Just wonder if any folks simply to put their brown cuttings directly in the dirt for rooting in summer ? Does it work ? What kind of success rate do you know about ?

Originally Posted by brianm
Right now a really easy way to root cuttings is this. Take a fresh cutting wrap top half in parafilm and stick bottom half in a gallon pot with pro mix HP. Keep in shade and water as necessary. Very high success rate, to me I prefer this over air layering. This is only this time of the year though.

I made a post on a method I have been working out earlier last week.  I believe its titled "Fig propogation method up north"  its about using a ziplock. I never had a lot of luck in just dirt, i'll have to try with parafilm sometime

It works without a parafilm if you put a clear cup on top of the cutting.
Anybody can stick a cutting in dirt when the temps outside are up.
Be sure to put it in indirect sunlight or shade that gets a few hours of sun a day.
Burying a cutting in dirt has been done for hundreds of years to propagate figs.
It is just the easiest method if the outdoor temps are right.
I root only in the winter, just for the challenge and something to do.
Doug

Here is a write up I copied from another member here years ago.
It is as basic as you get.


The method of the branches of the fig plantation in the ground ... old tradition, a square piece of cloth 50 by 50 cm pour a portion of land in the middle ad wheat cementes join together small pieces of urine chicken or cow  or pork dry urine, then crack the tip of the twig in half 5cm, put the stick in the middle of the cloth  , tie the cloth with the greyhound in the middle, make a hole in the ground and put into the hole and cover with soil+ water 2 times per day, every week throw urine or chicken or cow twist on the fig tree, when it is a lie to flourish ad water with dish soap  once a month, when they are big fig tree and ready to give figs lie sulfur over...this is  that way we do here on the island of madeira



Doug

Thanks to all for your great informations. I will start immed this afternoon with my brown cuttings.

I have a few more fresh green cuttings and will consider to put them in water for rooting late this afternoon. What do you think of using this water method for green cuttings ?

Just saying they did not need parafilm for the last few hundred years to stick a cutting in dirt.
Its not true that leaves mold when they touch the cup sides.
I have rooted a few hundred using a 3 cup method, if they rotted your dirt was too wet.
The added humidity cup is for adding the humidity to the cutting alone.
Cuttings not dipped in wax or whatever tend to sometimes drying out before rooting.

Doug

edit

Rooting fig trees in the middle of winter is a whole different ball game
where you have to know what makes what work. I learned by practice.
There are a hundred ways to root a fig, we all enjoy trying others methods.
I air layer when the temps are warm,, I root when it is the most challenging
and the fact that I plant my winter cuttings early march.
It gives it a year plus to mature before the next winter in ground.

Never tried it.

Doug

I received some with wax last winter as well and I rooted them with
the 3 cup method. They grew as well as another without.
I believe the wax is to help the cutting hold it's own moisture.
I have not tried it.

Doug

Hi Paul, 
Thanks for the tips. I will give it a trial this afternoon and will keep you updated accordingly.

your welcome pfacica


Doug

Thanks Pacifica, good luck with your cuttings!