So I have some cuttings in clear plastic cups.  Most of them have roots along the outside of the cups and some have leaves starting to form.  I was using a window to give them light, but I just bought a 40 watt lamp.  Is it ok to leave it on 24/7 or do the cuttings need to have a night time?  Thanks for any help.

http://imgur.com/6Beunec

Plants need a dark period to stay healthy. They stop the photosynthesis process after about 8-10 hours. They also produce CO2 and take in O2 during the night.

What kind of lamp?  Not all plants need a dark night.  If you've ever seen the monster cabbages from Alaska you're seeing the effects of 24 hrs of sunlight.  If it's an incandescent lamp you'll have to keep it so far away (because of the heat) that it probably wont do much good.

It's a 40 watt compact fluorescent bulb.  Those small spiral ones.

That's a lot better.  Is it a 40 watt replacement or is it a 40 watt bulb meaning a replacement for something like 180 watts incandescent?  I don't think it'll be a problem to leave it on 24/7.  As long as the figs don't dry out.  If you can see roots you may want to up pot them.

10 watt replacement for 40 watt.  I may try leaving it on but will keep an eye on them to make sure they don't take a turn for the worse.

I use 1 or 2   100 Watt replacements which are 23 watt CFLs.  I leave them on for 10 - 16 hours depending on how often I water them.  I would go bigger  :)   If you're only using 1 bulb 5000K is the best.  If I'm using 2 I use a 5000K or 6500K and a 2700K color temp.  Either that or 2  5000Ks.

I guess I'll need to get a stronger lamp.  I thought 40 watts was enough, but it seems not from what you're saying rcantor.