Black Fig tree cutting

shanelee66

Hi everyone. I need advice (again) as not sure what to do with my cutting! Planted several weeks ago and taken well but can i leave outside for autumn/winter? Or should i protect it or bring  indoors ? Quite precious to me ( I even gave it to neighbour to "plant sit whilst on holiday ")as this is attempt 10 of cuttings from my friends Cypriot tree he bought over. Thank you.

Ceres

I'm sure you will get quite a variety of advice on this one.

Figs are usually hardy in this country but your plant is a baby so I would put it in a greenhouse or bring it indoors for the winter. I have fig cuttings that will not be going outside until next year. It doesn't need to be kept in a warm room, just somewhere it won't freeze.

For future reference, figs root very well in damp vermiculite. Just make sure the pot is always standing in a small amount of water......I suppose it is like rooting plants in water but the vermiculite gives support and allows the roots to grow outwards nicely.

Loxley

Tucking it into a sheltered spot against the main house wall, is probably enough to keep the worst of the winter wet and frost off it. You could pop it in an unheated porch or the shed if extreme low temperatures are forecast.

shanelee66

Thanks for advice. Had to Google " vermiculite "!! Not sure why i struggled to with the cuttings as had a friend who just stuck one in his garden bed and it grew!! Tried everything ( apart from vermiculite) 😁 Think i will bring indoors until ive built my greenhouse which is coming along nicely!! 🌞

Ceres

I hope you get some fruits off your tree when it has grown a little larger. I keep a couple of small fig trees in the greenhouse so that I am almost guaranteed fruit.......I ate the last two figs this week.

shanelee66

Thanks Ceres...so do i after all this effort! I live close to Hampton court palace and when i visit the gardens they have several fig trees in planters which have lots of fruit and the tree itself is a lovely shape which got me interested in the first place and when my bespoke wooden greenhouse is finished i hope to fill it with fig cuttings!! 🌞

Ceres

I was inspired by the fig trees in the glasshouses at Audley End. Sadly my greenhouse is a lot more humble but we can all learn a lot by visiting the great gardens.