Here's a thought for those of you seal the tips of your cuttings with wax.  I've read postings where folks described melting candle wax and dipping/brushing it on the tips of the cuttings.  One of the downsides is that the wax splits when the cuttings swell.
I first thought of "surf wax" (for waxing surfboards) as an alternative, since it is formulated to remain tacky and somewhat pliable at lower temperatures...
...then I thought about the wax rings that are used for sealing toilet bowls to the waste drain pipe flanges in the floor.  That wax is very pliable -- you can work it with your fingers.  I would imagine the melting point is much lower than normal candle wax or paraffin.  I'm also thinking that it would tend to expand as the newly forming buds are expanding and not crack off like candle wax.  The "el cheapo" wax rings are just a few bucks for a good size chunk of wax.

I'd love to hear thoughts/comments on this.  I was in Home Depot the other day looking for paraffin or candles but they didn't have anything.  The idea about using toilet bowl wax rings didn't hit me until today.

Jim

P.S.  These new LED candles with the circuit boards and batteries don't melt nearly as well as the good old wax candles. ;-)

I have used it for Grafting wax as well, although I normally use Parafilm I think it would work fine for sealing the cutting

That's a great idea Jim.  Wondering what the pros think about this.

It would probably work for sealing, it has been mentioned by others.

But another reason for me trying wax was for storing the cuttings in a refrigerator. I store dormant cuttings with a small amount of Sphagnum Moss in the sealed plastic bags. The Toilet seal wax would create a mess in storage, it sticks to everything. The melted unscented Tea Candles are cheap, easy to use, melt at a very low temperature (below 140 Deg. F.), and  I can dip and store hundreds of cuttings at a time,, with very little mess.

P.S. The tea candles are available at most Dollar stores and Department stores, maybe at HomeDepot soon : )

Pete,
  Yeah, the toilet seal wax does have that downside of stuff sticking to it...  I wonder if it hardens up significantly while in the fridge? 
  I guess you don't worry about burning/cooking the cuttings when dipping them in the wax, huh? 
I'm curious....after you've melted the wax down, how much working time do you have until it hardens back up? 
Jim

Jim,
The wax is not heated enough to burn anything. Dozens of cuttings can be processed at once, it takes several minutes for the pan to cool down and the wax to start hardening.

My procedure is as follows:
1. Hold the candle by the wick and the metal case usually drops off. Turn the candle over and pull out the wick from the bottom.
2. Drop the candle wax in the pan and stir by moving the pot over the Low flames (circular motion).
3. The candles will start to melt at a very low temperature, remove from heat as soon as they go from white to a clear liquid.
4. Dip or brush the cuttings, you usually have 5 or more minutes before it start to glaze over. Just add a small amount of heat to re melt and continue.

I use a 1 quart Teflon coated saucepan. Once melted I can place my finger tips in the wax without it feeling uncomfortable. The cooled candle wax will release from the pan in a single block, and can be reused.

Ikea sells the tea light 100 to a bag for $4
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50097995/

And another option for heating it and storing the wax at the same time neat and clean 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELECTRIC-LIQUID-POTPOURRI-CERAMIC-SIMMER-POT-WITH-LID-WHITE-BLUE-WITH-FLOWERS-/230912269181?pt=Home_Fragrances&hash=item35c3719b7d

Or you can use a small crock pot wal mart always has there brand around xmas in the blue generic boxes super cheap like $10 for like five different things food chopper hand blender etc.

Or just one more thing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-Wax-Heater-400ML-Salon-Spa-Manicure-Pedicure-Paraffin-Warmer-Hard-Strip-Wax-/310560922233?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484edf9a79

Or Im sorry this is the last one if you want to get really generic save an old large candle or a used mason jar and use this.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/CandleHearth-Candle-Warmer/16783767

Or bee's wax... or liquid electric tape works.

There's talk in Plumeria circles of liquid electrical tape stimulating shoot development.  Doesn't mean it'll work in figs even if it does really work in Plumeria.

I like the wax idea and I'm sure it will work great for storing cuttings long term. Would also be great for sealing a cutting that has been grafted.

I'll be the one to sound like a newb here. But I have to ask, what is liquid electrical tape?

Hey Bill, and all,

I was wondering as well about the " liquid electrical tape" and here is what Home Depot has about it:

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Insulate and splice electrical wires with the Gardner Bender 4 fl. oz. Black Electrical Tape. This tape provides a waterproof seal and is formulated to resist unraveling and deteriorating like traditional electrical tape. Fast drying formula.

Use to insulate and protect electrical splices and connections
Liquid formula is resistant to chemicals, solvents, saltwater and other common fluids
Dries in minutes and cures within 24 hours
Forms a protective, waterproof, UV-resistant, dielectric seal

Its exactly that liquid electrical tape its kinda like black rubber cement.
But dries almost like a bendable plastic.

How elaborate you guys can get- I just use Scotch tape!
Also I don't go thru the hassle of baggies and moss only to potentially damage delicate roots when tranplanting. I root in clear cups right from the start. So far no problems.

Hey Rich im even less elaborate I dont use anything at all :) I was just giving advice.
But the moss is the way to go I let them root up real good in the moss you could even lose half of the roots and they would still survive I bury the whole moss/root ball and it works out great.

Hey Martin. I'm glad you got a kick out of my ignorance :-/ lol . I did however go look it up as soon as I made my post. Just thought it might be good to include that info in the thread ;) . 

I'm sure it wasn't as funny as one of our resident ladies doing a google on Rock Sheep to see where Rockwool came from. Now that one I did fall out of my chair on. See this thread, posts #1-#20 :) :http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/Worlds-smallest-Fig-tree-also-how-to-get-roots-in-710-days-6004029?highlight=rockwool

Also note my post #42.

All in fun.......

One of the advantages of wax is roots/shoots will grow through it. Any ideas on the LET?

Very good question James. I'm planning to try some of the tea candles as a possible low cost alternative.

Jennifer,
  You brought up the liquid electrical tape (LET)-- have you ever used it on cuttings?
My opinion is not based on direct experience, but I would think the LET would be too "permanent" for the buds to push through and wouldn't naturally flake away as the cutting grew/expanded...the way the wax would.  I'd guess you'd have to cut it off, risking damage to the cutting/buds.  Again, this isn't based on experience, just a "thought exercise"...
Jim