How to Propagate Figs: A Detailed Guide to Common Propagation Methods

Cuttings, layering, sowing and other methods can all be used for propagation, but in production practice asexual propagation is commonly used; sexual propagation is only used in breeding work.

(1) Cutting propagation: Fig branches readily produce adventitious roots, so cuttings are mostly used for propagation in production. Mid-February to late March is the suitable period for cuttings. Cut branches with a diameter of 1.5-2 cm from vigorous mother plants. Cut them into 20-25 cm long cuttings, insert them into the seedbed at a plant-row spacing of 5×15 cm, with the depth of insertion about 1/3 of the cutting. After inserting, water and cover with grass; after they take root, pay attention to weeding and topdressing. In autumn, transplant once more at a plant-row spacing of 15 cm×30 cm, and by the autumn of the following year they can be lifted from the nursery and planted in place.

(2) Layering propagation: This method can be used for small-scale propagation around homes and gardens or to obtain earlier fruiting. Generally, horizontal layering, bending-branch layering or mound layering is mostly used, that is, in spring the branches are laid horizontally or bent and buried in the soil, or soil is mounded over the base of the suckers; after they root, separate them from the mother plant in autumn or winter and plant them with roots in place.

(3) Seed propagation: In autumn, collect the ripe fruit, take out the seeds, mix them evenly with moist fine sand for stratification treatment, and take them out for sowing in early March of the following year. Sow the seeds evenly in the seedbed, cover thinly with fine soil, and cover with grass to retain moisture. About 20 days after sowing, they can sprout. After emergence, carry out thinning, transplanting of seedlings, and strengthened management during the seedling stage. They can only be lifted from the nursery and planted in place after 2-3 years of cultivation. Seedling trees bear fruit for a longer period and do not easily retain the superior traits of the mother plant, so this method is not often used in production. However, in breeding work, or in colder regions, when it is necessary to obtain new cold-resistant and early-maturing varieties, this method plays an important role.