Hi everyone! I am new to this forum and fascinated by figs so much that I have purchased some cuttings to try rooting. I have an issue with my cuttings throwing out healthy green leafs but I don't see any roots in the mixture of pearlite that I have used to root them in. These cuttings have been in the cup for 2-3 weeks going and I have been ferting them lightly with diluted liquid ferts when watering them. I have kept the cups in zip lock bags with the corners cut off and the leaf seems to be out growing the bag at this moment.

I would like to ask for advise if I should transfer these to a bigger ziplock bag and wait for the roots to show on the transparent plastic cups before uppotting them or just pull the cuttings out of the pearlite to check for roots or rot that might have set in. Any advice would definitely be appreciated! Thank you in advance! =)

Robin that seems to also be what my fig cuttings try to do. While seeing the little leaves pop up so soon is very encouraging I had found that too much exposure to light will cause the cutting to leaf out well before the root system is developed. There is only so much stored life in that little cutting and you want to only focus on one job, making you roots until it decides it can support leaves and branches.

Try cutting the exposure to light. Try not to water them too much and good luck!

Stay away from watering. You never here about cutting dieing from lack of water but many many stories of water death. You may think your ok with water now but it slowly can be rotting with leaves growing at top. This can cause no roots with leaves on top. If these cuttings are for learning and were cheap. If no roots appear. Pull a cutting out slowly and look if cutting is loosing its bark on bottom. If so Way to much water. Also i root in a dark warm place. Water heater is where my best spot is. Also next time clean cuttings and cup with 10 percent bleach water. Let cutting sit in bleach water for 1 minite then a quick rinse and your good

Personally, I'd also stay away from the fertilizer. Depending on the formulation of the fertilizer, it may force the cuttings to push out new green growth instead of using their energy to form roots. I use rooting hormone, no fertilizer.

Thank you for all the invaluable advice. I got a little worried and pulled out one of my cuttings to check if there are any signs of rot but I am unable to tell if rot has set in. I have attached pictures of the cutting. Would appreciate if I can get more advice if there is rot and is there anything that I can remedy the situation right now. I have place the pearlite in the cup on paper towel to absorb excess moisture and place the cuttings in a darker area of my room. I hope these cuttings are still viable.

If you get rot, the rotting ends will start getting slimy, soft, and/or smelly.

Those little white bumps near the end of the cutting are little baby roots trying to start forming. Hang in there!

Thanks Egghead! In this case that the roots are forming, do I still have to keep the cuttings in shade or can I move them back to my window where they were originally?

Your cuttings look nice and healthy.  Don't pull them out of the cups anymore.  Patience!

My window does not have any direct sun its kept indoors. I will try to hold out till I see the roots developing. Thank you all for your advise! You have saved a fig newbie from nightmare of potentially losing his cuttings! 

I totally agree with Figpig about the water issue. I wish someone would have had told me this on my first time rooting. No doubt my #1 problem when I started rooting was having too much water on my figs. they will do Okay with Little water, but too much water will totally damage, and rot anything you have growing. 

and yes,  no fertilizer here on my end (some suspect it hurts young and tender roots insted of helping). also, as mentioned: don't pull them out anymore. Be patient, the roots will show, and this will be rewarding and exiting... Good luck, and remember to be aware for stagnated water... these cuttings are very susceptible to die with from too much water.

Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

Thanks Philos and everyone! I will make a mental note to myself not to drown them. Currently just giving them a couple of spritz of water every 2-3 days in a humidity bag with the corners cut. Was previously giving them a super diluted organic seaweed fert as I read that pearlite has no nutrients to sustain growth. Maybe be I'll do it a little less frequent until I see roots on the walls of the cups. =)

Just a quick update. I see roots! Am over the moon! But from the looks of the leaf, it seems pretty deformed. Is that an indication of FMV?

Dont worry about that leaf. Many young leaves will be deformed from the get go. Doesn't necessarily mean FMV.