Recently, i was had access to several unknown Northern Italian fig varieties and acquired cuttings.  These are irreplaceable to me and have been racking my brain and researching this forum extensively for the "how-to" of starting cuttings.  

I can now say that my research and all the help from this forum have paid off.  it looks like i have more than 90% growing roots. From what i can tell without tearing everyone out of the coir, only one of the roughly 20 cuttings has failed to start rooting.  I spent the last two weeks away from home and i returned to this:


 

 

 

 



I have a question, too.  One of the cuttings has roots on one end and roots on the other; how should i go about with this? 

 

Very nice!

The one with roots on both sides just pot it right side up when the time comes. I suppose you could pot up laterally as well and let the plant reach up perpendicular to the cutting.

Did you cover the grow box. Nice work

i did not cover the boxes.   i have them stacked and in a low light area, but they are not without light. i expect that is the reason for the strong leaf growth.  they also get some radiated heat.

i did count tonight and i have 18 of 22 with either bumps or roots growing.  three still look real good and fresh, one had fungus and no growth.

any ideas on how to deal with fungus growing on one end with roots on the other?  do i just scrub off the fungus or cut the dead wood out all together?

Very nice ! I imagine you could cut some of them that rooted on both ends, in half and get 2 cuttings to root. I have been successful with that before but I only risked that with common varieties like celeste/chicago hardy.

Some of mine that would get fungys/mold on I would just remove from one shoe box and isolate it in another after pruning the cutting back to a good part. Surprisingly a few made it and went on to grow out, so if you have the time I wouldn't give up on it just yet.

Again very impressive rooting success, keep up the good work :)

What kind of mix are you using for rooting? Good work.

Before you root your cuttings next time soak in 10% bleach water for a minute then root them. This will help with mold/ fungus

ParacleteFarms- Thanks for that.  I wasn't sure if cutting the top off was the best route.  I will do this.

"remove from one shoe box and isolate it in another after pruning the cutting back to a good part."

Sas from North Austin- I am using straight coir; this brand f- MagJo Naturals Compressed Coco Fiber Peat. Bought it on Amazon.  Am interested in hearing your experiences in Austin.  I'm active duty Army in Kansas, but will be retiring to Bastrop in a few years.  My efforts here will ultimately end up there- maybe as soon as this spring if i can get away to take them to my dad's place.  

"What kind of mix are you using for rooting? Good work."


Richie Boni- I read this....after i had them in the box...... i had to work quickly before i left for PA for two weeks.  i do think a key ingredient is that i was away for two weeks; not looking, watching and fiddling around with them!

"Before you root your cuttings next time soak in 10% bleach water for a minute then root them. This will help with mold/ fungus"