You can find figs adding beauty to the gardens or being used for commercial purposes.
Figs can adjust to different types of environmental situations. So if you want to propagate a fig tree from a cutting, you can follow the quick guide here.
You can propagate many vegetables and fruits through cuttings in water, like tomatoes and pepper. Additionally, you can also propagate some herbs like mint. But we will try to propagate figs through this article.
Apart from that, you can grow many other trees also through the propagation method. But we use this method mainly for the fig tree because they are easy to root in water.
So, let’s venture through the tips mentioned below to understand how you can propagate fig trees from a cutting. It can be a fruit-bearing tree or maybe not.
However, you must first think.
How to Grow a Fig Tree From a Cutting in Water?
You don’t need any specialized appliances to root fig trees in the water, as it is a natural and easy process.
You just need to place the fig tree root in a Vass or glass filled with water and that’s it.
It would help if you had basic duty scissors and pruners, a pot where you will root, and some amount of water. You will observe its growth in three to four weeks.
How to Properly Cut a Cutting for Fig Tree Growth?
You will understand how to have your fig tree pruned most efficiently through the steps mentioned below.
Step 1: Firstly, wash or sanitize your pruners quite well with alcohol or any cleanser. Keep them dipped in water for 30 minutes.
Another suitable process is to wash them in warm water. Both these methods are effective, but good sanitization ensures that no disease or infection is spread to the cutting before it’s rooted.
Step 2: A good tip has a branch with two nodes or even more. A Node is that part of the tree from where new shoots or roots have their growth. Please ensure that the node you have selected has a lower node and one at least at the top. It will enable a proper propagation of the fig tree. New leaves will grow at the section of the nodes.
Step 3: Keep the Cutting top flattened, and the bottom can be cut at an angle so that you can understand which part should be submerged in water. It is an important aspect that the cutting should not lie upside down while rooting.
Step 4: Bleach it before and then plant it in water if you feel that the fig can rot before it is rooted in water. Moreover, you can grow multiple cuttings in the same pot so that at least one gains success.
Also Read: Try These 9 DIY Gardening Tools to Save Money
What are the Merits of Rooting Fig Cuttings in Water Than the Soil?
As we know, for ages, it has been observed that trees are rooted in the soil. But now, we can try something different.
Soil can help the roots to spread quickly and absorb nutrients. However, if you think that rooting a fig in water can lead to waterlogging, then I would say that there are many merits that you should know for propagating the fig in water.
- Before rooting, water will help the roots to remain wet and not let them dry out fast.
- The fig trees demand proper maintenance. Keep changing the water after a few days. And if you do so, the chances of rotting the roots will be significantly less.
- As it will be rooted in water, you will have good visibility and see how the roots are growing. You can also understand which of the roots are not in good condition and should discard them.
- Fig cutting has good growth in water and has a success rate if you compare it to some citrus trees.
How Long Will it Take For the Fig Cutting to be Properly Rooted in Water?
Firstly, take good care of fig. See that the roots do not rot before you complete the rooting. So, assuming that the roots are in good condition after you grow a fig tree taken from a cutting, you can see the rootings within three weeks.
If, by chance, you see that four weeks have passed and still roots are not well developed, then don’t be impatient. It will soon develop into a tree.
FAQ’s
Ans. A moderate amount of water is preferred for the fig to be submerged. Ensure to dip at least one node into the water.
Additionally, you must change the water every week; otherwise, your fig roots may rot.
Ans. In the winter season, the tree remains dormant. So it would be the best time when you can accomplish the propagation of a fig tree in winter than in summer.
However, if you plan and have already cut out the figs in summer or late summer, then make sure that you remove the unripe figs and leaves. Leave out the small ones which are yet to grow.
Also, ensure that the figs are completely free of pests. The presence of pests will hinder the growth of the fig. You can wash the fig well or boil them in warm water to kill them for some time.
Figs can also propagate through the cuttings done in summer. It would be best to keep the fig cuttings in the refrigerator for some weeks before you plant and root them in the softwood cuttings’ pots.
Ensure first that the fig cutting has long and healthy roots. After you make sure, then feel safe to transplant it now.
But it is advisable not to transplant it if it has just one or two small roots. First, let the roots develop effectively. To make your transplant successful and minimize the damage to roots, you can backfill the roots with a potting mix or soil.
Now to start with the Process:
• First, fill the lower area of the pot and keep the cutting.
• Put the soil all around the cutting until it has completely covered the roots.
• After transplanting, make sure to water it regularly.
Ans. If you want good production from your fig trees, then plant and nurture them well. After transplanting the rooting into the soil, expect that within 3 to 5 years, an excellent fruit-bearing tree will flourish in your garden.
However, the tree will grow within two years, but you have to wait for 3-5 years to get maximum production.
Ans. Some amount of light acquired from a tube light or a bulb or the minimum sunlight is necessary for the propagation of fig cuttings and their successful growth. These cuttings can thrive well in little light also.
So, you can place them under direct sunlight or at your house by lighting a bulb. Under both these situations, they will give fruitful results.
Some More Tips
- Check the cuttings every week to see how the roots develop. At first, you will get to see some white bumps. Then, you will see some roots begin to appear from these bumps.
- When you see that the roots have grown moderately long, take them and plant them in a pot. They will have a strong stem and several leaves during this time.
- Keeping them in direct sunlight can overheat them. And ultimately, it will become difficult for the roots to survive. Hence, ensure that you keep them in a minimum required light and water them frequently.
When you follow a proper fig tree propagation technique, you will be able to see the desired result within weeks!
Bonus Read: 12 Tips for Growing Cucumbers in Containers
Conclusion
As per the article, we understood that it is pretty easy to propagate them in water than the conventional method of growing in soil only. If you take preventive measures, it won’t be challenging to grow fig.
You have to take clean pruners, have some more cuttings and ensure that you have picked the right season, and you will have a perfect tree growing from it.