Sucker Protocol

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scnyc88

Registered:1409155829
Posts: 36

Posted 1409836563	Reply with quote #1

So I have few mature fig trees with plenty of suckers that I want to save and start new trees with. My concern is how to do this? Do I store them like normal cuttings I take in the fall? Could I over winter them in my grow area of my house with lights etc? Any info on the matter would greatly help me. I am in zone 7 NYC if this helps. __________________ Stephen, NYC Zone 7

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1409841485	Reply with quote #2

Gently push way the soil to see if they have roots. If so separate them from the main tree with lots of roots and you're done :) If they don't have enough roots to support the leaves then you can either separate them now and cut off a lot of leaves (some people dry them for tea) or wait till it's dormant and do it then. Or wait till next Spring but then you risk die-back. If they don't have roots I'd wait till the tree is dormant and take cuttings. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

Grasa

Registered:1347083219
Posts: 1,819

Posted 1409858288	Reply with quote #3

Another way is to put a clear cup with soil and no bottom over it, a little soil at first, as it grows, put more soil to fill the cup in stages. it will continue to push and eventually you will see roots through the cup, and when you see, whoolah, you have a tree, just cut it and pot it. My experience cutting the sucker in the soil is not good, I ended up cutting its own roots out, as sometimes, they coil around before coming up. a multitrunk tree is also good, you can keep them short. __________________ Grasa Seattle, WA

BronxFigs

Registered:1333154764
Posts: 1,864

Posted 1409860365	Reply with quote #4

Steven... Look up information about "stooling" for rooting and propagating suckers rising from around the base of a tree. If the suckers are developing on the trunk or cut branches, look up air-layering techniques. Either technique or a combo of both, will give you new trees. You still have a good month in which to do this, and still grow roots, but it needs to be done now. After the stems root, continue to let them grow under your high intensity lights. If they go into quiescence, or go dormant, don't let them freeze. Roots can still continue to grow if soil temps are kept in the 40s and 50s. If the trees have leaves, gradually, very gradually, introduce them to full sun when the small trees are brought out next spring, and they will continue to grow quickly when weather conditions are favorable to support new growth. If warm spring weather arrives and the newly-rooted trees have no leaves, they can be put into full sun, and Nature will take over. Keep them watered at this point. I'd give then the "kid-glove" treatment for the first couple of years, when cold weather returns. Good luck. Frank __________________ Bronx, NYC Zone-7

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1409865150	Reply with quote #5

Hi snyc88, a. Are the trees in ground or in pots ? b. Are you trying to make backup trees ? c. Are you just propagating your tree ? d. Are you trying to make your trees get focused on ripening the figs ? e. Are those root suckers Grey or full green stems ? If b. and/or d., then do it now. if c. then I would consider doing it in April - for having less mess around . Nevertheless consider point e. - if the stems are still green, I wouldn't attempt to take them away from the main tree. I have two such root suckers waiting on my Pastiliere ... But they are still green, so I'll wait until April. Good luck ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

figherder

Registered:1378804761
Posts: 237

Posted 1409867549	Reply with quote #6

I also have some suckers on my tree. One of the largest ones has 3 figs starting on it. Obviously they wont finish this year so should I just pull them off or will they ripen in the spring or next year? __________________ Jeff in zone 5b Wish list St rita,Vista,Sal's G,De la Reina, preto, Sport and pops purple red from Bellaclare, Planera Malta Black, Navid Unk Dark Greek,

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1409872160	Reply with quote #7

They wont ripen next year. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

scnyc88

Registered:1409155829
Posts: 36

Posted 1409886889	Reply with quote #8

Quote: Originally Posted by jdsfrance Hi snyc88, a. Are the trees in ground or in pots ? b. Are you trying to make backup trees ? c. Are you just propagating your tree ? d. Are you trying to make your trees get focused on ripening the figs ? e. Are those root suckers Grey or full green stems ? If b. and/or d., then do it now. if c. then I would consider doing it in April - for having less mess around . Nevertheless consider point e. - if the stems are still green, I wouldn't attempt to take them away from the main tree. I have two such root suckers waiting on my Pastiliere ... But they are still green, so I'll wait until April. Good luck ! The trees are in the ground (specifically 2) I am trying to start new trees altogether. There are plenty of suckers so I can experiment a little. They are mostly green though. I was thinking of taking them out (Digging and trying to obtain there roots) an putting them in pots at my house under grow lights etc. What do you think? waste of time? or shall I just pull them out snip off all there unripe figs and leaves and store them until spring? __________________ Stephen, NYC Zone 7

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1409889286	Reply with quote #9

Stephen, Since there is still time in your season, Stool layering or air layering the suckers should work. The layers can even be remove, potted and grown indoors if the weather starts to get colder. From an earlier topic on stooling, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1283407964&postcount=5 Pictures of stool layering in 1 gallon pots and air layering in a 1 liter soda bottle... . Good Luck.

james

Registered:1189185103
Posts: 1,653

Posted 1409898772	Reply with quote #10

If your soil is light, you should be able to dig down easily and remove the sucker with some roots. Even if you get only a small amount of roots, it is okay. Once out of the ground, follow Bass' (and others) method for rooting green cuttings. In about three weeks the trees will be on their way to being fully independent. An option I like to use for stool layering containerized trees is to leave the bottoms open. I cut the tops and bottoms off ~1 liter bottles and slip over the sucker. I "tie" the bottle down using bamboo skewers through slits in the plastic. I wrap it all up in foil. These will overwinter in the basement as is. I need to repot the parent trees in the spring. I will bare root the layer as well and cut at the base to get maximize the amount of roots I am taking with it, as well as to eliminate the sucker. You can do this with inground figs, it will require a bit of excavating. I have a Verdal Longue in Texas which I mounded dirt around then covered with mulch last year. This year the tree grew through the mound. What is below the mulch has rooted. I just need to find time to get back to Texas to separate the offspring. If you want to take the time, either of these methods will extend the root zone of the sucker. __________________ In containers - Littleton, CO (zone 5b) In ground - N.E of Austin, TX (zone 8b) 2016 Wish List: Dārk Pōrtuguese, Grānthāms Royāl, Lātarolla, Negrettā, Nōire de Bārbentāne, Rockāway Green, Viōlet Sepōr, Viōlette Dāuphine. Iranian figs are always welcome.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1409912172	Reply with quote #11

Hi scnyc88, My experience of last year : I took two (weak and small) root suckers inside to make them grow during the winter. I didn't have grow lights or a separate room for that - so I had to come up with everything to make it work in a corner of my living room . All the new suckers from this year have outgrown my two from end of 2013 ... But ok that's me, and in my flat I don't have all the right conditions to get fig trees to grow properly . Or said in another way, outside in the season "I'm so good at" making them grow, that I won't do it again except for playing again with different potting mix or rooting varieties that I can't get access to at own will. So the choice is yours. I would choose the bigger root suckers and give it a try at taring them apart - that should work . Remove all leaves except the two smaller. I generally just pull them for not disturbing the mother plant.I removed six on Monday just by pulling them . They are now in pots of compost with a plate of water underneath to keep them feets wet for two weeks. With more time say in July, I do go ground layer like James shows - except that I mostly use regular pots to have more volume for roots. Good luck ! __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

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