My preferred method is a modified Rooting in Bag; Alternate Cup method... http://figs4fun.com/Rooting_Bag_New_Style.html in combination with The Forsythe Cutting Pot... http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1278521225&postcount=14 and fertigation.
Materials needed... 2 cups - Clear, 1 for planter, 1 for humidity dome. 1 bag - Perlite, sifted through a window screen to remove Perlite dust. Water Soluble Fertilizer - Miracle-Gro All Purpose* or Tomato Formula, mixed at 1/2 teaspoon / gallon of water.
1. Remove all large leaves, leave only the smaller leaves and bud near the tip. 2. Plant cutting in the container in the Perlite. 3. Thoroughly soak the cutting, leaves and the Perlite with the fertilizer solution. Let the planter sit in 1" to 2" of solution for up to 2 weeks. 4. Cover the top with the second container (forming a humidity dome) and place near a window, but out of direct sunlight. 5. Water and or mist daily with the fertilizer solution to ensure the leaves remain hydrated.
The cuttings usually root in 3 to 4 weeks and this method works well with extremely small caliper cuttings and trimmings. Once roots start to grow the fertilizer can be increased to 1 teaspoon / gallon of water.
* If using Miracle-Gro All purpose fertilizer the initial mix recipe should be 1 teaspoon / 2 gallons of water with 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom Salt.
bullet08
Registered:
Posts: 6,920
pete,
do you keep 'em inside or outside? i need to sharpen my green cutting rooting skills. so for, i killed every one of green cuttings. i'm actually thinking about making cloning system.
Aaron4USA
Registered:
Posts: 2,969
thanks for sharing your experience Pete S. I keep learning:)
paully22
Registered:
Posts: 2,719
I add dirt. I do it outside using the aquarium acting as green house. Word of caution -- if it is a hot day, do leave an air gap. I used a piece of 2x4, slidding it underneath my inverted(upside down) aquarium.
ascpete
Registered:
Posts: 1,942
Pete, They're kept inside near a window where the temperatures are above 70 deg F. BTW, I've planted up to six (6) small caliper cuttings in this quart sized container, since it it only used for pre-rooting the green cuttings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yFL-jEkWSV8#t=282 .
Aaron, You're welcome.
Paully22, Thanks for sharing your technique. I prefer to pre-root them indoors and in Perlite (sterile mix) to have better control over the rooting environment because it increases the success rate. Ray Givan's uses a similar method, but his outdoor temperatures are also much higher than mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=z28Gsa5oHMw#t=108 .
ascpete
Registered:
Posts: 1,942
Shailesh, Thanks, you're welcome...
Update: 5-17-2014
22 days after the start of the summer cutting in the Opening Post... The cutting has rooted and is actively growing, The cutting is still under the humidity dome, is watered daily with the same nutrient solution, but has not been misted in 2 weeks. It is also in a sunny window with direct sunlight for at least 6 hours. It will be up potted to a 2 liter SIP with regular potting mix when there are more visible roots. .
blueboy1977
Registered:
Posts: 459
Great job, but Im having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of watering a cutting daily. That seems to go against everything Ive read. Ive rooted and currently rooting in coarse perlite and havent watered in a week and I can still see condensation on the inside of the cups. Are you saying its okay to water daily if the perlite is sifted?
ascpete
Registered:
Posts: 1,942
Shailesh, Thanks.
Rob, Thanks, This is for Summer Cutting that are actively growing and have an active vascular system that needs the additional moisture to support the leaves. Since the sifted Perlite is fast draining it will dry out too much if only watered weekly. This procedure is only used for summer cuttings, but I have used it with limited success on dormant cuttings.
blueboy1977
Registered:
Posts: 459
Thanks for the clarification. I didn't realize you were referring to actively growing tissue. It all makes since now;)
maedmonson
Registered:
Posts: 8
Pete, In your pics at the start of the thread I don't see #3 3. Thoroughly soak the cutting, leaves and the Perlite with the fertilizer solution. Let the planter sit in 1" to 2" of solution for up to 2 weeks.
Is the perlite floating in the fertilizer solution? Thank you for clarification.
ascpete
Registered:
Posts: 1,942
Rob, You're welcome.
Maedmonson, The container and cutting are just watered until the Perlite is fully saturated, I use a watering can with a shower end. The Perlite doesn't float because the bottom of the container is perforated and the 1" -2" of liquid cannot displace the entire weight of the wet Perlite in the container. I have switched to 2 liter SIPs for all my small planters, but any container or planter can be used. You're Welcome.
maedmonson
Registered:
Posts: 8
Pete, Got ya, thank you
ascpete
Registered:
Posts: 1,942
Update: 5-24-2014
30 days after the start of the summer cutting in the Opening Post... The cutting is actively growing. It was up potted today to a 2 liter SIP with a 50/50 mix of Jiffy Seed Starting mix / Perlite. .
FiggieFive_0
Registered:
Posts: 259
Mahalo, Pete. I like this technique, so easy. I had a couple unknown cuttings in the fridge and decided that I'm going to try your method. Wish me luck!
Nate
ascpete
Registered:
Posts: 1,942
Nate, Good Luck. But with your location (weather) you could probably just plant them outside and they would grow : )
BTW Figs come before Friends... Alphabetically ; )