My name is Evan Panagiotopoulos, a.k.a. The Fig Tree Guy, and I am passionate about all aspects of fig cultivation.
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As someone who’s rooting hundreds of cuttings at a time, I already know this: my memory is not a reliable gardening tool. Documenting everything when rooting fig cuttings isn’t busywork, it’s how you turn experience into mastery because every cutting…
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Understanding Dieback and How to Stop It
Dieback on a fig branch or cutting is exactly what it sounds like: the gradual death of plant tissue that begins at the tip and slowly works its way backward toward the main stem or trunk. You’ll first notice the…
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The Shed Test: Winter Victory for My Potted Figs
Zone 6b, Mid-Hudson Valley, NY.Investing the time to insulate the shed was absolutely worth it. Every single potted fig made it through the brutal New York winter, snow, ice, and all. We endured several nights when temperatures plunged below zero…
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When Figs Break the Rules: The Case of the Top Root
Every year when I root fig cuttings, I use a variety of methods. Call it experience… or call it paranoia. I simply can’t bring myself to rely on just one technique, because I’m always worried that by choosing a single…
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White Adriatic Fig Cuttings: Arrival and Next Steps
The White Adriatic fig tree is an ancient, hardy cultivar originating from the Mediterranean region and has been widely cultivated since Roman times. I have been wanting this variety for a while now. It is a popular, self-fertile, and vigorous…
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The First Steps to Successfully Rooting Fig Cuttings
Rooting figs is simple, rewarding, and a little bit magical. Here’s how I begin the process: [Using Frank Costanza’s voice] Keep on rooting, baby! If you’d like to reach out to me privately, please use the contact form on this…
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Oops!… I Did It Again — Two More Smith Fig Cuttings
The two Smith fig cuttings, recently purchased on January 22nd, arrived in good shape, though they were unfortunately frozen. I carefully washed and gently scrubbed them with water and a bit of dishwashing soap. Then, I lightly scored the bottom…
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Don’t Just Cut—Help the Tree Heal
When you prune a tree, it’s often said that you should seal the wound to protect it from future damage. While there are certain pruning cuts that, given time, will heal themselves naturally, many gardeners still believe in giving the…
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The Secret to Happy Fig Cuttings: A Little Pampering
When you take a fig cutting, you’re not starting from zero. That piece of wood contains stored carbohydrates (starches and sugars) that the mother tree packed away during the growing season. Think of it like a built-in lunchbox for the…
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Adiós Gnats!
If I had a penny for every failed attempt to stop fungus gnats from killing my fig cuttings, I’d have two dollars. Fungus gnats are one of the most frustrating pests when you’re rooting fig cuttings. The adults are annoying,…