I bought 3 rooted fig cuttings in a pot from a local long time fig grower in Seattle, a Desert King, a Kadota, and a Brown Turkey.

The Kadota is taking off like crazy, the brown turkey isn't, but it's very healthy looking still, and the Desert King's leaves are drying out though I keep it watered, especially this week when it's 80 out.

I noticed it starting to dry out and moved it to a shadier spot a few days ago and have kept it watered, though it's still shrilling up.

Is there anything I can do? Should I cut the leaves off and hope they come back? Next year? Do I make a cutting and put it in the fridge to put into dormancy? Is it too late already?

Thanks guys.

 

Could be a number of problems.  Too much water, not enough water, too much sun or a weak damaged cutting to begin with.  Check the soil 2" down and see if it is wet and check health of main stem.
   
It looks like the cutting was planted upside down.  No big deal except it will be difficult to get a nice shaped tree but you may be able to straighten it when you up pot or put in ground.

That leaf looks like it has had it the sooner you cut it off the better.  As long as the main branch is not rotted and the little branches don't desiccate or rot it should grow new leaves in a week or so.

I am sure others will chime in with their ideas for you.  Good luck!

Definitely upside down and probably rotted at the base of cutting. Once they get to this point it's outta your hands. I suspect they weren't rooted real well from the get go.

I wouldn't rely on guesses.  I'd take the pot off and soak the soil in warm water, gently swishing it around until the soil separates from the roots.  Once you look at the roots you'll know what to do or you can post pictures and we can help you.

Really disappointed it's upside down, I went to this guy specifically because of his reputation as a long time fig grower, but when I was there talking with him about figs it was apparent he was a casual fig head, though I didn't realize how casual I guess if it's upside down, which I can see now and it is very apparent.

You'd think that would be a rookie mistake like I would make, not a guy in the newspaper for being the local fig guy...

I'll get to the roots and take pics and show you guys.

If I cut the roots off if they are bad, and plant it right side up, would that work, or is it too late.

rooted cuttings, Who put them is pot? your or seller? just wonder?

I think that you may take the chance to put it rightside up ASAP and put it in shaded but bright area.

If roots are still good, you may consider cut at middle, and put rooted cutting flat on soils with leaves branch up 1/4" deep.

Seller, that's why I'm disappointed.

I'm a newbie, I would expect that from me, which is why I paid extra to get potted and already growing cuttings, 1 of which is doing great, one of which hasn't grown but hasn't died, and one that's upside down.

It probably isn't feasible to flip the cutting around at this point because new roots would need to form from a node that is currently above the soil line.  The cutting may not have enough energy left to do this.  However, if the roots look ok it might be possible to re-pot the cutting horizontally with at least one green stem above the soil surface.  Use a well-draining mix and keep the soil moist but not saturated.  Leave in the shade, or dappled shade until it starts putting out new growth.

By no means an expert here so take my experience for what it is worth.

This winter I started cuttings for the first time. My grandkids Lucas and Kennadi both started a cutting.....ziplock bag method. Lucas's cutting was doing WAY BETTER then his sisters...something he delighted in pointing out at EVERY opportunity...lol. Once they where showing really good roots I potted them up and then Lucas's healthy tree started slowing down, wilting and dropping leaves. Something his sister delighted in pointing out at EVERY opportunity.

Eventually just before I was about to add it to my compost bin I decided to pull it out and have a look. The roots had turned brownish. My only thought was maybe when I repotted it perhaps I packed the soil in the pot too much and the roots where compacted and unable to function properly. I repotted with a little more care this 2nd time and the tree/cutting rebounded right away.

Perhaps for yourself it will be something as simple as that.

Good luck with the recovery.

I found these two cuties online (photos are the creation of Ben Nguyen in Seattle....youtube name: Ben B.) and they have been figgy lifesavers for me (so a great big thank you, Ben!)

 
Happy is what a cutting should like like when planted correctly and upright...notice how the "nose" is located above the "mouth," as a proper nose should be. :)
Sad Face is what the cutting would look like if it were planted upside down.

cute picture      sometimes cuttings will root  put out leaves and just croak.  I have never taken apart the  container to examine the reason   just dumped the thing in the garbage   maybe I will examine next time.   I have had several cuttings of the same thing  did exactly the same thing for each   and have them side by side.   Never 100 percent success.

You should contact the seller before uprooting and ask if he'll replace it.