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Subject: Watering dormant potted trees in shed Replies: 3
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 95
 
For a small tree, 1 cup of water once a month just to keep roots from drying out too much.  I've also had trees that I didn't water AT ALL during the entire winter and they all did fine.  

Subject: Cuttings Dropping Leaves Replies: 4
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 134
 
My guess is that it has something to do with the nutrition side of it.  Maybe time to get it into some real soil and see if the roots thrive.

Subject: Cuttings Dropping Leaves Replies: 4
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 134
 
Hello everyone, I have a question for those who are seasoned cutting starters.  I have more than a few cuttings that are really taking off right now, some doing better than expected, some in the middle, and some that are behind or look like they won't make it.  Which is to be expected, I realize that.

My question is what might cause a seemingly healthy cutting to wilt and loose it's leaves overnight?  I suspect a lack of humidity might be the cause but I wouldn't think it would happen so quickly like that.  Still perfectly healthy cuttings right next to it in the same conditions.

I've had others do this (drop leaves), but I left them alone and now new leaves are starting up.  Is this a normal pattern until I get a good enough root ball going to sustain said leaves?  Maybe I took it out of the humidity chamber too soon?

Any ideas, comments or general discussion would be much appreciated.

Other notes:
"Grow Room" temp is always right around 70-72 deg.
Humidity varies 40-60% depends on how much the heater runs.
Cutting in question is a CddN in a vermiculite/Perlite mix.
No, I did not allow the mix to dry out and the roots are not sitting in water.

Subject: CLEANING AND STORING FIG CUTTINGS Replies: 4
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 267
 
If you want, use the search and there's already plenty of threads on this exact topic.

What I personally do:
1) I just slosh them in a freezer bag filled with 10% bleach solution as you've stated.  Then LET THEM AIR DRY a few hours.  Lightly seal any exposed cut ends with pruning sealant and let that dry.
2) Wrap each cutting individually and as tightly as possible with self clinging plastic wrap, leave no space for air.  Place in a freezer bag and leave them in the fridge.  
    I don't know about specific temps but as long as your fridge is working and it's "cold" in there, you'll be fine.  Cuttings can be stored for several months, I would plan on using them within a year though.

Subject: Starting cuttings for the first time Replies: 7
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 248
 
That's good to have a backup plan.

The baggie and paper towel method worked for me but I found the roots tended to stick to the paper towels if they got a little too dry or if the root system suddenly exploded with extra growth.  If you don't slack on checking them day to day, that won't be an issue.

Subject: A hard question for figgers Replies: 14
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 541
 
just my 2 cents...

The cuttings that are about double the thickness of a #2 pencil and as long with as many nodes as you can get (at least 2) give you the best chances of success.

Subject: Starting cuttings for the first time Replies: 7
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 248
 
That's almost exactly the way I'm rooting more than a few cuttings right now.  I used the humidity bin with cuttings in vermiculite/perlite mixture.  It worked to an extent but though experimenting here and there, I found that the starting of roots in smaller containers filled with damp peat moss worked a bit better.  I think you get less leaf growth and more root growth with this method and then you can just pot into the cups with whatever medium you choose.  You should be fine though, just be on the watch for mold, that was (and still is) my biggest issue.

Subject: Best figs at your location Replies: 266
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 72,861
 
Zone 6b

Best producer this year was a Black Mission (assuming that's what it is) from a big-box store this year. 

Most of my other trees are still young.   

Subject: THANKS Drivewayfarmer Replies: 17
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 488
 
I've bought from him in the past, and was very pleased with the transaction. His cuttings are top-notch. 

Subject: winter cutting project Replies: 14
Posted By: MyDogMike Views: 388
 
I'm using a mix of about 3/4 vermiculite to 1/4 perlite and it seems to be working.  Not sure what my plan is IF I get some good rooting going on.