Fig from cutting is withering

Question

I propagated over 10 fig trees indoors from cuttings by dipping all cuttings into water under various cups to form roots and they were pretty good to have branches, leaves and roots etc. I finally transplanted them to each plastic pot with dirt mixed with 20% perlite. The first 10 days were all good, then a few days ago, I found 4 cuttings suddenly became withered (leaves and branch) with unknown reasons.

For your information, I placed them indoors but direct to the sun for about 1 or 2 hours. In about 4 days and when I saw 4 of them having withered problem, I removed them from the direct sun immediately. Do you think this could be the reason why my 4 fig cuttings became withered? If not, what will be the reason that you might know about? I also propagated another 10 figs from cuttings using dirt and all of them are so far so good. I placed them indoors with direct sun for at least 1 hour per day with no withered problem.

I will be much appreciated if you can tell me why some of my fig cuttings (water to form roots) are having withered problem. Are they going to die or will alive to produce branches and leaves later on?

Regards

Johnson

Answer 1

Sometimes this happens when gardeners plant their cuttings too soon. Did you observe what you considered to be vigorous growth – it sounds like you did. Sometimes fig trees are planted when gardeners observe 4-5 leaves and few, if any, roots.

What care did you provide the fig trees, especially in terms of watering? I am just wondering if the possibility of over-watering or under-watering exists. Was their soil dry to the touch or really damp?

When you said you removed the four fig trees from the direct sun immediately – into what lighting conditions did you move them into? I am just wondering if they are still receiving adequate lighting. Fig trees do like bright, indirect light, a few hours of direct morning sun can work well too.

I can’t really say if your fig cuttings will survive. I would definitely check the hydration of the soil and make sure they are receiving proper lighting. At any rate, your success rate of propagation still is pretty good! If it’s any consolation, sometimes there will be casualties when propagating plants, even when we do everything right.

For more information on fig tree propagation, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/fig-propagation.htm

Answer 2

Hi Shelley,
Thank you so much for your quick respond.
I actually propagated all fig trees from cuttings indoor (sitting room with enough daylight and lighting at night till 11:00 pm, temperature abt 20C all day plus 1 hour or 2 direct morning sun, then water once in a week.Never too wet or too dry since I sprayed them in the morning and at night to make sure that they are moist in a while. It looks like that I did not do anything wrong to damage my 4 cuttings.

I am going to transplant rest of the other fig cuttings that I propagated thru dirt next week and hope that they can be survived accordingly.

Tks from Johnson