What’s bugging my cuttings?
- Thread starter FIGSinGA
- Start date
ChesapeakeFigs
Well-known member
I would suspect overwatering first. Those root pictures look pretty saturated. Then possibly undeewatering but less likely. Leaf burn from too bright of grow lights mabye?
FIGSinGA
Member
The issue only appears in a few of my cuttings. The entire top rack (pictured) is the same variety, potted at the same time, 1/18/2025. I used gnatrol to wet the mix prior to potting, and have not noticed any gnats yet. I'll give them another dose of gnatrol (and start some weak fertilizer) this week.
I increased light about a week ago. They were in the dark for the first 3 weeks, then 1/4 light capability for a week, and now 3/8 (some bulbs out) for about a week now. I was seeing the issue not long after I started the light, on a rooted ground layer that I dug up. I trimmed the affected leaves and apical buds off, leaving the other healthy leaves in place.
I increased light about a week ago. They were in the dark for the first 3 weeks, then 1/4 light capability for a week, and now 3/8 (some bulbs out) for about a week now. I was seeing the issue not long after I started the light, on a rooted ground layer that I dug up. I trimmed the affected leaves and apical buds off, leaving the other healthy leaves in place.
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Figless
Well-known member
I suspect fig bud mites could potentially causing some trouble in your propagation room. As mentioned in my first post on this thread, a 1% wettable sulfur spray or dip on both sides of the leaves with a (suspending agent) either (Yucca extract) or, something else it must be applied with just the room lights on. No grow lights allowed. Keep the room in darkness after wettable sulfur application. See if that doesn't help. I've lost 40 cuttings out of 120 when I thought I was in the clear. Good roots, and leafy growth over 95% of the propagation table. Then a very similar symptomology as what your pictures are expressing. Try a wettable sulfur application 1% . I do not believe you will be sorry. LOL but you will be sorry if you keep the grow lights on. I recommend turning them off for 24 to 48 hours after wettable sulfur application. Apply the sulfur solution with just a room light on no grow lights.
BTW it's pictures like that with multiple symptomology occurring throughout a propagation table that makes me leery of apical buds.
BTW it's pictures like that with multiple symptomology occurring throughout a propagation table that makes me leery of apical buds.
BNaula1
Well-known member
Do they really? I usually spray in afternoon when I’m using it on my outside garden and if it’s indoors I’ll do it at night time when my lights go off. Never personally had an issue but maybe I just got lucky? Haha
GoodFriendMike
Moderator
Is it just the leaves closest to the lights?
Figless
Well-known member
looks like possible FBM the critters wouldn't show without 100x Loop or microscope. But that sure looks like what bit my propagation table taking 40 cuttings out of 120. Lol you know it's never fig Bud mites, until it is.
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Figless
Well-known member
When I had it there was no sweeping sudden death. It was just one or two never more than three at a time. But until I treated with wettable sulfur it never stopped.
ktrain
Moderator
Fruitnut used the same item I posted to see them, it goes up to 60x, you will be able to see them.
Inflorescence
Well-known member
I would recommend not cutting anymore, it’s not necessary and you really want leaves at this point. 
I would also highly recommend to not spray anything at this point. Anything for pests or disease is more likely to cause harm at this stage and is not needed.
I would also highly recommend to not spray anything at this point. Anything for pests or disease is more likely to cause harm at this stage and is not needed.
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GoodFriendMike
Moderator
I have one cutting doing the same thing.
With mine the cutting produced a bunch of leaves but no roots yet.
As the leaves get closer to the light they burn.
They need the extra moisture the roots provide.
Your issue can be many things. Please let us know if and when you figure it out.
With mine the cutting produced a bunch of leaves but no roots yet.
As the leaves get closer to the light they burn.
They need the extra moisture the roots provide.
Your issue can be many things. Please let us know if and when you figure it out.
Figsee
Well-known member
Oils if applied and mixed right wouldn’t burn. I typically apply oils early in the morning or evening but not above 80 degrees ( or if growing indoors have a fan circulating the air to dry off the plants quicker.
If you are growing in a tent, are the pots on the floor where the temps would be much colder say in a basement setting?
FIGSinGA
Member
And the results are in. I took no action apart from dialing back the light, down to <1/3 of the bulbs, and adding a pinch of soluble fertilizer to the water I proved last weekend.
After a week away, with only my teenage son looking in on the cuttings once a day, but providing no additional care, only 1 of the 60 on the top shelf are showing any significant distress.
After a week away, with only my teenage son looking in on the cuttings once a day, but providing no additional care, only 1 of the 60 on the top shelf are showing any significant distress.
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FIGSinGA
Member
And yet, two shelves lower, with only diffuse light for the last week, I see a couple cuttings with the brown, curled leaf tips. Same water & fertilizer as the top shelf, just less light. Different varieties.
Are you saying that I am good at ignoring problems?@FIGSinGA Good timing Mike, I was about to ask how things are coming along.
They look great in your pics.
Looks like you've done this before.
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ktrain
Moderator
lol no...I meant you are good at rooting!And yet, two shelves lower, with only diffuse light for the last week, I see a couple cuttings with the brown, curled leaf tips. Same water & fertilizer as the top shelf, just less light. Different varieties.
Are you saying that I am good at ignoring problems?
No one is perfect though.
