I Accidently Found the EASIEST Way to Propagate Fig Trees

[@ShyArtist52]

I tried this method for the first time over the winter. I had excess cuttings after pruning my Violette de Bordeaux figs this time. I dropped about 20 into a small bucket with 2 inches of city water. They were in a metal building that we keep above freezing. I would add water occasionally. In the spring, they all had those nodules (pre-roots?). I planted them in pots and put them on my porch in indirect light. Everyone of them have leaves on them now and look very healthy. I have given 4 of them away already. I'm trying to spread the joy of figs around here. I've already gotten one couple hooked. Ha! I will be trying this method again next year.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Amazing!!! Yeah we found this method the same way lol. I have about 40 cuttings in water right now to try and repeat this finding and so far so good. They’re all getting little white bumps. Im going to plant them this weekend and see what happens. Thanks for the comment!

[@GardenLove-yh3rv]

The lenticels of the cutting are where root primordia form, which is the beginning stages of root formation. When you get to this stage as in the video seeing all those bumps you must put it in soil or else it will rot and die. Timing when to get it in the soil is the key for it to grow into a fig tree.

[@DharmasiriSilva-nh4cp]

❤❤❤❤❤. I am from srilanka .I try all the technics on utube...this methed will success definitely...thanks

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Hello from New Jersey! Good luck!

[@ZonaFigs]

Yes, i always put my cuttings in water for a couple of weeks first. I have had excellent success doing it that way!

[@VictorMartinez-vp9gd]

I'm in S.C. foothills, I'm retired and just got the bug. My first is the Celeste Fig for 39.95. I took two clippings and doing the same. If you're interested in Paw Paw trees, It works for them as well, it took two months to root in water, I have two.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Very nice! Good luck and feel free to reach out with any questions! I’m happy to help.

[@TheRooflesstoofless]

Pawpaws, yesss!

[@bungalobill7941]

I think the soil will sometimes try to compost the cutting causing it to rot. Just water won't do that. I do the same thing with green cuttings with a couple leaves at the top and it works also.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Very true! It’s the bacterial response to breaking down nutrients in the soil that causes the rot I believe. Cool stuff!

[@christmassnow3465]

You mentioned that you take the cuttings in the fall, bag them and store them in the fridge. Is this process necessary in all climates? I live in a warm Mediterranean climate, and have no winter frost. The decidious trees take longer to shed their leaves.Would it be equally good if I just take the cutting in spring before leaves emerge?

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Yes that would work just fine or you can have great luck

[@dropattieramsammy1462]

Thank you for your interesting tips God bless you 🙏

[@GardenLove-yh3rv]

The lenticels of the cutting are where root primordia form, which is the beginning stages of root formation. When you get to this stage as in the video seeing all those bumps you must put it in soil or else it will rot and die. Timing when to get it in the soil is the key for it to grow into a fig tree.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Very very valuable advice. I am going to try another round before the weather cools down. We have about 4 more weeks here in Nj. Thank you!

[@alveygardens]

A buddy Dave from “what the fig “ water roots his fig cuttings until he sees root nodes just like you did. But he adds a percentage of chamomile tea and willow bark. Both help root and prevent mold. Also, I would look for parafilm or wax instead of shrink wrap for the top of the cuttings. Parafilm breathes, plastic does not.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Very good info! Thanks for sharing. I am currently doing another 3 dozen this way and I will try the Chamomile. Not sure where I will get willow bark lol no willow trees on my property that I know of. I use "grafting" tape that I ordered on amazon so it might be parafilm. Not sure. I did try wax in the past but when things heat up in the greenhouse or the cuttings get direct sun it gets all drippy and melty and doesn't look great. Thanks again for the comment!!

[@mssavedin92]

@@twiggshomestead6497 I believe that the regular asa aspirin is made from the white willow bark

[@bilalhussain-mg9vq]

Hi thanks for sharing , I have a question how many nodes below the soil. And how many nodes above the soil

[@twiggshomestead6497]

2-3 nodes below. 1-2 nodes above. You want to get as much rooting surface as you can. The new growth will blow up and out of either the root system or 1 node left above.

[@GainingDespair]

I've had good success growing figs in fine bark mix, or commonly sold as soil conditioner. I have to fertilize manually but I don't mind, I've come to grow everything in this mix and honestly it's borderline impossible to over water this kinda mix. After a season or two it breaks down into some decent compost, I dump it out on a tarp (tomatoes, green bean, and potato plants) to add some more bark mix but it's worked very well for me, and stuff is only $2.50 for 2 cubic feet here locally at Lowes.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Great information! Thanks for the comment. I might do a side by side video using this method and medium. Might be my new method!

[@chriswise9674]

Great video: can I use vermiculite instead of perlite?

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Yes you can! The key is keeping moisture level correct. Not too wet not too dry.

[@chriswise9674]

@@twiggshomestead6497 Thanks very much for that!!

[@TheRooflesstoofless]

I heard you can dechlorinate tap water with sunlight ☀️

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Yes chlorine at a certain temperature wants to become a gas. It will “evaporate” from water with sun exposure so long it’s in an open container to atmosphere.

[@christinew7728]

Hi! Where do you live and what is your zone? I am 7a with a nice fig tree. I also have a daughter who lives in southern Maine where growing fig trees is likely different. I want to keep learning.🏖Long Island, southern NY

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Hi I’m in Jersey. 6b. Depends on the winter but it can get down to -10 but not often and not for too long. Maine is a different story although I know many fig growers that make it happen. It takes some work though

[@bonnieleehen]

Can I propagate figs in winter.?

[@twiggshomestead6497]

You sure can. So long you can control the temp. They root better when the root zone is warmer than the branch/ stick above

[@geriannroth449]

Plain old sand works great too😊

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Yes it does! Thanks for the comment :)

[@sarfrazarain5889]

In which month we should propagate fig tree

[@twiggshomestead6497]

When it warm. June-September.

[@TheRooflesstoofless]

Fig bug lol. I’ve never tried a fig but I have 7 first year plants and 8 more cuttings that are stored right now. All different varieties. Again, never tasted one before but I can confirm the magic is there

[@twiggshomestead6497]

There sure is, once you eat a fresh fig ripe and picked from your own tree, that bug becomes a life long passion! It’s the best. My only suggestion is, when you think the fig is ripe and ready to pick, leave it on the tree for one more day.

[@Pippie5555]

Update?

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Lots of fig trees!

[@DharmasiriSilva-nh4cp]

This technics is very old tradishanal technics in Sri Lanka .we have richest natchural water.thanks you remind this ❤❤❤

[@twiggshomestead6497]

I love finding a time old method on accident! Goes to show that we really can’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to this ancient fruit. Thank you for sharing!

[@C3Voyage]

Figs love water, but they need oxygen. If the oxygen is depleted in a body of water or wet soil, figs/plants will die. Top watering regularly, while in soil will pull oxygen into the pore space as the water drains with gravity. It does help if the mix is well-draining.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Great info! It’s like nature intended it to be that way! Thank you

[@JohnDeWeese-lq4pf]

Dip the cut tips in wax and they will survive even better. You don't want them to dry out and the wax prevents this without harming the cutting.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

It’s a good idea for cooler temperature propagation. I’ve done this in the past but found that in the greenhouse, it gets a bit too warm for wax and it ends up melting and dripping. I’m planning to try using my own bees wax this fall/ winter when propagating indoors

[@JohnDeWeese-lq4pf]

@@twiggshomestead6497 I use the left over wax from a Sensy Wax Melt scent and I have mine in a greenhouse too. Never had the wax melt off. I just dip the cut off tips. Nothing else, and quit doing the :"wrap the stem" a long time ago. Bees wax has a lower melting point so I think it will definitely drip under heat. Good luck.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

@@JohnDeWeese-lq4pf Good information, stay tuned for future fig videos! Ill give you a shout-out if I do go with the wax. Thanks!

[@bradguest]

They rot easier in overly damp soil vs water because the water is largely anaerobic. So aerobic bacteria grows in the soil but not in the water. That’s my guess. I had a Smith that took forever in water. At the vacuole stage I moved it to a medium like you did. But alas a month later I may have killed it via root rot. 😔

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Interesting, I had about an 80% success rate of these cuttings after filming this video. It seemed to do well with this variety. I’m currently filming one on rooting in sand so stay tuned for that. They went in a few days ago, I’ll film the roots with info on how long, etc etc. I have my fingers crossed!

[@gmmo]

and the sun prevent it from rot and fungus.. try it in my room fully closed and open container both rotten

[@francus7227]

Everyone in the comments section thinks they're a "pro," myself included. You "should" position yourself with the sun DIRECTLY in front of you and the subject/s... i.e. soil, plant, yourself, all three, etc .... directly in line and between the sun and your camera... Many times, your viewing targets were in the shadows. A "new camera" will not fix this. Nice information. I tapped the thumbs up 👍 button to feed the algorithm monsters.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

This is great advice. I am definitely the furthest thing from a pro film creator haha. But I’m always trying to get better so any bit of info like this helps. thank you!

[@garden_therapy_nj]

Where do you get your fig trees from?

[@twiggshomestead6497]

I’ve been collecting them for a couple of years now. The majority of the trees I propagate are my own variety that has been in my family for over 30 years.

[@garden_therapy_nj]

@@twiggshomestead6497 that’s absolutely amazing!!! Love when things are passed down from generation to generation. I’m just starting to learn about them myself and I’m already intrigued by all the varieties. Thanks for answering back!!!

[@twiggshomestead6497]

@@garden_therapy_nj Anytime! Im also learning every day too! I picked up some cool Tigar variety this winter from a local collector. I have not attempted to root it yet. I want to dial in my rooting method before I try because I only have 2 cuttings.

[@thefutureofgardening5912]

I see on your cuttings you wrap the tops in cellophane plastic. Why is that?

[@inharmonywithearth9982]

Because he saw someone else do it. They will root without it just as well.

[@thefutureofgardening5912]

@@inharmonywithearth9982 Thank you

[@JackDanie15]

Parafilm

[@twiggshomestead6497]

That guy is right, it’s because I saw it elsewhere but the actual logic behind it is because the open wound on the cutting can allow moisture to escape and dry out the cutting. They root without it and they might not need it but some growers swear by it. I try everything and make my own verdicts. So far I’m still experimenting with this

[@thefutureofgardening5912]

@@twiggshomestead6497 Thanks! I just rooted my first cutting. Was a Jolly Rancher fig. Working on Harry's Crete, Texas Peach, and Colonel Littmann's.

[@Free_Falastin2024]

The reason they don't rot in water is because water doesn't cause rot. An anoxic environment, such as that in your pots, does cause rot. Your potting medium isn't soil, it's almost entirely composed of an organic material i.e., coco coir. If you pot in sand or actual mineral soil you can never overwater or rot your cuttings.

[@cheyno237]

Water is anaerobic

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Interesting take. Much appreciated. Unfortunately I have a phD in rotting fig tree cuttings and I’ve definitely rotted them in sand lol. Learning in public on this channel lol stick with me and I’ll get better!

[@sandrabrown6860]

❤ I have the Fig Bug also. I do what you do and create my own experiments 🎉🎉 I have a FUNNY story 😂 I luv eating Figs. However, I am a tad picky about the taste and texture of a figgy. Occasionally, I would spit out a yucky Fig. Wellll, fast forward 2 mos. Approximately. . And I have Fig Trees popping up!! Yes❣❣ Free Fig Trees in my yard! I am so jazzed 🎉

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Wow! That’s great you accidentally accomplished an amazing achievement. Now you’re a fig tree grower! Congratulations 😄

[@christinew7728]

@@twiggshomestead6497. I hope those future figs taste better than their momma! 😮

[@Perusic123]

They didn’t rot because the microbial flora both fungal and bacterial did not have the nuteisnts to properly grow

[@julian777ju5]

😂 im the same I love fig propagation

[@twiggshomestead6497]

It’s a wonderful addiction

[@TimeToBeKind]

That’s how I’ve been doing it since I was a kid in Africa, then in Europe and in USA. Now I use water and glass beads, around 3/8” round. I use to use pebbles but the roots were harder to separate. Go to Michael’s or any Hobby shop and get clear glass beads. Put about an inch of beads in a see through container. Stick the cuttings into the beads and add water to the level of the beads. The beads are used to hold the cuttings upright and spaced apart. The first thing I do is use a brand new razor blade to scrape the one inch of the cuttings, just to expose the freshest green skin. I mean; removing the fine exterior brownish layer. Practice on your thumb nail. The successful rate is very high.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Great information! I might make a video trying that method and follow up! I Appreciate the info :)

[@cs7717]

Those are not roots growing. They are where the plant does its gas exchange. Right now, I cannot for the life of me remember the name of them. I know the word starts with a V, but that is all I can remember. Old age. Anywho, leave them alone. They are good. Your roots will grow around/near them.

[@twiggshomestead6497]

Cool! Good to hear!

[@bradguest]

Vacuoles

[@firstname7769]

Lenticels

[@cs7717]

@@firstname7769 YES! That's the name! Thanks!

[@GardenLove-yh3rv]

​@@cs7717 The lenticels of the cutting are where root primordia form, which is the beginning stages of root formation. When you get to this stage as in the video, you must put it in soil or else it will rot and die. Timing when to get in in the soil is the key for it to grow into a fig tree.