Fig trees are very popular to have in gardens as they can grow in lots of different conditions. They can thrive in different conditions and you can propagate them.
This allows you to grow more than one fig tree in your garden and gift them to friends and family so that they can enjoy having one in their back garden too.
There are lots of fruit and vegetable plants that can be propagated in water, but figs are one of the easiest.
This makes it less of a hassle when you are propagating figs in water and you can watch your cuttings thrive. If you have never propagated in water before, fig trees are a good place to start.
This article will explain easy tips on how to propagate fig trees in the water and how you can make sure that they grow into healthy plants. Find out more below!
Can Fig Tree Cuttings Be Rooted In Water?
You can easily root fig tree cuttings in water. The process is very easy as there is no need for specific equipment to allow you to do this.
All you need to make sure that you have are pruners, water, and a cup. This will allow you to easily root fig tree cuttings in water, and the process can take anywhere from 3 weeks to just over a month.
The Benefits Of Rooting Cuttings In Water
If you are not used to growing cuttings in water, it might seem odd that people use water instead of soil as the soil is what plants tend to be grown in. However, there are many benefits to growing cuttings in water.
Firstly, rooting your cuttings in water instead of soil can prevent them from drying out before they root.
There is also less risk of your roots rotting in water as you will be cleaning the water every couple of days.
Root rot is very common in soil, so using clean water for your cuttings will prevent them from rotting and help them grow.
When your cuttings are rooting in the soil, you are unable to see what is happening as the soil is too dark. However, when the cuttings are rooting in water, you can see which ones have been successful and which ones haven’t.
Finally, the main benefit of rooting cuttings in water is that it is a very successful way of rooting your cuttings. Rooting in water has a very high success rate that you do not get when rooting in the soil.
How Long Does Rooting Fig Cuttings In Water Take?
When you begin rooting your fig cuttings in water, you can expect to see the cuttings begin to root between 3-4 weeks.
This is the normal amount of time that it takes fig cuttings to root in water, but this cannot be said for all cuttings.
In some cases, cuttings can look very healthy and still not have roots after 4 weeks.
Some people assume that their cuttings will not root and that they are rotten, but if they look healthy, you simply just need to give them some more time.
Be patient and you will be able to see your cuttings begin to root!
What Is The Best Season To Root Fig Cuttings?
The best time to take cuttings from your fig tree is when the tree is dormant, which is in the winter.
You can take cuttings from your fig tree in the summer months, but the best time to prune your fig tree and take cuttings is in the winter months.
If you do decide to take cuttings in the summer, you will need to make sure that you remove any unripe figs from the cutting.
You should also remove any leaves from the cutting unless they are small leaves that are just starting to grow. Check the cutting for any pests and do not use it if you find that there are any infestations.
Before you add your cutting to the water to root, make sure that you wash it with warm water. This will get rid of any pests from the cutting and make sure that it is clean so you will be able to start to see its roots in the water.
How To Take Cuttings From Fig Trees
It is very easy to take cuttings from fig trees, but you want to make sure that you do it correctly. Below you can find tips to make sure that you prune your fig tree correctly and get some great cuttings!
Sanitizing The Pruners
You must sanitize the pruners that you are using to make the cuttings as you do not want to pass an infection on to the cuttings.
You can either soak the pruners in a solution of bleach and water for half an hour, or you can wash them in warm water with soap.
If you are using the bleach solution, make sure that the pruners are dry before using them as you don’t want to damage the cuttings by exposing them to bleach.
You should also wear gloves and protective gear when dealing with bleach and keep it out of the way of kids and pets.
Choose A Branch That Has New Shoots Forming
You should look for branches that have signs of new shoots forming, which you can see as little bumps on the branch.
The branch should have 2 or 3 new shoots forming, and at least one should be at the lower end of the branch, which is the roots, and at least one at the top, which is for the leaves.
If you cannot find a smaller branch that has new shoots forming, you can choose a long branch and cut it down.
You can take smaller cuttings from that branch that are at least 4-7 inches, so do not panic if you cannot find any smaller branches to take cuttings from.
Remember Which Way The Cutting Is
You do not want to make the mistake of putting the cutting in the water so that the roots are at the top.
An easy way to remember which way the roots are on the cutting is to take the cutting at the bottom of the branch if it is a small branch so you know which side the roots are on.
If you have taken a smaller cutting from a large branch, take the cutting of the root at an angle and cut the top of the branch in a straight line.
This will make it easier to know which way the roots are on the branch so you do not put them in the water the wrong way.
Take Unripe Figs Off The Branches
Make sure that you remove any unripe figs from the branches to make room for new growth. This will only happen if you take cuttings in the summer months, but you shouldn’t have to worry about this if you are taking cuttings in the winter.
Wash The Cuttings
Once you have taken the cuttings, make sure that you wash them in warm water with soap to remove any pests. This will make sure that no pests eat away at the cuttings and affect the growth.
How Much Water Do The Cuttings Need?
You need to make sure that you have enough water in the jar to cover at least one of the new shoots on the cutting.
Keeping at least 2 of the new shoots underwater will make sure that they are constantly wet. You also need to make sure that you regularly change the water so that the roots do not end up rotting.
How Much Light Do The Cuttings Need?
The fig cuttings should be kept in indirect sunlight to help them grow properly.
The cuttings do not require direct sunlight, although fig trees do grow better in these conditions. However, the cuttings only require indirect sunlight to help them grow properly.
How Should The Rooted Cuttings Be Moved?
Once the cutting has successfully rooted, you will need to move it so it can continue to grow.
You should only move your cutting if the roots are long and healthy, not if they are still very small. If there is only a couple of short roots, continue to let your cutting root in the water.
The best way to move your rooted cuttings into a pot is to carefully start filling the bottom of the pot with soil.
Hold your cutting carefully and continue to gently pour the soil around the cutting until the roots are covered. After you have potted the cuttings, thoroughly water them to avoid them becoming shocked.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, it is very easy to propagate your fig tree cuttings in the water and it is a very successful method for ensuring that the roots grow.
When you root cuttings in water, it can be difficult to see how the roots are growing and if they are struggling.
In the water, you can see the development of the roots and monitor them. Regularly changing the water is important for making sure that the roots are healthy and that they grow properly to avoid the roots rotting.
