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Rooting Smith Cuttings

Ive read that they are hard to get rooted and established from cuttings. I tried rooting 2 Smith cuttings this season and they were the last variety for me to start root initals in moss. Took about 4 weeks before I saw any root starts on the cuttings and that was with clonex on the end of them. Soon after cupping up, the bottom just rotted pretty quick. Ive noticed that I have had more problems with rot after using clonex opposed to untreated cuttings, not only on Smith but other varieties as well. Anyone have the same experience I am?

Another mistake I made that might be contributing to some of my rotting issues is I added some slow release fert to the mix called Micro Life. My blueberries love the fert but all the fungi it has in it may have not been compatiable with the rooting process in fig cuttings. Some varieties seemed to not have any issues but others did. Not all cuttings are created equal I guess.

two summers ago, i had very good Smith green cuttings. like all my other green cuttings, it started off well, then just started rotting and died on me. haven't looked into it again. but if it's refresh dormant cutting, really shouldnt have any issue. 

This is my first time trying to root a Smith.  I was able to take one cutting from the tree Danny K gave me last august.  It's kind of thin, about a 1/8".  It rooted fine in about 3.5 weeks, just about the same time as the RdB's. It's in a 32oz Deli Cup in a humidity bin now and just starting to push out a few leaves.  I'll post back here with results.

I've had good, beginner's luck with Smith. 4 of 6 rooted within 3 weeks, using Penandpike's perlite method. The cuttings were pretty thick and woody, and I don't use any rooting hormone. One has made it to a one gallon pot so far. IMG_2821.JPG 


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