to say thankyou for all you do for the fig community!!!!

[debcobern]

Thank you so much! This is the best video on fig cuttings I've found on YouTube.

[ultimus]

You're the man, Harvey. I've read so much from you on the forums; great to see you demonstrate it on screen.

[babichevi]

Wow, I’m impressed at how much the roots developed in such a short period of time! Thank you, Harvey!

[Frankallen]

Thanks so much Harvey, very nice of you to share your knowledge of this wonderful Fruit Tree! am Frankallen on F4F

[VaajmooByte]

I agreed with you, using deep pot and water tray at the bottom of the pot help the plant get water and moisture but prevent root rot

[MRM-wpgr]

I've struck out on all the cuttings that I've tried to propagate in the last year. This method looks hopeful. Thanks for sharing

[miguelguiteria]

hi harvey my name is miguel you are like so informed i have less in my collection than you but i have been into plants for about 60 years or so for the last 5 or so years into fruit trees figs are my go to thanks for all the info

[othnielbendavid]

Thanks for taking the time to share. I've watched, learned, and enjoyed many of your videos. Blessings.

[TheFigGardener]

Nice video. Thank you. This should help me return to the fig hobby.

[elliemae]

Wow!  Much better results than I've been seeing here on YouTube.  Now that I've seen your method, I'm better remembering my Daddys rooting method.  Thanks ans I've subbed to your channel.  Hoping you do more videos.  Maybe follow-ups to how they're doing out in the yard.  God bless you and yours!

[debbiestead]

Hello Harvey, I checked my cuttings again tonight and found I have 3 to 4 very small leaves growing on my cuttings If I figure out how to post I pick I will !!! Thanks!!!

[igrainalamo]

Muchas gracias por el video lo puse en práctica y me fue muy bien. Éxito en sus futuros proyectos. Puerto Rico.

[karenlou]

Awesome 👏 Great video! Thanks for sharing 😀

[RegularJohntv]

If a source such as yourself tells me I should do this or that with my cuttings. You bet your bottom dollar I’m for sure doing this or that!

[valerieg]

I'm going to try your method. Thanks!

[SolidGoldShows]

Are you planning to make more videos? I can't wait :-)

[alexaedwards]

Thank you so much for your explanation

[barbdawdy]

beautiful thanks so much for sharing your expertise