Hey guys, I'm wondering if these Black Madeira cuttings should be up-potted yet or wait a while?  Any other suggestions welcome as well.  Thanks in advance!


In the side view below, the cups on the left and middle have roots on one side of the cup only.  The one on the right has roots on two sides of the cup.

 

you're just like me when i first subscribed to the forum...LOL

please show us the sides so we can see any root formation...that's is the key variable for readiness to up-pot

Where will you put the them once they are in larger pots? You should not move them to a less humid/more bright environment at the same time as up-potting because that will be a double shock. Let them adjust to their new environment slowly by increasing their light gradually (cover the clear cups to prevent the roots from overheating) over a couple weeks before transplanting to new containers.

Getting the plant out of the cup without damaging the roots can be tricky. If the roots are not holding all the potting mix together it can break apart and possibly kill the cutting if all the roots are pulled off. When I was still using cups I liked to get them out before the roots made full circles around the cup because I will never root prune that close to the tree so it could be a permanent defect. But maybe some circled roots don't bother you though and you'd like to wait until the rootball is very firm so there is less of a chance to fumble.

honestly, all my cuttings i up-potted with root formation/maturity just like your middle and right cups, and i have had a 95% or greater success rate. Your left cup looks a bit premature, but it may be the angle. Some on the forum may be conservative and tell you to wait longer, and it is fine to do so to increase the survival rate, but in my cases, your cups were just about when I up-potted and mine survived.

I'd not wait very long either. Another thing I don't like is upward growing roots and I see some headed in that direction. Just don't rush and you should be fine.

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the input.  I was getting curious about that upward root travel.

I would up pot now. Don't wait.  They look healthy and ready.  If you do it now, they will be much stronger by summer and will be ready to take on any heat.

Roots will grow in any direction until they hit an object that stops them or an area that has sufficiently low humidity that they air prune. 

This is why if you have ever used humidity domes you will see roots growing right up and out of the soil.  Too humid. Not helpful.

Apparently the lower portion of the perlite area is humid enough that the roots can continue to grow into it. 

Probably doesn't much matter but this is why I wouldn't put so much perlite on top.  Maybe just a thin layer, if any. 

Differing advice.  Figs are tough and often survive whatever we do.  Or not.

I agree 100% with hoosierbanana above - let the roots grow a little more to hold the soil together when you up pot, and get them acclimated to the sun first.  Or wait to acclimate them a week or so after you eventually up pot.

The sun exposure must be a gradual transition to avoid sun burning the leaves.

I agree with hoosierbanana and Ed. Great advice guys! I would let the roots get bigger and stronger. Right now, it would fall apart if you tried to up pot it!