How the Cuttings Were Rooted

This post is for anybody that is interested in how I got from a fig 'stick' (cutting / budwood / scion), into a rooted plant

I have lots of cuttings that I started in a couple of batches (mid October and Early November). All my cuttings were cleaned upon arrival (Soapy water with a toothbrush and then sterilized in a 10% bleach solution). I then wrapped the top 1/2 of the cuttings with either Parafilm or Buddy-Tape (depending on which one I grabbed) to prevent desiccation. Then I cut the bottom of the cuttings to expose the cambium (and I also opted to score the bottom too, there is a debate on the effectiveness of this, although on most of my cuttings I have found a greater density of roots coming out of the score locations). Then I soaked the cuttings in RO water for an hour to hydrate through the exposed cambium. After that I dipped them in a 10:1 diluted Dip-N-Grow solution for about 5 seconds.

I then opted to pre-root in a bag and I did two methods: 1) Moistened long-fibered sphagnum (like for orchids) and 2) Moistened coco coir. In both cases I wet the material thoroughly and then wrung it out several times until no more water came out (about as damp as a wet but not dripping sponge). Here is what I found: The cuttings rooted faster and more vigorously with the long-fibered sphagnum (probably because there were more air passages). However this was both a blessing and a curse because the roots would get tangled with the sphagnum and I would lose a bit of the roots (not a lot, maybe 10%) when I would extricate them from the bag. The rooting in the coir was a little slower, but no root breakage. I think it the end, the advantages and disadvantages of both make either one functionally equivalent.

I pulled the cuttings out of the bag when the roots were 0.25-0.50" long and there were several root initials growing. Not all would be at this stage at the same time (I noticed that the thicker cuttings took 2 weeks longer to get to this same stage than the younger fresher cuttings). So I would take them out in batches.

I did the next stage of rooting in the 3"x8" poly bags (from Uline) with drainage holes cut in the corners. My mix was Promix BX (which is mostly peat) + PlantIt Super Coarse Pearlite. Maybe 50/50. I would put a little mix in the bottom of the bag, insert the cutting gently, and with one hand hold the bag and the cutting with the cutting mostly centered and then filled the bag up with the mix around the cutting. Worked really well. Then I watered them in with RO water mixed with a little bit of water soluble fertilizer.

The cuttings then go into my 'blackhouse' (Rubbermaid tub, with lid propped open 0.25" to allow for a little airflow, covered with garbage bags to block light and a heating mat set to 76 F ON / 78 F OFF). These stay in here roughly 2-4 weeks while the root system expands.

(Bottom heated 'blackhouse')

(Very humid, roots are growing well)

After they sprout some branches, and the root system looks good, I take them out and put them next to some grow lights. I also take them out of the humid environment so that can acclimate to low moisture (I live in the desert after all). I noticed that the leaves that grow in high humidity quickly die when taken to low humidity. But leaves that grow in low humidity (with an established root system) grow very well. See pics 3 and 4 below. The Nero 600 in pic 4 is going great!

(After leaves pop out, they start getting light)

(Great roots and leaves on Nero 600)

Also I am sprouting some fig seeds (thanks Igor [greenfig]!), so hopefully I will get a tasty new variety out of these :)

(Fig seedlings. Thanks Igor for the seeds!)