Fig Tree Propagation - Part 1

[@field16]

Cars and trucks were crashing into each other! Crazy!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXTKnHx6a5hla5I

[@IbnFawzi]

It's good to see that they are so heardy of a plant. My father passed away earlier this year and one of the many things on my to-do list to move mom out and with me is to take his fig trees. I'm going to take some cuttings like this and plant them in pots at my house in case we can't take the whole tree. It's mature and about 15' tall.

[@rommell83]

A couple of years ago I took some cuttings from a Brown Turkey fig in February. We put those 6" cuttings put them in some soil under a misting system and within 3 weeks we had plants. I planted mine directly into the ground and by August my plants were 5 feet tall with figs. It was unbelievable! I live in north Alabama. My luck with fig trees has been great.

[@HansQuistorff]

I checked out part 2 as well so I am glad they survived. We used a simple method of dormant rooting. When the figs dropped there leaves in the winter we took 2 foot long cuttings and using a pipe with water pressure made 2 foot deep holes . We put the cuttings in the holes with only the top few inches above ground. The winter rain kept them moist but there was also some air in the holes so roots formed at each leaf node instead of just at the surface of the water as in your case. The next spring they grew vigorously and we had trees all along the fence line.

[@saxquiz]

These videos are really useful. I wasn't sure a fig cutting could survive out in the direct sun like that. Mine have been growing protected inside under lamps. I've also read that it's best to cut off the leaves on a cutting since it doesn't have enough roots to keep the leaves supplied with water. Thanks again.

[@valarie9280]

This is an excellent example of how to teach Science to 1st-graders and beyond! I'm a believer in the best lessons being designed for the visual and tactile learners. If you're a teacher, you should consider implementing this into your lessons regarding plants and propagation. Thanks for taking the time to teach young and 'old' learners alike something interesting!

[@carlahahn2930]

That looks easy enough. Just takes a little patience. Also, I have seen weeping willow leaves pureed in a blender used for natural growth hormone. I would also like to try air layering as some have suggested. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@field16]

I like your idea to transplant the cuttings to pots. It does seem easier to control the moisture level in a pot versus the ground, especially when God is withholding rain. And we could move the pots indoors when a frost is expected. Composting is another excellent idea. Thank you for sharing.

[@judahbelle1]

best way to propagate figs is to find a very low branch, scrape the dirt around it, then bend that limb to the ground and weight with a brick or stone. keep it watered and next season it will have rooted to the degree that you can cut it away from the mother plant and plant it in soil. you will cut it from the main plant and then dig up the rooted section. done it several times and it works great. Also you can cut a nice cutting not new but not old. stick it in a pot full of dirt, water it and eventually it will root and become a new fig tree you can plant anywhere.. it does take them awhile to root, no matter what way you decide to do it, but you will have a new fig tree.. :-)

[@wtam69]

Looks like you are rewarded for your patience. I'll have to try propagating a fig tree next year.

[@Pepesplants]

Select a 6 inch cutting as thick as the ones you used. Remove leaves and plant horizontally in a container. Use mix of 50/50 Perlite and Miracle Grow. Water lightly 1 x week. Keep in a bright area filtered light. Cutting should be below the surface about half an inch. Hot weather and semi dry potting soil will force roots to develop. Often you will see leaves before the roots develop. Do not disturb your fig until it has vigorous growth or you will damage the fine roots. Other methods exist.

[@field16]

@mikracken Great update. Your progress sounds exciting. It's interesting to me that you also saw the white gunk on some of the cuttings, which I still do not understand what it could be. I'm not sure about the bumps you're seeing without an image for me to look at. I would guess either the beginning of a root or the bud where a stem or leaf would grow from. Not sure. Good luck to you and your figs.

[@field16]

@Stillwater900 I do not have an ID on these figs, but they match your description. I have more detailed pictures of the figs cut up... at elperfecto. (Link in description.) Calcium in the AC water? Where would Calcium come from? I thought the water was simply condensation from the air. Never heard of Calcium floating around in the air. Are u sure? Thanks for your comment.

[@VerifyVeracity]

A few years ago I put a cutting in the sandy ground about 3 feet away from where the bathtub water was discharging & it has done great. I just started eating figs again yesterday, my figs are smaller than yours, but same color, maybe it's that my soil is not as rich as yours & for a few years the plant has been getting very little water, (The bathtub drain has been moved). I want to try a different type of fig. World wide fig are an very important food source, more so than here, & I can see why.

[@field16]

@burntvalve86 Hi, yes, I have read that, too. There is some hormone in the willow tree that helps plant cuttings take root faster. Not necessary, but could speed up the process.

[@field16]

Here in Arkansas, the parent fig tree has survived every winter without any work on my part. The leaves fall at the first frost, but new growth resumes in the spring.

[@BeeJay7689]

I noticed the number of lobes are seven (7), your fig could be "Brunswick" or Black Mission". There's another easier method that I leanred from figs4fun I did it their way in November, 2011, and currently I have 4 one-gal. young figs waiting to be transplanted when they go dormant this coming winter in Houston. However, thanks for uploading this video. I'll try your method on our Japanese loquat tree here.

[@sweetheartsmom]

Another way to start a transplant is to take a lower branch and pull it down to the ground and cover it with dirt to hold it down. the part of the branch that touches the dirt will develop roots. when it does you can cut it away from the mother tree and move it.

[@erlpen2016]

nice video, i like that it shows the progress from beginning to later...i was just wondering, wouldn't it be better to transplant the cuttings into pots that way you can control the amount of nutrition they get also the amount of water..you might use a 5 to 7 gallon container, once your tree gets healthy and big you can transplant it into the ground, do you compost? if not you should since you got plenty of real estate it seems it wouldn't be a problem for you. good luck and thanks for the vid.

[@AllForTheGame]

you need to aerate the water for the roots to grow. thats why you see roots trying to grow above the water line on the stem because its moist enough and aerated enough. use and air pump and airstone and put it in the resevoir. Also there suppose to wilt immediately after cutting, your also suppose give them minimal sunlight

[@rommell83]

Well said Cinema. I agree with you. Give the guy a break as he is sharing what he is learning. He took the time to do this and we should at least appreciate that.

[@tbabeincontrol]

I am going to try your way!! I took a cutting from my fig tree and just stuck it in a pot of dirt and it grew! I tried it again but it did not work...I think I just got lucky the first time lol

[@field16]

You can plant them like a stick in the mud? That's what I was thinking, too. I am happy for you that you have one of God's fine creations: a fig tree that bears good fruit. The stores near me do not sell fresh figs, so the only fresh figs I get are from the land, with no money required. I hope you get a good harvest.

[@field16]

@militaryexcellence Good tips. Next, I might try layering (air or ground). Interesting that changing the water sped up the process for you. I intentionally kept this as simple as possible to show how resilient life can be. Anyone can get started growing food without paying for equipment. It doesn't get much simpler than leaving a cutting in a container of water for over a month. I never changed the water. Tips like yours are good as the next step for the intermediate gardeners. Thanks!

[@5Language]

When I saw the fig trees wilting at 2:25, I thought it had been days... but then you said, "It's been about 30 minutes..." and I swear I couldn't stop laughing. It's just that you said it so calmly as if that's supposed to happen.

[@field16]

Oh, man, you look like you have a great testimony. It looks like you were born again. I would like to hear the details. That would be a good video idea. I will make more videos, God willing, about how my life has changed since I repented. Thanks for subscribing and it is good to meet you online!

[@marzancastro]

Hi there, Nice video, A faster way to root these cuttings would be to use smaller cuttings, a growing medium (ex: Pro-Mix) and a rooting powder like Hormex or Root-on and with the cuttings you used you could propagate the double by just cutting them in two. Your technique works great but if you want it faster you could try it.

[@field16]

@wtam69 Figs love the heat and a warm climate, so if you choose to grow figs, try to pick a variety that's suitable for your climate.

[@alpidistra]

When you select fig cuttings, you must remove all the leaves and let the cutting dry for a couple of days. This will ensure that where you cut it, will dry and seal itself. This prevents rotting. Late October is the best time to propagate figs. After drying, you simply plant them into pots with sandy soil, well drained. Don't water immediately. After a day or so, water it and put it in a protected place (outside) and let it winter. Add a little water once a month during winter.

[@field16]

I have read about that same method, so others are doing that successfully, too. Thanks for sharing the idea.

[@field16]

@shobhat I don't know about the "great" part, but I enjoy gardening. Thanks.

[@CarrieRLape]

I like your video. It's nice to see someone try something new and succeed. I haven't read all the comments or watched any of your other videos. This fig tree looks like a brown turkey. Do you think you might make videos of some of the other propagation methods mentioned in comments? The one suggested by alpidistra sounded interesting. Everyone needs a fig tree, as many fig trees as he has room for! Thank you for your contribution to making the success of my fig everywhere dream possible.

[@mccommas2]

My fig died and I am trying to get another to grow from root cuttings. Nothing so far and its been about three weeks.

[@lunarrn]

Do you have tiny hands or are those figs really that huge.

[@billc702]

best video. Why do the unripe figs that I plant always fall? Could someone help me? Thanks!

[@alpidistra]

When you select cuttings, make sure that they are mature and not green. Only the last few inches of the cutting should be green; the rest dark brown. I'm talking about the stem. When it sprouts in the spring, do not transplant into the ground immediately. Let the roots develop in the pot for a couple of months or longer before planting in the ground.

[@Iwillbedurnd]

What do figs do? Is that what makes fig newtons?

[@WVRetreat]

Water from your AC is distilled and won't have minerals like well water has. Don't know if that makes a big difference or not. Thanks for sharing.

[@field16]

@muddymuddymuddmann Thanks, MUDDy. I think these transplants are going to survive. You could grow these in Texas easily.

[@mmastroi]

those are roots your scraping off. by keeping it in the water, you have water logged the roots and caused them to rot. you need to aerate the roots with a air stone and air pump. but the best thing to do is flood and drain the stem over and over or put it on a sprayer system which would constantly spray mist on the stems.

[@alexazar2990]

Hi, Thanks for sharing your experiment. Did it work for you by any chance? I moved a big fig tree to a different location and had to cut a lot branches to minimize the shock. I left all the cutting in water because I didn't have time to put them in the ground. So I am really interested to know if your experiment worked or no. Thx Again! God Bless!

[@tourans2472]

Thank you! What kind of the fig tree is the best to grow and where to get it from? This is my first time planting one!

[@wildthoughts6959]

The buds you rubbed were root budding that has rotted. It rotted because the water grew massive bacteria and it made them dead/soft. YOU MUST change the water every other day to avoid bacteria growth .

[@zachtele5090]

You can air propogate a fig branch with the fruit on. Much more efficient than a cutting. You can do this with very large branches with a water bottle, gatoraide bottle, 2 liter soda bottle, whatever you can split and put around the branch tape up and fill with dirt, water.

[@geetharaman8972]

Sir, no need to change the water daily? Thanks for the video.

[@josephhann9228]

I know this video was posted awhile ago, but I will respond to it with some possible insight. I agree that the white stuff is fungus/mold. I think the issue is that your containers have small openings and the water went stagnant. The opening of the container for air exchange is only about 1/2 inch after the stem is run through it and allows for very little air circulation. I believe this is why you saw the slow start to rooting and why the roots were only at the surface of the water -- where the small amount of oxygen exchage would be taking place. Nice experiment though.

[@biggmoneyme]

u should pick off more leafs. so the energy goes into the production of roots

[@ruforufo2185]

Hello again. I just had another thought. can the suckers that are removed then be rooted to grow into new trees? I successfully did that with a redwood 3 years ago and its doing great Thanks again.

[@maxdecphoenix]

Realizing this video is 3+ years old, I still want to point out a few things. The water coming out of your A.C. system is collected water condensate. This is essentially distilled water that bears virtually no nutrition. This water is fine to use, but additive nutrition must be added, sugar etc. You're best bet for waters would be spring/filtered water as these still maintain mineral content. Even chlorinated tap water aerated for a few hours to dissipate the chlorine is preferable to distilled water. Secondly, I would say you left far too many leaves on the cuttings originally. leaves diffuse moisture, so it is best to strike a balance between decreasing leaf surface (decreasing water loss) while also maintaining some leaf for sugar production (root development.) There is also no need to have them remain outside, but if they are, you must only allow them ambient light, at a maximum of filtered light. Light heats up the leaf surface, which facilitates an increase in water loss to cool the leaf. It also would have been preferable to place them in a container to keep the humitiy high, but not get so hot that it burdens the plant. It's all about balance. Still it appears to have worked for you, a testament to the vigor of the Fig.

[@Angeleoclan]

Those white stuff you knocked off your cuttings were essentials to the growth of the cuttings itself. Because they don't have roots yet, the first thing the cutting does is to produce something that can absorb water into it self. That's where those white stuff comes in. Scientifically, I don't know what it's called but they're important. Leave it on until they're totally rooted.

[@TheAnantaSesa]

Sounds like a mycorrhizae fungus.

[@intuitlife]

best to use some vermiculite and plastic baggie leave the selected branches on the mother plant when you see roots thru the plastic and soil or vermiculite you will then cut and plant

[@intuitlife]

ps next time pot for a few months they love being potted

[@TelestoB]

Wondering if you could illustrate this method a little better, you said leave the selected branches on the mother tree, how exactly did you get the plastic baggie on the branch? Would be awesome to have a video of this method :) !

[@intuitlife]

sure i will get back to you on it with a video on my channel and let you know when it is done.. going to do some easy garden tips anyway , i will do that one as well

[@TwasNeverThus2]

1spicytomato Please let us know when you make the fig video. Thanks so much!!

[@intuitlife]

there is short video shows the sack in place easy rooting, i did it on rosemary and show the best place on fig to root.. hope it explains how to root without cutting the plant

[@Gregory-GG1]

I just put them (cuttings) directly in pots and keep the soil damp and it works fine for me.No water treatment.

[@squirrelhillfarm9070]

When is the best time of year to do this?

[@piouspredecessor6171]

Hello sir, I have the same fig tree at home, and I wanna know if it needs polination, and how long does it take it to fruit. Thanks.

[@haleenewilliams6446]

What variety of fig is that?

[@theroilsoil]

Try air-layering instead, pretty inexpensive, and no need for rooting hormones. I like your technique though - I've tried it myself, but in many cases, you'll get stem rot - that's what you're seeing from the fig stems, which will ooze a milky-white sap, often causing fungal growth around the stem.

[@field16]

@mikracken Hi, I would think that would work better than what I did. I was going for the most simple way, just to prove it could work for anyone who wanted more figs. With your aeroponic system, your plants will get more Oxygen and grow better. I was basically drowning my plants but they still survived. Anyhow, I would bet you will get faster root growth with the aeroponic system.

[@briansmith2363]

You can do this with weeping willows also and poplars. Willow,poplar,rose sharon,elm all root easy

[@buddoyr]

does this work for apple tree as well??

[@ruforufo2185]

Hello, i have a question about a fig tree, that has been severely neglected. Here's the situation. The tree is in a public garden that my nephew and I just recently became the stewards of. the main tree/trunk appears to be dead, however there are about 20 root suckers all around the trunk. my question is can i cut away the smaller suckers and leave a couple of larger ones to regrow into a new tree? Thanks You.

[@1justice2012]

+Rufo Rufo Yes you can do that. About the tree been dead, make sure there are no branches that still alive, if there are it means the tree is not dead, and need water, fertilazer and the soil around need to be turn over. I hope the tree is alive.

[@ghayath2011]

Good first start I guess. Did you change the water at all during this time? maybe that's why you got fungus on them

[@TelestoB]

The fungus actually works in symbiosis with the cutting, helping the cutting root through the bark, if the fungus wasn't present it would take quite a bit longer to root the cutting. Despite what Mathew says the cutting isn't rotting.

[@ghayath2011]

GottHernea so you recommend not changing the water at all?

[@RiceNPixieDust]

you need to scrape the bark where you want the roots to shot out and trim the leaves so you can see new one regrow :)

[@lsophial]

Air layering is one of the best manner to propagate...

[@janastormont2278]

The problem with air conditioning water is that it either has metal from the coils or it is too pure. Might be why it took so long.

[@rendermatt]

Save them from what?

[@jailencoleman1905]

Hey I'm jailen Coleman I was wondering if you could send me some cuttings suckers or pruned off branches im 12 and I like figs and that person doesn't know what he's talking about he probably do sent like figs and didn't have any thing better to do and what you said was right and nothing can change that

[@field16]

Figs do go into the mouth to be eaten. :-) And they are a tasty and super sweet fruit. Yes, they are one of the ingredients in the original Fig Newton brand cookie.

[@Iwillbedurnd]

WHOAAA!!! I haven't seen a sprinkler in years!!!

[@field16]

And God bless you for speaking up! :-) I am glad you are saved!

[@Spooder1989]

I think the white stuff are calluses; cuttings will sometimes form calluses before growing roots. Maybe you shouldn't have removed them.. haha

[@youwardasuci]

hi Field :)....this is a great video ..thanks for sharing..God bless you and your trees :) Amen.

[@conniedenoon]

The white gunk looks like it is starting to rot.

[@sherrie9241]

im doing this. i have a fig tree, i love it!! thank you

[@mikewhitaker2306]

I've seen guys take cuttings like that stick them in the ground and they grow

[@spankses]

the 'wierd stuff' is the stickey white sap of the tree.

[@field16]

Yes and I received your message with email address. Thank you. I will reply to you by email.

[@navson54]

why water from AC?

[@themanflu]

Air propagation would have been a lot more straight forward, but trial and error helps us learn.. Rooting hormone is a good way to go IMHO..

[@fenrirgg]

I tried to make a clone, but instead direct water I put it in wet soil, in a few days it was infested with worms like nematodes, I failed.

[@field16]

@5Language Risa se siente bien. :-)

[@field16]

God made it easy to propagate the plants he gave us. The main thing you need to get the roots started is water. As you said: keep watering. Without water, the plant withers and dies.

[@field16]

Water is readily available at my AC unit and contains no Chlorine. I use the AC water in my garden nearly every day. I also save and use a limited amount of rain water, as God provides it for free, which also has no Chlorine.

[@themrhelperguy]

I'll try this

[@Aviatorgreen]

I applaud you for not using root hormone :)

[@field16]

@MELISSA84008 Thanks for your comments. :-) Yes, we were given many kinds of fruit bearing trees to keep us fed and they are incredibly simple to grow. We are unusual in that we are omnivores, so we can eat from many of the plants that try to grow around us (until they are cut down and replaced with ornamentals.) "Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" Matthew 6:26

[@field16]

I hope your father knew Jesus as his saviour and I hope you are able to have fig trees growing with you wherever you move.

[@azdana]

Very nice video. Thanks for sharing :-)

[@brittanyfallon6181]

Love the propagation. but one thing made me cringe. A/C condenser lines are not clean lines to be collecting water from. Just in case you didn't know, water from your A/C unit has an incredible amount of bacteria in it that could make you VERY sick. It's fine for lawns or plants but it's really not the best idea to have a bin of this stuff sitting around, especially with kiddos around.

[@eslargote]

thanks for sharing

[@rafaeldediosmolina290]

cuando lo traduskeis a español me suscribo gracias

[@richtam123]

Good job!

[@sunthieves]

Which "god" are you referring to? Many gods in this earth.

[@mackperez4611]

good your video,good your jobb,thanks for sharing with us.

[@cargobob-dh5bz]

Why aren't birds eating all your figs?

[@briansmith2363]

canapola trees also root easy

[@creepywhitva17ढ]

Mi papa. My grandada.

[@MrMookRecords]

i guess they dont know that figs, fuschia, willow etc etc will grow (over winter) if you just push a cut-off stick into the ground, after removing 90% of the leaves (except the top) easy when ya know how as they say ;-)

[@lsophial]

Another method is ground layering. Do not rub it, they are roots buds. You need to learn more about plants...

[@corrinepacelli1346]

white stuff is fungus

[@field16]

The true God said, I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. Psalms 120 : 7 KJV The world is falling away from the truth and believing lies, just as the Holy Bible prophesied. Yet everyone in the world counts the years from the birth of the same man: The Lord Jesus Christ, the begotten son of God that died on the cross because of our sins, to reconcile us to God. He lives and ascended above all heavens. His free gift: Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved.