Starting Cuttings Outside

[Kompakfigs]

How do you prevent rain from rotting the cuttings?

I typically just put the cuttings under some sort of cover, table, tree, even under bushy fig trees. They get some rain but won’t get completely soaked.

 

[Opiem10]

Is there enough water retention to avoid watering frequently.

I water my trees daily. In extreme heat, I might even water them twice daily.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I water my trees daily. In extreme heat, I might even water them twice daily.

Thank goodness for drip irrigation. It was perhaps the biggest game changer for me. I was spending so much time hand-watering in summer. Unfortunately, it freed up so much time that I was able to add many more trees because I could now water them all.

 

[Jigfig]

Thank goodness for drip irrigation. It was perhaps the biggest game changer for me. I was spending so much time hand-watering in summer. Unfortunately, it freed up so much time that I was able to add many more trees because I could now water them all.

@Opiem10 @TorontoJoe y’all really just brought down my mood…. If most of these cuttings turn to trees my number goes up by about 5x. I hadn’t even thought about watering(by hand) in summer. I just realized I’m either going to have to talk my kids into helping(unlikely) or get a drip irrigation set up going. Bah ruining my fantasies and stuff with reality of summer heat. Thanks guys lol.

 

[TorontoJoe]

@Opiem10 @TorontoJoe y’all really just brought down my mood…. If most of these cuttings turn to trees my number goes up by about 5x. I hadn’t even thought about watering(by hand) in summer. I just realized I’m either going to have to talk my kids into helping(unlikely) or get a drip irrigation set up going. Bah ruining my fantasies and stuff with reality of summer heat. Thanks guys lol.

Lot's of people water many trees by hand.

If you do wan to go that way.... Drip irrigation isn't super expensive... especially if you opt to turn the water on and off manually vs a water timer. The tubing, connectors and emitters if you go to the right place are pretty reasonable. Big box stores charge a lot for this stuff. Places like Drip Depot in the US are very good.

Perhaps we need a good drip irrigation thread soon with spring coming on the way. It was a bit intimidating for me the first time I set it up... but once you can visualize what to do, it's a breeze.

 

[bushdoctor82]

@Opiem10 @TorontoJoe y’all really just brought down my mood…. If most of these cuttings turn to trees my number goes up by about 5x. I hadn’t even thought about watering(by hand) in summer. I just realized I’m either going to have to talk my kids into helping(unlikely) or get a drip irrigation set up going. Bah ruining my fantasies and stuff with reality of summer heat. Thanks guys lol.

Gotta love those 95F and 90% humidity days in late July hand watering and either lugging around 5-gallon buckets of water or dragging the hose all around the yard. I’m anti-automation, so I deal with it - and have fewer pots.

Consistent and heavy watering and fertilizing are key to bulking up the trees to establish a good foundation, especially in year 1.

 

[Jigfig]

Gotta love those 95F and 90% humidity days in late July hand watering and either lugging around 5-gallon buckets of water or dragging the hose all around the yard. I’m anti-automation, so I deal with it - and have fewer pots.

Consistent and heavy watering and fertilizing are key to bulking up the trees to establish a good foundation, especially in year 1.

Yep with where my faucet is and how my yard is set up it’ll have to be a five gallon bucket. Easier than untangling the dog cable multiple times a day. It’s for sure doable, I just hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. Was still in the honeymoon phase of all these cuttings you could say lol.

 

[zone5b-foodforest]

I stuck 5 cuttings directly in the ground where I wanted them in mid April. All of them started growing in 3-5 weeks. I tried to give them some shade while they were rooting. 2 of them died after few months but I suspect it is because of the raspberries growing aggressively near them.

I am hoping they are more resilient if they are used to my garden soil right from the beginning. Will have to see how they did this winter.

 

[ohiobruce]

Perhaps we need a good drip irrigation thread soon with spring coming on the way. It was a bit intimidating for me the first time I set it up... but once you can visualize what to do, it's a breeze.

Great idea. I'm going to add a bunch of figs to my already hour-long container garden watering. And another hour for my pawpaw trees in the driest months.

 

[TorontoJoe]

@Jigfig If you sink your pots in the ground you'll need to water a lot less. By the time the new growth comes on, the roots should have found their way out of the pots where they can scrounge up extra water and nutrients

If you can get more holes in the bottom of the pots, all the better.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Or.... if the trees are all in eyeshot. Get yourself a lawn chair and a cool drink. Grab your hose... sit down and shoot towards the trees.

 

[Jigfig]

@Jigfig If you sink your pots in the ground you'll need to water a lot less. By the time the new growth comes on, the roots should have found their way out of the pots where they can scrounge up extra water and nutrients

If you can get more holes in the bottom of the pots, all the better.

Last year I didn’t exactly sink my pots, but I did let some roots dig into the ground until it came storage time. Figured I’d do the same this year. The lawn chair idea sounds pretty good either way, I spend enough time looking at them lol.

 

[TorontoJoe]

Last year I didn’t exactly sink my pots, but I did let some roots dig into the ground until it came storage time. Figured I’d do the same this year. The lawn chair idea sounds pretty good either way, I spend enough time looking at them lol.

Seriously... I my driveway pots aren't on my drip system. I really do the chair and hose end sprayer thing..... it's quite relaxing..

 

[TorontoJoe]

Last year I didn’t exactly sink my pots, but I did let some roots dig into the ground until it came storage time. Figured I’d do the same this year. The lawn chair idea sounds pretty good either way, I spend enough time looking at them lol.

Oh..... if you take off your shirt while you do it... I can guarantee your neighbours will never invite you to any tedious social events

 

[Jigfig]

Oh..... if you take off your shirt while you do it... I can guarantee your neighbours will never invite you to any tedious social events

Now you’re really giving me ideas boss. My belly probably needs to brown up some anyways.

 

[Kompakfigs]

Yep with where my faucet is and how my yard is set up it’ll have to be a five gallon bucket. Easier than untangling the dog cable multiple times a day. It’s for sure doable, I just hadn’t thought that far ahead yet. Was still in the honeymoon phase of all these cuttings you could say lol.

Yep. The real work will start soon. I had to up pot a few trees today and making my custom mix was a bit strenuous.