Cutting from this spring dying after growing nicely?

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seattlepurple

Registered:1467665021
Posts: 14

Posted 1469897235	Reply with quote #1

I bought 3 rooted fig cuttings in a pot from a local long time fig grower in Seattle, a Desert King, a Kadota, and a Brown Turkey. The Kadota is taking off like crazy, the brown turkey isn't, but it's very healthy looking still, and the Desert King's leaves are drying out though I keep it watered, especially this week when it's 80 out. I noticed it starting to dry out and moved it to a shadier spot a few days ago and have kept it watered, though it's still shrilling up. Is there anything I can do? Should I cut the leaves off and hope they come back? Next year? Do I make a cutting and put it in the fridge to put into dormancy? Is it too late already? Thanks guys. __________________ Zone 8b Wish list: Brooklyn White, Breva de Galicia, Matta, Byadi, Lebanese White, Brown Turkey, Desert King and Naples White.

pino

Registered:1383190021
Posts: 2,118

Posted 1469898324	Reply with quote #2

Could be a number of problems. Too much water, not enough water, too much sun or a weak damaged cutting to begin with. Check the soil 2" down and see if it is wet and check health of main stem. It looks like the cutting was planted upside down. No big deal except it will be difficult to get a nice shaped tree but you may be able to straighten it when you up pot or put in ground. That leaf looks like it has had it the sooner you cut it off the better. As long as the main branch is not rotted and the little branches don't desiccate or rot it should grow new leaves in a week or so. I am sure others will chime in with their ideas for you. Good luck! __________________ Pino, zone 6, Niagara, JCJ Acres Wish; Peace on earth and more figs Italian 258, Galicia Negra, Luv, trade suggestions welcome.

brianm

Registered:1389664758
Posts: 971

Posted 1469898786	Reply with quote #3

Definitely upside down and probably rotted at the base of cutting. Once they get to this point it's outta your hands. I suspect they weren't rooted real well from the get go. __________________ Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1469900304	Reply with quote #4

I wouldn't rely on guesses. I'd take the pot off and soak the soil in warm water, gently swishing it around until the soil separates from the roots. Once you look at the roots you'll know what to do or you can post pictures and we can help you. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

seattlepurple

Registered:1467665021
Posts: 14

Posted 1469903630	Reply with quote #5

Really disappointed it's upside down, I went to this guy specifically because of his reputation as a long time fig grower, but when I was there talking with him about figs it was apparent he was a casual fig head, though I didn't realize how casual I guess if it's upside down, which I can see now and it is very apparent. You'd think that would be a rookie mistake like I would make, not a guy in the newspaper for being the local fig guy... I'll get to the roots and take pics and show you guys. If I cut the roots off if they are bad, and plant it right side up, would that work, or is it too late. __________________ Zone 8b Wish list: Brooklyn White, Breva de Galicia, Matta, Byadi, Lebanese White, Brown Turkey, Desert King and Naples White.

ricky

Registered:1444161045
Posts: 217

Posted 1469904604 · Edited	Reply with quote #6

rooted cuttings, Who put them is pot? your or seller? just wonder? I think that you may take the chance to put it rightside up ASAP and put it in shaded but bright area. If roots are still good, you may consider cut at middle, and put rooted cutting flat on soils with leaves branch up 1/4" deep. __________________ - BC, Canada, PNW Zone 8 with windy ( Zone7 - branches damage at winter) - Wish list - Granthams Royal, RdB, any heavy breba varieties or early one crop varieties.

seattlepurple

Registered:1467665021
Posts: 14

Posted 1469904728	Reply with quote #7

Seller, that's why I'm disappointed. I'm a newbie, I would expect that from me, which is why I paid extra to get potted and already growing cuttings, 1 of which is doing great, one of which hasn't grown but hasn't died, and one that's upside down. __________________ Zone 8b Wish list: Brooklyn White, Breva de Galicia, Matta, Byadi, Lebanese White, Brown Turkey, Desert King and Naples White.

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1469905642	Reply with quote #8

It probably isn't feasible to flip the cutting around at this point because new roots would need to form from a node that is currently above the soil line. The cutting may not have enough energy left to do this. However, if the roots look ok it might be possible to re-pot the cutting horizontally with at least one green stem above the soil surface. Use a well-draining mix and keep the soil moist but not saturated. Leave in the shade, or dappled shade until it starts putting out new growth. __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

gofiger

Registered:1468681189
Posts: 71

Posted 1469909725	Reply with quote #9

By no means an expert here so take my experience for what it is worth. This winter I started cuttings for the first time. My grandkids Lucas and Kennadi both started a cutting.....ziplock bag method. Lucas's cutting was doing WAY BETTER then his sisters...something he delighted in pointing out at EVERY opportunity...lol. Once they where showing really good roots I potted them up and then Lucas's healthy tree started slowing down, wilting and dropping leaves. Something his sister delighted in pointing out at EVERY opportunity. Eventually just before I was about to add it to my compost bin I decided to pull it out and have a look. The roots had turned brownish. My only thought was maybe when I repotted it perhaps I packed the soil in the pot too much and the roots where compacted and unable to function properly. I repotted with a little more care this 2nd time and the tree/cutting rebounded right away. Perhaps for yourself it will be something as simple as that. Good luck with the recovery. __________________ Steve Zone 5b-6a Oshawa Ontario That's Canada eh! Wish List: A Canadian member that is willing to share there cuttings with me.

RegencyLass

Registered:1441763907
Posts: 136

Posted 1469943015	Reply with quote #10

I found these two cuties online (photos are the creation of Ben Nguyen in Seattle....youtube name: Ben B.) and they have been figgy lifesavers for me (so a great big thank you, Ben!) Happy is what a cutting should like like when planted correctly and upright...notice how the "nose" is located above the "mouth," as a proper nose should be. :) Sad Face is what the cutting would look like if it were planted upside down. __________________ ~RL~ Zone 5 Wish list: Saint Martin, Pastiliere, Panache, Dark Portuguese, Alma, Nero600m, Salce, Vista, Malta Black, Gino, Galicia Negra & Conadria.

adoresfigs45

Registered:1421515059
Posts: 254

Posted 1469973698	Reply with quote #11

cute picture sometimes cuttings will root put out leaves and just croak. I have never taken apart the container to examine the reason just dumped the thing in the garbage maybe I will examine next time. I have had several cuttings of the same thing did exactly the same thing for each and have them side by side. Never 100 percent success.

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,727

Posted 1469997491	Reply with quote #12

You should contact the seller before uprooting and ask if he'll replace it. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

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