Ready, set, go.  Can't believe this is my second year starting cuttings.  And of course, I have more going this year than last year.  Exact same method I used last year.....32 oz deli containers, 60/40 perlite/potting mix, large Rubber Maid type container with lid, heat mat and temp controller.  One Rubber Maid container has a tray with Root Riot cubes for doubles or triples of what I have started in the deli containers.

Third photo is for Grasa, hope she sees this post.  She likes my orderly, well mannered figs.  All in a nice line. : )

That does look organised. But try putting one cutting directly into loose soil in the garden. You may be surprised if you haven't tried this method that's been around for thousands of years. It should work in a climate like yours.

Nice set up good luck!!

i know sticking a cutting directly in ground works for other members, but few times i tried it, it didn't work for me.

I agree Pete.  I did a modification of sticking it in the ground.  I stuck two cuttings in separate 1 gallon pots with 60/40 perlite/potting mix this past summer here in Houston.  Nada, zilch, goose egg.  Never gonna try that again.

That 3rd image is like little soldiers standing at attention...

Good luck.  Hope they turn out as good as your trees from last year!

Myself, so far, I've skipped the humidity bin.  After rooting, I stick them in a 32 oz SIP under a light in my office.

In the second photo it looks like you are using double deli containers ( a container inside a container).  What is the purpose of the outer deli container?

Anyone who has ever seen Steve's trees can verify that what he is doing works.  It isn't just rooting, it is also the nurturing of the infants.  This is made a lot easier when you have developed a good root system which is what I believe is the secret to Steve's wonderful juvenile trees.  Plus, I think he puts BBQ sauce on everything.

Hi Steve,

Looks good. This is very similar to the method I'm trying to figure out how to make work.

Do you bag the cuttings in damp paper to get roots before you pot them?
What temp do you have the mat set at ?
Do you leave the lid on all the time? How do you control humidity?
Why do you have a cup inside a cup?

Thanks for the nice comments Danny.  A couple of those conainers have your unknown black/purple.....hope they root.  I really liked those figs when you showed me the tree before the Marshall Fig Gig.

lifigs & RichinNJ -

I never had great success with damp paper towels or spagnum moss in Ziploc type bags.  I plunge the cuttings directly into the filled deli containers then drench the containers with water/Gnatrol WDG solution, let completely drain 1-2 hours.  After that heavy watering I only add 2-3 teaspoons of water when needed.  Yup, you read that right.....teaspoons.

My deli containers have ~1/8 inch diameter holes drilled in the bottom and about 1 inch up from the bottom.  The holes in the side of the conatiner are new this year....can't hurt to have more air flow.  And therefore the need for the 2nd deli container.  It keeps any extra water contained and away from the heating mat.  When I say extra I mean maybe 1/4 teaspoon or less.  I put 2 Nestle water bottle tops stacked (open side down) in the bottom of the outside deli container to give the water someplace to go and to allow air flow.

I used to set the mat (inside Rubbermaid container temp) at 75F but have found I can reduce humidity buildup a little if I lower the temp to 73-74F.  That is the current set temp...73F.  Lid stays on all the time, but will come off if I need to wipe off excess condensation from the RubberMaid container walls.  As the containers start to dry out from the initial watering I don't need to wipe down the walls as much.

Thanks Steve

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Here is how I use the bottle caps.

Great set up!
Can this work with 14oz plastic cups.  Have had no luck in finding 28oz or 32oz cups?

pino,

I see no reason why this wouldn't work for smaller (14 oz) containers.  I prefer the 32 oz deli containers since it gives me a larger root mass before up potting to 1 gallon nursery pots.  My only comment would be that they are clear so you can observe root growth and decide when to up pot.

Below is my source for 32 oz deli containers.  I have purchased from webstaurantstore.com a few times.  Packing is great, shipping is quick and I have had no issues.  I have re-used the deli containers 3x so far, so the original cost isn't as bad as you think when they can be re-used a few times.  Between uses I sanitize with disinfectant wipes, let dry then rinse with tap water.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/fabri-kal-alur-rd32-32-oz-clear-pet-plastic-round-deli-container-50-pack/999RD32.html

Thanks for the link, Steve. I've been searching for the tall 32-40oz clear cups, but had only been able to source them in large quantity cases >$60. Like your setup better. Was tentatively planning on converting to New Baggy for spring cuttings, but this has me rethinking that (I've seen others do air roots in similar-sized butter/whipcream containers with excellent rootball formation--would love to have that same result in cuttings.)

Thanks for the clarification on the outer deli container.  I may try doubling mine up to eliminate the water that accumulates at the bottom of the large Rubbermaid humidity container.

Here's some more from Webstaurant.com.  They may not be quite a clear as the ones Steve got, but they come with lids.  I bought a case of these a few months back.

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/32-oz-microwavable-plastic-deli-container-with-lid-240-case/128HRD32%20%20%20%20COMBO240.html

Rick this is the 32 oz clear deli cups I used and you can get lids and invert the cups for easy removal of the cuttings later. http://www.webstaurantstore.com/fabri-kal-alur-rd32-32-oz-clear-pet-plastic-round-deli-container-50-pack/999RD32.html

2 - Fabri-Kal Alur LRD Clear PET Plastic Round Deli Container Lid 50/ Pack (999LRD) @ $4.99
2 - Fabri-Kal Alur RD32 32 oz. Clear PET Plastic Round Deli Container 50 / Pack (999RD32) @ $13.49

How are you finding the root riot? Was thinking of giving it a try myself

More photos to try to help show what I am talking about.

Two photos showing the amount of moisture buildup I get on the RubberMaid container walls for the first few days.  Simply wipe out with paper towels (last photo).  Don't worry, you will not completely dry it out (unless you remove all the containers and I'm not going there) but after a few days less and less water collects on the walls.

My Ikea " humidity chambers" do the same thing. My heat mat is outside and below the humidity chambers however the temperature probe for the thermostat that controls the heat mat is 2" deep into one of the 32 oz containers

RichinNJ,

Just a suggestion.  I have my heat mats inside the rubbermaid containers.  I also do not place the temperature controller probe directly in one of the 32 oz deli containers with perlite/potting soil.  The probe is hanging over the wall of the deli container, actually hanging in the space between four deli containers about 2 inches above the heating mat.

I always add this caveat, what works for me may not work for everyone.  If your method is working for you, don't pay attention to anything I have written. : )

Thanks Steve,
I really have 2 thermocouples. One that measures soil temp and one that measures air temp.
The one in the soil controls the mat. The one that measures the air temp is just for information.
I find that the soil temp lags the air temp but by only 1 or 2 degrees.
Later I will probably take out the air temp measurement device ( digital meat thermometer ) and return it to the kitchen after a good cleaning :)