I recall someone (maybe Richie-Figpig) tried it. I also recall reading that the vacum only lasts a while possibly because figs let out a gas that sort of inflates the package. This is what I recall reading. Maybe someone who has tried it will respond.

Chuck, I also have had my original for about 25-26 years! Its been great and Ive also pickled everything from Jalapeno peppers to lemons to you name it. I love the hacks! Good idea on the zip lock bags!!

A thought on this.

The cuttings should not be wet or damp before sealing.

They should be at room temperature before sealing.

The package should be at room temperature before unsealing.

The cuttings should probably be sealed a couple days after being cut, so moisture is not drawn out of cut ends.

The gas may be more to do with sap than water.

The unsealing from refrigeration may seen insignificant, but if you have beans in frozen storage and do not do this, the seeds may/will become unviable.

The different things mentioned reduce the immediate draw of atmospheric moisture into the cuttings, and allowing the ends to seal a bit. 

Thanks for the Ziploc tip

My first full year with figs, so I have not tried to vacuum seal.

I have one, and will try it.

The cuttings I started from December to February, did the best.

The wax sounds like a good idea. The wax is basically inert.

I would trim the planting end a touch when you try to root them for water absorption.

Mike

Don't do it Mike, cuttings are alive and need gas exchange. The plastic in those bags does not allow them to get air, they use oxygen and give off CO2 just like us during respiration. It is at such a slow rate that enough gas can pass through a regular ziploc or plastic wrap but the vac sealers will kill your cuttings.

I'm not an expert, what I did last winter I put them in a regular grossery plastic bag ,tied it and put in lower part of refrigerator, I started them April 15 and had 75-80 percent survival

Chuck, I'm in zone 6a I start some in greenhouse during winter but my new favorite way is ; I wrap the top part of the cuttings with parafilm I make sure some of the wrapped part is in soil and I stretch the parafilm over the buds to make it easier for the bud to come through, I then stick them in pots ,water and keep in indirect sun , I did this April 15 and by middle of May must of them where budded. As they leaved out I mooved them in sun. This works for me very simple , no bag, no cups ,no moisture dome ,I didn't even water them until they where leafing. I may still do a few in greenhouse just to make winter less boaring and experiments .

Thanks for the heads-up Matt

I saw Harvey mentioned the parafilm method on his fb page. Glad to know someone else likes it too.

I vaccuum sealed a lot of cuttings last year. The gas exchange did cause them to puff up, but I never had a problem with mold or rot. They lasted pretty long, but not as long as simple saran wrap.