Help with Cuttings

[Ficusboy101]

Hi I am trying to get some ficus cuttings but they keep failing So I am after some info
And also when do you take cuttings

[Bougy Fan]

Figs are usually easy to propagate as cuttings. Generally better doing them when it is warmer. Cut just below a node on a 45 degree angle, dip in hormone and into a tray of river sand or something fine and well drained. Keep moist and you shouldn't have any problems

[DustyRusty]

I was writing this but bougy got in first: In Darwin anytime. Should get some success cutting below the node and keeping the mix moist. Leave until lots of new growth. I suspect they're drying out?

You can trying rooting hormone to increase results or others here use honey. Just dip and plant.

[Ficusboy101]

Ok thanks for the help
Appreciate it so much

[shibui]

No-one has mentioned humidity? Most evergreen cuttings need humidity until the roots form so the leaves do not transpire all the moisture out of the stems. Cover cuttings with a plastic bag, cut off clear plastic bottle, etc to keep humidity high or use misting. Cuttings need good light but not direct sun. Evergreen cuttings need some leaves but not too many to provide energy.

It might help if you describe what you have tried to see if we can pick up some problem rather than just guessing what problems might be.

[Neli]

I remove all the leavesans leave only the top most 2-3 leaves depending on their size. I dont use rooting hormone.
For ficus Benjamine best are tip cuttings no longer than 10cm.

[DustyRusty]

Shibui, I am curious about humidity. I know people do this, I guess my fear is sticking any plant under a plastic cover in midsummer here in Sydney. How do you prevent the plant overheating? Or isn't it a problem?

[Neli]

Put it in a cool place, like dappled shade...not on blazing sun.

[bonsaipotter]

When taking cuttings of evergreens like figs I like to take a piece of material at the transition between new and older growth -green stem at the tip and browning off at the cut. Cut at the node and cut off all but a couple of leaves, cut off the youngest tip, then cut off half those leaves. Use root hormone. I use a very gritty mix, at least 50%, place the cuttings and then thouroughtly wet the pot and allow to drain until no more free moisture comes out. Then get one of the bags Woolies and Coles give you for veges. Put a couple of wire hoops in the top of the pot and then into the bag, twist the bag opening and sit the pot down on it so it is all sealed up. No more watering needed. The wire hoops keep the plastic off the foliage. In Brisbane at this time of year this method is almost foolproof. Dappled shade now and more if done in summer. Care needed in slowly (over a couple of days) opening the bag when the cuttings are growing. They need to adjust to a drier atmosphere.

[shibui]

There you have your answer Dusty. note the answer is the same from 2 far flung parts of the world.
You do need light but not too much heat. Should be ok as long as it is not subject to direct afternoon sun on hot days. My cutting area is covered with 30% shadecloth during summer. Like most things you will need to use trial and error to find the combination that suits your area best.

Bonsai potter's wire hoops and supermarket bag is widely used. If you need space for a few pots try a large plastic storage tub for a humidicrib. A few cm of water in the bottom to supply humidity, a couple of bricks, some timber or a cake rack so the pots do not sit in the water then put the pots of cuttings in and put the lid on the container. Place the whole thing where it will get some morning sun but not cook in afternoon heat or under light shade just like the plastic bag. In extreme conditions you can prop the lid up a little to allow excess heat out. Whenever you check progress the plants will get fresh air and should have roots in next to no time

[DustyRusty]

Thanks Shibui, I always appreciate the time you give to your answers. Thanks to Neli and Bpotter too. Will need many cuttings for ficus root work and fusing this year so these methods will help.

[Ficusboy101]

I put a bag over the cutting i took yesterday because its quite cool in darwin averagly How long till they get roots

[Neli]

Best time to get soft wood cutting is in spring or during the growing period...Rooting time will depend on the temperature. If it is cold it can take longer.
Count on 3 month...but I would leave them longer so they get established well before transplanting. Look for new growth (not in the beginning since that happens some time due to residual energy), but see that You have good growth over a period of time, and that will be an indication for you how your roots are progressing.

[DustyRusty]

I put a bag over the cutting i took yesterday because its quite cool in darwin averagly How long till they get roots

Cool? top of 31 and low of 20. That sounds like Ficus heaven to me.

[shibui]

I usually wait until I see new roots coming out the drain holes in the pots. Try to resist the urge to keep checking to see if it has roots - you will only slow it down and possibly break off any new roots that might have started to grow. Just keep the mix slightly damp - there should be condensation inside the plastic bag most of the time.
Is it possible to take a photo of your cutting so we can see what you have done? Just interested to check and see if we can work out what issues might be causing your poor strike rate.

And when you say 'the' cutting do you mean only 1? When I want to grow 1 or 2plants I put in 5 or 10 cuttings because, even with easy to grow plants, there will often be fatalities and if all of them strike you get to choose the best ones and sell or give away the others.