I started a small trial to test the efficacy of using a rooting hormone in fig cuttings.

I took 3 similar sized branches from one of my trees. (A vigorous healthy celeste for which I plan to use as grafting rootstock - but that's another project)

Each cutting was further cut into 3 pieces (top, middle and bottom) for a total of 9..

To make things as fair as possible, I interspersed the pieces, so each trial batch had a piece from each of the 3 original branches.

About an inch of bark was shaved off from the bottom of each piece as seen below.

The trial consists of 3 different setups:

SETUP 1:

Plain Cuttings

SETUP 2:

Cuttings Dipped in Rooting Hormone

SETUP 3:

Cuttings soaked in Willow Water for 24 hours. (We all know about willow water right?)

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I had an extra cutting and decided to add a 4rth setup at the last moment.

Setup 4:

Cuttings soaked in willow water and then dipped in rooting hormone

So there it is.

It's been 10 days since the start of the experiment and I have some preliminary results but before I post them, I would like some input as to your own experiences with the use of a rooting hormone and critique of this particular setup, if any.

I realize it is a small trial and regardless of the results it will not be definitive.

.

first i have to look up willow water

Very nice Frank
keep us updated

Due to th underwhelming response, I feel I have no choice but to further bore you with the results of this mini trial. No snoring please!

Cuttings have been bagged  for 3 weeks:

SETUP 1:

Plain Cuttings

SETUP 2:

Cuttings Dipped in Rooting Hormone

SETUP 3:

Cuttings soaked in Willow Water for 24 hours

Setup 4:

Cuttings soaked in willow water and then dipped in rooting hormone

Very cool stuff Frank. I look forward to seeing how it all turns out.

Hi Frank i heard of willow water but never tried it.
Being to lazy and under the weather to look up how you make the willow water.
Its hard to tell but are you getting any root development from where you whittled the wood .
I ask because it appears you went deep in your cuts and im nosey now. 
Setup 3 looks good are the other 2 sticks in that setup 3 pic in same grouping.
You asked for it.   ; )

Thanks Brent, but the experiment is pretty much over. I've potted  the rooted cuttings and the rest are back in baggies. The reason I wanted to do this experiment was to see if rooting hormone would help, not help or actually promote mold and/or rot the cuttings... as some have said. The results speak for themselves (although the trial was so small  one shouldn't make definitive conclusions).

A bonus from this trial was that I got to make and test willow water as a root promoter. My next project is to test vernalization

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?Vernalization-Rooting-Trial-5526256

Martin, the roots initially seemed to form from the non-cut areas but later the entire end appeared to form roots.

Setup3 cuttings  (soaked in willow water for 24 hours) are representative of the rest of the cuttings.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Did you use powder hormone? I'm using green light powder rooting hormone.

Setup 2 seems to be a screaming advert for using rooting hormone.