Brown Turkey Fig Propagation

Propagation by Cuttings

• "Brown Turkey" fig trees are usually propagated from hardwood cuttings of less than 1 inch in diameter, taken in late February when the tree is still dormant. An 8- to 12-inch section of 1- or 2-year-old stem works best. Remove the tip just above a leaf bud because the growing tip does not root well. Rooting hormone may speed up the process, but it is not necessary. Put the cuttings directly into garden soil and keep them moist until roots form. The new tree is ready to transplant into its permanent spot in the fall. Fig trees are considered invasive in some areas, so do not propagate if they're invasive where you live.

Propagation by Suckers and Side Shoots

• Suckers often grow below the soil surface and can be dug up and replanted to form a new fig tree. Low-growing side shoots buried in a shallow trench often root successfully. Covering most of the length of the shoot with soil, leaving the growing tip uncovered encourages the plant to develop roots. After two to three months, the shoot will have developed a good root system and be ready for transplanting. Separate the cutting from the tree near the trunk and dig it up for transplanting. Try to avoid disturbing the roots.

Air Layering

• Air layering is similar to propagating by side shoots, except the rooting stem is above ground. Remove a 3/4-inch ring of bark from a small branch to encourage roots to grow from the exposed area. Wrap the stem in moist sphagnum moss and cover it with plastic to keep it moist. Once roots have grown in the moss, cut the stem is cut away, unwrap it, then plant it.

Fig Seeds

• It is difficult to propagate the "Brown Turkey" fig from seed because it does not usually produce viable seeds. The flowers are pollinated by one specific type of wasp that is not always around when the flowers are open. Growers have developed hybrids, such as "Brown Turkey," that do not need to be pollinated to form fruit. Without pollination, the fig fruits do not produce viable seed.