Sorry for the newbie question!  I have looked online and on this forum and found tons of links on the mechanics of rooting cuttings, but nothing on when exactly to perform the procedure.  I this case I am interested in rooting fall cuttings that have been cut now in mid to late October.

I have read mention of storing the cuttings in the refrigerator prior to rooting.  But it is unclear if this is to wait until spring or just to kick off some kind of activity in the cutting.

So, for cuttings I acquire now, when should I try rooting them?  If the answer is wait until just before spring, then how should they be stored?

If the answer is now, then I assume I need to provide warm greenhouse conditions throughout the winter.

I do tons of apple grafting and know the answers for that case, but the only rooting I have done were on spring cuttings of plums.

Any advice or links to more information is always appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan

Hi Dan,

I am a relative newbie to fig rooting myself. But from what I have read, it doesn't seem to be necessary to wait for spring. I bought some Ronde de Bordeaux and Col de Dame Gris cuttings from justfigs in late September. Both look like they are rooting successfully (especially the RdB, it is super vigorous! In less than a month there is 3 inches of new top growth and roots clearly visible through the bag). I am following this rooting method: http://figs4fun.com/Rooting_Bag_New_Style.html

I think the main issue for some people is the need of the young trees for light and warmth and how they intend to provide them. A lot of people on this forum do an amazing job using grow lights/heating pads and greenhouses (starting early fall isn't a problem), but I honestly wait until early spring to start rooting my cuttings so I'll have enough natural light to sustain them indoors until they are hardened off and moved outside (I just use plastic cups and window sills). I've only been growing figs a few years, hope this helps!

Thanks for the info guys!  I will start rooting my cuttings as I get them.