Starting Fig Cuttings. My Easiest & Surest Way.

[@hp7093]

Just found this channel. Absolutely the best on YT. You’ve answered many questions. Awesome

[@loumonti10]

@hp7093 Thanks!!!! Lou Monti

[@DavidPascale-i3x]

I ha e been following you for a while now and when anyone asks for information on fig trees I send them your way. Only wish since we both are in NJ I could meet you in person.

[@geraldinebusch]

Wow! Such beautifully robust and healthy Peter's Honey cuttings! Your way of planting makes perfect sense!! I believe I just learned something very important! Thanks Lou!!!

[@superdave336]

I think I might try this method this year. Won't hurt, cost me nothing to try. Thanks Lou for sharing.

[@loumonti10]

@superdave336 Sure, thing!!! LOU Monti

[@richarddetriquet9642]

Ive used direct planting of cuttings for years having learned from the old timers as a kid. In Zone 7A we always took 4 or 5 node cuttings late winter around March and just planted them in a full sun location with a little straw or mulch. Pop would scarify the cutting and then plant 2 nodes in the ground. Great success rate.

[@imdanhoover]

and again, you have inspired me...i'm going to get a area in my garden prepped, for next year though, just for direct planting of cuttings..

[@DrBombay911]

I've had 3 unsuccessful I-258 cutting attempts. I wish I could get them to root for me. Those starts look awesome!

[@debbies2966]

I’m so glad you posted this video. I’m currently trying to root cuttings I bought on Etsy in my greenhouse. Two are together in a terra cotta pot and the others are planted in 5 gallon pails. My greenhouse is unheated in NC zone 8a. My question is how to overwinter them. Should they be wrapped and/or should I sink the pots in the ground? Also should I dig them up and sink them into the pots so only 2” is exposed? Thanks again Lou!

[@tblues]

Enjoy your videos! I have a few Black Jack trees from cuttings that have been producing pretty good this year. I would like your opinion on what is one of your favorite figs. I want to graft a few others to my trees. 😊

[@gdimitrakis00]

Lou thanks for keeping it real. In one of your videos you stated it’s very negligent that some people are tarnishing reputations of great long standing varieties. I also believe this to be true. For what reason I do not know. These are usually the people growing and eating figs for a limited time. Maybe their motivations are for content making or to upsell something else. A certain forum has also become unbearable with newbies, and yes 5 years of growing you’re still a newbie, because of the information they repeat and how they judge certain varieties. For example many newbies say RDB splits and spoils easily. But like you I grow it in ground here in south NJ. (We are practically neighbors and would love to visit one day. I have it in a good location high and dry and it’s a remarkable fig. I can’t stand these people tarnishing a reputation of a great variety because they are growing it in a small pot with crappy soil mixes that don’t retain any moisture and are fast draining. I could ramble on all day about this it angers me so much. Again thanks for keeping it real and I enjoy your videos. Maybe one day we can visit each others yards. I think you would love my Greek varieties that have been with my family in Greece for who knows how long before they brought over cuttings here in the 60s

[@loumonti10]

@gdimitrakis00 Hi there! For general conversation, I'd like to ask you what varieties you have? Thanks for watching?

[@gdimitrakis00]

@@loumonti10 in ground i have RDB, Improved Celeste, Red Lebanese, Eaubonne, Smith ( has survived winters so far, testing it out in ground I don’t like it in pots for some reason) a few family heirlooms and Bourjasotte Grise (which is doing excellent here). In pots I have the same family heirlooms I have in ground as backups, Black Madeira, I258 ( which btw like yours compared to Black Madeira was not as good this year), an Adriatic type, and Del Sen Juame Gran ( which I believe you would absolutely love over I258, I do which is why I’m getting rid of I258. It just isn’t that great if you’re forced to pick it an earlier than at its peak. Black Madeira on the other hand you can be a bit early to pick it and it’s fantastic.

[@gdimitrakis00]

@@loumonti10I have also been trying to grow Peters honey in ground. It seems to be the thorn in my side variety that won’t root or grow for me. I finally got one to root last year and stuck it in ground. It’s barely grown. Hopefully next year it takes off.

[@loumonti10]

@gdimitrakis00 That's very odd. Peter's, at least my strain, is one of the easiest varieties to grow in my collection. It's my second easiest cultivar to air layer, as well! Are you sure that you've got Peter's? LouMonti

[@gdimitrakis00]

@@loumonti10 unfortunately I am not sure but the seller on figbid is a reputable seller and he states he has the real Peters honey. I’ve only purchased this variety cuttings from him. I guess next year I will be able to tell, hopefully my little tree survives the winter.

[@matttk421]

So much room for more fig trees! Haha

[@teresavalenti1647]

Lou I love this new video and it couldn’t come at a more perfect time. We sold our house this week and we bought a new one we are closing on September 23. I have 18 trees in ground and I can only take five so I picked the five we’re gonna dig up and bring with us but the rest I when I saw your video I could take cuttings from the other 13 and I can just plant those cuttings in the ground like you’re showing and then I don’t have to dig up any more trees it’s absolutely perfect can this be done now like in October? Thanks so much for this video.

[@newatthis50]

I'm new to figs but I've been messing around and found I have pretty good luck just rooting in water. Maybe 50% The advantage is they don't take up much space (be sure to label them😂) Weird but they seem to sprout better if you sprout something easy sprouting in the same jar like coleus. I'm a novice but if you are moving it might be an option for you

[@roccoconte2960]

Beautiful cuttings Lou Will you leave them in the ground over winter?

[@loumonti10]

@roccoconte2960 Hi Rocco! Yes, I will over winter them in the ground. It's a lot easier, and I usually have much better success that way. Thanks for watching, take care! Lou Monti

[@hp7093]

Tell us about your solar setup and pros and cons

[@MomPuff-b9w]

Great video!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Which growing zone do you live in? Thank you!! New subscriber 🤗🦋🤗

[@loumonti10]

@@MomPuff-b9w 7-A. Welcome aboard! Lou Monti

[@thevagrowinggardener1898]

Good day Lou! So Nikita’s Gift persimmons fall when they’re ripe as well?

[@epigeneticnerd4244]

Initially I thought you said you only leave 1-2 nodes above the ground. Then I heard you say you don’t like to plant them deep due to rot and trauma digging up. Perhaps I missed something in between?

[@loumonti10]

@epigeneticnerd4244 Six or 7 inch cuttings are all they need to be, as I discussed in the video. One or two nodes above ground is plenty, one is actually better. Good luck. Lou Monti

[@SeanKroner]

What’s the latest date “generally” you can expect a good result from a fig air layer of a tree in ground and then also a potted tree in 7a?

[@Americansikkunt]

I imagine you’d just need 3-5 weeks, to allow root propagation before the first frost

[@matttk421]

I've heard 2-3 months..

[@loumonti10]

@SeanKroner Hi Sean! The truth is that it's very situational. It depends on what zone you are in, the time of the year, and what the weather conditions actually are for about 4 weeks after you've completed the air layer. Whether the tree is in ground or in a pot, and the air layer technique being used is very important, too. Another very important factor is the variety of fig tree that you're attempting to air layer! Some varieties are easier and faster than others. In my opinion, in zone 7-A, you should allow at least 4 weeks to achieve satisfactory results, using the technique that I've demonstrated in my videos. You might want to try my method of starting cuttings, as well. Thanks for watching, Lou Monti

[@TheBeeCommander-o9x]

I will trade you some fresh Louisiana honey for an I258 or Peter's Honey...I'm a beekeeper about 26 miles north of New Orleans I've wanted I258 and Peter's Honey for my collection...I have about 50 different varieties I'm growing now...all different ages and sizes

[@06075345]

I think you’re gonna need camera stand to make filming your videos easier 😅

[@loumonti10]

@06075345 then it wouldn't be me anymore, Lou Monti!!! Lol!

[@fookyindawnchung15]

Lou Please put me on your list to receive your plants. I will pay you and I can take any variety

[@kjaan]

I am interested as well

[@nataliablumke5608]

Me too. If you can share, I-258 or Black Madeira are on my wish list :) I would love to get some from you.

[@debbies2966]

@@fookyindawnchung15 me too!