This is a newly rooted cutting.  I potted it with light soil when the root was about 1" long, and I can see the root is still growing.  However, the tip of a branch is turning brown.  What's the cause of this problem?  What can I do?  Thank you!!

Only so much energy stored in the cutting, looks like it is re routing it's energy to roots which is definetely a good thing. Many cuttings die even though at first they flush nice new leaves. Roots first is always best

I like that answer.

Some of mine do that.  As BLB stated, there's still some action going on underneath.  That leaf may fall off, but rebound elsewhere.

What conditions did you put it in after potting up? It looks more like a humidity problem to me, tips tend to die when the roots cannot keep up with the moisture lost through that tender new growth. It will self prune itself and grow a new bud further down the new growth. But if that was the case then in the future you can prevent it happening to others by keeping them someplace more humid for a while.

BLB and Frank, Thank you for the information.  I will keep an eye on root.  I hope it will keep growing.  

Brent, That's a good point.  I put another cup over the top of the current pot, but I think it is not seal too well.  I am going to get a big plastic container to keep humidity higher.  Thanks!!

You don't want a real tight seal, and air it out daily, keep the cup on a little less each day and when the heat does not run much I think you will not need it at all in your climate.. A clear tub would be a good investment and it keeps things neat.
I think another thing that might have made a difference is that alot of the cutting is above the soil line. When it is in a box of sphagnum moss it can absorb water through its entire length through the bark. But now the top is drawing water and it has become imbalanced because the roots are not ready to take up enough water yet. I am not sure exactly when roots begin to absorb water but I think it really increases as the roots branch and their surface area increases, which takes a week or 2 at least.

It is our Seattle climate!  Mine did the same.  You may had a dome, and too moist?  I learned that it works best if you make several breathing small holes on the upper portion of the dome...also, could be those gnats..they suck the life out of them! Watch for those buggers.

as long as it's not turning black and mushy.. i would leave it alone to dry up and drop. if it's turning black and mushy, i would cut the tip off.

This is a good thread with many good answers!  A lot of those new to figs will appreciate the question and the answers!  It is true that a new bud tip will begin lower on that branch, and sometimes pop up from below!  Roots are definitely a good thing!
Suzi

I've seen this many times. It's probably nothing to worry about.  Like others have said, if the shoots and leaves grow faster than the current root system can support, then eventually they will brown and fall off.  As long as the roots are still growing healthily, the top will eventually follow.  The top is not a good indicator of success. 

I had similar problem with a few rooting cuttings. I believe it is related to high humidity as mentioned in a post above but mostly when high humidity causes condensation on the tender leaves or bud such as tiny water droplets and less chance of evaporation.

I like Barry's (BLB's) answer.  I also find that there is a point at which the "kind" of roots being formed changes over, during the rooting phase.  And at that point, it's not unusual to get some dieback in the tops.  I read about it first from something that Al/Tapla posted here (can't find the reference), but it seems to fit my observations too.

Mike

Ottawan has a good point. The condensation that forms inside a box or bag is basically pure water, which has the opposite effect on plant cells that a salty solution does, but the result ends up the same... dead tissue. But in this case the cells swell up and burst instead of shrivel and dry, and that is something that made me unsure of my first guess because dry air fits the description but not the picture. I changed my mind and am going with condensation damage from before it was cupped. Hope no-one minds.

My observation in high humidity cases is two fold.
In some cases the tender leaves just appearing in high humidity bins gets and looks like waterlogged and die but the bud at the tip still survives and this continues so we just see extension of green wood and a bud at the tip.
In extreme case the humidity and water droplets even kills the bud too. In which case a new bud (or shoot) appears from the leafless green wood mostly (nut not always) close to the tip where the bud had died.

Ottawan, very high humidity also causes plants problems because the way that they transport water to their leaves involves water evaporating from the leaf surface. Too humid and water cannot evaporate into the air and the flow stops. I can't remember exactly what is all involved but maybe someone else knows if that would cause the small leaves to drop.

Really appreciate all the information.  Looks like humidity is the reason.  I will let it air few more times each day.  It is tricky to keep humidity but not too much humidity.  

Here is another update of the cutting.  The top brown portion is drying out, and the roots are keep growing.  There is a new growth below the problem growth.  So far, it is looking good.  

Looks like that little tree is going to be all right.  Best of luck.

good info for new guys like me