Said I wouldn't again but now am thinking maybe.

I enjoyed this thread very much Charlie.  Thank you for the update.

Hi Charlie,
The fig bug bit you once more :)

You might not collect hundreds of single node cuttings but you can grow out any super skinny or tiny cuttings you do happen to come by. 

Great read. Thanks for all the hard work you put in on this.

These are the survivors of the single node experiment and all are doing well either here or at the fig trial.

 
Red Libya
Sicilian White
Vasilika Sika
Atreano Gold
Galbun
Paradiso JM
Peter’s Honey
Petite Negri
Nero 600
Unk Sweet Diane
Atreano
Magnolia
Unk Orangeburg Purple
Melanzana
Gino’s Black
Mead
Beall
Celeste
Smith
DK Portuguese
Dominick Heirloom Italian
Armando Family Fav
Benson Hurst purple
Peachy Pleamon
My Special Celeste
LSU Champagne
Norman's Yellow
MSVS Black
Unk Lake Spur
Hardy Chicago
143-36 Emerald Strawberry
Armenian Small Eye Var. (multi 3 node buried horizontally that prompted the single node experiment) 
Texas BA-1

I should have lots of HC cuttings to send out  :)

Will you put up  a video the process, like a how to especially the beginning.
larry

Hey Charlie,

Could you update us on this project?  Very interesting!

Thanks,

Dom

Bump

Hello Charlie,

Thanks for this great experiment, it inspired me to do some single node rootings last winter. I started a bunch in January, and they rooted well. However, after producing a few tiny leaves the process stalled and I had great difficulty to keep the humidity, temperature etc right in the indoor set-up. I lost all but one bij moulding and loss of leaves. Early April I started out again and when the one node cuttings had tiny leaves it was early May and was able to put the pots in a sheltered spot in the garden. Fresh air clearly helped them. These cuttings all survived and are still doing well.
The lesson I learned from this is NOT to start too early with rooting cuttings so to be able to put them outdoors in medium-sized pots (10 liter, about 2,5 gallon) early when the weather gets nice.

Thanks again for all your inspiring posts in this topic!

This is an example and actual inspiration of the next step in the evolution of single node cuttings.

 

This cutting was buried horizontally in the wicking sand bucket experiment I'm not sure was ever posted here, don't remember.  It evolved into Winter of 2015 indoor grow room project where the buckets were abandoned and replaced with 2-gallon Root Pouch grow bags full of coarse sand, sitting in bucket bottoms and fertigated with hydro nutrients.

Anyway, see how each node sprouted growth and roots.  These were separated and potted into their own grow bags and eventually made it into the ground where they grew last year and are now dormant with piles of grass around their base to winter protect the lower stalk and roots.

The same principal applies to a growing stem when enclosed in a section of split pvc pipe, filled with damp sand, much like a very long air layer.  Done in the fall, giving time to root before going dormant, every node in the pipe will form roots and also in the spaces between nodes in my trials.  Let it go dormant and remove pipe and all from the mother.  

The pipe can be laid into a section of rain guttering having sealed ends and water, like a mini trough.  Open up the split pvc pipe and the sand simply will fall away into the trough, leaving you with a long section of stem with clean pre-rooted nodes.

Where single node cuttings failed, I believe the major cause being moisture control until viable roots form, using pre-rooted nodes greatly enhances the survival.  I don't claim it to be 100% but it's very close. You still have to get them transplanted and growing.  Some just will not survive. 

There, the secret is out.  You can't get every node on any given stem, simply because they get really close towards the tip.  You will end up with many workable single nodes, depending on the length of your pvc tube, and a good rooted cutting from the tip with several nodes.  Some nodes will have already tried to send out a lateral stem but it will be all white and frail looking.  This isn't a problem and will green up as any node shoot given ample light when it comes out of dormancy.

I have referred to this in some places as single node air layering but never showed anyone or fully explained it. Somebody else here has been dabbling with it to some degree but I'm unsure of their progress or exact methods and materials.  I use the same sand from the sand plant as was used in the grow room project, 10-20 sifted so that none of it will go through a 20 mesh window screen.

There's no reason why anyone cannot now produce hundreds of plants quickly from one healthy plant.  Have fun. There may be a photo tutorial coming, I haven't decided yet.  This forum is still on probation and I'm semi pissed at the other one.   

Charlie, keep posting, we are very interested, I don't think anyone here will be negative with you and your innovative discoveries from your inquisitive methods of research. We love reading your threads. Just down to earth members here, having fun, until we get some hit and run new members trying to stir things up hoping to see this forum come to a close, a couple older members will always be negative, learn who they are and skip their posts. Give us a chance to get off probation.

Really cool, congratulations on all of you success. I may have to try this next year!!

Amazing. Thank you for your time Charlie!

been reading this thread all morning, Cheers! 

Hey Charlie: First off, thanks so much for all the information you always give us on your experiments! I love to read about them!

I know there's good folks here.  Just really dislike the lack of moderation free for all's in some topics and anyone who makes fun of, belittles or bashes my buddy Richie figpig.