Hello Friends,
I am rooting fig cuttings for the first time. Just wanted to ask you about the white spots on the cuttings. Are these root initials or fungus?
Thanks a lot,
Imran

when you scrape it with your fingernail does it come off or does it feel like it is hard and glued to the wood?

It comes off but leaves a white spot behing it.

Is there resistance when you scrape it off?  I'm guessing its fungus since there isn't any swelling around them and because the white is so bright and kind of...fluffy?  But I'm not totally sure.  

Yes some resistance was there. So if there is resistance then it is root initial and if not then fungus is likely?

It isn't fungus and it isn't root initials.  It is 100% normal though.  It is caused by the moist environment, just ignore it.

ik thats called root primordia.
here is thread about them.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/White-Fluffy-Stuff-on-Scionwood-5459054?highlight=primordia

Thanks a lot Friends,
Imran

Root initials. Looking good.

Those are lenticels, not root initials or primordia. When you have a lot of prominent ones it means the cutting isn't getting enough air. Usually it also means the environment is too wet. What you need to do is increase the air circulation to the cutting.

Ignore them. They will turn brown and drop off once exposed to dryer air. However, that's where roots will come out. Usually thicker the cutting, more you will see them. Like Rafed, I call them root initials. But was told that's not the right name. I still call it root initials since I see roots there later.

Quoted from Al Tapla

Root initials (remember, we cannot see initials. They are hidden beneath the cortex tissues) organize, form a root cap, and push through bark tissues (primordia, at this stage). If they are in close proximity to vascular bundles, they make a connection and continue developing. If they are not, the plant absorbs any mobile nutrients contained in the primordia and connecting tissue and translocates it for use in root formation or other organs.

Al



 There not root initials those cannot be seen .

Here in my picture you can see the primordia and useing a revert picture <look carefully by the marked lines> and you can see the first stages of a root coming out the very tip of the root is called the root meristem cap which acts as a drill to dig or penetrate soil.

Click to enlarge

Those long ones in your photo are young roots, but there are small white lenticels on that wood also.  They're small because there's enough air.