ako1974
1393356294
Posted 1402327426
Reply with quote #1
Hi - how much more difficult is it to get softwood cuttings to root? I work in NYC and one of my coworkers lives in Astoria, Queens and he's told me about his landlord's in-ground fig for about two years now. I've asked him to take dormant cuttings, but it never happened. I got a message from him today saying he was going to show up with some this week. I gave him general instructions on taking the cutting/caring for it when he delivers them.http://www.treesofjoy.com/content/rooting-softwood-fig-cuttings
Rob
1320245426
Posted 1402327767
Reply with quote #2
I think those are good instructions. But the cuttings he takes may be even softer than the one in the photo. Due to the harsh winter, most of the Northeast fig trees where killed to the ground or close to it, and did not start putting out growth until recently. So you can try it but if it is very soft, it might lose moisture too quickly. Let us know how it goes.
http://rbfigs.webs.com/
MGorski
1399823521
Posted 1402337804
Reply with quote #3
I have had success with softwood cuttings. It's important to remove all leaves but the small top leaf quickly after cutting then put them in water. They will wilt otherwise. I keep them in water in the window until I start to see root initials forming on the stem. Change the water regularly. I then will basically follow the instructions from the Tree's of Joy link you posted. I use pro-mix mixed with perlite. Make sure the leaves don't touch the plastic, or the young leaves will rot.
ForeverFigs
1351425467
Posted 1402348630
Reply with quote #4
I did a test run last summer on rooting softwood fig tree cuttings...I took 4 'very' green cuttings from the tops of several trees and stuck them in a root riot tray with humidity dome...I removed all the leaves except the top two, and reduced them to 1/3 their size with a small pair of scissors...in less than 30 days all 4 cuttings had roots and were eventually placed in 1gal. pots.
ako1974
1393356294
Posted 1402526612
Reply with quote #5
Here's the leaves from the tree. I don't have enough knowledge under my belt to begin to guess what it may be related to. All I know is it's a well established tree (seems about 6 inch diameter trunk at the base, about 10 ft. tall) and the fruit is dark.
mgginva
1320266925
Posted 1402809109
Reply with quote #6
I agree with what Mike in Hanover says and I do the same thing.
coop951
1217167527
Posted 1402844603
Reply with quote #7
I've had very good success with green cuttings. I just put them in a pot with potting mix, put a plastic bag over them (cheapo greenhouse) and place them under a shaded tree. A plastic bin would do the same, water only when necessary as the moisture does a good job. They seem to take right away. Very simple, effective and fun
Coop Northern NJ Zone 7a
paully22
1195324538
Posted 1402845108
Reply with quote #8
I had good success with them doing the same things mentioned by Coop. Of course I make sure no leaves on cuttings.
possum_trot
1269047402
Posted 1402856594
Reply with quote #9
I leave 2 or 3 leaves on but cut off 2/3 of the leaf with scissors. I root them in pots with 3/4 perlite and 1/4 seed starting mix, then cover with a wide mouth quart canning jar. I don't use root hormone powder but I water with a weak solution of Hormex and water. Works well.
ako1974
1393356294
Posted 1402927873
Reply with quote #10
Thanks for all the advice. I put the cutting in water under artificial light (alongside my sweet bay cutting which seem to be taking forever!) and clipped off all but one leaf and an emerging bud. The base of the cutting is getting some root starts (I think) - small white buds appearing out of the green. I've seen starts from using vermiculite/perlite in a cup, which is why I'm not 100% sure it's what they are after a week. But I do change the water at least daily.
MGorski
1399823521
Posted 1402941132
Reply with quote #11
Arne, some varieties show root initials in a couple days. Michael makes a good call using a bubbler. I don't, but I always try to "blast" the water into the rooting jar so there are little bubbles all over the stem. I have to agree also that you can often have better success with green cuttings than dormant cuttings. No need to wait until fall, usually there are little branches on a plant that can be removed during vegetative growth that won't affect the shape of the tree.
jdsfrance
1376988473
Posted 1402946346
Reply with quote #12
Hi,
Grasa
1347083219
Posted 1402947192
Reply with quote #13
Good luck with rooting them. Best to put an airlayer on the tree branch.. separate it in the a few month and you will have a tree. I hate loosing cuttings. Airlayer is 100% positive propagation.
jdsfrance
1376988473
Posted 1402953172
Reply with quote #14
Hi Grasa,
