Hey everyone, 

I am trying out root riot, I've read about the risk of the cube drying out during up potting and the resulting failure.

Tell me what you guys think, is this as crazy as the picture looks, could running straws down into the cube be a irrigation solution?

I've actually heard the opposite.  The cube attracts and holds water possibly causing the cutting to remain wet and rot.

I agree with bamafig.  The cubes seem to absorb more than enough water from the surrounding soil and sometimes the excess moisture in the cubes becomes a problem.  After a couple weeks the risk seems to lessen.  So it is a matter of keeping the potting mix at a good moisture range so that the cube doesn't absorb too much.

That said, I still think the cubes are valuable for rooting fig cuttings under some circumstances.  For example, if you had a large number of relatively small cuttings to root it could be a good way to go.  I had a pretty good success rate when I used them once I learned to be aware of the moisture issue when potting up.

I leave mine with the top of the cube exposed after up potting. Then I can tell by color how wet the cube is. If I get them rooted the losses later on have been low.

I've also used these and a different brand, they definitely hold too much water and lost most cuttings to rot... 

I use those and they work great except for like Steve MD said they were like a little sponge around the roots and sometimes they would cause root rot Texas Steve thats a good idea 

Tried them and most of my cuttings rotted from too much water. I do not have the time or patience to babysit and watch each pot individually. Figs are easy to root. I'd go in a different direction. Sorry.

I cover mine with 2-3 inch of soil,i top up the soil every now and again usually with bat poo soil to add a bit more air and the extra benefits of the bat.guankalog and plagron bat soil iv used a few years now.
but yea just covering the cubes a little and make sure u water in that area and ive never had a problem.