Growing Fig Trees From Barren Branches

Question

I need advice. Every year I cut foot-long barren branches, with tips ready to sprout, from my now 30-year-old (Mission Fig,  I think) tree, and I give them away to people to plant. Many people are now growing figs from my tree.

People ask me how to grow them, and I don’t really know, and I just gave away dozens and dozens this week. Is putting the barren foot long ‘twig’ in a clear glass bottle with water the best starter? Does it need any hormone or anything else to get it going? How long should the roots be before transferring to outside dirt, and then what is the best care? I need to answer all the people as they parent the barren branches. I live in the San Fernando Valley and I give the fig branches away to Los Angeles people. It can be 115 degrees here in the Valley, much less hot in LA.

Answer 1

Fig plants are usually propagated by cuttings. Select foot-long pieces of dormant wood, less than 1 inch diameter, with two-year-old wood at base. One-year twigs with a heel of two-year branch at the base may also be used. Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone and allow them to callus one week in a moist place at 50-60° F. Summer cuttings may also be made, but they do best if defoliated and winterized in a refrigeration for 2-3 weeks before potting.

For additional information, here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/fig-propagation.htm
This article will help with fig tree care: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/figs/how-to-grow-figs.htm