Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_108011142

Fig tree cuttings, root on wrong end?

7 years ago

Hi,


What happens if you root fig tree cutting on wrong end? Will it still grow properly?

How can you tell?


These are desert king fig cuttings.



Comments (15)

  • 7 years ago

    Why not correct it and put it right side up? It is easy to figure out looking at the nodes and which way the bud is sticking out.

  • 7 years ago

    I’m not sure which side is correct.

    I followed the arrow seller put on the cuttings for the desert king. I see small bud growth pointing down when compared to Panache fig which buds points up.


    I read the desert king is breba?

    So it could be a fruit n not bud?


    So I’m waiting for leaves to come out.


    Can it survive if it is the wrong way, remove roots and root on other end?



  • 7 years ago

    That is amazing if it auto corrects itself but is growth much slower?



  • 7 years ago

    So it is already rooted then. The tree direction cannot be corrected. If not sure I would do this. Carefully take it out and lay it horizontally on soil. Put just enough soil to cover the roots. The new shoots will go straight up from the right side of the roots portion and you stand a better chance of survival.

    Taki Shen thanked tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
  • 7 years ago

    Taki, generally speaking, water from the roots to shoots move only in one direction through xylem. Imagine a cutting with roots in the middle. Photosynthate from leaves can move in either direction through phloem. You may see shoots try to develop on either side but only the side that faces the right direction for the cutting will actually have a chance of survival. The other side would not. So it is unlikely it will autocorrect itself.

    Apparently, some and very few plants can correct themselves. Usually vining plants can do it apparently.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks for detailed info. You mentioned laying it horizontally. Roots will grow right side up, in this case, why is not affected by light?


    I thought it will only grow away from light source which is under the soil.


    I also received some other fig cuttings grow in spagnhum, there were roots all along the cutting. Gets confusing...



  • 7 years ago



  • 7 years ago

    Can you tell by photo if it is correct or not?



  • 7 years ago

    I screwed up :-(

    read description wrong. Have to re-root all of them. Oh boy...

  • 7 years ago

    It is upside down. See the scar from where the leaf detached? It is always below the bud. I would try putting - at least some of them - the right side up and hope it roots. Water flows through branches in one direction through xylem tissue whereas photo-synthate (product of photosynthesis) can flow through phloem in either direction. Your bud will be deprived of water.

  • 7 years ago

    I flipped them all correct way now. Hopefully beginner’s luck will kick in...



  • 7 years ago

    Scar is the round part? I will just remember round part down. lol

  • 7 years ago

    Yes scar is the round part where the leaf petiole used to be. I think you will be fine. Good luck.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks :-)

Sponsored