In the past few weeks, I have been transplanting rooted cuttings from 16oz cups to 1 gal containers using Pro-Mix with bio fungicide.  Our outside temps have been fluctuating from high 30'sF at night to into the low 70'sF in the day. I plan on hardening the fig plants in a protected porch area.  How long should a transplant be allowed to to get over initial shock before being subjected to these temperature swings?

I don't push them until I see stable new growth. That is usually a sign that they have adjusted and are moving on. Warm temps,  at least 75ish, with good humidity, help accelerate growth. Transition to full sun should be done gradually. You've come this far - don't screw it up by being in a hurry. ;-))

My cuttings haven't been doing very well this year.  I moved the transplants to 1 Gal pots and all the leaves wilted and eventually dropped off.  I have them in the shade but they still look very stressed.  I hope they survive..........

They need increased humidity, Darcy. We have been having very warm temps (80+) and very low humidity. If they had good roots, they should releaf in time. I lost several hundred plants last season fighting this crazy weather - so I built a small "quick and dirty" greenhouse for this season. You can do it with some pvc pipe (don't even need to glue it), some duct tape and a plastic painter's drop cloth.

Dan
I am sure many will be interested in what you mentioned to write.
While reading your post a question came to my mind as how to avoid condensation when trying to create humidity.
Also, what do people use to create humidity without using humidifier? I am using a coffee warmer with a soup tin filled with tap water in it which becomes 3/4 empty in 24 hours in a 2ft x 4 ft plastic sheet covered greenhouse like arrangement with two 4ft fluorescent tubes (I keep the two incandescent bulbs off). I also keep thee glasses full of water inside where a paper towel, wrapped around a stick from top to bottom as wick, placed in the glass and stays 8~10" above the glass top for extra evaporation. I can hardly keep RH at 44~50% and temperature at 75F (& some fungus gnats). The RH goes up at night to 60~70% when the lights are off. 
So, I am sure your write up will add more to people understanding of rooting and how to keep the newly rooted plants alive.

Dan, I have read with great interest all the information you have generously shared and am ready for more. The response and questions it generates increases our knowledge and successes. Thanks to all of you seasonned "figuers", much appreciated.

Dan,

I apologise for not responding to your excellent input to my initial question, being the referred to OP.

I have not been able to put my attention on figs/forums/etc since my Mom fell and broke her hip this past weekend. I've had hospital/rehab duty and will for the next couple of weeks. I'm exhausted and a bit out of sorts because my life is not my own. Figs are taking a back seat to everything. I haven't even had time to get my car to the shop for repairs so am having to borrowing one. It's a Lexus 470 so I'm not complaining too much. :-)

Give me a couple weeks to get home and back to figs and review your input. Hopefully they will be OK until then. If not, there are bigger issues in my life at the monent, figs are not one of them, but I do appreciate your response. Please keep it up.

Sue

Sue,
So sorry about your Mom. We'll keep you guys in our prayers and hope for a quick recovery.

Thanks Steve.

It's hard when parents get to this age..they still think they are a Spring Chicken and can do anything...cautioning them to be careful does no good. They are the parent after all.

Sue

Thank you all very much for your valuable input on hardening off figs.  They will stay in my house a few more weeks till the weather is more suitable to their survival.
C.H.