Ciao everyone.  I have a question.  My cousin rooted a fig cutting a  couple months ago.  He kept it in a plastic cup after it rooted.  The fig cutting rooted well and even grew a couple of branches.  He took the plastic off of the top of the cup to let room for them to spread out.  The leaves the same day that were otherwise healthy, full and green started to curl and shrivel at the ends.  There are new shoots.  Is the fig going to die, or does it have to adjust to the different humidity level .  Also, will the new leaf buds unfold healthy since it is exposed to the new humidity level? Hope this not is a dumb question, but I want to know especially since I have cuttings coming to that stage.   Thanks for advice.  Ciao, Maggie

Maggie,

1) There are no dumb questions, if a person is sincerely seeking knowledge (I know you are). There are people who ask questions only for questions sake, and who don't truly seek knowledge with the intention of applying the knowledge they receive.

2) The environment (temperature and/or humidity) was changed to rapidly. Put it back in a more humid environment, and let it recover, and then slowly adapt it to a drier environment. Take the cover off for a couple hours each day, or make some small holes to allow some air exchange.

3) It will be fine, but it has had a traumatic experience and will need a little time to recover.

It is like you going from winter white to sunbathing in the hot sun, for hours, with no suncreen. You need to adjust more slowly, and so do your plants.

Maggie,

I was about to ask that question too. I did the same thing. My fig cuttings have beautiful root systems developed with beginnings of leaves. Unfortunately mold is a problem. I exposed the plants to my normal dry environment for a couple days and to my horror the leaves shriveled and dropped almost immediately. I since returned them to the humid environment venting them only an hour or two per day to keep the mold under control. I'm glad to hear this is the appropriate method to use. They are recovering well. I'd hate to loose them (50+) after all this work. Now what I'm going to do with 50+ new trees is still a mystery to me!

Sue

Ciao svanessa,  was curious, is one of the 50 plus trees any of the unknown purple fig from Italy.  I wouldn't mind to get one of those off of you.  I would pay of course.  I don't know how the figs he had are doing.  I didn't see him over the holidays to ask that question.  Maybe you can give your address, I can send money to you and you can ship to me a rooted cutting Yes?  Let me know how we maybe could do this, and if you are interested, how we can do it descreetly without showing our home info over the net.  Ciao, Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Six of the 50 (now 70+) plants I have are the purple Italian I brought back with me in Oct. They have rooted well. Two of the 6 still have leaves. Four originally did until I over exposed them to dry conditions and the leaves dropped. The other 2 haven't thrown leaves but have a good tip ready to burst. I'm very hopeful all 6 will be viable. I don't think I can safely ship them at the moment but yes I'd be happy to send you one.

Remind me in the Spring I owe you a tree. :-)

Sue

Thanks Sue,  I will give you a hello in spring.  Ciao, Maggie