Got a brand new cutting you want to succeed? Why did past cuttings seem to root but then failed? What do the fig researchers recommend? This is the post on potential reasons for rot while rooting…
Thank you! I’ve used Neptune’s Harvest or Maxicrop in the past. Now I use the powdered kind as you seem to get more for your money. But to be honest, most of the brands out there will work and are good. So I would just get whatever is easiest to find and most cost effective in your area. Ascophyllum nodosum is the type of seaweed most talked about for root growth, so you may want to make sure whatever product you get has that in it, most seem to. Make sure not to get one with fish for this application! Dilution is higher for this than when fertilizing plants. Recommended dosages seem to vary by brand, I would at least cut it in half and make sure not a lot of seaweed residue is remaining on the cutting before planting. You’ll want it watery and let it soak longer than you would for rooting hormone, a few hours or overnight is okay. You can also use it to moisten your rooting mix if desired.
Thanks for this article!! What do you think about orchid pots for rooting in perlite/peat mix? They have lots of holes for airflow and drainage, but that makes me wonder about how to maintain a beneficial humidity level. I'll be rooting cuttings inside and not with a heating mat.
I have tried those, but didn’t have the best of success with them. I think it’s because they allow the rooting mix to dry out too much before the cutting has rooted. You could try bagging the pot initially to see if that holds in enough humidity to get them going, but ultimately, they are a mixed bag for results. I am in a very dry area though which does affect that.
After trying a lot of pots, my best results always come in treepots. Another option I’ve had good results with are clear 32 oz deli containers. You have to put in your own holes, but that gives you some control for how many you have on the sides. You do want plenty on the bottom.
Whatever you choose, just make sure it is deep enough to bury a few nodes on the cutting while keeping the cutting about 2” from the bottom.
I’m excited for you, I hope you have great results!
Thank you so much! This is the first time I have seen someone writing about the microbiome on fig cuttings and James White's research. In my last round of fig cuttings, I rolled the cuttings in my finished compost mixed with some soil from beneath an established fig tree to try and inoculate it with some good microbes. I am just a few days in, so we'll see how it goes.
Great article! Which brand of seaweed extract would you recommend and a dilution rate as I’d like to give that a try this year.
Thank you! I’ve used Neptune’s Harvest or Maxicrop in the past. Now I use the powdered kind as you seem to get more for your money. But to be honest, most of the brands out there will work and are good. So I would just get whatever is easiest to find and most cost effective in your area. Ascophyllum nodosum is the type of seaweed most talked about for root growth, so you may want to make sure whatever product you get has that in it, most seem to. Make sure not to get one with fish for this application! Dilution is higher for this than when fertilizing plants. Recommended dosages seem to vary by brand, I would at least cut it in half and make sure not a lot of seaweed residue is remaining on the cutting before planting. You’ll want it watery and let it soak longer than you would for rooting hormone, a few hours or overnight is okay. You can also use it to moisten your rooting mix if desired.
Appreciate the insights Valerie! I will be using it to moisten the soil mix and soak the cuttings most definitely.
Awesome! I hope it works well for you 👍👍
Thanks for this article!! What do you think about orchid pots for rooting in perlite/peat mix? They have lots of holes for airflow and drainage, but that makes me wonder about how to maintain a beneficial humidity level. I'll be rooting cuttings inside and not with a heating mat.
I have tried those, but didn’t have the best of success with them. I think it’s because they allow the rooting mix to dry out too much before the cutting has rooted. You could try bagging the pot initially to see if that holds in enough humidity to get them going, but ultimately, they are a mixed bag for results. I am in a very dry area though which does affect that.
After trying a lot of pots, my best results always come in treepots. Another option I’ve had good results with are clear 32 oz deli containers. You have to put in your own holes, but that gives you some control for how many you have on the sides. You do want plenty on the bottom.
Whatever you choose, just make sure it is deep enough to bury a few nodes on the cutting while keeping the cutting about 2” from the bottom.
I’m excited for you, I hope you have great results!
As always, I totally appreciate your recommendations and your sharing of experience!
Of course, anytime!
Thank you so much! This is the first time I have seen someone writing about the microbiome on fig cuttings and James White's research. In my last round of fig cuttings, I rolled the cuttings in my finished compost mixed with some soil from beneath an established fig tree to try and inoculate it with some good microbes. I am just a few days in, so we'll see how it goes.
You’re welcome! Yes, I’ve enjoyed James White’s information quite a lot. Sounds like an interesting experiment! Let us know how it goes. 🙂