Ever since my cousin gave me a taste of the figs that grow in her back yard, I've been hooked on the idea of reproducing that tree, as they are the best figs I've ever had. So I've been searching for tips of propagating fig plants in the forums and apparently what I want to do is very far out on a limb. Everyone says to take leafless wood cuttings when the trees are dormant and root them in the ground.
The only discussion I've yet to find about hydroponic fig plants was rather negative. But I still wanted to try putting new growth from the end of a branch into water just to see what would happen, and five days later it would appear that I have healthy roots, pictured in the insert at the top left: So now I'm wondering where are all the articles about figs being grown as decorative houseplants. Am I missing something? Of course the first thought that came to mind was who might have a fruit-bearing bonsai fig? I had to go all the way to Brazil for the answer:
By now I am of course thinking I should Google up the keywords "hydroponic bonsai" and this is what came up:
Very cool, and germane to this discussion because my purpose in wanting to try the soft cuttings was to see how fast one could propagate a fig. If you read the closing quote from Dickens on the Hutchins page, then you'll understand what I mean when I say that I want to sit in the shade now.
All this should lead soon to another topic: is the notion that water/air roots differ in a significant way from soil roots really a fact or just another wide spread myth waiting to be debunked?
Cutting started 8/6.
Roots showing 8/11.
Moved to soil 8/14.
For this experiment I am using Scott's MiracleGro Moisture Control Potting Mix, which contains coconut fibers (coir) and a 3-month supply of plant food.
The container is a trimmed down milk bottle. I will poke holes in the bottom for drainage and set it inside a decorative pot until it is ready to be cut loose and put into something bigger.
