As a newbie to fig propagation, I have been reading a lot here in the forum and on Jon's links, and want to be sure I am storing some cuttings properly.  I will be starting some in root riot cubes in about 3 weeks, and some more later in the winter.  I have read various ideas such as sealing the cutting ends with toilet-bowl-ring wax, vs storing them unsealed.  What are your ideas about the ideal way to ensure that the cuttings are viable in 3 weeks and again in about 2-3 months?  Any input appreciated.

Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and seal in a ziplock bag. Store In the crisper. Will last for months. I've heard up to a year. I've not heard of the toilet wax but people do use candle, beeswax, and paraffin. I've not tried any of those options. It sounds like you are storing for a relatively short time so the plastic wrap/ziplock method should be all you need. When you take them out of storage, give the bottom end a fresh cut and hydrate for a couple hours before the root riot. Have fun.

Here is a method from Axier that I have used successfully:

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Storing-Cuttings-3295179?highlight=grafting

I have just rooted a Ronde de Bordeaux cutting stored 1 year ago, in Feb 2008.

I rarely lose a cutting in the first 6 months and it is not unusual 1 year old cuttings in excellent conditions. It is a very frequent mistake to add humidity to store cuttings, why??? the cuttings don't need more humidity they already have. To add a wet source is to give a gift for fungus and mold, cuttings don't need it! You only have to wrap with an sterile and airtight plastic film. When you store it in the fridge, the air around the cuttings decreases the temperature and reach to or near 100 % humidity. When the air is saturated doesn't absorb more water, so the humidity of cuttings keeps constant, that is the objective!

The one method that works best for me is the following (I have used it for years past). I learned this method from Leon:

1)Clean off dead wood, dirt, old leaves, branches, etc. from the cuttings.

2)Make a 10% bleach solution (9 parts water + 1 part bleach).

3)Dip the cuttings in the bleach solution but don't soak them for a long

time (30 seconds is enough).

4)Take them out of the bleach and let air dry on papertowel.

5)Do not rinse them under water after taking them out of the bleach

solution (the crystals of bleach that dry on the cuttings will deter

fungus and disease).

6)once they are dried, wrap the cuttings tightly with the stretch plastic wrap you use in the

kitchen.

7)Make sure that your cuttings are labeled.

8)Place your cuttings in a plastic bag and seal.

9)Place in refrigerator.(never freeze the cuttings).

I use to graft buds from stored cuttings in late spring and summer, on account of this I need a reliable method of storing, the buds need to be in perfect conditions for grafting.

I've used both methods mentioned above and they both worked for me.

Vicster,

You could place these cuttings in the warmest part of the fridge and you'd be just fine.  It's plenty cold enough.