This was a branch that no one wanted at the scion exchange in San Diego. I was also hesitant to try it until Jon encouraged me to do so. Glad I did!

That's looking good figfan, it's almost a tree.
"gene"

I got a "log" from a figfriend this year also (hardy chicago, although the leaves don't confirm it yet). 

Rooted fine.  There is about 6" below the soil line that you can't see right now.  It sent off five shoots; I pruned down to three.  Tree is about 18" tall right now.

I don't mind the logs, sometimes they take forever to root though.

I got a small "log" of Atreano at the NE fig meeting this past May at Bass's place and it rooted immediately. In fact it sent out multiple branches and it too looks like a small tree. Absolutely the fastest fig I have ever rooted.  

Nice! Both my Atreano cuttings rooted and leafed out drooped and died.

That is exactly what happened to my Black Madeira cuttings. Each one sprouted then crapped out

i had the same experience with a log of Panachee,  the ones that root fast usually die on me.  the HC above rooted sloooooow and with hair-thin roots.  it has done better than any other log i've rooted.

I had a large Preto log from last years pruning. It was a good 18" long and 1" in diameter. Photos are front and back of the tree. I even have 2 figs on it. ;-)

What method did you use to root that big log. I will be getting some big cutting in a week, and would like to know  what works best for you.
Thanks Bugs

Jason, I Don't totally remmeber, but they rooted and did well in the container. I think they did grow a little faster then others. After they looked good roots and all I took them out the got droopy and then never recovered. Even after input them back in the container. I checked the stick after and they seemed a little soft at the bottom, but I never really watered them after the intial pot up

I put the "log" in a pot of 50% soil and 50% perlite, covered with a bag and had it sitting on my back patio in a shady area. Once I noticed the leaves coming out, I started lifting the bag and after a week or more removed it completely. I have several other cuttings from the NE meeting including more Atreanos, but most only have a leaf or 2 or are just now putting out leaves now. I have no explanation for why that one thick log is so quick and healthy. I have already potted it up into a larger pot too. It got a little droopy for a day, but recovered just fine and is growing strong.    

Fatter branch = more energy reserves inside the branch.  For the first weeks or months of the life of a cutting, energy is taken from internal reserves rather than the ground.  This is part of the reason it is unnecessary - if not outright dangerous/deadly - to use any potting mix that has fertilizers (or) to fertilize a young cutting.

Thank Jason I did not know that I should not use potting mix with fertilize in it, or not to fertilize young cutting. I just pick up a bag of pro mix potting and container with Mycorrhizae in it, will this work. I do not know what Mycorrhizae is.
Bugs

Mycorrhizae is a bacteria present in soil which helps the roots extract nutrients from the soil. Not sure if it would have an effect one way or the other on cuttings. My guess is it would not.

Well, soils or mixes with slow release fertilizer is less dangerous, liquid fertilizer is the devil for newly rooted cuttings (for the first couple of months).  It is like giving methamphetimine to a toddler.  They're already full of energy abound, and you'd be jacking them up with super-speed.

It is a common mistake to use regular strength doses of liquid fertilizer on a newly rooted cutting (I did that .... once); it will send your young cutting into shock within hours.

I just avoid mixes with slow-release fertilizers on newly rooted cuttings because I've seen what the liquid stuff does (and that's controlled).  Most of your potting mixes out there have "starter nutrients" which are more like providing a healthy dose of B-vitamins to your newly rooted cuttings, rather than giving them hunks of slow-release crack cocaine.

Starter nutrients in soil mixes are mostly micro nutrients and typically are gone within a month of watering. One benefit of adding perlite or vermiculite to soil is it cuts the strength of the fertilizer which is what we want for starting cuttings. Of course it is best to avoid soils advertised as containing fertilizer for starting cuttings. Seed starter soil if you can find it is best.    

Hi Alan,

Yes I am assuming the perlite does not have a fertilizer in it as I have not seen that product for sale. Perlite that I have purchased is inert.

Would take any log and instructions on rooting. I am in zone 5, 50 miles south of Chicago. I bought a Chicago Hardy from local Lowes for $2.00. Don't know anything about it. Any help appreciated - taste and etc.

macmike