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jersey21

Caring for fig cuttings

8 years ago

Hi All,

ive rooted these cuttings in the last month or so. Although I know there is still time, I’m looking ahead and wondering how to care for these over the winter. Do I allow them to go dormant? Should I bring them in sooner than my trees since they’ll be more susceptible to freezing? Thank you for your help.


Comments (5)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    If you have a warm, sunny location over winter, you could get more size on them by letting them grow throughout winter. Otherwise handle them like the babies they are. Get them into cold storage for their winter sleep before the first frost hits.

    They look very nice. Good job. Remember to place markers in their pots. There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing which fig tree is which.

    Moses

    jersey21 thanked Moses, Pitt PA, cold W & hot-humid S, z6
  • 8 years ago

    Hi Moses...thanks for the info. I have 11 trees that I overwinter in my garage, but it seems that anytime I try to over winter babies they don’t make it. Maybe I’ll keep some in the house and some in the garage and see which works best.

    As far as markers go, too late. They usually don’t root, but this year they did for some reason. Maybe all the humidity.

    I really need to trim all the trees when they’re dormant. The trees can no longer stand upright in the garage. What is the best way to root those cuttings?

    Thanks

    Mary

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Mary,

    Pot cultured trees that get too tall need stools or ladders at harvest time. Not for me! I keep my fig trees with low canopys. Easier all around.

    Try putting your pruning trimmings in your refrigerator inside a zip lock bag; the cuttings wrapped with just damp, not dripping wet paper toweling. Cut the bottom end of the cutting at an angle, and the top end, straight across. This helps differentiate up from down.

    They should just rest upon their sides in their bag all winter. They should grow calluses at their bottom ends, and perhaps some roots at nodes or along the stems. Fig trees like to make roots. Make the cuttings 3-4 node sections each, with the bottom cut 3/8" below a node, and the top cut 3 /8" above a node.

    Check them every month for progress and possible rot. Too wet and rot is guaranteed. On the dry side is better, but not shrively dry. Think damp.

    Pot the cuttings up come spring when it's warm enough, with the bottom two nodes below soil level, and watch them sprout shoots and root up nicely. Any places on a cutting above ground level that grew roots over winter will be fine. The roots there will just dry up and the nodes will sprout shoots.

    You will find some varieties root much easier than others.

    I wish you continued success.

    Moses

    jersey21 thanked Moses, Pitt PA, cold W & hot-humid S, z6
  • 7 years ago
    Mises which fig tree do you recommend
    Im in zone 5 Montreal Canada
    Want a lot of figs
    Taste is important but quantity is what I want
    Thank you for ur help!!!!!
  • 7 years ago

    Jersey same here the little ones usually have died in our garage . Have learned when having plants this size to put in attic it gets cold but not nearly as cold as garage and they do fine.


    One season many years back decided to put a few small like yours under model train table with lights to sustain them somewhat -never again as gnats became a problem.

    Martin

    jersey21 thanked dieseler
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