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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Grow Lights on Fig Cuttings 24-7
 
 


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Frankallen

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Here are some of my cuttings I did about 2 months ago. I started them out (after they were rooted) on Grow Lights in my heated outside Bldg. I just started leaving the 3 Double 4ft. Grow lights on 24-7. The lights are put up very technical, they are propped up on 4 5Gal. buckets, as they grow taller I just put 4X4" blocks under the lights, very, very Redneck. But guess what? The plants are growing beautifully. I was told not to leave the grow lights on for 24-7 but nobody ever gave me a valid reason why. I don't think plants are really like humans  and sleep at night,I may be wrong? I think they get their rest when they go dormant...: )

The first photo was last month and the other photo I just took and came in the house today. They are growing like crazy and are a dark green ( put 1/4 tsp diluted miracle Grow in a 16 oz.  spray bottle and mist every 3 days or so).

I have learned so much here and I Thank everyone here for the knowledge I've gained in such a short time here. I have still a lot to learn about my new found hobby!

Thanks  : )


Fig growing.jpg
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Frank from Bama-  Zone 7-b Alabama

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earman

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
I am new  to growing  fig trees and this site but am determined to make my tree grow in honor of my dad who had a massive (8 ft tall tree) in our backyard in NYC. My question is..."i brought my three foot  potted tree inside my basement for the winter in Nov 2013, I read that I should stop watering except to keep the soil damp and in late dec, it budded and grew tiny leaves..I was told that it if budded in the winter, that it would most likely die, I got nervous and began watering it and purchased a grow light (75 watt)...so should I stop watering it and keep the light on, water and light, no light...or wait until the spring and buy a new tree, LOL...help!!!
newnandawg

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Frank, good job. Looks good.
deerhunter16b

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Very nice job..
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john
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Frankallen

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Quote:
Originally Posted by earman
I am new  to growing  fig trees and this site but am determined to make my tree grow in honor of my dad who had a massive (8 ft tall tree) in our backyard in NYC. My question is..."i brought my three foot  potted tree inside my basement for the winter in Nov 2013, I read that I should stop watering except to keep the soil damp and in late dec, it budded and grew tiny leaves..I was told that it if budded in the winter, that it would most likely die, I got nervous and began watering it and purchased a grow light (75 watt)...so should I stop watering it and keep the light on, water and light, no light...or wait until the spring and buy a new tree, LOL...help!!!



Earman.....WELCOME!!....Please introduce yourself to our members here, also, One of our more experienced members will have to answer your question, I am not really qualified to answer that.
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Frank from Bama-  Zone 7-b Alabama

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GRamaley

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Look'in great Frank!! You may have a redneck but looks like you also have a green thumb...whatever will get her done right!!
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Rewton

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Earman - I sent you a PM.

Frank - your plants look great.  I run my lights about 12 hours on and 12 off but that is mainly to save energy.  I figure that the amount of growth they get during the winter months under any conditions is not going to be great compared to the amount once they get outside and hardened off to the sun.  So my goal is to get them through the winter months in a healthy fashion.  But it looks like your system is working for you and you'll get your figs outdoors well before I do!
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Steve MD zone 7a
dcfromsocal

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Frank,
Those are some beautiful little green babies - Nice! I like your Redneck Lighting Rig idea :)
I've also been 'leaving the light on' 24/7 the last month or so - It seems to speed things along.
I figured if they aren't fruiting or flowering right now, why would they need a day/night cycle this early in their growth?
Hoping this practice doesn't do something to 'hurt' them later on as well,
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- Dave C. & Family, Temecula (southern), CA - Zone 9b
Darkman

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
For what it is worth, in trees there will be a root growth period followed by a vegetative growth period. I would think it would be the same for immature cuttings. The 24/7 lighting may not give the plant a chance to develop its optimum root system.
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Charles in Pensacola AKA Darkman
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OttawanZ5

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
See some more discussion here on the same topic:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lights/msg1219244727114.html?17
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Frankallen

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkman
For what it is worth, in trees there will be a root growth period followed by a vegetative growth period. I would think it would be the same for immature cuttings. The 24/7 lighting may not give the plant a chance to develop its optimum root system.





Alaska's 24-hour sun helps to create giant vegetables. Lot of areas in Alaska, get 24 hours Daylight during growing season:
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Frank from Bama-  Zone 7-b Alabama

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cis4elk

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Looks good Frank! Any of the ones I gave you in there?
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Frankallen

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cis4elk
Looks good Frank! Any of the ones I gave you in there?


Hey Calvin,

Yes, as a matter of fact there is "Carini" and "Purple Havasu"

Thanks again, Calvin
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Frank from Bama-  Zone 7-b Alabama

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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
I don't leave my lights on for more than 14 hrs for 2 reasons.

1. you have to water them more often
2. They'll outgrow the 1 gal pots in 1-2 months and then I wont have room for them all.

If you're able to keep up with the watering and have room to put them all in 3-5 gal pots then go for it.  You'll probably get fruit this summer.
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Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
rafaelissimmo

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Frank

I agree in theory with Rewton. But, alas, like you I am running my T5 lighting 24/7, maybe just before I transition to greenhouse in late March I will switch the lights off at night, but right now it's a pain and I just don't do it. Like yours my figs are thriving in 1-gallon pots. Maybe Cantor is right, they may need more watering but for now I can deal with that.
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Darkman

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frankallen





Alaska's 24-hour sun helps to create giant vegetables. Lot of areas in Alaska, get 24 hours Daylight during growing season:





Yes I am aware of the giant vegetables that they grow.

But those plants are basically annuals and they have one goal, to make seeds with no thought of growing again next year. The Fig has a more permanent schedule. I cannot say that your method is bad and it obviously works for you, so that's great.

Here is a good paper on lighting.
http://physics.fau.edu/observatory/lightpol-Plants.html 
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Charles in Pensacola AKA Darkman
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ForeverFigs

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Hi Frank...nice job on the rooted cuttings...as far as the grow lights, when I start rooting (around March 1st.) I keep my lights on 24hrs. a day until they are ready for 1gal. pots...it usually takes about 30 days for this process.
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Vince
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vito12831

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 
Hi Frank.
Your plants look great.
I have my cuttings under lights in my basement from 9 am/to 9pm.
When I grow my vegetable plants the longer I kept the lights on the bigger the leaves got and then they would fall over
Vito
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