I thought I'd try a new method for rooting cuttings this time.  My son suggested I dip the cuttings in Dip-n-grow, stick them in rock wool cubes in a humidity dome indoors, and use a heat mat.  He thought that I should get cuttings to root faster this way, and with the colder weather, perhaps be more successful.  I've been rooting outdoors in plastic cups under a white plastic sheeting cover; it works fine, but admittedly it's not very fast.  With the colder weather, I thought I'd give it a shot. I've seen a few posts that indicate there have been some experiments along this line.  At the same time, though, I see plenty of success out there using perlite in clear cups.

Has anyone ever had better success with this method (rooting hormone/rock wool/humidity dome)?  Does this rooting hormone actually promote the roots to emerge faster, or just more of the

I think most but not all of us have had better success with Clonex and similar products than the alcohol based Dip & Grow.  D&G does work but it also kills some cuttings.

There have been people using rock wool successfully.  I've done better with Ag grade Perlite #3 if I can find it. 

Heat is definitely helpful to get you into the mid 70s.  Some like it hot(ter).

Appreciate the response.  I think the heat mat ought to be OK.  But, gee whiz, I hope it doesn't kill anything!  Still looking fine so far day 5....

Agree with Bob (was that thump you hitting the floor Bob?). Clonex gel works the best for me. I have a ton of rock wool cubes in my garage so I will use this year - but if you can get large perlite or screen it like Jon does I think it's a better method. That being said I'm still going to use my rock wool as I already have it.

Joann, I used to use your described method with Clonex on tender plants and had great results, near 100%. When I started growing figs I just went with one of the methods already discussed on the forum. My humidity chamber I had was only about 4-5 inches tall so another reason I never tried it with figs. I believe it would work fantastic with green summer cuttings leaving a leaf or two. The important thing with the green cuttings is to vent daily in increasing time amounts, it seems to hasten rooting.

I tried the Dip N Grow and saw no difference.  I don't think its needed and if not done properly can do more harm than good.  

I think the cubes just add another step that's unneeded, unless you have a ton of cuttings and are limited on space.

Thanks, Michael and Calvin.  I've rooted in the plastic bag, in cups, all outdoors.  Hardwood and green.  I've gotten cuttings to root putting them in a cup with cactus mix.  Worked fine, but not 100%, and seemed kind of slow.  It was a couple of weeks before I even saw the beginning of any roots, but they did eventually.  This is the first time trying an indoor method.  My fingers area crossed, but I can adjust if I have to.

Calvin, it's funny you mention Dip-n-grow works better on tender plants.  My son generically recommended I try using rooting hormone, not specifically Dip-n-grow, so I was open to suggestion.  Not having any more nurseries around, I ended up at the local hydroponics store to find my stuff last weekend.  The guy at the hydroponics store said Dip-n-Grow was way better than Clonex, but maybe he thought I was really growing something other than figs to supplement my retirement income!

Well, Daniel, I found an old tree on a vacant lot, so one might say I have unlimited opportunity to experiment.  I'm assuming it's a Black Mission merely because there are a lot of them around here, but who knows, it could be anything.

Hey everyone... Joann, I started using a humidity dome I picked up from my local hydroponics store just to try it out, it has given me the best and fastest results for rooting so far. I am new to rooting and now know where I might've gone wrong on other methods but I think this is my go-to method for smaller cuttings. I haven't used the rockwool cubes yet, I used the bark plugs (like root riot). I tried local cuttings from neighbors in two batches, with and without rooting gels or powders and the results were pretty even. I recently bought some cuttings from a forum member and threw them in as soon as I got them. I wasn't expecting great results only because I didn't pick and choose the cuttings, hahaha. To my surprise they are rooting just fine, about 18 days or so.

Now though, I'm waiting on my transition success. When I move them from the dome to soil I try to peel off as much of the plug without ripping roots. I did this after reading on the forum that the plugs could hold in allot moisture and maybe rotting the cutting. I moved them into clear cups. They seem to be doing good, so far... A whole lot of finger crossing over here...

Hi Joann,
I think you got it mixed up  :)      I like Clonex, not D-n-G.  

I didn't mention though, I don't use anything on figs. I'm in the camp that thinks you don't need it, plus I don't like to use any hormones on edible crops; that's just how I roll.

Calvin, I think you're right, I sure did mix it up!  I also agree with you on the use of chemicals on edible plants, especially pesticides and chemical fertilizers.

Simon, thanks.  I sometimes have a ripping-off-roots problem with the damp paper towels.  Fig roots sure seem kind of brittle.  I'm inclined to leave the plug intact and just plant the whole thing, which I did with a couple of my unknown-type vacant lot cuttings, so I'll see what happens.  Those are outside under white plastic sheeting.  I think maybe the transition goes smoother when you do the rooting outdoors, but then I guess I'll find out if this first indoor batch roots.

Joann1536,
I've used Dip n Grow @ 10x (9 parts water) dilution successfully on Dormant Fig cuttings at that concentration its approximately 0.1% IBA rooting hormone. The Clonex is approximately 0.3% IBA rooting hormone. Dip n Grow can be mixed at different concentrations for different plants and cutting types (green or lignified). Rooting hormone in conjunction with maintaining the ambient temperature at 72*F - 78*F and ~ 85% RH has resulted in reducing the rooting time by 2 weeks on average.

I would agree that the Rockwool cubes may cause problems with rotting the end of the cuttings similar to the use of Root Riot cubes that have been documented on the forum.

I've used Coir Mix and Peat Mix in seedling plug cells to preroot fig cuttings, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1278343875&postcount=57 . My current preferred method for starting dormant cuttings is planting directly in 2 liter Soda Bottle SIPs, with and without Hormone, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/file?id=1796862 .  Using a simple procedure to ensure proper hydration, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1280977480&postcount=17, while maintaining the initial ambient conditions.

The simpler procedure of planting directly in a container with or without hormone treatment in a sterile mix, while maintaining proper humidity and temperature will be less stress and labor, unless you are starting dozens of cuttings at once.

Good Luck.

can u show us pics

ascpete, thank you for the description and the links!  I like the SIPs concept, so after the next holiday dinner, I might have a couple of soda bottles to give it a try.  I mixed DNG @ 15X, so ought to be OK.  But I will definitely keep a close eye on the rock wool.  

jc_figs, I tried, but the photo sizes were too large to upload.  Sorry.

i had the same problem i couldnt post any pics  

The OP is asking about rooting, not posting pics jc_figs. 

I wonder about the zone conditions that may impact what rooting compound, if any, might work.

but u still could get an idea with pics dirtguy

I am starting to see little roots beginning to emerge on several of the cuttings!  I'm not sure whether it is the fact that it's indoors, humidity, heat mat, or application of rooting hormone.  Or all of the above.  I only started rooting these 7 days ago, and this is a solid week earlier than I began to see roots on any of my previous cuttings.