Not too long ago, I wrote a blog post about two White Kadota fig cuttings that were generously gifted to me by a kind and thoughtful person. One of the cuttings was absolutely thriving—its growth looked fantastic—but the top node of the other one had a slightly dry appearance, which concerned me a bit. Undeterred, I placed both cuttings in separate cups of water and waited. After three weeks, to my delight, numerous roots began to sprout from both cuttings.
I kept each cutting in its own cup, carefully covering them with plastic bags to create a mini greenhouse effect. This simple trick helped lock in moisture and encourage root growth. Once I saw the roots developing nicely, I transferred each cutting into its own transparent Starbucks cup, now filled with rich potting soil. For soil, I’ve become a big fan of Coast of Maine potting mix—it’s my go-to for healthy, vibrant plants.
Now, back to the troublesome Kadota cutting. While it did develop a healthy network of roots, it stubbornly refused to show any top growth—no buds, no shoots, nothing! The top node just didn’t seem to want to wake up. If I had a dime for every minute I spent scrutinizing that node under a magnifying glass, I’d be a wealthy person by now! Could it have been damaged in some way? Perhaps, but I’m not entirely sure. Regardless, I kept the cutting covered with a plastic bag to retain moisture and create a more humid environment.
Today, March 21, 2025, I made an exciting discovery: a small branch had finally emerged from one of the lower nodes that was buried under the soil. It was fragile and not exactly in the best condition, but it was a start! To give it a fighting chance, I gently used a small screwdriver to clear the soil around the tiny branch, hoping to give it some room to grow. I also decided to remove the plastic bag, as the branch looked a little too damp for comfort.
Just as a reminder, leaves, figs, and branches always grow out of a node, while roots can sprout from virtually any area of the cutting. It’s a delicate process, but I’m hopeful this little sprout will continue to thrive.
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Stay tuned, keep on rootin’ and happy growing!
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