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too late to try cutting

I was thinking of getting a few fig cutting to try ,Is it too late to start them.Thank you Holly

Hi Holly,

Do you have access to the tree you want cuttings from? If so, ( and you are given permission) an air layer would be a better method this time of year. Most green cuttings ( unlignified) are able to be rooted, but it is harder than the lignified brown cuttings in the fall/winter. An air layer can be quicker, much bigger, and earlier maturing than a cutting would be. I always prefer this method (especially this time of year) because it is easy and maintenance free. I also feel so accomplished when I remove it from the mother tree.

I was going to order from ebay, I have a siscilian, osborne and a neri that I purchased but as trees, I tried the dessert king cuttings and I killed them they got fungis and bugs and then wilted because I put them on the south side window so I thought I would try the Celeste. I am very new to growing fig trees, I am also trying the seeds.I am in zone 7 at the shore area
thank you again Holly

Height of the summer is a miserable time for mail ordering plants due to heat and damage to green growth, best to wait till late autumn. As for seeds, just remember that fig seeds will not generally produce the parent. In fact (due to a very complicated gendering among figs), you may wind up with male plants that do not produce edible figs (called caprifigs) or smyrna types which are female plants that require pollination. Fig pollination  only occurs via a certain wasp that only lives in a few places in the world, so buying or rooting your own plants grown from cuttings is the only way to ensure you get a viable plant. Most of the figs traded in the U.S. and Europe are self-pollinating types (Celeste, Brown Turkey, Negronne, Italian Honey, etc.) so cuttings  (or buying an established plant) is the way to go.  If you are seeking common figs like Brunswick or Celeste, I would find a local nursery or grower and buy a potted plant. You'll get a year or two headstart on eating figs - and for trees like Celeste, finding a mother plant in your local area that is a great tree will help ensure you've chosen a strain that does well in you area. Save cuttings for rarer types or just get cuttings from neighbors to practice on so you'll have great success in the future.

Happy figging!


One of the forum members-Fatnsassytexan-has some cuttings listed on ebay right now. I have had good luck with those cuttings.

I am going on a road trip in Sept. If I get cuttings from Texas or New Orleans,can I travels with them for two weeks or so or would they die? Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by sppsp
for you road trip: take freezer bags and paper towels. Then get them rooting using the damp paper towel in bag method while you travel.


~agree ~

Thank you both, I have another question,if you don't mind, I have two four year old trees that I got this year and planted in my yard, I don't know what kind they are, but the trees have a lot of figs but they are not growing, should I take some of the figs off in hopes the others will grow? Thank you again, Holly zone 7

Quote:
Originally Posted by acient3
Thank you both, I have another question,if you don't mind, I have two four year old trees that I got this year and planted in my yard, I don't know what kind they are, but the trees have a lot of figs but they are not growing, should I take some of the figs off in hopes the others will grow? Thank you again, Holly zone 7
~go on you tube type in airlayering fig trees ,try it it's easy and the trees are big and healthy un like cuttings~

Quote:
Originally Posted by acient3
...the trees have a lot of figs but they are not growing, should I take some of the figs off in hopes the others will grow? Thank you again, Holly zone 7


I've seen others in the northeast through their YouTube videos suggest doing the same with mixed results, but they at least had a few ripe figs. So I think it's a good idea and has the advantage of saving the tree's energy for the winter, but I haven't experienced this situation because of my zone.

Maybe others in the same zone and experience can provide advice with more certainty.

I would also add that I have bought from fatnsassytexan and loved their cuttings.  A great seller with good quality cuttings.  Really great seller.I have done well with their cuttings.

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