I've been seeing a lot of posts about putting fig trees in shelter or covering them for winter protection on here lately, and just had a reminder for people - If you want to save your cuttings, put them in the refrigerator over the winter, they keep fantastic and root very successfully in the spring! 

I don't know if i saw this suggestion on here a few years ago or heard it in person, but it definitely works well! 

Good reminder.  I find they keep better if you wrap tightly with saran wrap, then place into one or two zip lock bags WITHOUT a damp paper towel.  I had several that rooted easily after 5 months in the fridge.

I do the same, keep them in refrig. but they are turn mildew after 1 month...

What can I do for mildew.

I think a rinse in chlorinated (bleach) water addresses this. I don't recall the ration, but it's maybe 1/4 leach to 3/4 water. rinse, and let dry.  then store.
Disclaimer: This is what I'm told. I am a complete noob.

I wash the cuttings and let them dry out for a few minutes until dry on the surface; wrap them individually in cling wrap trying to remove all air pockets and then group a few of these individually wrapped cutting according to the need and wrap the group in cling wrap again. Then place them in a shoe-box size cardboard box for storage in the fridge. I have successfully rooted some after 9 months storage this way. No wet or moist paper used during storage any more.

I wouldn't use bleach. You can use 1 tablespoon baking soda per gallon per gallon of water if you really want, though I don't think it's necessary. Every couple of weeks just open the bag, move the cuttings a bit, put in a dry paper towel maybe.Mine are usually fine after several months. Make sure they are dry before putting them in the bag! 

The ratio I use is 1 part bleach, 10 parts water.  I don't do it all the time though.  I made this video a while back:

How long will cuttings remain viable in the crisper drawer if the cuttings are placed in vacuum sealed bags dry? I would hate to have all that I have go bad if I delay getting them out.

efletche,
it is hard to assure with certainty beyond what has been mentioned above. The reason for some uncertainty is not just how it is stored but the cuttings previous history makes a difference in viability after storage (and may be during the storage as well). Some cuttings might have gone through good freeze and may look good but there could be residual effect. The state of inner dryness (level of dehydration before storage can be another factor.
I think personal experience over time is the best teacher.

Nice post, figs are resilient!  One of the reasons I am so interested in them...  Thanks for the tips and experiences!

So, considering the above posts, do new cuttings, this time of year, need any dormancy in order to root out more successfully?  Success in rooting cuttings seems to be dependent on one's experience.  Does success depend in any way on some time in dormancy?  Would my success in rooting cuttings be at all affected if I snipped a cutting off one of my potted fig trees which were brought into the garage for winter storage last week after leaf drop and before freezing weather, versus waiting a few months?  If success is just as good now, why are some of you refrigerating your cuttings instead of rooting them out now?  Probably a factor of time/life's demands at the end of the year?  I'll start mine now if you see no disadvantage with no dormancy period simply for the enjoyment of watching them grow in my basement under plant lights.  I know to introduce them slowly to sunlight come spring.  I'm counting the chickens before they hatch, of course.  100% nonsuccess with rooting cuttings last winter but, looking back and adjusting technique, I won't bake cuttings this year using a bottom plant heating pad.  Thank you for the advice!  Incidentally, anyone ever prophylactically treated their cuttings with an antifungal powder such as Nystatin (used on humans to treat fungal skin infections which occur in warm/moist places which sounds exactly like the environment around a fig cutting being rooted)?

I have rooted cuttings after 2 years in the fridge and all 5 popped out monster roots . They were stored in a ziplock bag with moist sphagnum moss and not washed with anything but water before stored.

John

I have gone over a year with cuttings wrapped properly (not wet) as described above. 

It also helps the closer the temperature is to just above freezing the better.    With refrigerator set at 1.5C (35F) the cuttings could be in the bottom or back of fridge and stay nice and cool.:)

Hi sdpmd,
This past march, I unwrapped my fig trees and some needed shaping.
I took cuttings of some and put them directly in a pot of compost outside.
Most of them made it ( just not to write that all did), even a small stick of my "Ice crystal" made it.
So if the trees are yours, and you have the choice, wait until March.

Of course you could plan and take half the cuttings now, and half in March, and do a comparison of what suits best your (and her/his) patience, space constraints, and cuttings needs.
Start experimenting :P