From Twigs to Figs in 120 Days: Rich's Propagation Method

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RichinNJ

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Posted 1396791717	Reply with quote #1

RichinNJ

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Posted 1396791756	Reply with quote #2

Calliope's Red Greek Fig unk.

RichinNJ

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Posted 1396792241	Reply with quote #3

Kearny NJ Black Fig unk. with young figs

RichinNJ

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Posted 1396792986	Reply with quote #4

Kearny NJ Green Fig unk.

RichinNJ

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Posted 1396793525	Reply with quote #5

"Recipe for success for propagating fig cuttings" 1) Put the cuttings into a quart clear deli containers with holes cut in the bottom . One per container. The bottom of the cutting should be 1-2" off the bottom of the container. 2) Fill with 100% perlite that's well saturated with water. Lightly pack down the perlite around the cutting and water with 2-3 baster fulls of water.I get my perlite from Home Depot 3) Put them into a closed clear humidity chamber (clear storage box from Ikea) 4) Keep on a heat mat (Hydro Farm) with the thermostat (Hydro Farm) set at 80F (measured in the perlite, close to the middle and half way down to the bottom) The air temp will be equal to the perlite temp. There should always be a little water on the bottom of the chamber. The sides normally are wet with condensation. Most times I get a lot of roots before I get buds by using bottom heat. Leave them in the chamber until you see a lot of roots and leaves 5) Keep under a 4 bulb T8 fluorescent fixture light turned on for 14 hours 6) As soon as they get leaves (1/2-3/4") and roots I can see on the bottom and/or sides put them on a tray on the heat mat. 7) After they have been transfered out of the chamber soak I them with 2 part hydroponics solution until it flows out of the bottom once a day . 2 squirts from a turkey baster in each container. I'm disposing of the flow-thru solution. I use Cana Aqua 2 part mixed 5ml/gal I purchase from Hydro Girl at the Grow Room in Nyack NY. I alternate 2 times plain water to 1 time hydro solution. 8) When there are many roots and big leaves I move them off the heat mat to a table under lights again for 14 hrs/day. They get 1-2 cups of the same solution as above daily. 9) When they are extensively rooted I cut the container down the sides and I transplant them to a #5 pot that I fill with 90% MG potting solid and 10% perlite. If you can follow these directions you can have the same results as I have had.

fignutty

Registered:1374034473
Posts: 580

Posted 1396794231	Reply with quote #6

Thanks Rich, I'll give that a try. __________________ Steve in Alpine TX 7b/8a Wish list: Sangue Dolce, Siblawi, Victoria, Emalyn's Purple, Colonel Littman's Black Cross

Figbert

Registered:1374961506
Posts: 54

Posted 1396794481	Reply with quote #7

You have beautiful results. it looks so easy, i don't know where i keep going wrong. thanks for sharing. __________________ Growing: brown turkey, sal's el, Black mission, Wish List: Paradiso, Vasilika sika, Adriatic, col de dame's, Lebanese red, abebereira, Binello.Smith, Stella, Zingarella, Adreano. Thibedeau, Adam, Champagne, Greek xx, Rouge de Bordeau, Asali, Izbat an naj . .any great tasting figs...

Maro2Bear

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Posts: 732

Posted 1396794934	Reply with quote #8

Rich Really nice tutorial Rich, thanks for taking the time to share your technique. __________________ Mark B., Glenn Dale, MD Zone 7a

KCMarie

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Posts: 92

Posted 1396795874	Reply with quote #9

Wow, I am amazed! Thanks for sharing. They are lovely __________________ Marie in Kansas City area Zone 5b or close to it

paully22

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Posts: 2,719

Posted 1396796147	Reply with quote #10

Healthy looking plants. Great job.

figgary

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Posts: 834

Posted 1396797521	Reply with quote #11

Hard to argue with those results, Rich. Thank you for the well done step by step tutorial. It is very helpful. Gary __________________ Gary in CA 9A Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1396801153	Reply with quote #12

Rich, Thanks for sharing the pictures and your method.

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1396802798	Reply with quote #13

Hi Rich, Awesome! So it was only 120 days from putting the dormant stick into the pearlite in the humidity bin to trees with over (looks like) a foot of new stem growth? Man they look fantastic! If they try to produce figs this year will you remove them, or is the tree strong enough? Thanks for sharing your technique! Phil __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

rafaelissimmo

Registered:1335639347
Posts: 1,473

Posted 1396804339	Reply with quote #14

Hey Rich so you use 2 heat mats, one for the chamber and one for the tray? Thanks for your info. __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

Hoosierguy86

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Posts: 246

Posted 1396804723	Reply with quote #15

Excellent job! Thank you for sharing because you have definitely mastered this process! __________________ Scott N. Indiana 5b/6a

RichinNJ

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Posts: 1,687

Posted 1396812201	Reply with quote #16

Quote: Originally Posted by drphil69 Hi Rich, Awesome! So it was only 120 days from putting the dormant stick into the pearlite in the humidity bin to trees with over (looks like) a foot of new stem growth? Man they look fantastic! If they try to produce figs this year will you remove them, or is the tree strong enough? Thanks for sharing your technique! Phil Yes. I will grow out all the figs I can.

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1396812332	Reply with quote #17

Quote: Originally Posted by rafaelissimmo Hey Rich so you use 2 heat mats, one for the chamber and one for the tray? Thanks for your info. Same heat mat for the chamber and the tray next to it. Thermostat is in a cutting in the chamber

IamKriya

Registered:1382711126
Posts: 254

Posted 1396816933	Reply with quote #18

Thanks for sharing. The roots that you're getting out of your cuttings are so nice! __________________ Zone 9a, Central Florida "Be the change you want to see in the world" ~ Gandhi ebay ID: churl82

GreenFin

Registered:1331268315
Posts: 684

Posted 1396827574	Reply with quote #19

Thanks for the great contribution, Rich! You're plants look terrific :) __________________ James, zone 6a Kansas (zone 10 greenhouses); wish list is in my profile http://www.FigCuttings.com

DesertDance

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Posts: 4,518

Posted 1396827908	Reply with quote #20

That's very impressive, and the lack of soil completely eliminates fungus gnat infestation. Good job! Suzi __________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!

Smaritza

Registered:1357076942
Posts: 319

Posted 1396827920	Reply with quote #21

Your plants look wonderful. I'm going to try this since I haven't been successful with sphagnum and damp paper towels.. Thanks for sharing this technique. __________________ Smaritza Bronx, NY Wishing for: Ronde de Bordeaux, Aubique Petit, Pananas Purple, Longue d Aout, Lebanese Red, Ischia Black, Scott's Black, Martineca Rimada, Tarantella, Jolly Tiger, Nero,

PepperMan

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Posts: 109

Posted 1396831553	Reply with quote #22

Rich, awesome job, please post more pics later in the season, Peace, chad __________________ Chad New Jersey, Zone 6B Wish List: Col de Dame Gris, Col de Dame Noir. I have small trees for trade starting in May! PM me if interested.

Norhayati

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Posts: 341

Posted 1396832497	Reply with quote #23

Thanks for sharing Rich. I am jealous, seriously. Norhayati __________________ Norhayati Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Wish list: Black Madeira

jdsfrance

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Posts: 2,591

Posted 1396863048	Reply with quote #24

Hi RichinNJ, You've got good results in Step one. Soon time for step two: Time to get them outside . Good luck ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1396900194	Reply with quote #25

Quote: Originally Posted by RichinNJ "Recipe for success for propagating fig cuttings" 7) After they have been transfered out of the chamber soak I them with 2 part hydroponics solution until it flows out of the bottom once a day . 2 squirts from a turkey baster in each container. I'm disposing of the flow-thru solution. I use Cana Aqua 2 part mixed 5ml/gal I purchase from Hydro Girl at the Grow Room in Nyack NY. I alternate 2 times plain water to 1 time hydro solution. 8) When there are many roots and big leaves I move them off the heat mat to a table under lights again for 14 hrs/day. They get 1-2 cups of the same solution as above daily. 9) When they are extensively rooted I cut the container down the sides and I transplant them to a #5 pot that I fill with 90% MP potting solid and 10% perlite. Thanks for the info. I have a few questions though. in #7, you say you give the hydro juice once a day, but then say alternate 2 times plain water to 1 time hydro juice. Does that mean your watering them 3 times a day? twice plain water, once hydro juice? Then the same during step 8? How big is your turkey baster in mL? Is a "squirt" the same as a full turkey baster? Finally when up potting you leave all the perlite in the root ball and just surround with media? or do you wash away some or all of the perlite before up potting. oh almost forgot. The closet where I do my rooting and initial growing stays a constant 80F. Do you think I'll still need to use a heat mat? Thanks, James __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

RichinNJ

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Posts: 1,687

Posted 1396908305	Reply with quote #26

Quote: Originally Posted by DallasFigs Quote: Originally Posted by RichinNJ "Recipe for success for propagating fig cuttings" 7) After they have been transfered out of the chamber soak I them with 2 part hydroponics solution until it flows out of the bottom once a day . 2 squirts from a turkey baster in each container. I'm disposing of the flow-thru solution. I use Cana Aqua 2 part mixed 5ml/gal I purchase from Hydro Girl at the Grow Room in Nyack NY. I alternate 2 times plain water to 1 time hydro solution. 8) When there are many roots and big leaves I move them off the heat mat to a table under lights again for 14 hrs/day. They get 1-2 cups of the same solution as above daily. 9) When they are extensively rooted I cut the container down the sides and I transplant them to a #5 pot that I fill with 90% MP potting solid and 10% perlite. Thanks for the info. I have a few questions though. in #7, you say you give the hydro juice once a day, but then say alternate 2 times plain water to 1 time hydro juice. Does that mean your watering them 3 times a day? twice plain water, once hydro juice? Then the same during step 8? How big is your turkey baster in mL? Is a "squirt" the same as a full turkey baster? Finally when up potting you leave all the perlite in the root ball and just surround with media? or do you wash away some or all of the perlite before up potting. oh almost forgot. The closet where I do my rooting and initial growing stays a constant 80F. Do you think I'll still need to use a heat mat? Thanks, James Water 1x per day All plants Turkey baster is 40ml per squirt Do not disturb root ball. Plant as seen in photo 1-2" below top of soil I would use a heat mat. Bottom heat drives root growth. Cooler tops promotes reduction in leafy growth. The basement where I grow my plants is 75 in the day and 65 at night 20% humidity. I grow my plants on 48x24 steel shelves I bought at Costco online. They are for the food industry . 4 shelf unit is $160.

dizzymizzy

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Posts: 33

Posted 1396916157	Reply with quote #27

Good work, mate. __________________ Florida, Zone 9 Cuttings Wish List: The LSU varieties...

DallasFigs

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Posts: 990

Posted 1396918079	Reply with quote #28

okay.. I'm trying a couple your way and see what happens. Thanks! __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 886

Posted 1396921282	Reply with quote #29

Very nice! How tall is the humidity bin? __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

RichinNJ

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Posts: 1,687

Posted 1396951950	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by nycfig Very nice! How tall is the humidity bin? They are the 16" tall clear storage containers from IKEA .

zaitun

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Posts: 254

Posted 1396979604	Reply with quote #31

Its really awesome Rich. !!!. Can I share your PIC...? and I'll try it ,Hopefully it would work as well as your tree in our tropical climate. Salam zaitun

Ong888

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Posts: 140

Posted 1397393479	Reply with quote #32

Very nice tutorial..... Does it work in tropical climate with high humidity ?.... I do rooting quite a lot of cuttings, they do well in the humidity chamber.... But when I repotting them and put it outside of the humidity chamber... All starting to dry out..... From 40 cuttings that root, only few is survive..... Maybe I should use perlite like you do..... Thanks Rich....

kenny

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Posts: 46

Posted 1397438699	Reply with quote #33

Thanks for sharing Rich! __________________ Wish list: Black Madeira. Zidi and more... 2nd year in pots: Adriatic JH, VdB, RdB, Angelo's Dark, Antonio'd Black, Nero600M, Flanders, Petite Negra. 1st year in pot:Galicia Negra, White Genoa, Black Mission, and other unknown figs I gather last year. Rooting now: Varieties of Greek figs and more dark unknown figs.

Frankallen

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Posts: 994

Posted 1397522471	Reply with quote #34

Rich, This is an Outstanding Post!! I've learned a lot just from this One Post! Thanks! :) __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

rafaelissimmo

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Posted 1400448843	Reply with quote #35

I am posting here several photos of cuttings with which I have had good results using this method, with a little tinkering on my part. Two of the cuttings were in real trouble and have been rescued from near death. I will show the cutting and the roots if possible. First is a BM cutting from Jon, after nearly losing it using another method, I place the cutting in Spaghnum Moss and it developed a couple of small root initials and a small leaf. Then, I put it in a small cup of perlite, into a humidity chamber with heat mat on the bottom, set to 80 F. As of today, leafing out nicely and even the terminal bud, which was nearly dried out, has broken bud. The roots are looking nice. I am hydrating with a custom blend of Cornucopia fertilizer, Cal-Mag for calcium, root start rooting enhancer, and a little peroxide. Attached Images image.jpg (85.33 KB, 170 views) image.jpg (75.75 KB, 171 views) __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

rafaelissimmo

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Posted 1400449176	Reply with quote #36

This is a cutting of Paradiso Gene, it struggled in a cup of perlite for about a month under hydroponic lights in open air. There were 2 unhealthy looking leaves and no terminal bud visible. Not good. After a couple of days in the humidity chamber, a new bud appeared and after about a week we have 3 new leaves. Attached Images image.jpg (96.46 KB, 107 views) __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

rafaelissimmo

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Posted 1400449587	Reply with quote #37

Finally, I had two Adriatic JH cuttings, they started to root in Spaghnum Moss. One went into straight perlite, the other into a mix of 2/3 perlite 1/3 peat moss. The peat moss cutting is showing particularly vigorous roots. Attached Images image.jpg (76.84 KB, 122 views) image.jpg (102.44 KB, 126 views) image.jpg (79.80 KB, 132 views) image.jpg (110.92 KB, 135 views) __________________ Zone 7b, Queens, New York

RichinNJ

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Posts: 1,687

Posted 1400452740	Reply with quote #38

Quote: Originally Posted by rafaelissimmo I am posting here several photos of cuttings with which I have had good results using this method, with a little tinkering on my part. Two of the cuttings were in real trouble and have been rescued from near death. I will show the cutting and the roots if possible. First is a BM cutting from Jon, after nearly losing it using another method, I place the cutting in Spaghnum Moss and it developed a couple of small root initials and a small leaf. Then, I put it in a small cup of perlite, into a humidity chamber with heat mat on the bottom, set to 80 F. As of today, leafing out nicely and even the terminal bud, which was nearly dried out, has broken bud. The roots are looking nice. I am hydrating with a custom blend of Cornucopia fertilizer, Cal-Mag for calcium, root start rooting enhancer, and a little peroxide. That's great Rafael. I'm happy that by sharing my experience with others good things have happened.

JohnnieB

Registered:1365275627
Posts: 155

Posted 1400517185	Reply with quote #39

At this point using this method Rich, what would you say is your success rate? Judging by this tutorial this is a method I will employ in the future. __________________ Wish List:St. Rita,LdA, and any unknown heirlooms

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1400519332	Reply with quote #40

I'm 36/37 so far I think I killed the one by fertilizing and then allowing it to dry out so it was due to me not paying attention

JohnnieB

Registered:1365275627
Posts: 155

Posted 1400520232	Reply with quote #41

That's a fantastic success rate Rich! I will definitely use this method next year. Thanks for sharing your technique. __________________ Wish List:St. Rita,LdA, and any unknown heirlooms

jenn42

Registered:1389575153
Posts: 256

Posted 1400899565	Reply with quote #42

Rich, I was wondering how often you water the cuttings while they are in the humidity chamber and if you do, what do you use? I understand that you water with the 2 part solution once they are on the tray/heat mat alternating with water, but not quite sure in the chamber. BTW, I put a couple of struggling cuttings in perlite yesterday in a chamber, so I am curious. Thanks! __________________ Jenn Austin, TX Zone 8b Wish List: CDD, Bryant-Dark Unknown, Red Lebanese, ORoarke, Calvert Will hopefully have cuttings to trade next year as my yearlings mature

RichinNJ

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Posted 1400925436	Reply with quote #43

I water the cuttings in the humidity chamber infrequently with plain water. Maybe once a week or 10 days. One baser full will usually be enough. There should allways be a couple tablesppons of water on the bottom of the chamber

jenn42

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Posted 1400938998	Reply with quote #44

Quote: Originally Posted by RichinNJ I water the cuttings in the humidity chamber infrequently with plain water. Maybe once a week or 10 days. One baser full will usually be enough. There should allways be a couple tablesppons of water on the bottom of the chamber Thank you! __________________ Jenn Austin, TX Zone 8b Wish List: CDD, Bryant-Dark Unknown, Red Lebanese, ORoarke, Calvert Will hopefully have cuttings to trade next year as my yearlings mature

RichinNJ

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Posts: 1,687

Posted 1410914886	Reply with quote #45

A few of the featured plants post summer growth ....more photos later

Otmani007

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Posts: 573

Posted 1410915901	Reply with quote #46

Impressive work and excellent results. __________________ Dallas, TX - Zone 8a Wish List: Col de Dame Blanche, Brogiotto Bianco, Sicilian White, Panache Otmani

RichinNJ

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Posts: 1,687

Posted 1410916026	Reply with quote #47

Thanks.... Anyone of you folks out there can do this.

jenn42

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Posts: 256

Posted 1410919671	Reply with quote #48

Thats impressive! Great work. I have a MBVS that has about that much growth over the summer, but its the only one. I think I had them too shaded. I left them all in indirect sun for half the summer. Once I put them in full sun, they all took off! I'm going to hopefully try your method in the spring. You really gave a great tutorial. Very detailed and informative. __________________ Jenn Austin, TX Zone 8b Wish List: CDD, Bryant-Dark Unknown, Red Lebanese, ORoarke, Calvert Will hopefully have cuttings to trade next year as my yearlings mature

waynea

Registered:1362316304
Posts: 1,886

Posted 1410920369	Reply with quote #49

Looking good, congrats Rich.

NativeSun

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Posts: 178

Posted 1410982519	Reply with quote #50

Thanks for this very informative post! __________________ James, North Florida zone 9A

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