Hi folks,

I have a small cloning box I made for tomatoes and peppers and other summer veggie garden stuff in a DWC (deep water culture/hydroponic) style, with air-stones and an aquarium pump. It works absolutely amazing for veggies. My usual routine is to buy a healthy sucker filled tomato plant and then cut off a dozen or so clones from them and get those up and running.  I think I saw somewhere in the past few weeks on youtube where someone had done this with good effect on fig cuttings, and even roses and other hardwood, but I can't find it again. 

Essentially, It's a small rubbermaid with some air stones in it that you punch holes in (or float a styro raft on), and submerge your ends into the water, keeping it in the hole with some foam tubing and in a week or so, tons of rooted cuttings. I run a small led light set up over top to keep them "fed", but actually it's just another rubbermaid with self cooling LED down lights, lined with a space blanket. I have a small aquarium heater in the water to stay a few degrees above ambient. 

Can anyone comment? Not sure why this wouldn't work amazing for figs. If I can fully root in a week or two, I guess I can start a bit later on the majority of my cuttings since I really don't have the space for massive vegetable and fig tree growth in my house. 

Anyone not familiar with the principle, it's just adding lots of O2 and appropriate temperature to the rooting area.

My plan is to then transplant into a SWC in the Spring. 

Just a polite single bump. Maybe not a good idea?

WoknbluesWoknblues, there are several threads on rooting figs in bubllers, hydroponic cloners, etc. The reviews have been mixed. Please do a forum search for details. My own personal experience with a DIY bucket cloner was abysmal.

it should if u can keep them from roting

I've done something similar by putting cuttings directly into an aquaponics grow bed.  I think something like 9/10 of them rooted for me that way (all except Black Madeira, sadly enough).  Here's a thread on it: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/starting-cuttings-in-my-aquaponics-growbed-6772919?pid=1281691855#post1281691855

If you're keeping them warm and supplied with plenty of oxygen, and if you go light on the fertilizer, you'll probably get most or all to root.  They'll probably break some roots and be stressed when you move them, but planting them in swc's will help them to quickly recover, imo. 

My cuttings were a little slow to take hold after I transplanted them into the ground (both outdoors and in a greenhouse), but they all soon took off.

Try it and find out, in theory it should work though.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/clone-your-cuttings-never-see-gnats-7023364?highlight=never+see+gnats&pid=1285058199#post1285058199

WorknBlues, any pics of your setup?  Please?

I did see a post with amazing roots on the other forum, but I am not sure it is "deep-water."

 

Just a small fish aquarium pump some silicone tubing and a couple of air stones.  

Takes 15 minutes to build
 
Cost was around $25 dollars if you have the bin already. You could also use a bucket or even some cheap type of tupperware container. I put some paper towels to pick up the little bit of condensation.


How warm should I make the water? I am sitting at around +3 ambient (around 73) with the submersible heater. Also, I usually don't use nutrients. Any recommendations? I will go ahead and clone up half of my cuttings around January then. I don't have the space to deal with 20 small trees in the house over winter. The wife is already rolling her eyes since she is not used to seeing the cloner out unless it is spring/summer veggies. 

[QUOTE=Dave]http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/clone-your-cuttings-never-see-gnats-7023364?highlight=never+see+gnats&pid=1285058199#post1285058199[/QUOTE]

I passed on the aeroponic design mostly because the building of the manifold was more involved than I like to get and that submersible pumps are more expensive (relative to the air pumps)

I saw a "fog" type cloner that uses the atomizer/mist type unit that had good looking results too. That appeared to be even easier to build. All you do is drop a fogger unit into the bucket/tote. Done. 

All I know is, no rot with veggies and plenty of green growth as well, considering no nutrients added. 

Make sure not to dip the cuttings too deep or they will rot. 73 F is theoretically good but some varieties of fig sre just slow to root in water or may not root at all. Many though will root just fine. 78 F is better. Make sure you have a real good transition system set up or they will die immediately as they for me last year. You must transition the cuttings in a humid, warmER environment, and in a proper media, I suggest inert media, I use a mixture of Peat and Perlite with great success.

Any idea on ideal ph for figgies?

I'd guess 80-85F as ideal temp, and around 7 as ideal pH.  I root and grow mine in an aquaponics system with a pH of 8, figs are one of the plants that can thrive in a relatively high pH like that.

Thanks for the pics!

I was told by one hydroponics store that green wood works better than hardened wood but I don't have any personal experience.

[QUOTE=rafaelissimmo]Make sure not to dip the cuttings too deep or they will rot. 73 F is theoretically good but some varieties of fig sre just slow to root in water or may not root at all. Many though will root just fine. 78 F is better. Make sure you have a real good transition system set up or they will die immediately as they for me last year. You must transition the cuttings in a humid, warmER environment, and in a proper media, I suggest inert media, I use a mixture of Peat and Perlite with great success.[/QUOTE]

rafaelissimmo, I was actually planning to submerge them. You think I ought to have the ends right above the water line? I can get to 78 no problem with the light hood. I have perlite, vermiculite or peat at the ready when the time comes, probably perlite with a bit of peat to drop the alkaline soil and water around here.

That big old yellow clone box looks pretty sweet, if not a bit big for my taste, but the principle is sound. I might pick up a small fogger to drop in just to get the whole effect. Heck, I might even go all out and get some proper neoprene plugs instead of just chopping up foam pipe wrap!

To anyone interested in my humble set up I'll post the materials here. Sub with whatever Amazon has if you don't do wally world!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Culture-20-60-Gallon-Double-Outlet-Aquarium-Air-Pump-1-Ct-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/10532634

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-5-Gallon-Tote-Titanium/22700305

(can't find the "just one" link but they have them for $4 or $5). I really feel this size is perfect if all you wanna do is build a fast good root system. 20 x 1 1/4 holes in a small container easily carried and filled. No need to go to huge unless you really want to go hydro all the way. I sure don't. (and couldn't anyway with size and money constraints.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Aqua-Culture-Bubble-Aquarium-Stone-1ct-Fish-Aquatic-Pets/10532636

Cheapest heater you can find. (Amazon and ebay cheaper than walmart / petsmart for some reason)

I'd go for 2 x of the 5" if you are using the pump I referenced. I have 10" and the bubbles are OK, but would likely be better with a stronger pump I am using. Regardless, It works good enough for tomatoes and peppers <--(notoriously tough rooters). 

Get the black silicone tubing from petsmart or wherever, walmart doesn't carry it. 

So I took a 1 1/4" hole saw and punched 20 holes in it, then cleaned them up with a knife (the longest part of the job). The tote is already "drilled" to accept the tubing at the handles. The pump comes with check valves. Fill it up and turn it on. I get a little condensation that I could probably fix with something that I have around the house here, but seriously, a paper towel is more than enough. I'll revive this thread to document my rooting progress.

Greenfin, I could probably get to 85 with another $10 heater. My water here is alkaline. I'll drop the ph to get rooted though. It's cheap and easy.  I just hope they don't mind when they are big o' trees, because I ain't gonna baby them forever!

Looks like many others have done this successfully. I might just do the whole lot of them then. I am still reluctant to add nutrients, since I get great results without them on veggies. I can be convinced of course.  

Pics? Any time Doc!

It should work fine.  People root cuttings in water all the time.  The trick to rooting in water is to keep the water oxygenated and clean. 

I am really enjoying this thread. I am also looking for a winter project and I can't decide between DWC and the sprayer/ misting method. Anyone with some experience on these methods please chime in. 
Wokin.....Please keep us updated on your progress. It is most appreciated
Cheers
Coop

I tried doing the floating styro with the cuttings in the water and they seemed very slow to start and wanting to rot, then I tried where they are above the water and are wet just from the spray from the air stones and I have been very pleased with the results. I was so happy I just built a second one...the long roots are from the first cutting I put in and I have already potted up one and it us doing great.         

Nice Gloria.

One fancy one and one Walmart special!!! Dixie cups make great foam holders..

I got two plastic containers of different heights but the same mouth size..... hose, dual air pump, two small air stones. I took one lid and decided where I wanted holes and used the foam disk I got off ebay and marked the hole size then used dixie cup in the hole to hold the foam insert. I used the adhesive that you get in the kits for hanging stuff to stick the stones to the bottom... cut a notch in the side of the tub for the hoses to run thru. Taped down the hoses with electrical tape...I let the stones run for a bit to make sure the spray was making it up to the top...then I just set the taller container on top...

I put in enough water to cover the air stones (from Walmart)  so that when the bubbles pop they spray the lid with a little water. I also add 5ml of hydrogen peroxide and 5mil of a hydroponic root food (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012BFBJG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which I add once a week... if there seems to be any slime starting I change the water.I put in two of the 5in (smallest) stones, could have used one long one.... not sure it matters as long as you are getting an even amount of bubbles... the ones closest to the stone seem to grow the fastest , at first I had only one and let it wander... now I added two and adhered them to the bottom.
Mostly what I did was read Snag's posts and then try to find the cheapest way to do the same....I juat started, Snag and others have been doing this much longer than I.

Wok'n 78F is perfect. And yes, keep the bottom of the cutting just above the surface of the water, i had a good success rate in rooting, and sometimes they will even root when submerged, but ALL the cuttings I lost, I lost because they rotted from being dipped too deep. My learning curve cost me a lot of $$ and heartache.

Thanks for the explanation Gloria.

Do you use a water heater(aquarium) or a heat mat under it all?

Source for the foam discs?    (I suppose you could cut up a sheet of foam as well.)

I don't use a heater under it just the lights above that seem to keep things in the high 70's
This is who I bought the disks from and shipping was crazy fast..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321368784263?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&var=510257382678&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Woknblues,

IMO, the Bubble cloners work best for rooting Green fig cuttings and Aeroponics Cloners work better for Dormant fig cuttings. I've posted my success with the DIY Shoebox Bubble cloner tests in a few of the recent Cloner topics, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1284197705&postcount=14 .
.

IMO, for rooting and growing fig cuttings the simplest and most successful may still be planting the cuttings in a sterile (clean) mix and maintaining the recommended temperature and humidity (72*F - 78*F and ~85% RH) at the cuttings.

Good Luck.

I think Pete is spot-on with his advice

[QUOTE=ascpete]Woknblues,

IMO, the Bubble cloners work best for rooting Green fig cuttings and Aeroponics Cloners work better for Dormant fig cuttings. I've posted my success with the DIY Shoebox Bubble cloner tests in a few of the recent Cloner topics, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1284197705&postcount=14 .
.

IMO, for rooting and growing fig cuttings the simplest and most successful may still be planting the cuttings in a sterile (clean) mix and maintaining the recommended temperature and humidity (72*F - 78*F and ~85% RH) at the cuttings.

Good Luck.


[/QUOTE]

Sorry late reply. Working like a dog! To clarify:

Are all dormant cuttings the ones that we are getting now? (just prior to full winter?) I'm gonna give the cloner a rip..

Just the kind you get in the grocery in the 1st aid dept...big brown bottle...

I put in 5ml of each the HP and nutrient, once a week or so... I have less that a gal of water.

[QUOTE=GRamaley]I tried doing the floating styro with the cuttings in the water and they seemed very slow to start and wanting to rot, then I tried where they are above the water and are wet just from the spray from the air stones and I have been very pleased with the results. I was so happy I just built a second one...the long roots are from the first cutting I put in and I have already potted up one and it us doing great.         [/QUOTE]

Nice job, very creative. Results look good.

I've worked quite a bit with different forms of hydro on veggies, but have yet to try on figs or any other fruits.  In general, I would try to keep water temps below 75 F to help minimize the bacteria growth.  H2O2 as an additive also helps prevent bacteria, but it can't be used with all types of nutrients since it can kill the organics along with the bacteria.  Lots of aeration and frequent water changes are probably the best things you can do to prevent algae & bacteria growth.