I am new to the world of growing fig cuttings but I have already gotten in well over my head. I have been starting many cuttings from eBay and other sources. Has anyone ever had a cutting that just does not want to root down into the cup? This cutting sent roots every direction but down. I wanted to wait for the cup to fill with roots but the longer I waited the more roots erupted out of the top of the cup. Any ideas about why this may have happened? Also, does anyone know where I might get a cutting of a Berbera fig? I can't get the description and picture out of my mind.

Please see this thread for more info on roots, but don't buy into the "magical properties of UPM potting mix: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fig/msg0421253211548.html

Ps, warm welcome to the forum ;)

Thank you for the warm welcome. I hope to upload pictures soon.

Add some more soil on the top of the existing soil and take the roots where you can get them. In the stock market they say "don't fight the tape". Or don't swim upstream. Work with what it gives you.

Could that mean the bottom of the cup is too wet and the roots are heading toward a drier environment?

noss

roots head for two things moisture (proper amount) and oxygen. Are there air holes along the sides of the cups? Is there standing water in the bottom area of the cups? I have had cuttings send roots out the air holes along the sides of the cups they will air prune off. Also I have had roots shoot out the top of the cups and air prune off. Air pruning makes roots stronger it is like pinching the top growth.