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Time line from rooting to setting out?

Newbie here- I'm wondering about the time it should take from starting to root cuttings until they're set outside. Aproximately 4-6 weeks for cuttings to take in bags or shoe boxes? Then about 4-6 weeks in cups after which they are set in gallon containers. Correct?
So about 3 months from roots to outside (Depending on your average last frost)?
I started to root my cuttings-most of which were gifts from benevolent forum members- in late Nov. early Dec. I fear I've started too early as I can't set outside until mid April or so. What will I do with over 80 gallon pots- if all root- before setting out safely?
Am I correct in thinking I should have kept the cuttings in the fridge and not begun the rooting process until late Jan or mid Feb?

Doug, your catching up.  I started this past spring and have 30 outside and last count I have 130 in some stage of rooting. Wow again

Doug, you've got the uncurable fig fever!

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  • BLB

Rich,

I like to start my cuttings as soon as I get them, not very fond of a fridge full of cuttings. The biggest problem you will have is of course where to put them. Many set up a light stand to get them started in winter. I use that and windowsills 

A window (or a few windows :-)) with good southern exposure will go a long way. Windows on the east or west side of the house are good also (north as a last resort). I've "been there and done this". But to clarify, none of this is really necessary until you've got a couple of fully formed leaves on your cuttings and some good roots of course.

Don't forget to acclimate them slowly from the humid container you may have started them in. The leaves tend to wilt easily in this transition process. Once they're hardened off though you've won half the battle (from cutting to this point).

Then once it's warmed up enough outside, you'll be starting a whole new acclimation process. The leaves will burn quite easily when exposed to direct outdoor sunlight. Once you've made it through that, you're almost good to go. After this you then just have to make sure they don't get too much or too little water. But the over-watering issue usually results in the most common demise at this point.

Just sharing from experience here. I've gotten cuttings all the way to being acclimated to the outdoors only to lose them because I had set them out on my sidewalk only to have it rain shortly thereafter. Most of the time they are ok at this point but I've lost a few like this as well.

Hope this helps Rich.

Happy figging. 

Great info here.  I'll be revisiting this thread in the near future.
Keep in mind the time before cuttings take root will vary.  I've had cuttings root in 7 days, while other took 3 weeks or more.

I have a windown in the attick with west exposure.. so,my bigger pots can go there and take over that room also....

Bill, Thanks for the direct concise answer

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