I've done a small comparison and wanted to know if anyone else has had similar findings.

First cuttings scored and put in moss in a bin.

Second cuttings scored, shoved in a Root Riot cube and put in moss in a bin.

Third cuttings scored and put into the root riot trays with a 7" top.


The cuttings in moss got roots fast and not much greenery, roots seemed very fragile.

Second group took awhile for roots to poke through the cube but when they did they were sturdy. Not much greenery.

Third group taking awhile to root and greenery popping out everywhere.

Now, my thought is that rooting is solely for the purpose of getting roots to grow and the greenery pulls energy from the cutting, is that right? Also, if there is no greenery can it not be put directly outdoors after being put into a 1 gallon without protection from the sun as the leaves will come out in the sun and be used to it?

Please tell me if I'm all wet but this is making perfect sense to me.

Definitely put the ones with roots in the sun but watch that they don't dry out.  What the leaves open into is what they'll be used to.  I fertilize anything with roots.  If leaves come first you want them in light to start making food for the plant.  You also have to watch these so they don't dry out.  Mine are under fluorescent shop lights or CFLs.

I am watering them minimally but using worm casting tea to do it. Do you think I should be giving them straight water as well? In the evening I give them a little mist of water on the trunks, is that okay?

I'm scared to death I'm going to kill them but at the same time, the ones being babied don't seem as strong to me.

cool project idea !

Tami, I found that the more attention that I give to the cuttings the more problems occur, like over watering or trying to keep them from drying out by misting them causing mold problems. The cuttings that I ignore seem to do better. I've been letting them get dry and that seems to help. I guess I was killing the little rooters with too much kindness. Too much of a good thing can be bad.

Tony said it.  They can be pretty independent for a while sometimes.  Hard to take that chance though.

:)
That is exactly what I was talking about!
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Thoughts-about-people-and-fig-cuttings-6296526

Okay, point taken. I was determined not to baby them because I have a couple Petite Negri tiny ones and they have been babied. I put them in about an hour of morning sun (2 weeks into the hardening process) and one of them went completely limp. Moved them under the tree and NO JOKE within 20 minutes everything was perky. Little buggers are even drama queens.

The mister is gone! I don't need totes full of drama queens.

I believe I can be quoted calling my cuttings spoiled brats. I took away their cell phone privileges and threatened to ground them for a week. They quickly got their act in gear.