I took some green cuttings from my great aunts in-ground tree. Yes, I said in-ground, in Canada. Apparently, it has survived 30 years with minimal winter protection, but does experience some dieback in the winter.

She believes my great uncle brought it over from the Azores. I'll try and get pics once the figs ripen and see if anyone can ID it.

I've tried to root the cuttings a few different ways. First, I placed 3 cuttings in some pro-mix bx potting soil, placed them in the shade and put 2L coke bottles over them to keep the humidity levels up. 1 of the 3 has started to bud out. The other 2 might still make it, but time will tell.

I also tried water rooting 2 other cuttings. 1 of them has started to push roots like crazy and is budding out. Both cuttings are still in water and I replace the water at least once every 2 days.

Here's the question. This was more of an experiment for me, because I am new to the game and have never tried rooting before. It looks like I may have a few successful plants, however, I understand it is not the most ideal time to be rooting, and my concern is the plants won't be mature enough to survive dormancy over the winter.

Should I take my chances, and let them go dormant, and bring them into my sunroom for the winter (along with the rest of my trees), or try to grow them under grow lights for the winter season, so they can put on some growth and can survive the winter.

I appreciate any comments and suggestions.

The bx version might be better if you added some perlite, IMO.  I started cuttings last September and grew them in my barely-heated greenhouse over the winter and I think either your sun room or under grow lights would be fine.

Good luck!

This late in your climate I'd grow them inside this winter. They have no chance outside all winter and I'd not leave them out until they freeze and lose their leaves. Only question for me would be what's the best way to over winter.

fignutty,

I wouldn't leave them outside, I'd bring them into my 3 season sunroom that's attached to my house. That's where I overwintered my trees last year and had minimal dieback. It gets cold in there, but not crazy cold.

A Portuguese fig that's survived in Canada for 30 years?
How do I get on your cuttings list?

I think this a good opportunity for you to practice and find out what works best for you.
You're already on the right track IMO by trying different rooting methods.
Since this is a variety that's fairly readily available to you, I'd say keep trying different things, and noting what works best.
There are so many methods, so many climates and soil mixes...this will help you figure out the best combos for your specific conditions, so when you get some fancy cuttings you won't be panicking like I do :)

If you'd like to make a trade this Fall, PM me a list of what you're looking for, I might have one or two you'd like to try.

Oh, wait, you're in Canada :(

psilva,

I have had luck with both method, but recommend growing the new starts as indoor plants until next year.  Then treat it like any plant you are moving to brighter light, slowly.  I had a Hardy Chicago that was rooted late in the season, I moved it into the house and put it next to a south facing window.  It was fine and is about 2 ft this year and ready for the normal fig shuffle this coming winter/spring.

And yes, it is too bad you are in Canada, it sounds like a great fig to survive in Canada outdoors.

I won't let them go dormant. Keep them growing all winter. But if you have several try both ways.

Great advice guys.

I think if I have a few survive I'll try both methods. I also have the option of grabbing dormant cuttings off the tree, and given'r another shot come spring.

Thanks.

Please post photos of you grandmother's fruits!

Sorry, I mis-remembered your post.  Does your great aunt happen to have a variety name for this fig?

Hi psilva8,
Well, it all depends on the space you have inside the house. If you have a greenhouse full of space ...
If the pot is at risk inside, it is best to let it go dormant.
The worst risks I can see are gnats or other insects, humidity, over-watering, being tossed, lack of light, too much heat, cold wind from freshening the air inside the house or opening the entry-door.

So for me, let the trees go dormant - that will as well harden them a bit and get them to rest.
I have some pots myself ( I keep playing with root-shoots), and I'm thinking of burying them in dirt.
I'm thinking of buying another 80 liters trashcan, put all the pots inside, gently fill the spaces with compost ( black dirt from nurseries ) and Voilà !
The stems and roots will be protected from the cold winds and freezing ...
Just my idea :) but with the good results I got this past winter with protecting my in ground trees, I think this is the best way to go for me .

jdsfrance,

My wife bought me a lemon tree during the summer, so I was going to set up part of the basement with grow lights, so I don't think it would be a big deal to put a few fig trees under it too.

I guess my dilemma is, if my rooted cuttings only reach a height of say 6" or so before the first frost sets, will they be strong enough to go dormant a re-emerge come spring time. If that isn't an issue, I would have no problem allowing them to harden off and go dormant, and I would store them in the same location as my other trees.

I bring my figs inside my house for the winter. They keep their leaves and one even produced an early fig this spring. If you have room in your sunroom I would put them in there for the winter. They make great houseplants as long as they get sunlight.

I would be very interested in seeing if someone here can ID your fig after you post pics of the fruit and leaves.  Sounds like a really hardy variety.

I think I should clarify that this 3 season sunroom is attached to the house, but get's very cold. It is not temperature controlled whatsoever, although being attached to the house, it helps to moderate temperature. So if the cutting goes inside this sunroom, it will go dormant for sure... I'm just concerned with it's ability to wake up.

smith,

I really want to know what kind it is too. I'm thinking by early September it will have ripe figs, and I will take plenty of photos of it.

smith,
greetings and congrats!
Being new to the game around the same time last year, I did exactly the same.
rooted green (semi-woody) cuttings in early August: water and sphagnum moss.
Left them growing entire winter by bringing them in office and keeping them on window sill facing West.
They grew a few inches in October/November, then again in April.
In May, transitioned them outdoors, some lost some leaves, others did not.
now they are 2-3 ft tall some have shown small fruit already.

Best of luck

Damir,
Hamilton  Ontario