Finessing the fig

PROPAGATING
To propagate figs, take cuttings whenever the plant isn't actively growing-early spring, just before buds open, or midsummer, after the spring growth spurt is over. The cuttings should be 15 to 30 centimetres long, with some two-year-old wood at the bases. Make a straight cut just below a node and dip the bottom end in rooting hormone. In a cool place, lay a sheet of waxed paper on a table or shelf, put the cuttings on the paper and place another sheet overtop. Let the cuttings callus (form protective tissue over the cut) for one week; then dip them in rooting hormone again and plant into containers. Keep the cuttings in a cool, shady location and maintain even soil moisture. They will initiate roots in six to eight weeks.

SOURCES
Note: ‘Marseilles', ‘Osborn Prolific' and ‘Violette de Bourdeaux' are difficult to find. Please check specialty nurseries.

Amsterdam Garden Centre: ‘Brown Turkey', ‘Desert King', ‘Italian Honey'.

Dinter Nursery Ltd.: ‘Brown Turkey', ‘Desert King', ‘Italian Honey', ‘Peter's Honey'.

Campbell River Garden Centre: ‘Brown Turkey', ‘Desert King'.

Le Coteau Farms & Garden Centre: ‘Desert King', ‘Italian Honey'.

GardenWorks: ‘Brown Turkey', ‘Kadota', ‘Peter's Honey'.

Grimo Nut Nursery: ‘Bifara', ‘Natalina', ‘White Fig'.

Humber Nurseries Ltd.: ‘Brown Turkey', ‘Celeste', ‘Desert King', ‘Italian Honey', ‘Kadota', ‘Peter's Honey'.

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