Does anyone recommend starting cuttings in winter?

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Nickdef

Registered:1436578139
Posts: 20

Posted 1443367960	Reply with quote #1

Wondering if anyone starts cuttings in the house during winter or do you prefer to store cuttings until spring? I'm in NJ. Anythi,g special that you do if you do it in the house? Thanks! Nick

vito12831

Registered:1256950611
Posts: 840

Posted 1443368993 · Edited	Reply with quote #2

Hi Nick. I start all my cuttings in the winter, I use grow lights in my cellar. Good luck with yous. Vito

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,713

Posted 1443371298	Reply with quote #3

Nick, Lighting and humidity is key. I've rooted in the winter with basic shop lights kept very close to the plants. I place newly rooted cuttings in a tote with a clear lid to create humidity. That's the gist of it, but If you do a search, you'll see pictures and methods with lots of great ideas from members. Just remember, even if you do everything right, you will lose a couple. It's normal. Have fun and good luck. It makes the winter pass faster. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1443375036	Reply with quote #4

Another thing you have to plan for is gnats. I use nylon knee highs when I pot up rooted cuttings. Exposed potting soil can create a huge gnat problem in a hurry. __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

Charlie

Registered:1404043833
Posts: 1,214

Posted 1443375633	Reply with quote #5

Quote: Originally Posted by FiggyFrank Nick, Just remember, even if you do everything right, you will lose a couple. It's normal. Or a couple hundred. Nobody normal starts hundreds though. :) __________________ Zone 7A ~ Fort Smith area Arkansas

recomer20

Registered:1378013757
Posts: 402

Posted 1443384300	Reply with quote #6

I second Tylerj's comment. Avoid bringing your other outdoor potted plants in for the winter into your indoor fig area. You'll likely bring the gnats in with them. __________________ Rick C. Birmingham, AL z7b --- INGROUND: S.C.Lemon ("Dr.Welch"), LSUpurple, Celeste (Std) POTTED 3rd Yr: Alma, Atreano, BattGreen, GrnGreek, HardyChicago, ItalianBlack (Becnel), LSUGold?, MBvs, Sal's EL, Southern BT?, St.Jean, Jackie'sUnk POTTED 2nd Yr: SunbirdUnkJP, BourjNoire, JHAdriatic, ValleNegra ROOTING: RdB, ScottsBlk, BlkGreek-MN,Preto

ross

Registered:1437442979
Posts: 375

Posted 1443386950	Reply with quote #7

Quote: Originally Posted by FiggyFrank Nick, Lighting and humidity is key. I've rooted in the winter with basic shop lights kept very close to the plants. I place newly rooted cuttings in a tote with a clear lid to create humidity. That's the gist of it, but If you do a search, you'll see pictures and methods with lots of great ideas from members. Just remember, even if you do everything right, you will lose a couple. It's normal. Have fun and good luck. It makes the winter pass faster. Do you think a West facing window will provide enough light? __________________ Ross - Zone 6B/7A - Philadelphia My Cultivar List / Pictures! / My YouTube

Nickdef

Registered:1436578139
Posts: 20

Posted 1443386968	Reply with quote #8

Thanks all for the ideas. I greatly appreciate it!!!

DonCentralTexas

Registered:1390420422
Posts: 475

Posted 1443466961	Reply with quote #9

Ross, I don't think the west window will be sufficient unless your winters are predominately sunny. My winters are often over cast for weeks, not dependable enough to grow anything, maybe an ivy. Your figs will be weak and lanky, in that case I say wait until spring. I use T5 HOs, pretty economical to run 16 hours on, 8 off. Something to consider, you will need more space, more light as they grow. About 60 cuttings can be placed under a 4 foot light (6 bulb), but 60 plants growing in quart size will take up double that in my experience. But like others said above, gives you time to nuture, and get to know each one before busy spring. __________________ Don (Near Austin, TX zone 8b) If you have these for sale/trade PM me: Zingarella, Grantham's Royal, Calderona, Genovese Nero, Noir de Barbentane

figlayla

Registered:1430091348
Posts: 155

Posted 1443631211	Reply with quote #10

Thanks for asking nikdef i was wondering the same thing. __________________ Joshua Ahl New York/Long Island Wish List: black madiera, vdb, rdb, nero 600 ( waiting on greenfin's delivery) pomengranete cuttings/plants..and a bmw r25/26/27 Current list in pots: Sals, honey, green ichia, monstrues, hardy chicago, joe morle Goccia d'Oro, atillio purple, black mission. Rooting Unknowns Now

Rob

Registered:1320245426
Posts: 550

Posted 1443644029	Reply with quote #11

You can do it. Might not be any real advantage over spring starts. But it does pass the winter doldrums __________________ Rob Maryland Zone 7 http://rbfigs.webs.com/

larryl

Registered:1436028458
Posts: 84

Posted 1443645406	Reply with quote #12

As far as I can see there is no bad time to start cuttings what else would I have to do all winter long or any other time. Love fussing over the cuttings. __________________ Larry Sierra Vista,Az Zone 8b____________ wish list: Black Madeira, Black Ishia,Italian258,Maltese Falcon,Maltese Beauty,Fico Preto,Galicia Negri,Black mission,dwarf peach tree.

MexicanFigFood

Registered:1441206966
Posts: 13

Posted 1443785736	Reply with quote #13

Great topic! Thank you for asking. I assumed it was just a bad idea so wasn't going to even attempt it. Now I may have something to keep me busy until January when I start planning seeds for the garden this summer. __________________ New Jersey Zone 7A Growing: Italian, Black Mission, Godfather fig.

snaglpus

Registered:1244258188
Posts: 4,072

Posted 1443793631	Reply with quote #14

Nick, there are thousands of post and comments about this subject already out on this forum. Try searching, it works great. __________________ Dennis Charlotte, North Carolina/Zone 8a

Nickdef

Registered:1436578139
Posts: 20

Posted 1443917946	Reply with quote #15

Thanks for the info snaglpus, but I didn't have time to sift through thousands of posts.

chucklikestofish

Registered:1391263141
Posts: 1,316

Posted 1443925779	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by Nickdef Wondering if anyone starts cuttings in the house during winter or do you prefer to store cuttings until spring? I'm in NJ. Anythi,g special that you do if you do it in the house? Thanks! Nick ~every winter put them on top of hot water tank,or frig or freezer for added heat,i use my upright freezer it works great ,they root fast ,i like the green moss the best but any peat moss works for me.~ __________________

cjmach1973

Registered:1426471634
Posts: 30

Posted 1443926734 · Edited	Reply with quote #17

Last winter, I tried in a clear container with moist soil, in damp paper towels, and in moss. All of the methods worked. At least 70% success rate or more.

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