Just wanted to give an update on what is working for me for my first time winter rooting.  I've had some limited success in rooting cuttings in the summer and moving them along to the pot stage. 

It's seems like getting roots is not really the problem, most figs want to produce roots.  It's getting them past the cup stage which has been the hardest for me.  I've tried a few different methods, like rooting in a closed shoebox with promix and perlite...not a bad method, but getting the cuttings out after they rooted caused alot of broken root damage for me.  I even tried the L.A. method (not at all successfully), most of the cuttings just sat there (4wks).  They finally rooted after putting them into cups, but it was not a good method for me.

So the method which proved to be the best for me was the water method.  I would place the cuttings after I cleaned them and waxed the top into a cup of water.  I replaced the water every 2 days and in about 2-4 weeks I have root initials (the white bumps on the cuttings).  If I had any cuttings that were not going to make it, they usually showed mold problems within a week or so.  I then potted them in 80% Promix & 20% perlite and place the cups on a heating mat set around 77 degrees. 

I have moved a few from their cups into trade gallon pots and they have responded well so far.  But my biggest problem to battle has been fungus gnats and spidermites.  I have a few baby plants from this summer inside and they may have contributed to the fungus gnat problem.  I've ordered some Gnatrol and have been using fly strips and yellow cards to reduce their numbers.  I've noticed the the yellow cards don't catch as many gnats as the fly strips do. 

A few lessons this experience has taught me... don't start the fig cuttings too early (February-March would be a good time for me in VA), when using the cups the larger the better 20oz or larger (I like to look at my cuttings alot, so a clear cup works best for me to see the new roots), try not to mix your outdoor plants with your new starts-gnats become a big problem along with spidermites.  Again, I am definitely still a newbie when it comes to figs, but thought there might be some value to sharing my experience so far.

Galbun from Dfoster started in early Nov, this is not the only one of many that started for me from Dfoster.
 

U.Lake Spur from Charlie. Easy rooter, nothing will kill this one.
 

U. Carini from Figgyfrank, a bit stubborn about roots.
 
 
Marylane Seedless from Rui, left it too long in the shoebox.
 


U. Greek Yellow from Aaron D. btw the roots on this one is so big! Started 11/28
 
  last one Bronx U.from Deerhunter started on 12/5. Great roots.

Looking good! I kinda regret not getting Unk. Greek Yellow cuttings, I saw that post right after he put it up, I'm really looking forward to fruit pics and reports from you guys in the future. A man has to know some limitations!
You may want to do something to limit stretching/legginess of those youngsters. Leggy plants are at risk of bending and or breaking, plus they can get top heavy and tip. You could increase the light, and/or use a fan to create some leaf motion, and/or decrease the air temp(you can still use a heat mat for the roots). Decreased air temp will slow everything down if you are worried about them getting too big to fast.
I like the Grande Starbucks cups too, a person has to be carefull to remove any burs/ridges from the inside of the cup where you make holes in the side walls. Of all the cups, it seems for me, that the roots can sometimes really stick to the walls of the Starbucks the most. But given I prefer to use cuttings that are around 6" or more, sometimes the Grande is the only way to go so I don't have so much cutting length sticking out of the rooting medium.

Great job, Von!  I'm rooting a few right now, using coco coir and perlite in clear cups.  I hear they keep the gnats away.  But as you said, if your other plants had gnats in the mix already, it's too late.
I'll be starting a few important cuttings around March to prevent an infestation, but in the past, I have rooted cuttings throughout the winter and it wasn't fun all the time.

I have had the fungus gnat problem also. The fan idea, besides helping w/leaf motion, might also help keep the gnats blown away.

Grate job. I rooting for ya that they make it ! Lol
I am trying the water thing( just for fun) with a cutting from the tree in yard. I am sticking to the the Louisiana method. .. poke them in a pot let them grow. But i cant help myself of trying different ways i see yall do. But i am doing them with cutting from my tree in yard. Grate looking plants. Are you keeping them in fish tank. ?

Richie

Hi Frank - is it the coir you say may help keep gnats away?

Yes, Arne.  I've also read several posts claiming the same results.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Calvin, the legginess seems to be under control now that I added some additional lighting. FiggyFrank, bought some coco coir and will probably try that for the next batch of cuttings. Richie, some are still in the fish tank, but of course some additional encroachment on my hubby's man cave has taken place as all of them are getting bigger :-).

Von, your cuttings look good!  I agree with you about waiting until Feb. or March to start cuttings in our area.  However, I have some extra time this weekend and once March comes I'll be busy with veggie starts.  So...I am toying with the idea of starting my first cuttings this winter tomorrow! 

Congrats and good luck. I am having trouble understanding why you have gnats if you are using inert media such as perlite and peat moss (promix).

I started my first round a week a ago. Once they are settled and growing in cups I put them on the floor where they stay cooler and grow slow, but they are ready to take off when it warms up and the days get longer around March.

Hey Steve, I should start them in Feb/Mar, but whenever I get a new batch of cuttings, I'm so excited I want to start a few...so I understand and will always a few starts to play/fuss with over winter.

Rafael, the gnats are in the plants started in the summer that I'm babying in the house. The potting mix is Fafard and MG, which is full of gnats.

Von

Ah yes I know MG is a hive for gnats, what I meant was I was under the impression the gnats had migrated into your new starts, which are in inert media. Has that happend?

Rafael, unfortunately the buggers have migrated to my new starts. I have a few gallon size plants mixed in with my starts in the fish tank, so easy access for them.

Hey Von good job!  I haven't seen a gnat or spider mite since setting off a pyrethrum fogger and watering with gnatrol.  That stuff really works.  

I have to ask what are these knats yall talking about? Fruit flys. I have never seen any bugs around my figs. Just curious i read several post of people mentioning the knats

Richie, here is a good link to fungus gnats.  I don't think they are the same as fruit flies.  The larvaes are what does the damage to your plant and could possibly kill a young cutting.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05584.html

The information in that link is pretty interesting. They also mentioned that the adults are attracted to peat moss, so the conversion to coco coir rooting medium might be a good thing.

Charlie, am waiting patiently(not) for my Gnatrol, and have been spraying with pyrethrim for the adults, but there is only so much that can be done until I get to the larvae.

Nice Von .....keep up the stong work

Von. I have dollers,of,ebay bucks,to spend. Going to get some of that coco coir. Is that were yall buy it ?

Richie, there's a thread called "rooting in coir" from FMD. It has some good info in it. Also there are some coir that has salt in them. You want to avoid those.

Ok thank you. I better go see if what i bought has salt. It said it was for cuttings so i will check