First Roots... Class of 2026

We all have our own rooting methods that work or don’t work, depending who is using it. It’s best to pick a method that you understand, that makes sense to you and where you can immediately spot deviations and problems, that fits your personality if you will, and that you have fun with. I swear by my method as have a nearly 100% success rate with it. No clear cups for me, and absolutely no fig pops. Clear cups and fig pops have multiple disadvantages IMHO; I used to use them extensively years ago. But that’s looking through the lens of my personal rooting style. Just my opinion. It’s neither right nor wrong.

P.S. the post above about the roots popping out was for levity. These days I am primarily concerned about root development per se, and much lees about watching it. :)
100%%% I encourage others to try more than one way and see what works for them and their rooting environment. Fig pops are for those who love watch root development and not have to water them for weeks.
 
Last year I kept a check on moisture level in the rooting mix by weighing each cutting and container (in grams). That was very helpful for me.

Did you try to maintain the original weight? So if the whole package was say 200g, you’d regularly add water to keep it at that?
 
I just did 10 clear fig pops this morning (thank you @BucksCountyFigs for the help) I used cutting from 3 different sources just so I can fairly judge results. I do have a bunch of tip cuttings so appreciate the comment about that @JC Figgy. I may need to do some more non tip cuttings just in case just so my results are more normalized. Previously I exclusively rooted in 4x9 tree pots initially open but all my recent ones with plastic bags which made big pops you can't see into. Those were more successful so far with the plastic bags and I like that method- I started with the bags over the tree pots from a suggestion from someone on this forum- might have been you @Figgin' A ?

I did sand rooting last week. Again from something I saw here about one node cuttings mine had more than one node

And I am looking forward to seeing what the roots look like in the sand and clear pops- more out of curiosity because I never paid attention to roots.

Who knows what I'll be doing in 5 years. I'm sure it'll be a combo of lots of advice and what I found easiest. And I may decide to try pollinating or franken-figging or rock wall building. There's no end to all the cool stuff the members on the forum do and I love that everyone is so free with info and help.
 
I just did 10 clear fig pops this morning (thank you @BucksCountyFigs for the help) I used cutting from 3 different sources just so I can fairly judge results. I do have a bunch of tip cuttings so appreciate the comment about that @JC Figgy. I may need to do some more non tip cuttings just in case just so my results are more normalized. Previously I exclusively rooted in 4x9 tree pots initially open but all my recent ones with plastic bags which made big pops you can't see into. Those were more successful so far with the plastic bags and I like that method- I started with the bags over the tree pots from a suggestion from someone on this forum- might have been you @Figgin' A ?

I did sand rooting last week. Again from something I saw here about one node cuttings mine had more than one node

And I am looking forward to seeing what the roots look like in the sand and clear pops- more out of curiosity because I never paid attention to roots.

Who knows what I'll be doing in 5 years. I'm sure it'll be a combo of lots of advice and what I found easiest. And I may decide to try pollinating or franken-figging or rock wall building. There's no end to all the cool stuff the members on the forum do and I love that everyone is so free with info and help.
Feel free to reach out with any questions along the way! 😊
 
Did you try to maintain the original weight? So if the whole package was say 200g, you’d regularly add water to keep it at that?
Since I think the weight at the beginning reflects the maximum desirable soil moisture, I try to stay at about 90% of that weight when I water. The soil does dry out some in between waterings (they are in open half gallon containers). Without weighing, I know that I would over water.
 
Since I think the weight at the beginning reflects the maximum desirable soil moisture, I try to stay at about 90% of that weight when I water. The soil does dry out some in between waterings (they are in open half gallon containers). Without weighing, I know that I would over water.

I think it's an excellent method for anyone who is unsure if or when they should add water. I've gone by weight but just by feel. This takes out the guess work
 
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I got roots! all of mine besides the ones that went in November 22nd and one panache (the one which has a leaf... interesting) got some this week poking out the bottom. just took a LOT of time. these all went in in late october! so dont overreact like i have been to everyone getting roots in 2 weeks lol
 
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Yeah… what he said ☝🏻

Once it starts they can really snowball. They will also dry up more and more quickly.
I’ll for sure keep an eye on the moisture level. Hoping for the first root is the hardest part for me. I have experience killing them from here so as long as I do the opposite as I’ve done in the past I should be good!
 
the good keeps coming. One of my 2 hmadi has visible roots coming out the bottom of the pot. The panache with the leaf has a visible root. that means out of set 1 and 1.5 in the treepots we have a currently 7/8 success rate, and i would expect when I'm back from my short christmas trip the other hmadi has roots as well.

0 visible roots on any of my fig pops yet. But those were all made only about a week and a half ago. Though I'm still surprised none have anything going yet since I see so many of you posting 2 weeks in theyre ready to be up potted. wonder what the difference is and why mine so slow... maybe temperature? theyre on heatpads but kept pretty low soemwhere around 75. and the room itself is cold, like 55.
 
the good keeps coming. One of my 2 hmadi has visible roots coming out the bottom of the pot. The panache with the leaf has a visible root. that means out of set 1 and 1.5 in the treepots we have a currently 7/8 success rate, and i would expect when I'm back from my short christmas trip the other hmadi has roots as well.

0 visible roots on any of my fig pops yet. But those were all made only about a week and a half ago. Though I'm still surprised none have anything going yet since I see so many of you posting 2 weeks in theyre ready to be up potted. wonder what the difference is and why mine so slow... maybe temperature? theyre on heatpads but kept pretty low soemwhere around 75. and the room itself is cold, like 55.
I got teased and now it’s killing me lol. CdD Noir that originally came from the phantom figger and ended up in my hands popped in 15days. All the rest of my cuttings, some from before it have zero signs of growth yet.
 
Feel free to reach out with any questions along the way! 😊
Way sooner than I expected!!!! I wanted to try fig pops and did some to try and didnt see any roots in any others but it's been only three weeks and I have one tiny root in a zaffiro fig pop that I can see and one WM#1 that has lots. Its the first time I did fig pop usually I have done 4x9 tree pots closed off it bags. But I want to try all different things and I have to say it's really cool to see roots. As they grow and mature they will eventually fill the bag and they should get little side roots off those they should turn kind of a yellow - brown - orange as they mature right?
This was really exciting to see!!!!
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Also taking smith off my Wishlist because I have one in fig pop with little leaves but I'm pretty sure this one is big enough to finally say I have roots! Thanks to all for great advice and real restraint in watering.PXL_20251228_143407670.jpg
 
Way sooner than I expected!!!! I wanted to try fig pops and did some to try and didnt see any roots in any others but it's been only three weeks and I have one tiny root in a zaffiro fig pop that I can see and one WM#1 that has lots. Its the first time I did fig pop usually I have done 4x9 tree pots closed off it bags. But I want to try all different things and I have to say it's really cool to see roots. As they grow and mature they will eventually fill the bag and they should get little side roots off those they should turn kind of a yellow - brown - orange as they mature right?
This was really exciting to see!!!!
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First of all, great job!
I am glad to have been helpful. ☺

Since getting into figs, I have discovered that watching the emergence of roots and seeing them grow is actually one of my favorite things. I start my day, with coffee in hand, doing a fig pop check. I find it really peaceful and grounding, and it has the practical benefit of being able to nip any issues in the bud immediately.

To answer your question, yes, the roots will turn darker as they mature and harden off. And you will see the roots growing roots.

You may already know this, but this point, your fig pop is ready for the next stage - should already be under lights, and it’s time to use diluted fertilizer. Good luck!
 
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First of all, great job!
I am glad to have been helpful. ☺

You may already know this, but this point, your fig pop is ready for the next stage - should already be under lights, and it’s time to use diluted fertilizer. Good luck!

Yes I put them in light as soon as I saw leaves and I'm going to the dentist who is our friend to get a syringe for fertilizer/watering tomorrow 😄
 
I got teased and now it’s killing me lol. CdD Noir that originally came from the phantom figger and ended up in my hands popped in 15days. All the rest of my cuttings, some from before it have zero signs of growth yet.
That quickly. Dang. Good job.
 
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