ourhappyhome
Registered:1459125339 Posts: 11
Smyfigs
Registered:1443660141 Posts: 1,658
Posted 1461699812
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#2
April, your trees look very nice. Tall! Good choice!
__________________Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a Looking for... Socorro Blk Wuhan Jolly Tiger Lamperia Preta Herschtetten St. Jean Black Ischia "The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa "Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~ "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4
m_delgo
Registered:1461165600 Posts: 15
Posted 1461706699
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#3
They're nice and tall, that's for sure
coop951
Registered:1217167527 Posts: 595
Posted 1461710498
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#4
I would cut them down to about a foot or so and take the cuttings and root them. I think they are too tall. With all those additional cuttings you can have another 6 trees
__________________Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a
ourhappyhome
Registered:1459125339 Posts: 11
Posted 1461712913
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#5
Yes. They are much taller than I ever expected. I agree that they desperately need to be cut back. Is air layering the best option? That's what I was planning to do. Since space is limited, I think I may prefer 4 mid size trees to 6 smaller ones. Definitely taking cuttings would be faster but then I would need to refrigerate the cuttings and grow them out this winter, correct? I thought I read somewhere that cuttings should only be taken from dormant trees and that they need to be chilled for a few weeks before rooting them. Either way, I'm terribly excited to have them. They are my Mothers Day gift to myself. If there is a method for rooting cuttings in the Spring, someone please share. Thanks
__________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma
Rado
Registered:1457005659 Posts: 13
Posted 1461712962
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#6
Cut the top..( chopping it cause the tree to produce branches) . Maybe a foot or more. Chuck cutting ,root it, whatever you want. Then make sure to plant tree or put it in a bigger pot, depending on your location and it should branch out nicely in no time. Maybe use a support stick til it strengthens a bit....
m_delgo
Registered:1461165600 Posts: 15
Posted 1461719324
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#7
Don't worry so much about six smaller or 4 medium, cause they'll all be pretty big in due time anyway
Just keep in mind where you want the current ones to start branching, if you want a bush type you can go all the way down to 1' for ex
Porfirio
Registered:1437660802 Posts: 103
Posted 1461724714
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#8
They are nice and too tall I agree with coop951 .You get a nice chance of multiplying those babies. Good luck with them whatever you decide.
__________________ Rio Zone 5 Montreal Canada
cyberfarmer
Registered:1293483474 Posts: 544
Posted 1461783911
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#9
I'm pretty sure you can take cuttings from an actively growing tree and root them immediately. They do not need to be dormant and they don't need a "chilling" period in the fridge. If you root them now, you do have to keep in mind that they will still be very small at the end of the season and may need extra protection if winters are cold where you live. If it were me, I would air layer them. You'll have 4 healthy plants a lot faster than you would by rooting the cuttings. Also, depending on your skill in rooting cuttings, you will probably have a higher success rate with air layers than you would with cuttings, so you might end up with the same number of trees in the end anyway.
__________________Paul the Fig Tree Destroyer in Fallbrook, CA (Zone 10A )
ourhappyhome
Registered:1459125339 Posts: 11
Posted 1461795499
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#10
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberfarmer I'm pretty sure you can take cuttings from an actively growing tree and root them immediately. They do not need to be dormant and they don't need a "chilling" period in the fridge. If you root them now, you do have to keep in mind that they will still be very small at the end of the season and may need extra protection if winters are cold where you live. If it were me, I would air layer them. You'll have 4 healthy plants a lot faster than you would by rooting the cuttings. Also, depending on your skill in rooting cuttings, you will probably have a higher success rate with air layers than you would with cuttings, so you might end up with the same number of trees in the end anyway.
CyberFarmer, thanks for the information about summer cuttings. It's exactly what I wanted to know.
I have attempted an air layer on both trees. The air layers are small, but they should be fine. I did something similar on a Japanese Maple with good results.. The Cordi will result in two equal plants, but The Verte is so tall, I may need to add a second air layer to her. Probably best to wait til next year, or just take a few cuttings in late Fall for insurance.
Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate the feedback.
Here are my little air layers. Not sure why I encased them in plastic bottles. I was planning to use the bottles but decided to go with old faithful--Saran wrap. They get sun from 8am til about 2:30 pm every day.
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__________________ APRIL/ Hardiness zone 7 a/b Wanted: Col de Dame blanca, Alma