Several cuttings are ready to be moved from their plastic baggie to a container with potting mixture.  A number of cuttings show all nodes with buds and sprouting foliage.  Should the sprouting foliage be removed from the lower nodes that will be covered over by the potting mixture.  If not removed, it would seem the sprouting foliage, when covered, will die off and rot or mold.  How is the lower foliage handled?

Bill M   

I just cup/pot them. Often nodes from below the soil level will grow all the way up through the soil/media and do just fine. If you remove leaves, do it a couple days before potting up, as the open tissue/wound will definitely lead to rot and mold, if not callused over.

Thanks for the input.  This is my first effort at propagating a fig cutting, so I have no idea what to expect.  It is fascinating to see the cuttings come to life.

Bill M.