I've been eyeing the giant Fig tree in the corner of my property for the last few months, imagining all of the hundreds of baby plants I can make from that one tree. My eyes widening and my mouth salivating, picturing myself with flour and butter and jelly jars making fig concoctions left and right until there is no fig dish undone.
I decided that I did NOT want to have to wait any longer and took out my paring knife, my colander, and with my 3 year toddler following me heel toe, I made my way to the giant fig tree ready to give it a little "trim".
How To Start
Now it is best to wait to do your cuttings until the fruit tree is in it's dormancy, meaning the leaves have all fallen off of the tree during the cold season. ( I am seeing if I can take cuttings earlier, so DO NOT DO what I do.)
The best branches to make cuttings from are from the older thicker branches from the previous season. With a sharp knife cut about 12-24" of stem.
Take as many cuttings as you dare, keeping your cuttings ends wrapped in damp paper towel to keep them moist as you go along.
When you have finished making your selections, bury the cuttings in sand and store it in a cool place for the winter.
Come Spring time, plant the cuttings half in the ground and half above in any form of well-drained soil wherever you intend to permanently plant the tree.
Transplanting Figs can be risky, so make sure the place you have selected gets plenty of sunshine.
How to Grow
Fig roots tend to grow very close to the surface. Mulching keeps these roots moist but avoid over fertilizing. Too rich of soil tends to bear more branches than fruit.
