need help with my fig cutting

jme · Post by **jme** » December 19th, 2012, 12:41 pm

I have taken a fig cutting about 2 months ago but i didnt know what i was doing. it now has some very strong roots and is growing fast BUT im stuck with 4 branches that have been cut off and they are as think as an index finger. My problem is what to do with them and how do i make it not look like a cutting.

Boics · Post by **Boics** » December 19th, 2012, 1:00 pm

You post a picture so that we can better understand what your talking about first!

From what you have said though it sounds like you will need to wait until some new buds have formed.
These would then be selected as branch leaders..

In time these will more naturally take over from the "finger" stubs that are left.

shibui · Post by **shibui** » December 19th, 2012, 8:37 pm

how do i make it not look like a cutting.

Wait!

I think you are in too much of a hurry. Change takes time with living things.
If the problem is stumps of branches then my favorite quote from Tom Yamamoto is: ' You have ploblem? Cut him off. No more ploblem!'

jme · Post by **jme** » December 20th, 2012, 8:42 am

shibui wrote:
how do i make it not look like a cutting.
Wait!

I think you are in too much of a hurry. Change takes time with living things.
If the problem is stumps of branches then my favorite quote from Tom Yamamoto is: ' You have ploblem? Cut him off. No more ploblem!'

the problem is that it is cut off and im left with a stump. if i cut the stumps off all ill be left with is a trunk that is 70mm high.

Isitangus · Post by **Isitangus** » December 20th, 2012, 8:47 am

There is one sure fire way to make it not look like a cutting...time,patience & training

Post by **kcpoole** » December 20th, 2012, 11:43 am

Hi JME
Can you post a photo or 2 so we can see the problem?

time is the necessary ingredient along with a few tips and knowlege.
For a Fig ( mostly),
if it is too tall, then cut back hard to shorten it then regrow branches from scratch
if the existing branching is too thick or otherwise inapropriate, Cut them all off and Regrow them all.

Maybe use one as a new leader to give taper?

Ken

jme · Post by **jme** » December 20th, 2012, 1:18 pm

kcpoole wrote:Hi JME
Can you post a photo or 2 so we can see the problem?

time is the necessary ingredient along with a few tips and knowlege.
For a Fig ( mostly),
if it is too tall, then cut back hard to shorten it then regrow branches from scratch
if the existing branching is too thick or otherwise inapropriate, Cut them all off and Regrow them all.

Maybe use one as a new leader to give taper?

Ken

This is a shot of the cutting. The branches range from around 10mm thick to 15mm thick.

shibui · Post by **shibui** » December 23rd, 2012, 7:39 am

I think KCs call is the best. Select an attractive trunk line from the base up through any one of the branches then cut all the others off at the base. When you cut new shoots are likely to sprout all along the trunk to give options for growing more appropriate branches. You will still need a bit of patience and time but you will be starting off with the most important part - a thick trunk.

As an example, from the angle shown in the pic I would cut off the 2 lowest branches and cut off the trunk above the 3rd branch to give a trunk line with a bend. Also shorten the remaining branch by about half to a shoot that brings the trunk back toward the centre again. That will give an S shaped trunk and better taper. Maybe also adjust the planted angle to bring the new trunkline more upright and give better initial movement out of the ground??
I can't see the lines through the other 2 branches but either of them might give similar movement and taper to the trunk.

AusBonsai