What Causes Fig Cuttings to Rot?

[PapaFig]

I know of a number of specific organisms that cause rot and tried several inoculations last year (with very mixed success), including both biological agents (e.g. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and TPS blend of myco/bacteria) and fungicides.

In case you missed it, The Fig Jam (must-read blog) has posted another great article on this topic.

What Causes Fig Cuttings To Rot?

Got a brand new cutting you want to succeed? Why did past cuttings seem to root but then failed? What do the fig researchers recommend? This is the post on potential reasons for rot while rooting…

www.thefigjam.co

Thanks @Inflorescence, please keep 'em coming!

BTW: The highest success rate I've had so far (about 96% on 64 sets of cuttings from Harvey) was just striking in clear 32oz cups with coco-coir/perlite mix (covered with press-n-seal until bud-break and then uncovered). This was in a very controlled environment and the other set (rooted in pure DE) was also over 90% success. These data were post up-potting, not just rooting.

 

[Inflorescence]

Thanks for the shout out, much appreciated! Hope all of the info helps, so much coming through from great growers, including yourself.

Been doing some reading on how seaweed has antifungal properties and wondering if that has helped my cuttings at times over the years. I haven’t used it consistently, but off and on. I know seaweed extract can help fight rust on some plants. But anyhow, maybe something to consider as a preventative for rot, along with other things.

Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed - PMC

Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Had some mold developing around a few cuttings that I caught early, watered the area with a little seaweed and a LAB ferment and the mold went away. Battle of the microbes, and the good ones won.

 

[PapaFig]

Thanks for the shout out, much appreciated! Hope all of the info helps, so much coming through from great growers, including yourself.

Been doing some reading on how seaweed has antifungal properties and wondering if that has helped my cuttings at times over the years. I haven’t used it consistently, but off and on. I know seaweed extract can help fight rust on some plants. But anyhow, maybe something to consider as a preventative for rot, along with other things.

Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed - PMC

Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Had some mold developing around a few cuttings that I caught early, watered the area with a little seaweed and a LAB ferment and the mold went away. Battle of the microbes, and the good ones won.

I saw that latest article on seaweed, but I haven't had a chance to read it all yet. Kind of hard to get seaweed around here...

Harvey has mentioned Honey as treatment before (referencing a Russian biologist friend) for it's antibacterial/fungus properties (and sugar source).

I have had good results in the past using Mycostop (biological agent - soil microbe) before, but it's a bit pricey, so I haven't used it consistently. I think I'm going to order it again this year though.

 

[figpumper]

Putting too much root hormone is no good either!

 

[Inflorescence]

I saw that latest article on seaweed, but I haven't had a chance to read it all yet. Kind of hard to get seaweed around here...

That last article is just experimental playing around, nothing for this. But there is seaweed extract that is sold as fertilizer that people can buy, both liquid or soluble powder. That is more what I was referring to. I used a soluble seaweed powder I got from Amazon on my cuttings that were showing that little bit of mold at the “soil” level.

 

[PapaFig]

That last article is just experimental playing around, nothing for this. But there is seaweed extract that is sold as fertilizer that people can buy, both liquid or soluble powder. That is more what I was referring to. I used a soluble seaweed powder I got from Amazon on my cuttings that were showing that little bit of mold at the “soil” level.

Gotcha -

I found this review article on commercial seaweed extract-based stimulants to enhance AR (adventitious root) formation from 2024.

 

[PapaFig]

Putting too much root hormone is no good either!

We only use DipNgrow.

 

[Inflorescence]

Gotcha -

I found this review article on commercial seaweed extract-based stimulants to enhance AR (adventitious root) formation from 2024.

Hey, that’s good timing! I was literally just eyeballing Kelpak trying to decide if I should splurge on it. I’ll read it through!

I read a couple papers earlier today on fungal and bacterial formations on fruit and which types of seaweed worked for that. Seems a general concensus that seaweed helps with plant defenses and to stop issues.

 

[vinerya]

@PapaFig how did the TPS Nutrients product behave for you? any adverse effects?
It looks pretty suspicious. Too good to be true.

They have at least 3 products on Amazon "for plants", "for trees", "for garden" - all with the same microbe content.
Also, they state something about heavy metals analysis, but I could not find any report on their products in the link they provide.

 

[BucksCountyFigs]

Thanks for the shout out, much appreciated! Hope all of the info helps, so much coming through from great growers, including yourself.

Been doing some reading on how seaweed has antifungal properties and wondering if that has helped my cuttings at times over the years. I haven’t used it consistently, but off and on. I know seaweed extract can help fight rust on some plants. But anyhow, maybe something to consider as a preventative for rot, along with other things.

Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed - PMC

Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Had some mold developing around a few cuttings that I caught early, watered the area with a little seaweed and a LAB ferment and the mold went away. Battle of the microbes, and the good ones won.

Was the mold on the cutting itself, and you poured some seaweed fertilizer on it?

Or was the mold not touching the cutting itself, and only limited to the surface of the soil?

 

[Inflorescence]

Was the mold on the cutting itself, and you poured some seaweed fertilizer on it?

Or was the mold not touching the cutting itself, and only limited to the surface of the soil?

The mold was on both. It was at that part at the top where the cutting is emerging from the soil. I poured a combo of seaweed with a lactic acid bacteria ferment.

This was in a very aerated substrate though, so I could water with it. If using a higher moisture retaining mix, spraying it on may be better depending on what stage the cutting is at for rooting.

 

[Jigfig]

@Inflorescence speaking of mold and such, did you see @BucksCountyFigs brown growth situation? Any ideas you could throw out?

 

[BucksCountyFigs]

@Inflorescence speaking of mold and such, did you see @BucksCountyFigs brown growth situation? Any ideas you could throw out?

I will create a separate post so you can see it.

 

[PapaFig]

@PapaFig how did the TPS Nutrients product behave for you? any adverse effects?
It looks pretty suspicious. Too good to be true.

They have at least 3 products on Amazon "for plants", "for trees", "for garden" - all with the same microbe content.
Also, they state something about heavy metals analysis, but I could not find any report on their products in the link they provide.

Actually, it's hard to say. But our success rate was DOWN last year overall... I wouldn't attribute it necessarily to the TPS - but again, it's hard to say. I don't think will be using it this year (in the main, anyway) for rooting phase at least. I noticed the issues you brought up... I trust Lamella, Bayer and some other companies a lot more - so I may use Mycostop instead (even though its pricey).