Article by David

This an easy way of taking fig cuttings i have used  this method myself over the last three years .First of al find a two year old or more fig tree either your own or someone elses .

Always get permission first if the tree is not yours.The best time of year t tak these cuttings is late September early October .First of all get a fairly big pot can be plastic or clay but needs to be around 8 inches to a foot deep and at least 6 to 8 inches accross .Half fill with compost.

Then take some some secatuers and cut yourself a piece from the fig around 12 inches long cut just below a bud at an angle .Make sure that the end that you cut is the end you are putting in to the compost place the cutting in the pot and gradually fill with compost and then firm it down .then give it a good watering .If you are doing more than one cutting repeat the process but space the cuttings in the pot round the edge is the best option with none of them touching each other and not too close together.With around 4 to 5 maximum per pot .

Then you put them either in a cold frame a greenhouse or a sheltered part of your garden( near your house) and resist the temptation to pull them to see if they are rooted untill the following spring March is the best time .Then you can carefully tip them out of the pot soil and all and they should have a nice root system .Pot them on in fresh compost and a similar sized pot and water in well pot into a slightly bigger pot as they grow.

Figs need to stay in pots as they fruit better like that and need to be in a slightly sheltered position to fruit well .You could have fruit in two years ,My original fig tree came from Wilkinsons and looked like a stick now it is over five feet tall after five years .I love getting plants for free by cuttings and divisions and you can take pride in a job well done and a tree that will last you for years to come .