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Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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 .
DIY_BubbleCloner&FigCuttings_10-15-14.jpg .

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.




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..

Subject: Fig Varieties Most Loved By Your Children Replies: 26
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 912
 
Welcome Jenny. I too am an RN and am essentially growing all my fruits and veggies for my kid too. I built a shade/greenhouse with a sandbox in it!

Subject: Ot madness Replies: 12
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 624
 
Be safe please!

Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.


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!

Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
Any idea on ideal ph for figgies?

Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/clone-your-cuttings-never-see-gnats-7023364?highlight=never+see+gnats&pid=1285058199#post1285058199


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. 

Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
1-20141118_200610.jpg 

Just a small fish aquarium pump some silicone tubing and a couple of air stones. 1-20141118_200603.jpg 

Takes 15 minutes to build
1-20141118_200535.jpg 
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. 

Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
Just a polite single bump. Maybe not a good idea?

Subject: New Rule Replies: 65
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,926
 
Postin' in a troll thread. This is why we can't have nice things.

Think that trolls wouldn't attack a well meaning bunch of people talking about figs? Think again. We are ripe pickin's. Gentlefolk, you must not feed the trolls. Some of us are clever/bored enough to troll trolls, but there is a finesse and dedication that few have the stomach or desire to see played out. More often than not, you are playing into their hands. 

Classic troll posts may have certain hallmarks or commonly or uncommonly known untruths or even half truths. A good troll will do some cursory intelligence, lurking in a few threads to get just enough data points to a) appear passable to the average informed bunch in a forum, and b) will come off amazingly stupid to the old hands of the forum. This is designed to catch as many good intentioned people into their web as they can. Once in their web, a troll will sit back and enjoy the spoils of the war, the very sweetest being what has occurred this thread, namely groups of people fighting against each other.   

You might ask why someone would want to do this. I say 95% of trolls are fueled by boredom. 

Don't feed the trolls. 

Subject: From Figs to Twigs in 7 days: Newbie end of season report Replies: 6
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 414
 
"From Figs to Twigs in 7 days" lol, funny title. 

I might have a similar thread open next year around this time. 

Subject: Deep Water Culture for fig cuttings Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,645
 
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. 

Subject: Yikes! Snow in NJ! Replies: 33
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 1,044
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Norhayati
My daughter is experiencing her first snow ever.... Norhayati


:)

Very precious moments. My daughter is 2.5 and I spend a lot of time just watching her explore and learn everything. Such an amazing time for both of us.  

Subject: Heating System Replies: 18
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 887
 
When living overseas, we filled up a rice cooker with river rocks and placed it under our bed at night, setting it to "warm". It took the chill off very nicely in the room, completely silently. YMMV. 

Subject: 2014 Season - Douglassville, PA Replies: 190
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 9,325
 
Great thread. It's amazing how adaptive figs are (and perhaps are not) to their climate. One variety can taste wonderful under certain climate and conditions, and another bland or even poor, etc. ). I am staring at these cuttings I have now wondering which will survive my particular habitat, which will thrive, and which will not make the cut. Going back to the beginning, it's too bad about HF. I have found their customer service to be very good, products from horrid to great, with most in the middle/average. Of course, I haven't had any items drop shipped that were damaged, so they haven't had the opportunity to disappoint. 

JC Figs, I have an idea. Send me $100, and I will send you back $100 and every single free cutting I have. I promise. 

Subject: Update 11/21/2014: Still lots of Hardy Chicago cuttings for postage available Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 2,003
 
Arrived in great shape. Thanks!

Subject: Cuttings to Share Replies: 107
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 5,039
 
Arrived in perfect condition. Thanks!

Subject: Cuttings to Share Replies: 107
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 5,039
 
Dan, I just sent you a PM. 

When you say to clean and separate them into bags with their own moss, can you spell it out to me? I am not holding you to my success or not, just wanting to know what you would do. 

I am thinking scrubbing it lightly with some kind of mild dishsoap, a good rinse then in a ziplock mostly filled with moist peat moss. Is that correct? Also, should I / can I put them in the fridge until I get my root beds set up?

Subject: USDA Davis Replies: 15
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 843
 
The process looks a little daunting to get them. Can someone share the cliff notes? Also, with mosaic virus it seems not worth it. I'd. Like to be convinced otherwise though.

Subject: Update 11/21/2014: Still lots of Hardy Chicago cuttings for postage available Replies: 32
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 2,003
 
Thanks for this offer!

Subject: Hi, new to figs, sort of. Replies: 11
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 478
 
You are right Phil. Typically, they really don't get down there for long. My initial post said that they bottom out at freezing and that really isn't true, it's more like they stay around freezing and can drop for a short spell or so. Most nights in the dead of winter here are at or around freezing. That of course makes a huge difference. One that as a summer gardener, I haven't had to consider.... UNTIL NOW!!  :)

Subject: Hi, new to figs, sort of. Replies: 11
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 478
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsfrance
br />What method have you been using for rooting ?
In your desert, I guess that the lack of water will be the bigger problem for the figtrees.
Do you have underground water flowing at your place ? a source of water ?


I haven't done any yet.. looking at different methods. I really like the looks of the sticks in a black plastic bag method!

there's no doubt that supplemental water is key. and a drought tolerant species.

I was looking through some different methods and I came briefly across one where the guy had been submerging buckets into the ground and was doing some aggressive root pruning. That looks very appealing to me.can anyone point into that again?


Subject: Hi, new to figs, sort of. Replies: 11
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 478
 
Thanks for the additional welcoming everyone. Being a father has been the greatest thing that ever happened to me. In answering the question about my climate zone, I am pretty sure that it is correct as a 7b. The problem and I think other people in this region have the same issue, is that it's a 7B with a high wind chill that makes our mild winter more severe. for example, in the spring when we are having so warm weather as compared to winter, it might be 45 degrees but with a 40 to 50 mile per hour wind it's very cold.

anyways, I am looking forward to try in my hand at at getting some cuttings. it looks like fig cutting season is a specially exciting time for everyone around here based on what I've seen in the forum. At this point, since my experience with figs is so very limited I am just simply more interested and grabbing a few different varieties that are hopefully tolerant to my region.

Subject: Hi, new to figs, sort of. Replies: 11
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 478
 
Thanks for the welcoming. I wasn't sure about the climate here and soils. 

Is there a particular "cutting season"? I see that some cuttings are here now, but I also see websites that allude to a "pre-spring" cutting season around Jan/Feb. Anything I need to take note of?

Subject: Hi, new to figs, sort of. Replies: 11
Posted By: Woknblues Views: 478
 
Hi, 

First off, call me Wok. I like the feel over here. I have a short history of growing figs. None successful. They were big box grabs, with a dig and pray type effort. I am a new dad and the only income in the house, so my time is often elsewhere. I am prepared and equipped to try again. 

I live in zone 7b in Rio Rancho NM. (Just outside ABQ ) It's a high desert climate. We have a short hot grow season with too much wind in the spring. Our summers average 90 and winters bottom out at or around freezing for a short spell. Very low humidity and a crazy amount of sunshine. My "soil" is mostly sand. 

My ultimate goal in the fig world is to have a half dozen or so well groomed shrub like fig trees of different flavors. I also really like the look of fig trees and would enjoy a few specimens for inside the house to look and and enjoy as well. 

I have built a small greenhouse that I intend to leave unheated. It will serve as a windblock for young trees and a bit of shade. (nothing short of the most solar tolerant things on earth can handle our sometimes 300 days of sunshine a year) Just ask my tomatoes. I bought a small dormant fig tree from a local gentleman who specializes in such things. Right now it is going to be a houseplant overwinter. 

I'd like to get into cuttings. It seems like a fun and cheap way to get some trees.  I see some cuttings are available here. I was going to try my hand over winter and see if I can get some production. Any suggestions for cuttings? I was going to post a "wanted" ad in craigslsit but there are so many flakes. 

Any desert knowlegable fig lovers out there have some suggestions?