I believe you could root a fig cutting on a dry sidewalk. LOL  I just stuck some cutting in water and today I found roots had developed.

In the great marble quarry at Syracuse (not the one in New York!) I saw a fig tree growing out of a crack high up in the side of the quarry. They are hardy plants indeed!

Hmm..  Noss the issue of mold growing should be solved.  As Aaron said they are really hardy when you think about it.  I've subscribe to the fact, our lack of patience sometimes causes us to lose our fair share of cuttings.  I have one cutting that I just stuck in the ground and I noticed yesterday the terminal bud had produced a tiny leaf.  So maybe we should give Mother Nature more credit.

Would frozen water work?  ;)

Gina;

You live in Southern Cal. and get that kind of weather.  Guess you close to the mountains, or very close to them. What is your success rate on those cuttings that  had to stand those cold temperatures?  

After reading what I posted I must have a hangover... LOL